Rockstar, the Las Vegas-based marketer of energy drinks in more than 30 countries, has hired Podesta Group in its bid to fend off heavy-handed federal regulation of its business.
The move comes as 18 doctors, researchers and public health officials penned a letter last week to Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg urging her to require drink makers to limit the amount of caffeine in their products.
The FDA plans to decide in June whether it should regulate energy drinks.
On another front, Democratic Sens. Richard Durbin (IL) and Richard Blumenthal (CT) are calling for energy drink companies to end sponsorship of high school sporting events.
Rockstar is an active sponsor of motorsports and "actionsports" (skiing, snowboarding, surfing, mountain bike) events.
Tony Podesta spearheads his nine-member lobbying team that represents Rockstar concerning legislation and oversight of energy drinks.
Other key members are Izzy Klein, former communications director for Sen. Chuck Shumer (D-NY), Elizabeth Morra (ex-press secretary for Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS), Stephen Northrup (former health policy advisor for Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Nora Connors (ex-legislative assistant for Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA).
Podesta has also repped Monster Energy in D.C.
What the biggest meal of the day can teach us about serving up effective nutrition communications campaigns.
Tips to refine and amplify your CPG brand strategy to win in 2024 and beyond.
Strategic communications strategies for success in the growing “food is medicine” movement.
How brands can authentically communicate sustainability issues and create a brand experience that’s compatible with consumers’ values.
Communicating the effects that climate change and a growing world population have on our food system—and why change is needed.
Have a comment? Send it to 
No comments have been submitted for this story yet.