Sparkling Ice® Expands Internationally with United Kingdom and Ireland Market Introductions

Leading Sparkling Flavored Water Brand Continues Growth Trajectory

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May 09, 2016, 08:30 ET

PRESTON, Wash., May 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Talking Rain Beverage Company^®, the maker of Sparkling Ice^® flavored sparkling waters, is proud to announce a major distribution development for the brand with an international market expansion in the United Kingdom and Ireland. For its initial launch, the brand will introduce three top performing flavors in over 8,000 stores, with a specific focus on major cities including London, Dublin and Belfast.

"As an established category leader in the U.S. beverage market, with over $600 million in sales in 2015, we are pleased to continue our growth trajectory internationally, and are proud to offer a 'better for you' beverage choice that delivers the bold flavor the market demands," said Kevin Klock, President and CEO of Talking Rain Beverage Co. "As Sparkling Ice continues to grow and expand, we look forward to emulating the brand's success in the U.K. and Ireland."

Research has shown that the U.K. and Ireland beverage market presents a wealth of opportunity for "better for you" alternatives like Sparkling Ice as the category moves away from full-calorie CSDs to lower calorie options. Having hit shelves in late April at major grocery and drug store retailers, Sparkling Ice will be available in the three consumer favorite flavors: Black Raspberry, Orange Mango and Peach Nectarine.

The U.K. and Ireland market entries follow successful international expansions in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Australia. Talking Rain will support the launch with out of home advertising and a summer sampling campaign, in addition to in-store marketing promotions and PR. Promotional launch efforts will be directed by W Communications, a London-based PR firm with offices in Singapore and Amsterdam recently recognized with PR Week's coveted Agency of the Year award in 2015.

Talking Rain has partnered with leading manufacturers and distributors based in the U.K. and Ireland, including Norbev Ltd., a contract manufacturer of beverages that has been based in Northern Ireland since 1919; Richmond Brand Revolutionaries, a consumer-focused premium brand builder based in Ireland; and Red Star Brand Revolutionaries, an independently owned distributor that specializes in identifying and introducing innovative beverage brands.

Talking Rain, founded in 1987, attributes the company's recent and unprecedented growth to an increased focus on Sparkling Ice flavored waters. The Sparkling Ice beverage line was recognized in both the 2011 and 2012 IRI New Product Pacesetters reports, an industry-recognized benchmark analysis of exceptional CPG sales success. The brand also received recognition in Nielsen's "Breakthrough Innovation Awards" and Beverage World's "Breakout Brand" features for 2013. Talking Rain was named Beverage Forum's "Company of the Year" for 2013 and 2015, and was recognized by Beverage World as their "2014 Liquid Refreshment Company of the Year." CEO Kevin Klock was named "Person of the Year" in the BevNet "Best of 2013" Awards, received Ernst & Young's 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Consumer Product Goods in the Pacific Northwest, was awarded a Gold Stevie Award for "Executive of the Year" in 2015 and recognized as the 2015 "CEO of the Year" at the Seattle Business Executive Excellence Awards. The brand has also been honored by Inc. Magazine as part of the Fastest-Growing Private U.S. Companies lists for 2014 and 2015.

For more information about Sparkling Ice, visit www.sparklingice.com.

About Sparkling Ice Beverages
Sparkling Ice beverages combine sparkling water, natural flavors, fruit juice and vitamins to offer a great tasting lightly carbonated beverage. Sparkling Ice is the Bold Side of Water^®, offering a bold, flavored, lightly-carbonated beverage that appeals to all age groups. Available in eleven refreshing flavors: Black Raspberry, Orange Mango, Pink Grapefruit, Kiwi Strawberry, Coconut Pineapple, Pomegranate Blueberry, Peach Nectarine, Lemon Lime, Crisp Apple, Cherry Limeade, Strawberry Watermelon and new in 2016 Black Cherry. Sparkling Ice Lemonades, launched in 2013, are available in three refreshing flavors: Classic Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade and Peach Lemonade. Sparkling Ice Teas launched nationally in 2015 and include Peach Tea, Raspberry Tea, Lemon Tea and Half & Half flavors. In 2016, the brand introduced the Sparkling Ice essence of sparkling water collection, which features four natural flavor varieties free of sweeteners, artificial colors or preservatives. The essence of sparkling water collection includes Lemon Lime, Peach, Tangerine and a non-flavored variety. Sparkling Ice is part of the Talking Rain family of beverages, and retails for $1.19-$1.29. To locate Sparkling Ice, visit www.sparklingice.com/locate/.

SOURCE Talking Rain Beverage Company