(October 6, 2009) ? KonaRed and XOWii have announced a multi-year agreement to market ready-to-drink beverages featuring KonaRed. The coffee fruit ingredient, called KonaRed, represents the only US-grown product of its kind.
Under the terms of the agreement, XOWii will obtain exclusive rights to distribute KonaRed for ready-to-drink beverage use in the United States in the network marketing channel and will be responsible for manufacturing, sales and marketing. KonaRed will be responsible for registration and supply. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Sourced from Kona Coffee, KonaRed offers more than 175 years of history. The Hawaiian coffee trees thrive in a unique environment only available in Kona to create award-winning Kona coffees and the super-antioxidant powers of KonaRed (the fruit surrounding each coffee bean). It is a perfect situation ? the rocky volcano slopes nurture the coffee cherry, the sun-drenched mornings ripen the fruit, the misty afternoons refresh it and Kona Coffee farmers meticulously handpick each cherry. Because of the rocky location and the fact that the coffee cherries don?t ripen all at the same time, farmers can?t mechanically harvest the trees. Therefore, KonaRed consumers are assured a ripe ?red? fruit, and not a combination of immature and overripe cherries. KonaRed offers pure antioxidants, energy and phenolic attributes ? naturally.
The launch into ready-to-drink beverages offers a strong focal point to XOWii?s product lines, which will include a weight-loss product in January 2010. ?There are significant unmet needs in this market, which is why XOWii is entering the multi-level marketing industry,? said James Christiansen, executive vice president and co-founder of XOWii. ?KonaRed is a unique ingredient due to its extremely high antioxidant content and because it is virtually unknown in the marketplace.?
?XOWii was founded on the need for a new business model within the direct sales industry,? explains Christiansen. ?After examining the industry?s top compensation plan, my partner, Richard Kelly, and I crafted the most distributor-friendly plan available today. As word of our new venture spread, numerous industry icons and leaders committed to joining our attractive compensation model, our remarkable and category-creating product, our commitment to distributors, and our company?s youthful brand and energy.?
?Today is an extraordinary day for KonaRed Coffee Fruit, its employees and suppliers, as we enter into a long-term supply agreement with XOWii, LLC, an innovative networking marketing company with tremendous industry experience and knowledge in the MLM channel,? states Shaun Roberts, founder and CEO of KonaRed. ?In October 2009, XOWii?s industry icons will launch their first product, XOWii Energy, enriched with the antioxidant power of KonaRed Coffee Fruit. KonaRed Coffee Fruit is looking forward to supplying XOWii, a company with the potential for immediate explosive growth, for their initial product launch and with further products slated for the beginning of 2010 and beyond.?
About KonaRed KonaRed was established in 2008 and is headquartered in Kalaheo, Hawai?i. KonaRed?s core focus is bringing the health-promoting superfruits of Hawai?i to the dietary supplement, functional food and personal care markets. KonaRed can be reached at 808.634.6072 or www.konared.com.
About XOWii, LLC XOWii is a network marketing company that sells nutrition products intended to support a healthy lifestyle. XOWii develops and markets scientifically formulated, premium quality products. Developed with a philosophy to allow distributors to manage and drive the effort through unbridled levels of customer support and distributor-enhanced programs, XOWii brand products deliver super-antioxidants to promote and maintain vitality, health and energy. For more information on XOWii brand products, visit www.xowii.com.
About B&D Nutritional Ingredients, Inc. Founded in 1993 and based in Vista, California, B&D Nutritional Ingredients, Inc. (www.bdnutritional.com), is KonaRed?s distributor and a national leader in sales and marketing of premier raw materials essential to the dietary supplement, functional food and personal care industries. B&D has a portfolio of products from leading manufacturers. These products are primarily natural antioxidants. B&D is active in several industry organizations representing the dietary supplement and personal care industries. Memberships include the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Drug, Chemical and Allied Trades Association, Inc.
