CUBA Goes Capitalist

A recent article written on Cuba:

http://www.bevnet.com/news/headlines/2011/cuba-goes-capitalist/

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During the 2008 NACS Show, visitors were treated to an extravagant booth and display of video and skin by CUBA, an emerging, all-natural energy drink company that seemed to be – or was portraying itself to be, at least – on the verge of a breakthrough.

In the two years that followed, NACS Show visitors looking to relive the experience would have had a much tougher time, as CUBA didn’t have a booth at either show. In fact, it became a product whose launch was basically the only news it generated – and the drink, although well-received at the time –never caught on wildly.

Nevertheless, the brand made the unconventional business decision to go public about six months ago, executing a reverse merger deal in an effort to revitalize a brand that, according to CEO Alex Procopio, spread its resources too thin. A handful of beverage companies have gone public in recent years, and a look at CUBA provides an interesting look at the reasoning behind the option.

“We went into too many markets too quickly,” Procopio said. “We decided to pull back and focus on a few key ones, though we needed more resources for sales and marketing than just selling product. But in a weak economy, it hasn’t been easy to get financing, and private investment just wasn’t there. Going public in a reverse merger was a better vehicle to support a brand like CUBA.”

In July 2010, CUBA merged with a dormant shell company called Green Card Capital; after control of the company changed hands it was renamed under the publically traded name, CUBA Beverage Company.

At the time of the merger, CUBA raised less than $100,000 but Urban Smedeby, who is a partner at Bridgewater Capital Corporation and the one who engineered the reverse merger, noted that there was a visibility component to going public that he said would make it much easier to raise money for a public company than for a private one.

Smedeby pointed out a similar reverse merger four years ago with Clearly Canadian, which found investment and some success in revitalizing a weak brand. Clearly Canadian did some advertising, even working out a brief endorsement deal with Steve Nash, although the company’s share price currently sits at just over $0.01 per share. (Interestingly enough, in the 30 days between March 16 and April 15, CUBA’s share price slid from a high of 0.40 to 0.08 in very heavy trading.)

Still, Smedeby said that CUBA is currently trying to raise $500,000 and that the company was entertaining two specific offers from “people that have made money in the beverage industry”.

The move to go public has been accompanied by a flurry of activity in recent months, including a couple of USDA sponsored trade missions and a recent distribution deal with 5 Star Beverages in Southern California.

“5 Star is the fastest growing distributor in California, and we hope to foster our relationship with them for expansion into additional key markets like Los Angeles County,” Procopio said. Our hope is to springboard success on the West Coast to develop production and supply lines on the East Coast and, ultimately, international markets.”

The president of 5 Star Beverages, Sanwat Gill, noted that he has known Procopio for over 3 years and had discussed distributing the product in the past, though it was CUBA’s current distribution to military bases in San Diego County that was the key factor in their decision to add the brand to its portfolio.

“The timing was right, so to speak,” Gill said. “CUBA’s deal with military bases is big for us. And since they’ve gone public and will have some funding behind them, and because they are not competing with any other brands in our portfolio, it was a good fit for us.”

Nevertheless, when asked if CUBA could reestablish itself as a brand on rise, Gill said that it was tough to say, noting that while 5 Star was committed to getting the product on store shelves, it would be up to CUBA’s sales and marketing team to drive growth.

“Currently, CUBA has only two people that do all of their sales work, and they’ll have to hire more [to be successful],” Gill said. “Though to be honest, if we didn’t think that [CUBA] could make it, we wouldn’t have picked up the brand.”

CUBA Beverage Company® Signs Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Haralambos Beverage Co. Affiliate, and San Diego Area Distributor, 5 Star Beverage LLC

Beginning in May of 2011, 5 Star Beverage LLC (http://www.5starbev.com) will begin distributing CUBA Herbal Energy Juice® on an exclusive basis throughout San Diego County. 5 Star Beverage LLC is a joint venture between Haralambos Beverage Co. of Los Angeles and 5 Star Beverage, Inc. of San Diego.

Over 3 years ago, CUBA Beverage Company® was one of the first companies to market with an all natural energy juice. In response to consumer demand for a healthier, better-tasting energy beverage, CUBA Herbal Energy Juice® is now replacing traditional unhealthy energy drinks in many locations in the United States and internationally.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice® is an all natural herbal energy juice currently available in three unique flavors; Pomegranate-Cranberry, Wild Berry and Passion Fruit-Orange. CUBA Beverage Company’s ® products represent a healthy all-natural energy drink, with no caffeine, no taurine, no high fructose corn syrups or sugars, no preservatives and no artificial ingredients of any kind.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice®: No monsters, no bull, just pure healthy energy!

CUBA Beverage Company® Receives Distribution Agreement from Key Distributor in the Cayman Islands

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 31, 2011

CUBA Beverage Company® (CUBV.PK) has received a signed distribution agreement from Cayman Energy Drinks. They are one of the main distributors in the Cayman Islands and have agreed to make CUBA the primary energy drink in their portfolio. This territory is not only valuable as a great new market in the Caribbean, but will also introduce American visitors to the drink, which they will then look for back in the United States.

Cayman Energy Drinks is scheduled to receive the first shipment in June, 2011.

Over 3 years ago, CUBA Beverage Company® was one of the first companies to market with an all natural energy juice. In response to consumer demand for a healthier, better-tasting energy beverage, CUBA Herbal Energy Juice® is now replacing traditional unhealthy energy drinks in many locations in the United States and internationally.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice® is an all natural herbal energy juice currently available in three unique flavors; Pomegranate-Cranberry, Wild Berry and Passion Fruit-Orange. CUBA Beverage Company’s® products represent a healthy all-natural energy drink, with no caffeine, no taurine, no high fructose corn syrups or sugars, no preservatives and no artificial ingredients of any kind.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice®: No monsters, no bull, just pure healthy energy!

Safe Harbor: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approvals for anticipated actions.

CUBA Beverage Company Invited On Exclusive USDA Trade Mission For Indonesia

San Diego, Calif. (PRWEB) March 15, 2011

CUBA Beverage Company (“CUBA”) (OTC Pink Sheets Ticker: CUBV.PK) has been invited on the upcoming U.S.-Indonesia Trade and Investment Mission scheduled for April 4-11, 2011, in Jakarta, Indonesia. This Trade Mission is sponsored by the USDA.

CUBA (http://www.cubabev.com/) has participated in previous Trade Missions to such countries as the Dominican Republic, Western Africa, the Republic of Georgia, Guatemala and most recently in Peru, that have resulted in international sales. The USDA hires a team on the ground in these countries to seek out qualified importers that are capable of making large scale purchases and developing the brand in the respective countries. In an effort to turn around the U.S. trade deficit and increase U.S. exports, particularly in the agricultural sector, of which CUBA is categorized as being in, the USDA invests a great amount of time and resources in order to make these Trade Missions a success.

CUBA is one of a select group of companies that is invited on this Trade Mission, which provides a very unique opportunity to export to this lucrative market. In an uncertain national market, international sales can be a key to a company’s success.

The CUBA brand name, packaging and ingredients profile make it a very sought after product in these key markets. With the assistance of the U.S. Government, CUBA is in an ideal position to walk away with valuable export agreements from this country.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ® is an all natural herbal energy juice currently available in three unique flavors; Pomegranate-Cranberry, Wild Berry and Passion Fruit-Orange. CUBA’s products represent a healthy all-natural energy drink, with no caffeine, no taurine, no high fructose corn syrups or sugars, no preservatives and no artificial ingredients of any kind.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ®: No monsters, no bull, just pure healthy energy!

Safe Harbor: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approvals for anticipated actions.

CUBA Beverage Company
Investor Relations
866-431-CUBA (2822)
WEB: http://www.cubabev.com
TICKER: CUBV.PK

CUBA Beverage Company® offers healthy alternative to traditional energy drinks with their all-natural CUBA Herbal Energy Juice®.

Over 3 years ago, CUBA Beverage Company® was one of the first companies to market with an all
natural energy juice. In response to consumer demand for a healthier, better-tasting energy beverage,
CUBA Herbal Energy Juice® is now replacing traditional unhealthy energy drinks in many locations in
the United States and internationally.

According to a recent ABC News article, “a new report by University of Miami experts in the March
issue of Journal Pediatrics, published online today, warns that caffeine-containing energy drinks like Red
Bull, Rock Star and Monster — not to be confused with sports drinks like Gatorade — may do more than
just give young athletes the jitters. They may harm the health of children, especially those with diabetes,
seizures, cardiac abnormalities or mood and behavior disorders. Energy drink overdoses in children as
young as 5 have been reported both here and abroad and in some cases have resulted in seizures, stroke
and even sudden death.”

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice® is an all natural herbal energy juice currently available in three unique
flavors; Pomegranate-Cranberry, Wild Berry and Passion Fruit-Orange. CUBA Beverage Company’s ®
products represent a healthy all-natural energy drink, with no caffeine, no taurine, no high fructose corn
syrups or sugars, no preservatives and no artificial ingredients of any kind.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice®: No monsters, no bull, just pure healthy energy!

Safe Harbor: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts
may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements
are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or
suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain
financing and regulatory and shareholder approvals for anticipated actions.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ® To Be Put In Schools

RELEASE: CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ® to be put into schools that are part of the San Dieguito
Union School District in San Diego California.

CUBA Beverage Company ® has received a letter of intent after the school district’s approval to
begin selling and distributing CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ® in district schools.

Over 3 years ago, CUBA Beverage Company ® was one of the first companies to market with an all
natural energy juice. In response to consumer demand for a healthier, better-tasting energy beverage,
CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ® is now replacing traditional unhealthy energy drinks in many locations in
the United States and internationally.

“Following the nationwide trend to reduce or eliminate high-calorie, caffeine laden drinks available to
students, this is no surprise and represents just the tip of the iceberg of schools switching to healthier
alternatives” states Alex Procopio, founder of CUBA Beverage Company ®.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ® is an all natural herbal energy juice currently available in three unique
flavors; Pomegranate-Cranberry, Wild Berry and Passion Fruit-Orange. CUBA Beverage Company’s ®
products represent a healthy all-natural energy drink, with no caffeine, no taurine, no high fructose corn
syrups or sugars, no preservatives and no artificial ingredients of any kind.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ®: No monsters, no bull, just pure healthy energy!

CUBA Beverage Company® accepts USDA exclusive invitation for Peru/Ecuador Trade Mission

CUBA Beverage Company® (“CUBA”) (OTC Pink Sheets Ticker: CUBV.PK) accepts the exclusive invitation to participate in the U.S.-Peru/Ecuador Trade and Investment Mission, sponsored by the USDA, and set for January 31-February 3, 2011, in Lima, Peru.

CUBA Beverage Company® previously participated in like Trade Missions to  the Dominican Republic, Western Africa, the Republic of Georgia and Guatemala resulting in increasing international sales. CUBA Beverage Company®’s previous and ongoing negotiations with companies in the Peru/Ecuador region resulted in an expressed interest in  importing CUBA Herbal Energy Juice®. The U.S. Government is  hosting companies from Ecuador and Peru  interested in CUBA Beverage Company®, along with a few select companies invited on the Trade Mission. The USDA hires a team on the ground in these countries to seek out qualified importers capable of making large scale purchases and developing the brand in the respective countries.  In an effort to turn around the U.S. trade deficit and increase U.S. exports, particularly in the agricultural sector, where CUBA Beverage Company® is categorized, the USDA invests a great amount of time and resources in order to ensure successful Trade Missions.

CUBA Beverage Company® is one of a select group of companies invited on this Trade Mission, providing a very unique opportunity to export to these lucrative markets.  In an uncertain national market, international sales can be key to a company’s success.

The CUBA Beverage Company® brand name, packaging and ingredients make it an extremely sought after product in these key markets.  This exclusive invitation by the USDA supports CUBA Beverage Company®’s ability to effectively service Peru and Ecuador in valuable export agreements.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice® is an all natural herbal energy juice currently available in three unique flavors; Pomegranate-Cranberry, Wild Berry and Passion Fruit-Orange. CUBA Beverage Company®’s products represent a healthy all-natural energy drink, with no caffeine, no taurine, no high fructose corn syrups or sugars, no preservatives and no artificial ingredients of any kind.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice®: No monsters, no bull, just pure healthy energy!

CUBA Beverage Company Partners Up With Digispace Solutions, LLC

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — CUBA Beverage Company (“CUBA”) (Pink Sheets:CUBV.pk – News) partners up with Inc. 500 award winning company Digispace Solutions, LLC (www.digispace.com) for Internet Marketing Services, SEO and SEM services, and Online Sales.

Digispace Solutions, an online performance-based advertising company, offers a variety of services to assist in the development of a company’s online presence, marketing, tracking, and customer management. Digispace has seen hyper-growth and phenomenal profitability by developing and implementing proprietary technology and algorithms in the discovery, creation, and optimization of all types of online marketing.

Through their proprietary software technology and targeting products, the data and tracking tools Digispace provides gives CUBA the opportunity to greatly increase their performance in real time, as well as optimize each campaign or product launch for immediate results. Their distinct expertise in internet  and affiliate marketing is predicted to give CUBA an unrivaled internet presence as well as the ability to facilitate online sales which will bolster company revenues.

Amish Shah, Co-Founder and CEO of Digispace states, “We are truly excited to join with CUBA, our first equity-position partnership of this kind, because we believe so strongly in the product and what we can do together.”

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ™ is an all natural herbal energy juice currently available in three unique flavors; Pomegranate-Cranberry, Wild Berry and Passion Fruit-Orange. CUBA’s products represent a healthy all-natural energy drink, with no caffeine, no taurine, no high fructose corn syrups or sugars, no preservatives and no artificial ingredients of any kind.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ™: No monsters, no fear, no bull, just pure healthy energy!

Safe Harbor: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approvals for anticipated actions.

Cuba Beverage Company Goes Public Via Reverse Merger

Finally! Cuba Beverage Company answers consumers’ call for a healthy natural energy drink.

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ™ serves up the first 100% all natural herbal energy drink with a unique yet simple balance of premium ingredients and natural flavors without the unhealthy cardiac stimulants common to others.

Cuba Beverage Company (Ticker: CUBV) was at the forefront of creating the unique category for Herbal Energy Juices. CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ™ was developed with leading industry scientists to create a healthy, natural alternative to conventional energy drinks. Several countries have banned the energy drinks which contain high dosage stimulants, taurine and other artificial ingredients that can increase blood pressure, heart rate, cause joint pain, depression and sleeplessness as well as other negative health effects. CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ™ is rapidly setting a new industry standard. BevNet, the beverage industry’s leading source for product reviews recently noted, “CUBA is a superb tasting product. Unlike other juice infused energy products, this one has a low level of sweetness and its boost is derived entirely from natural sources as opposed to added caffeine… it is one of the more innovative energy drinks we’ve seen in a while.”

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ™ is available in three unique flavors; Pomegranate-Cranberry, Wild Berry and Passion Fruit-Orange. Cuba Beverage’s products represent a healthy all-natural energy drink, no caffeine, no taurine, no High Fructose Corn Syrups and/or Artificial Sugars, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients and no bull!

The Market

The “energy beverage” market is seeing explosive growth that is predicted to top $17 Billion in sales in North America alone. Energy drinks have become the fastest growing sector within the beverage industry. Sales are expected to top Coke and Pepsi in the next ten years. CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ™ is one of the first all-natural energy products on the market and continues to be an unparalleled leader in the health and wellness category.

The Company

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ™, is currently distributed by San Diego based Cuba Beverage Company throughout the United States and in select markets around the world. CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ™ is available in numerous locations in Florida, California and the Caribbean. CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ™ is also available in schools in Southern California and South Florida as well as hospitals in select areas. Energy drink makers are not required by the Food and Drug Administration to list the caffeine content on the label. Experts, including editors at ConsumerReports.org caution that children shouldn’t consume more than 100mg of caffeine per day. Currently most energy drinks contain 100-300mg per 8oz can. Several schools and hospitals have banned the sale of soda and traditional energy drinks.

What’s in a Name?

It’s simple. It’s all about the easy going lifestyle of the Caribbean basin of islands. It’s not about politics, it’s about a healthy lifestyle of energy, strength and simplicity. Think natural. Think clean. Think healthy. Think simple. Think CUBA Beverages. Made in America, consumed World-Wide.

CUBA Herbal Energy Juice ™: No monsters, no fear, no bull, just pure healthy energy!

Safe Harbor: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approvals for anticipated actions.

Press

Press Releases:

2008 Grammy’s

January, 2008

October, 2007

August 2007

Industry Reviews – BevNET.Com:

All Flavors

Independent Reviews from Energy Guru:

Pomegranate-Cranberry

Wild Berry

Passionfruit-Orange

Independent Review from Band Designs.Com:

Band Designs.Com