Corona, CA: Monster Beverage says state AG investigating flagship drink, ads

* Unnamed state attorney general issues subpoena

* Monster Energy ingredients, sales, ads being probed

* Shares fall after subpoena, Q2 results

Monster Beverage Corp on Thursday said a state attorney general has begun investigating the ingredients and advertising of its flagship, namesake energy drink.

Monster said the probe is at an early stage, and that it did not know whether it would lead to any action or materially hurt its financial results or operations.

Shares of the Corona, California-based company, one of the largest makers of energy drinks in the United States, dropped 4.8 percent in after-hours trading, extending a decline that followed Wednesday's release of weaker-than-expected second-quarter results.

Corona, CA: Monster Energy Announces Expanded 'Final 8' Contestants in Nationwide Search for 'Ultimate Intern'

Eight talented and ambitious young adults received a welcome phone call notifying them as one of the Final 8 contestants in the Monster Energy Ultimate Intern Search. Fueled by nearly 2,000 video entries for the nation's most extensive online intern search contest ever, Monster Energy unleashes the Final 8 contestants in a week-long series of challenges to compete for two newly-created positions-of-a-lifetime.

Announced today by Sam Pontrelli, senior vice president of marketing for Monster Energy, the finalists will travel to the company's Corona, CA headquarters for "challenge" events beginning June 18, 2012. Final winners will be announced on June 22, 2012, with two interns carrying out their duties from June 25 through August 24, 2012.

Corona, CA: Monster Finds New Headquarters in CA

Monster Beverage Corp. has purchased a building in Corona, CA.

Monster purchased a 73,000-square-foot building at 2455 Anselmo Dr. in Corona, at the KPC Summit office park for its new headquarters. Formerly known as Hansen Natural Corp., the company is one of the area’s largest employers.

Corona, CA: Coke - Not Acquiring Monster?

Beverage giant denies rumored plans to purchase energy drink maker

The Coca-Cola Co. is denying media reports claiming that it is considering buying energy drink maker Monster Beverage Corp. In a statement, it said, "Coca-Cola has a distribution relationship with Monster in many markets, including the United States; therefore, we are always in contact with Monster to maximize the value of our commercial arrangements. At this time, we are not in discussions to acquire the Monster Beverage Corp. We continue to review the best ways to maximize the value of our relationship."

Monster Beverage shares soared on Monday following the reports of a possible acquisition, said the Associated Press. The Wall Street Journal cited unnamed sources in reporting that Coca-Cola was in talks to buy Monster. If a deal transpired, Monster--with a market capitalization of more than $11 billion--would be Coca-Cola's largest brand acquisition ever.

Corona, CA: Monster Energy Searches for 'Ultimate Intern'

Monster Energy launches its first and perhaps the country's largest online search for the "ultimate intern." Two winners will each receive a compensation package worth more than $15,000 and the opportunity to work with athletes, music artists, and celebrities at major events.

In what is perhaps one of the nation's most extensive online intern search contests ever, Monster Energy announces today the Monster Energy Ultimate Intern Search for two newly-created, positions-of-a-lifetime.

Corona, CA: Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Stays Strong at Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium played host to the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship for the second time. Despite an ominous weather report, fans made their way to the stadium to catch round four of the series, in what proved to be an exciting and intense night of racing.

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki rider Dean Wilson kept his podium momentum going and finished with a solid second in the Supercross Lites West Main. Wilson quickly got serious after an average start, and made multiple passes in the first lap. He held strong for the remainder of the race and finished in the runner-up spot. Wilson leaves Los Angeles one point behind the current points leader in the class, and wants everyone to know he’s taking the championship seriously.

Corona, CA: Hansen Changes Name To Monster Beverage Corp.

Hansen Natural Corp. has received stockholders' approval to change its corporate name to Monster Beverage Corp.

The company's shares began trading under its new name and stock ticker symbol, "MNST" on Jan. 9.

The Corona, CA-based beverage company markets Monster Energy and Blue Sky energy drinks, Hansen's natural sodas and juices, and Admiral iced tea.

Corona, CA: Drunk driver who killed Orland girl found guilty of manslaughter

A Riverside County jury found a Corona woman guilty of involuntary manslaughter today in a head-on crash which killed an Orland woman in February, 2008.

Elva Diaz, 32, has been on trial in the 2008 drunken driving collision that killed 19-year-old Rachel Elliott, a 2007 graduate of Orland High School. She was killed in Corona, where she was living with relatives while attending college.

Riverside County District Attorney's spokesman John Hall said the jury also found Diaz guilty of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and guilty of driving on a suspended license.

She was found not guilty on a charge of second-degree murder.

Prosecutors said Diaz, a former paramedic who did not have a prior DUI conviction, was warned not to drive drunk before she got on the road.

Elliott previously played the part of a drunken driving victim at her high school's "Every 15 Minutes" awareness program. She was killed eight months later.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for Aug. 5. Hall said Diaz could receive an upward term sentence of 10 years in state prison.

Corona, CA: Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Go After Two Win-Streaks in Colorado

The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team will attempt to keep two different win-streaks alive as the riders head 6182 feet above sea level for the fifth round of the AMA Motocross Championship Series at Thunder Valley MX in Lakewood, Colo. While Tyla Rattray, Dean Wilson, Blake Baggett, and Broc Tickle go after the team’s fifth-straight win of the season, the four-rider squad will also try to keep Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki as the only team to win at the venue since the series started racing there in 2005.

Carrying momentum from his second win last weekend, Rattray hopes he can be the rider to carry the season streak past the challenging Thunder Valley track. His consistency has put him up on the podium at each round this season and he looks to make another trip to the top.

“I have been in Florida all week and I think that training in the harsh conditions could help me when we go up in elevation,” said Rattray. “Everyone will have to deal with the differences in power, but our bikes have always been good there. It would be nice to win again, but I am focused on staying on the podium.”

While he has yet to earn an overall this year, Wilson remains only four points behind Rattray in the 250 class standings. His hunger for that first win also puts him at the top of the list to keep the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki steak alive.

“I really want to come into the weekend excited to race,” said Wilson. “I think I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself and I know the wins will come. I have been so close, which also isn’t too much fun to miss out by a point here and there. If I get two good starts, I know I can have a good chance for my first overall win.”

After making his first trip to the podium in Moto 1 last weekend, Tickle has now been able to taste what it’s like to be up front. He’ll use the confidence from Budds Creek to go after another top finish at Thunder Valley.

“Even though I didn’t have a great second moto at Budds Creek, the podium gave me a boost of confidence that I needed. I knew that I could be up front, and the podium definitely proved what I had thought all along. I’ll be working hard to get back up there.”

Baggett continued to prove he can come through the pack, earning the Ricky Carmichael Hard Charger award at Budds Creek for most positions gained in one moto. The seventh place overall finish wasn’t the result he was looking for and will be ready to get back to the top of the podium for the third time this season.

“The best way I try to deal with a bad race is to put it behind me and keep my program the same during the week,” said Baggett. “I can’t change the race, but I know I tried my hardest to make up as many positions as I possibly could. Now I can focus on this weekend’s race and I’ll do what I can to get back to the podium.”

The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team will head to just outside the mile-high city for the fifth stop of the AMA Motocross Championship at Thunder Valley MX in Lakewood, Colo. Rattray leads the 250cc class with 174 points, while Wilson remains close with 170. Baggett maintained third with 144, while Tickle continued to move up the standings with 99 points in seventh.

Corona, CA: Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki Goes For Three In A Row at High Point

The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team looks to make it three-for-three this season as the AMA Motocross Championships Series comes off a week break for the third round at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pa. Tyla Rattray will be going after his second-straight victory after winning Round 2, but teammates Dean Wilson, Blake Baggett, and Broc Tickle are eager to stand on top of the podium.

Rattray carries the most momentum into High Point Raceway coming off his first AMA Motocross overall of the season less than two weeks ago. Rattray claimed his first 2010 victory in Mt. Morris, Pa. last year and is confident he can be at the front once again.

“I have been feeling really good lately and it would be nice to go back-to-back,” said Rattray. “The track is pretty challenging and I know they are changing some spots, so we’ll see how practice goes and hopefully I can get back on the box.”

Earning his second-straight runner-up finish in Texas, teammate Wilson is looking for his first win of the season. The current points leader has proven successful so far this season and is ready to put together an overall.

“I’ve been out front and showing I have speed, but I’ve made some mistakes that have pushed me out of taking the overall,” said Wilson. “I’ve taken some time to relax and have fun over the break. After taking some time off, I usually focus better and hopefully I won’t make those same mistakes.”

Baggett already has one win this season and looks to put his result in Texas behind him as the team heads to the Northeast. Proven he has the speed to win, Baggett is ready to take on the hills of the Pennsylvania track.

“I had a bad race in Texas, but I put that behind me and look forward to the final 10 races we have left,” said Baggett. “There is still a lot of racing left and I know I can be up front. I’m not many points off and I know if I stay consistent, I can get back to the top again.”

While some may have taken some time to relax, Tickle continued to put in the laps and work on his speed. He is hoping his hard work over the past two weeks will show at the third round.

“I have been putting in a lot of work over the break,” said Tickle. “The team has been behind me even with my results the first two rounds and I want to pay them back with good results. As long as I don’t run into any bad luck, I am confident I can run with the front runners.”

The Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki team looks to High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, Pa. for the third round of the AMA Motocross Championship. Wilson currently leads the 250 Motocross class with 90 points, while Rattray is close behind with 85. Baggett sits in fourth with 66, while Tickle is in 10th with 38 points.

About Pro Circuit

Based in Corona, Calif., Pro Circuit Inc. is a leader in off-road motorcycle and ATV exhausts and aftermarket performance parts. Started in 1978, Pro Circuit is the go to shop for recreational riders and professionals for everything from suspension work to complete engine packages, and everything in between.

Created by former desert racer Mitch Payton, Pro Circuit proves its products and services week-in and week-out through its tagline “We Race.” Every product that dons the Pro Circuit stamp stems from the legendary Pro Circuit race team. A staple in the professional paddock, Pro Circuit Racing has earned 26 AMA championships and more than 200 race wins in more than 30 years of competition.

Corona, CA: Monster Presents The Monster Mash At USASA Nationals

MONSTER ENERGY ANNOUNCES THE SECOND ANNUAL MONSTER MASH INVITATIONAL AT USASA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Corona, CA: Monster Energy announces the second annual Monster Mash Invitational Pipe Jam on Tuesday, April 5 at 5 pm (practice at 4 pm) at the USASA National Championships held at Copper Mountain, CO featuring the United States largest and most coveted amateur national snowboard event.

The grassroots annual event stands as the main attraction to the week-long snowboard nationals event at Copper Mountain that takes place April 2 - 8, and is the forum to showcase snowboarding’s future champions.

“It’s been 12 months since nationals,” said Monster Energy’s Luke Trembath aka the Dingo - who will be on the mic announcing during the event. ”I can’t wait to see the new talent and progression. Monster and the USASA are producing the next Olympians and next generation of pros! Dreams and careers are made here at Copper Mountain this week.”

The Monster Mash Invitational will features amateur-to-pro rank graduates from previous USASA competitions to include Danny Kass, JJ Thomas, Chad Otterstrom, and Brennen Swanson among many others - as well as the current Pac Sun team and other young up and comers. The Mash will be judged by OG Colorado shred legends Adam Merriman, Jay “Ninja” Isaacs, and Todd Franzen.

Monster Energy will throw down with a bit of philanthropic incentive by donating $5,000 to USASA in the winning rider’s name.

Monster Energy’s Danny Kass, a former USASA competitor who went on to take two silver Olympic medals, is living proof that USASA shapes snowboarding’s future stars.

“For the second time only Monster brings all the pros back home to the USASA Nationals in Copper Mountain,” said Danny Kass. ”The nationals is where all the top competitive snowboarders started and learned the tools they would need to reach their highest achievements. I started my first nationals at age 12 and continued in it until I was 18. It is exciting for me to ride and see the next generation of shredders on a long road to the X Games and hopefully the Olympics. Get ready USASA Nationals because it is almost time to mash it up with the pros. Viva la Monster Mash.”

“Nationals is the perfect forum for the Monster Mash - an inspirational Pipe Jam for the kids,” said Cody Dresser, Action Sports Director for Monster Energy. “Guys like Danny Kass and JJ all came up through USASA, and having these guys shred in front of the next generation really enforces that connection - it all starts here!”

Hansen Natural Corporation and The Coca-Cola System Announce Agreements for Distribution of Monster Energy Drinks in Western Europe, Canada and Select

CORONA, CA: Hansen Natural Corporation (“Hansen”) (NASDAQ:HANS), The Coca-Cola Company (“TCCC”) (NYSE:KO) and Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. (“CCE”) (NYSE:CCE) today announced that they have completed agreements for distribution of the category-leading Monster Energy® drinks line in six Western European countries, Canada and selected territories in the U.S. These agreements will complement Hansen’s existing relationship with Anheuser-Busch (“AB”) and will not affect Hansen’s agreement with AB for the on-premise channel nationwide.

The agreements will take effect beginning in November 2008 in the United States and parts of Western Europe, and in early 2009 in Canada. As part of the agreement with TCCC, Hansen has the right to negotiate distribution agreements with additional Coca-Cola bottlers to service the TCCC territory not covered by CCE.
“We are pleased to be partnering with the world’s leading beverage system to expand the retail presence and penetration of our Monster Energy® drinks,” said Rodney

Sacks, chairman and chief executive officer of Hansen. “We believe the relationship with The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Enterprises will enable us to build on the success of our Monster Energy® brand in North America and expand into fertile new international markets. In the United States, the relationship will complement our existing long-term arrangements with Anheuser-Busch distributors, which have been and we expect will continue to be very important to Hansen. We believe that the combination of these two leading distribution systems will provide us with an unrivaled distribution network in North America.”

Under the agreements, a significant portion of Monster Energy®’s current North American Direct Store Delivery (“DSD”) volume will be serviced by Coca-Cola bottlers, primarily CCE.

The agreements in North America include all Monster Energy® trademark beverages including Monster Energy® and Java Monster™ as well as the Lost® Energy™ brand.

According to A.C. Nielsen data, Monster Energy® is the #1energy drink by volume in the United States.
“The Coca-Cola System has taken a multi-faceted approach to becoming one of the key players in the fast-growing energy drink category,” said Sandy Douglas, president, Coca-Cola North America. “We are pleased that our bottlers are now able to distribute this brand as part of our diverse portfolio of leading sparkling and still beverage brands in North America and Europe.”

In Western Europe, the agreement includes the distribution of Monster Energy® in all CCE European countries – Great Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Monaco.
“Monster Energy® drinks are strong additions to our energy portfolio, reinforcing our strategic priority of being #1 or a strong #2 in every category in which we choose to compete,” said John Brock, chairman and chief executive officer, Coca-Cola Enterprises. “Monster Energy® continues to outperform the energy category in the United States, and we look forward to bringing another proven brand to our territories in Western Europe.”

About Hansen Natural Corporation
Based in Corona, California, Hansen Natural Corporation markets and distributes Hansen’s® natural sodas, sparkling beverages, apple juice and juice blends, fruit juice smoothies, multi-vitamin juice drinks in aseptic packaging, iced teas, energy drinks, Junior Juice® juices and water beverages Energade® energy sports drinks, Blue Sky® brand beverages, Monster Energy® brand energy drinks, Monster Hitman™ energy shooters, Java Monster™ brand non-carbonated dairy based coffee drinks, Lost® Energy™ brand energy
drinks, Joker Mad Energy™, Unbound® Energy and Ace™ Energy brand energy drinks and Rumba®, Samba and Tango brand energy juices. For more information visit www.hansens.com and www.monsterenergy.com.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion-dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitamin water, Powerade, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.5 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our Web site at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About Coca-Cola Enterprises
Coca-Cola Enterprises is the world's largest marketer, distributor, and producer of bottle and can liquid nonalcoholic refreshment. Coca-Cola Enterprises sells approximately 80 percent of The Coca-Cola Company's bottle and can volume in North America and is the sole licensed bottler for products of The Coca-Cola Company in Belgium, continental France, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Monaco, and the Netherlands. For more information, please visit www.cokecce.com.

Steele Creek strong for Monster Energy/Yamaha; Corona, CA

Corona, CA – Fred Andrews’ Monster Energy/Yamaha team had another good weekend on the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series tour, this past weekend in Morganton, N.C., overcoming cold and rainy conditions to capture two top five positions – including a podium – in the XC2 class.

Leading the Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha race team was again Dustin Gibson, who brought his YZ250F home in 3rd place overall. Also running well was Josh Weisenfels who finished 5th despite a couple crashes.

“Josh and Dustin got out in 2nd and 3rd heading into the woods, but Josh crashed and came back past the pits in 5th while Josh got some arm pump and faded back to 7th,” said Andrews. “By the gas stop Josh was back in 7th, but Dustin had moved up to 5th.”

Gibson continued to fight off the gnarly effects of arm pump and moved into the top five by the white flag, and almost had 2nd when he crashed trying to make the pass at the finish.

Said Gibson: “I need to get rid of this arm pump. My Monster/Andrews/Yamaha is the best bike I have ever raced. Three-for-three on the box isn’t bad, but I want to be on the top of the box.”

Next up for the Monster Energy/Andrews/Yamaha team is the Big Buck GNCC in South Carolina, April 13th.