Talking Rain: Difference between revisions
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[[File:SI_Logo_Purple_Soild_Bubbles.png|thumb|Sparkling Ice design trademark]] |
[[File:SI_Logo_Purple_Soild_Bubbles.png|thumb|Sparkling Ice design trademark]] |
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'''Talking Rain''' is a privately held beverage company based in [[Preston, Washington]] that manufactures still |
'''Talking Rain''' is a privately held beverage company based in [[Preston, Washington]] that manufactures still and [[Carbonated water|sparkling waters]]. Sparkling Ice accounts for the majority of their business. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Talking Rain was founded in 1987<ref name="aboutself">{{Cite web |title=About · Talking Rain |url=https://www.talkingrain.com/about/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Talking Rain |language=en-US}}</ref> by John Stevens and Pete Hiskin in [[Bellevue, Washington]]. The company was bought |
Talking Rain was founded in 1987<ref name="aboutself">{{Cite web |title=About · Talking Rain |url=https://www.talkingrain.com/about/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Talking Rain |language=en-US}}</ref> by John Stevens and Pete Hiskin in [[Bellevue, Washington]]. The company was bought six months later by investors Lawrence Hebner, Donald Kline, and Donald Jasper for $300,000.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2013/06/05/turning-water-into-cash-the-unlikely-success-of-talking-rain/#17e148b42222|title=Turning Water Into Cash: The Unlikely Success Of Talking Rain|last=Strauss|first=Karsten|work=Forbes|access-date=2018-10-03|language=en}}</ref> In 1992, the company began production of Sparkling Ice.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Garnic|first=Coral|date=2014-01-21|title=Sparkling ICE's big splash revives TalkingRain|work=The Seattle Times|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/sparkling-icersquos-big-splash-revives-talkingrain/|access-date=2018-10-03}}</ref> They also moved to their current location in Preston, Washington that same year. |
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In 2014, [[Kevin Durant]], the former [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] forward, signed an [[endorsement deal]] with Sparkling Ice under [[Roc Nation Sports]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/11216010|title=KD signs major Roc Nation-negotiated deal|date=2014-07-15|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://abc7news.com/sports/kevin-durant-signs-with-sparkling-ice/186262/|title=Kevin Durant signs with Sparkling Ice|date=2014-07-15|work=ABC7 San Francisco|access-date=2018-11-01|language=en-US}}</ref> |
In 2014, [[Kevin Durant]], the former [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] forward, signed an [[endorsement deal]] with Sparkling Ice under [[Roc Nation Sports]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/11216010|title=KD signs major Roc Nation-negotiated deal|date=2014-07-15|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://abc7news.com/sports/kevin-durant-signs-with-sparkling-ice/186262/|title=Kevin Durant signs with Sparkling Ice|date=2014-07-15|work=ABC7 San Francisco|access-date=2018-11-01|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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In August 2017, Talking Rain signed a distribution agreement with [[Tata Global Beverages]] to distribute Himalayan mineral water in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://consumergoods.com/talking-rain-tata-beverages-strike-dsd-alliance|title=Talking Rain, Tata Beverages Strike DSD Alliance|work=Consumer Goods Technology|access-date=2018-10-03|language=en}}</ref> |
In August 2017, Talking Rain signed a distribution agreement with [[Tata Global Beverages]] to distribute Himalayan mineral water in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://consumergoods.com/talking-rain-tata-beverages-strike-dsd-alliance|title=Talking Rain, Tata Beverages Strike DSD Alliance|work=Consumer Goods Technology|access-date=2018-10-03|language=en}}</ref> |
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Kevin Klock was president and CEO of the company from 2010 to 2017. <ref name=":2" /> Marcus Smith was interim CEO from the time of Kevin Klock's resignation until April 2018, when Chris Hall took over the position, and Smith became president of the company.<ref name=":2" /> Chris Hall was CEO of the company from 2018 to 2022. Board member and current Chief Operating Officer Ken Sylvia was named CEO, and he remains CEO today.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2022/talking-rain-ceo-chris-hall-stepping-down/|title=Talking Rain CEO Chris Hall Stepping Down|website=BevNET.com|language=en-US|access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref> |
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In 2018, Talking Rain launched a rebranded bottle label and changed the Sparkling Ice formula to include colors from natural sources.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2018/under-new-ceo-talking-rain-charts-path-to-growth|title=Under New CEO, Talking Rain Charts Path to Growth - BevNET.com|website=BevNET.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-10-03}}</ref> |
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Kevin Klock was president and CEO of the company from 2010 to 2017; he left abruptly after alleged accusations of sexual harassment by a former Talking Rain employee.<ref>[https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/ceo-of-talking-rain-beverage-fired-after-sexual-abuse-lawsuit-contends/ "CEO of Talking Rain Beverage fired after sexual assault, lawsuit contends"], ''Seattle Times'', November 8, 2017</ref> The company told BevNET the case was dismissed.<ref name=":2" /> Marcus Smith was interim CEO until April 2018, when Chris Hall took over the position, and Smith became president of the company.<ref name=":2" /> |
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In 2018, at 34th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Talking Rain announced a yearlong sponsorship of the NHRA Top Fuel Dragster driven by [[Leah Pruett|Leah Pritchett]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-02-26 |title=Sparkling Ice Announces Sponsorship of NHRA Top Fuel Driver Leah Pritchett |url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2018/sparkling-ice-announces-sponsorship-nhra-top-fuel-driver-leah-pritchett |access-date=2022-06-22 |website=BevNET.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |
In 2018, at 34th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Talking Rain announced a yearlong sponsorship of the NHRA Top Fuel Dragster driven by [[Leah Pruett|Leah Pritchett]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-02-26 |title=Sparkling Ice Announces Sponsorship of NHRA Top Fuel Driver Leah Pritchett |url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2018/sparkling-ice-announces-sponsorship-nhra-top-fuel-driver-leah-pritchett |access-date=2022-06-22 |website=BevNET.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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Latest revision as of 01:30, 8 October 2024
 | This article contains paid contributions. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. |
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| Industry | Consumer packaged goods |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people |
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| Products | Talking Rain Waters, Sparkling Ice |
Number of employees | 250-500[2] |
| Website | www.talkingrain.com |
Talking Rain is a privately held beverage company based in Preston, Washington that manufactures still and sparkling waters. Sparkling Ice accounts for the majority of their business.
History
[edit]Talking Rain was founded in 1987[1] by John Stevens and Pete Hiskin in Bellevue, Washington. The company was bought six months later by investors Lawrence Hebner, Donald Kline, and Donald Jasper for $300,000.[3] In 1992, the company began production of Sparkling Ice.[4] They also moved to their current location in Preston, Washington that same year.
In 2014, Kevin Durant, the former Oklahoma City Thunder forward, signed an endorsement deal with Sparkling Ice under Roc Nation Sports.[5][6]
In 2014, 2015, and 2016, the company was recognized in the Inc. 5000 list.[7]
In August 2017, Talking Rain signed a distribution agreement with Tata Global Beverages to distribute Himalayan mineral water in the U.S.[8]
Kevin Klock was president and CEO of the company from 2010 to 2017. [9] Marcus Smith was interim CEO from the time of Kevin Klock's resignation until April 2018, when Chris Hall took over the position, and Smith became president of the company.[9] Chris Hall was CEO of the company from 2018 to 2022. Board member and current Chief Operating Officer Ken Sylvia was named CEO, and he remains CEO today.[10]
In 2018, Talking Rain launched a rebranded bottle label and changed the Sparkling Ice formula to include colors from natural sources.[9]
In 2018, at 34th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, Talking Rain announced a yearlong sponsorship of the NHRA Top Fuel Dragster driven by Leah Pritchett.[11]
In January 2019, company introduced voice skill for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for consumers to check Sparking Ice cocktail and mocktail recipes.[12]
According to Nielsen, as of June 15, 2019, Sparkling Ice had about $500 million in annual retail sales with a 14.9% increase in year-to-date dollar sales.[13]
In April 2022, COO Ken Sylvia was promoted to CEO.[14]
Products
[edit]In 2006, they launched two more products, Twist and ActivWater, which were produced until 2011, when Talking Rain decided to focus their business on the Sparkling Ice; in 2018, Talking Rain generated $60 million in revenue, up 140% from the year before. In 2013, the beverage represented 95% of the company's sales.[3][4][15]
In October 2018, Talking Rain released a caffeinated version of Sparkling Ice.[16]
In May 2020, the company launched an alkaline water, Talking Rain Essentials Hydration Water in collaboration with Waterboys which was relaunched in 2021 as Talking Rain AQA.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "About · Talking Rain". Talking Rain. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ "Kevin Klock is out as Talking Rain CEO", Puget Sound Business Journal, March, 10, 2017
- ^ a b Strauss, Karsten. "Turning Water Into Cash: The Unlikely Success Of Talking Rain". Forbes. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ a b Garnic, Coral (January 21, 2014). "Sparkling ICE's big splash revives TalkingRain". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ "KD signs major Roc Nation-negotiated deal". ESPN.com. July 15, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- ^ "Kevin Durant signs with Sparkling Ice". ABC7 San Francisco. July 15, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- ^ "Talking Rain Beverage Company: Number 2711 on the 2016 Inc. 5000". Inc.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ "Talking Rain, Tata Beverages Strike DSD Alliance". Consumer Goods Technology. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Under New CEO, Talking Rain Charts Path to Growth - BevNET.com". BevNET.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ "Talking Rain CEO Chris Hall Stepping Down". BevNET.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
- ^ "Sparkling Ice Announces Sponsorship of NHRA Top Fuel Driver Leah Pritchett". BevNET.com. February 26, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
- ^ "Sparkling Ice Adds Amazon, Google Voice Skills". www.mediapost.com. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
- ^ "When The Bubble's Bursting: Inside LaCroix's Decline". BevNET.com. July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
- ^ "Talking Rain promotes Sylvia to CEO". www.foodbusinessnews.net. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ "Ice on Fire | Seattle Business Magazine". seattlebusinessmag.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ "Sparkling Ice debuts caffeinated line". BevIndustry. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- ^ "Talking Rain Essentials Hydration Water". www.bevindustry.com. Retrieved November 26, 2020.