About three years ago, Blake Settle was busy cramming for an exam in the University of Texas library late at night when an idea crossed his mind. He was getting drowsy, but he couldn’t get an energy boost from coffee because all the coffee shops were closed. The only option left was looking through the vending machines, but these too were not much help.
Blake is a type 1 diabetic, and the sugar in the energy drinks wasn’t likely to do him any good. He resorted to chewing sugar-free gum to stay awake, and suddenly, it hit him: As a chemical engineering major, he could figure out how to get caffeine into chewing gum and make things easier for himself and others like him.
He started exploring, and in 2018, REV GUM was born. REV GUM is a CPG brand that manufactures and distributes innovative chewing gum. REV GUM’s caffeinated chewing gum comes in two packages: 60 mg, which is equivalent to a shot of espresso, and 100 mg, the same as a double shot. Both are available in peppermint and spearmint flavors.
The gum comes in a blister pack that offers consumers the convenience of having one piece of gum at a time. No caffeinated gum competitor had implemented that before, so REV GUM noted that and improved it. With REV GUM, you can reseal the pack and prevent the remaining pieces of gum from spilling out.
Although other companies have tried and failed to break through into the market before, REV GUM has been going strong for the last 3+ years. The team that works with Blake behind the brand has a lot to do with that success.
Robb Hewett, the marketing director, spearheads REV’s robust marketing strategy. Robb is a seasoned lifestyle marketing expert with experience in action sports and energy drink marketing. From his years as the marketing director for Monster Energy, Robb knows a lot about innovation in the energy space and what today’s consumers are looking for.
Reed Burch joined the team from day one and currently acts as the CFO. Reed is a talented and savvy financial professional with vast knowledge in the startup space. He helps to run the company in today’s business world.
Matt Sheriff completes the team as the CSO. Matt is a C-Store sales legend with years of experience. He spent years at Jack Link’s at the height of the beef jerky craze and launched innovative startups in the space like Stryve Jerky.
REV GUM’s marketing approach has also set it up for industry success. Unlike others who came before, REV GUM markets on the energy level consumers are accustomed to. From sampling to full retailer support, it delivers the elements needed to drive traffic to stores to sell REV chewing gum.
In 2019, REV GUM launched in Buc-ee’s and quickly became a top-selling product in the space. Securing space in Loves, Pilot, 7-Eleven, AEFES, and CK MidWest were also big milestones for the brand. Expansion to other strong regional and national chains is currently ongoing. In December, the brand plans to go live in Wawa.
REV is also launching 4 new flavors: Spearmint Regular and Extra Strength, and Polar Mint Regular and Extra Strength. The increased flavor and functionality will give consumers more choices at retail stores. You don’t need to carry around bottles of energy drinks to get that extra shot of energy—with a few pieces of REV GUM, you can get an extra boost and finish your work on a high note.
