I found this pretty interesting and perhaps a hint of where Gerry David is going with RMHB.
This was a conference call in 2016 pertaining to Celsius, a company that Gerry David spearheaded to great success.
The one thing I don't totally understand is that it seems that RMHB and Celcius would be competitors. If a can of Celcius and a can of RMHB are side by side on a 7-11 shelf, isn't Gerry David taking money out of one pocket and putting it in another? Where do his loyalties lie?
Note the sentence on Celcius being a "healthy alternative to traditional energy drinks". Isn't that also his apparent marketing scheme for RMHB?
He also talks about Singapore and international growth.
For instance he said......"The launch in Singapore provide Celsius its first foothold in the Asian market."
Hmmm. That's sounds all too familiar.
Sure, the ingredients are different, but aren't they both healthy alternatives to the traditional Red Bull et al energy drinks?
It seems obvious he is putting both products in the very same niche, perhaps with the logic that if Celcius was successful in that niche why wouldn't RMHB be just as successful?
Or maybe there's another reason.
Below is an unedited excerpt from Gerry David's contribution to that 2016 conference call.
The Celsius 7-Eleven relationship continues to grow both in number of stores as well as our BPOs. The Celsius healthy alternative to traditional energy drinks is being well received by the 7-Eleven consumer as well as corporate management. We have exciting promotional plans for 2017 for 7-Eleven. Our international business gain additional traction during the quarter with revenue growth of 147% over last year. This triple digit growth was mainly driven from our Sweden Finland distribution partner. Our business has normalized in Sweden as anticipated and the successful launch in December [ph]. Our Sweden Finland partner continued to shore up their senior executive team with the third edition coming over from Coca-Cola.
Celsius continues to be ranked as the number one fitness and number two energy brand according to Nielsen in Sweden. Our trade launch in Singapore with our partner YHS Singapore is scheduled for tomorrow November 11th. The launch will be a multi-faceted event attended by retailers including grocery, convenience specialty chains and health clubs. Key distribution partners will also be in attendance. The event will be covered by the media, influential guests will be in attendance including well known fitness trainers. The launch in Singapore provide Celsius its first foothold in the Asian market.
What follows is an announcement in February of 2017 that Gerry David was retiring from Celcius.
"I am proud of all that we have accomplished as a team over the last five and a half years with a successful turnaround of the CELSIUS® business," said Mr. David. "We have built a solid infrastructure that will allow the company to realize continued growth globally." CELSIUS® has achieved 5 years of record revenues, opened new international markets, significantly improved shareholder value, and established a solid balance sheet for the future. A key turning point for the company was the 2015 strategic investment by Li Ka-Shing's Horizon Ventures, Russell Simmons, Kimora Lee Simmons, and other highly influential partners. This strategic partnership has opened the door to the vast opportunity in Asia and accelerated growth domestically. "Within the Natural Channel, CELSIUS® is now the fastest-growing brand in the single serve energy & other functional beverage category, demonstrating the progress we have made and the success of our turnaround." (SPINS 52wk ending 1.22.2017)
"Now, as I approach age 65 this year, it is time for me to 'pass the baton,'" continued Mr. David. "I am confident that the board will identify an outstanding candidate shortly to lead the company to the next level of its growth."
I'm puzzled by the statement "Now, as I approach age 65 this year, it is time for me to "pass the baton."
So he was getting too old to continue on with Celcius, but he's suddenly rejuvenated and decided he's not too old after all, and wants to take another kick at the cat with RMHB?
If it takes him five years to get RMHB where Celcius is, he'll be 70 years old.
I just hope he's getting involved with RMHB for all the right reasons and not because he wants to control the reins of a brand that might threaten the profitability of Celcius.
Celcius, a stock that closed at $4.97 today.
Where would your loyalties lie?
It should be interesting to see what happens in the coming months.
As for myself, I'm fully invested in this stock and sincerely hope there are no ulterior motives and Gerry David is getting involved because he sees RMHB for the great product it really is.
Time will tell.........
This was a conference call in 2016 pertaining to Celsius, a company that Gerry David spearheaded to great success.
The one thing I don't totally understand is that it seems that RMHB and Celcius would be competitors. If a can of Celcius and a can of RMHB are side by side on a 7-11 shelf, isn't Gerry David taking money out of one pocket and putting it in another? Where do his loyalties lie?
Note the sentence on Celcius being a "healthy alternative to traditional energy drinks". Isn't that also his apparent marketing scheme for RMHB?
He also talks about Singapore and international growth.
For instance he said......"The launch in Singapore provide Celsius its first foothold in the Asian market."
Hmmm. That's sounds all too familiar.
Sure, the ingredients are different, but aren't they both healthy alternatives to the traditional Red Bull et al energy drinks?
It seems obvious he is putting both products in the very same niche, perhaps with the logic that if Celcius was successful in that niche why wouldn't RMHB be just as successful?
Or maybe there's another reason.
Below is an unedited excerpt from Gerry David's contribution to that 2016 conference call.
The Celsius 7-Eleven relationship continues to grow both in number of stores as well as our BPOs. The Celsius healthy alternative to traditional energy drinks is being well received by the 7-Eleven consumer as well as corporate management. We have exciting promotional plans for 2017 for 7-Eleven. Our international business gain additional traction during the quarter with revenue growth of 147% over last year. This triple digit growth was mainly driven from our Sweden Finland distribution partner. Our business has normalized in Sweden as anticipated and the successful launch in December [ph]. Our Sweden Finland partner continued to shore up their senior executive team with the third edition coming over from Coca-Cola.
Celsius continues to be ranked as the number one fitness and number two energy brand according to Nielsen in Sweden. Our trade launch in Singapore with our partner YHS Singapore is scheduled for tomorrow November 11th. The launch will be a multi-faceted event attended by retailers including grocery, convenience specialty chains and health clubs. Key distribution partners will also be in attendance. The event will be covered by the media, influential guests will be in attendance including well known fitness trainers. The launch in Singapore provide Celsius its first foothold in the Asian market.
What follows is an announcement in February of 2017 that Gerry David was retiring from Celcius.
"I am proud of all that we have accomplished as a team over the last five and a half years with a successful turnaround of the CELSIUS® business," said Mr. David. "We have built a solid infrastructure that will allow the company to realize continued growth globally." CELSIUS® has achieved 5 years of record revenues, opened new international markets, significantly improved shareholder value, and established a solid balance sheet for the future. A key turning point for the company was the 2015 strategic investment by Li Ka-Shing's Horizon Ventures, Russell Simmons, Kimora Lee Simmons, and other highly influential partners. This strategic partnership has opened the door to the vast opportunity in Asia and accelerated growth domestically. "Within the Natural Channel, CELSIUS® is now the fastest-growing brand in the single serve energy & other functional beverage category, demonstrating the progress we have made and the success of our turnaround." (SPINS 52wk ending 1.22.2017)
"Now, as I approach age 65 this year, it is time for me to 'pass the baton,'" continued Mr. David. "I am confident that the board will identify an outstanding candidate shortly to lead the company to the next level of its growth."
I'm puzzled by the statement "Now, as I approach age 65 this year, it is time for me to "pass the baton."
So he was getting too old to continue on with Celcius, but he's suddenly rejuvenated and decided he's not too old after all, and wants to take another kick at the cat with RMHB?
If it takes him five years to get RMHB where Celcius is, he'll be 70 years old.
I just hope he's getting involved with RMHB for all the right reasons and not because he wants to control the reins of a brand that might threaten the profitability of Celcius.
Celcius, a stock that closed at $4.97 today.
Where would your loyalties lie?
It should be interesting to see what happens in the coming months.
As for myself, I'm fully invested in this stock and sincerely hope there are no ulterior motives and Gerry David is getting involved because he sees RMHB for the great product it really is.
Time will tell.........
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