Latest news with #SparklingIce
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Talking Rain and The Jed Foundation launch workshop curriculum designed to prevent student-athlete suicide
Sparkling Ice + JED PRESTON, Wash., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In alignment with its mission to support healthy communities and personal wellbeing, Talking Rain Beverage Company®, makers of the No. 1 sparkling water brand, Sparkling Ice®, today announced the launch of a new workshop curriculum that was developed by its nonprofit partner, The Jed Foundation (JED). JED is a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults nationwide, to help turn the tide on student-athlete suicides. The new workshop curriculum, 'Championing Mental Health: Winning Strategies for Supporting Student-Athletes,' was designed by mental health experts at JED with financial backing from Talking Rain and its brand, Sparkling Ice. It provides essential training and tools for college coaches and athletic directors to identify signs of mental distress among student-athletes, offer trauma-sensitive support, refer them to support when needed, care for their own well-being, and reduce risks for suicide – the second most common cause of death for college athletes, according to research led by the University of Washington. Recognizing that student-athletes at community colleges and Division I universities alike need access to mental health resources, JED launched the workshop at schools of different sizes, locations and athletic conferences. Early participants include California State University Maritime Academy, Michigan Technological University, Saint Peter's University, Siena College, and Widener University —and more institutions are already scheduled to participate in upcoming training sessions. 'I had the privilege of attending one of the pilot workshops JED held for athletic directors and coaches this spring,' said Veronica Blankenship, chief people and communications officer at Talking Rain. 'What impressed me the most was how open attendees were about their own mental struggles as athletes, and how much they empathized with what their student-athletes are going through. JED's work is at the forefront of this ongoing shift in addressing mental health concerns, and these colleges and universities are eager to learn how to best support their students. We're thrilled to be able to partner with JED on this life-saving initiative that furthers our commitment to sharing our success in support of healthy communities, greater inclusivity and personal wellbeing.' Talking Rain's continued support has allowed JED to expand its programming to scale its response to urgent community needs and deliver this new training to additional colleges and universities that have asked to receive it. With mental health challenges on the rise, schools that signed up for the workshop say they are excited to bring the training to their staff and coaches, enhancing their ability to identify concerns and giving them the confidence to assist student-athletes who may be struggling. 'This proactive approach not only fosters a healthier team environment and reduces stigma surrounding mental health, but it also empowers our leaders to play a vital role in the overall wellbeing and success of their athletes, extending beyond athletic performance,' said Katie Arcuri, director of athletics at Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, NJ. 'Student-athlete mental health is as important as physical health in achieving top performance both on and off the field,' said Dr. Katie Hurley, senior director of clinical advising and community programs at JED. 'The sheer number of schools that responded asking to take part in these workshops is a testament to the current gap in mental health support for student-athletes across the country. We are grateful to Talking Rain for their continued support of this program.' If your college would like to learn more about this series of workshops, please complete the intake form on JED's Rain, the makers of Sparkling Ice®, is a family-owned company based in Preston, Washington. Through nearly four decades of redefining the sparkling water category, Talking Rain has crafted a remarkable collection of full-flavored, better-for-you beverages, including the No. 1 sparkling water brand in the U.S., Sparkling Ice (also available in Caffeine and Energy), AQA and Popwell, a cold-crafted prebiotic soda. Talking Rain drinks are enriched with vitamins and antioxidants and come in a delicious array of bold flavors. Talking Rain believes in sharing its success to support healthy communities, personal wellbeing, and greater inclusivity. We live life in full flavor and believe the world should, too. For more information, please visit is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation's teens and young adults. We're partnering with high schools, colleges, and school districts to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We're equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We're encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health. Connect with JED: Email | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Snapchat | YouTube Media ContactAnnie AlleyFirmani + Associates206-466-2713talkingrain@ BarboDirector of Public RelationsThe Jed Foundation914-844-4611justin@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
10-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Talking Rain Boosts Convenience Store Presence with New C-Store VP, Chelsea Sobran
Talking Rain Beverage Company®, makers of the No. 1 sparkling water brand, Sparkling Ice ®, today announced the hiring of Chelsea Sobran, VP of Convenience Channel, who brings a deep understanding of the consumer landscape and spearheads the company's strategic growth in the convenience store market. 'As with other Talking Rain distribution channels, the convenience store channel strategy revolves around meeting our consumers where they are. When our consumers are on the go, they find the convenience store cold vault a great place to pick out and try new products,' said Sobran. 'Given the pent-up demand for better-for-you beverages, and Talking Rain's wide range of offerings, we expect to see Talking Rain more than double its c-store sales over the next three years.' Sobran's role entails growing the company's sales footprint by developing and maintaining relationships with the largest and most complex retailers in the convenience channel and ensuring Talking Rain products look irresistible on the shelf. Sobran has seen a marked transition take place in beverage options at c-stores, first expanding from regular soda to diet soda, and most recently toward better-for-you beverages. Sobran joins the Talking Rain team at the beginning of a year dedicated to accelerated growth through new flavors and product offerings, as well as an expansion of partnerships. Most recently, Talking Rain announced the launch of its Sparkling Ice STARBURST RED PACK, a continuation of the brand's partnership with STARBURST, which first became a runaway hit in 2024. Flavor fans can expect several new Talking Rain products and formats to launch in 2025. Before joining Talking Rain, Sobran spent ten years at Nestlé Waters North America, where she held roles in sales, analytics and marketing across both Canada and the United States, before moving on to serve as the sales VP at Keurig Dr Pepper. There she developed and led a sales team for the commercial coffee business unit across convenience, foodservice and hospitality channels. 'We are excited to welcome Chelsea to the team, marking another strategic investment in our company's expansive growth trajectory,' said Ken Sylvia, CEO of Talking Rain Beverage Co. 'Chelsea brings a wealth of expertise that will be pivotal as we expand our presence and introduce new Sparkling Ice flavors, along with other Talking Rain products, to the convenience sector nationwide. This move ensures that our flavorful beverages are more accessible to consumers everywhere.' Learn more about Talking Rain at Talking Rain, the makers of Sparkling Ice®, is a family-owned company based in Preston, Washington. Through nearly four decades of redefining the sparkling water category, Talking Rain has crafted a remarkable collection of full-flavored, better-for-you beverages, including the #1 sparkling water brand in the U.S., Sparkling Ice (also available in +Caffeine and +Energy). Talking Rain drinks have zero sugar, are enriched with vitamins and antioxidants, and come in a delicious array of bold flavors. Talking Rain believes in sharing its success to support healthy communities, personal wellbeing, and greater inclusivity. We live life in full flavor and believe the world should, too. Media Contact Annie Alley 206-466-2713
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Talking Rain Boosts Convenience Store Presence with New C-Store VP, Chelsea Sobran
PRESTON, Wash., Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talking Rain Beverage Company®, makers of the No. 1 sparkling water brand, Sparkling Ice®, today announced the hiring of Chelsea Sobran, VP of Convenience Channel, who brings a deep understanding of the consumer landscape and spearheads the company's strategic growth in the convenience store market. 'As with other Talking Rain distribution channels, the convenience store channel strategy revolves around meeting our consumers where they are. When our consumers are on the go, they find the convenience store cold vault a great place to pick out and try new products,' said Sobran. 'Given the pent-up demand for better-for-you beverages, and Talking Rain's wide range of offerings, we expect to see Talking Rain more than double its c-store sales over the next three years.' Sobran's role entails growing the company's sales footprint by developing and maintaining relationships with the largest and most complex retailers in the convenience channel and ensuring Talking Rain products look irresistible on the shelf. Sobran has seen a marked transition take place in beverage options at c-stores, first expanding from regular soda to diet soda, and most recently toward better-for-you beverages. Sobran joins the Talking Rain team at the beginning of a year dedicated to accelerated growth through new flavors and product offerings, as well as an expansion of partnerships. Most recently, Talking Rain announced the launch of its Sparkling Ice STARBURST RED PACK, a continuation of the brand's partnership with STARBURST, which first became a runaway hit in 2024. Flavor fans can expect several new Talking Rain products and formats to launch in 2025. Before joining Talking Rain, Sobran spent ten years at Nestlé Waters North America, where she held roles in sales, analytics and marketing across both Canada and the United States, before moving on to serve as the sales VP at Keurig Dr Pepper. There she developed and led a sales team for the commercial coffee business unit across convenience, foodservice and hospitality channels. 'We are excited to welcome Chelsea to the team, marking another strategic investment in our company's expansive growth trajectory,' said Ken Sylvia, CEO of Talking Rain Beverage Co. 'Chelsea brings a wealth of expertise that will be pivotal as we expand our presence and introduce new Sparkling Ice flavors, along with other Talking Rain products, to the convenience sector nationwide. This move ensures that our flavorful beverages are more accessible to consumers everywhere.' Learn more about Talking Rain at Rain, the makers of Sparkling Ice®, is a family-owned company based in Preston, Washington. Through nearly four decades of redefining the sparkling water category, Talking Rain has crafted a remarkable collection of full-flavored, better-for-you beverages, including the #1 sparkling water brand in the U.S., Sparkling Ice (also available in +Caffeine and +Energy). Talking Rain drinks have zero sugar, are enriched with vitamins and antioxidants, and come in a delicious array of bold flavors. Talking Rain believes in sharing its success to support healthy communities, personal wellbeing, and greater inclusivity. We live life in full flavor and believe the world should, too. For more information, please visit Media ContactAnnie AlleyFirmani + Associates206-466-2713talkingrain@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sparkling Ice® Launches Two New STARBURST® Candy Flavors as Part of First-Ever ‘RED PACK'
Sparkling Ice STARBURST's runaway success in 2024 leads to continued collaboration and new STARBURST-inspired flavors Sparkling Ice STARBURST Red Pack Sparkling Ice STARBURST Red Pack Sparkling Ice STARBURST Red Pack Sparkling Ice STARBURST Red Pack PRESTON, Wash., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Sparkling Ice® brand, crafted by Talking Rain Beverage Company®, today unveiled its Sparkling Ice® STARBURST™ RED PACK including fresh flavors of the popular zero-sugar refreshment, formulated with colors and flavors from natural sources. The 12-pack of beverages unites two new Sparkling Ice flavors, STARBURST Fruit Punch and STARBURST Watermelon, with fan-favorite Sparkling Ice flavors Kiwi Strawberry and Black Cherry. Like the STARBURST-inspired Sparkling Ice flavors launched in 2024, the latest flavors capture the creamy taste of the fruit chew candy from the popular STARBURST FaveReds™ pack in the iconic tall, skinny bottle of America's #1 sparkling water. Originally envisioned as a limited time offering, the Sparkling Ice STARBURST collaboration has generated seemingly unquenchable demand. From January to March 2024, Talking Rain shipped 2.4 million cases of the new flavors, and yet consumers clamored for more. By April 2024, the demand forecast for Sparkling Ice STARBURST had already increased more than 300% from the company's original full-year projections. Not only that, but Sparkling Ice STARBURST was also the flavor line selected by 29.1% of new buyers. Heading into 2025, the new Sparkling Ice RED PACK is similarly poised to surpass expectations. 'We know that flavor fans are thirsty for innovation and nostalgia,' said Rich DePencier, Chief Growth Officer at Talking Rain Beverage Company. 'Combining these new Sparkling Ice STARBURST flavors with our core classics, Sparkling Ice Kiwi Strawberry and Black Cherry, offers the best of both worlds!' Just as Emmy Award-winning actress Annie Murphy has returned to the Flavor Lab for a fresh take on the Sparkling Ice 'Anything But Subtle' marketing campaign, the Talking Rain team is building on its fans' gushing enthusiasm for STARBURST-inspired flavors as it prepares to accelerate growth in the new year. 'Our retail partners are excited to add these new flavors to the Sparkling Ice STARBURST lineup,' said DePencier. 'We're tapped into the mindset of our consumers – what they love, where they shop and, most importantly, their desire to try new things and tell others about them.' The Sparkling Ice STARBURST RED PACK is already available on Amazon and will begin rolling out to retailers nationwide in February. The Sparkling Ice STARBURST Watermelon flavor will also be available as a single 17 oz bottle. For more information on Sparkling Ice, visit Rain, the makers of Sparkling Ice®, is a family-owned company based in Preston, Washington. Through nearly four decades of redefining the sparkling water category, Talking Rain has crafted a remarkable collection of full-flavored, better-for-you beverages, including the #1 sparkling water brand in the U.S., Sparkling Ice (also available in +Caffeine and +Energy). Talking Rain drinks have zero sugar, are enriched with vitamins and antioxidants, and come in a delicious array of bold flavors. Talking Rain believes in sharing its success to support healthy communities, personal wellbeing, and greater inclusivity. We live life in full flavor and believe the world should, too. For more information, please visit Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a global, family-owned business, Mars is transforming, innovating, and evolving to make a positive impact on the world. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of quality confectionery, food, and pet care products and services, we employ 140,000+ dedicated Associates. With almost $45 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world's best-loved brands including Ben's Original™, CESAR®, Cocoavia®, DOVE®, EXTRA®, KIND®, M&M's®, SNICKERS®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, and WHISKAS®. We are creating a better world for pets through our global network of pet hospitals and diagnostic services – including AniCura, BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, Linnaeus and VCA™ – using cutting edge technology to develop breakthrough programs in genetic health screening and DNA testing. For more information about Mars, please visit Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Media ContactAnnie AlleyFirmani + Associates206-466-2713talkingrain@ Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: in to access your portfolio
