Retail and Social: Exploring The Connection

Marcus Lasky from FDM Sales discusses his background and the role of FDM in the consumer goods industry. He highlights the importance of supply chain and omni-channel strategies in the CPG business, as well as the role of social media in brand marketing. Marcus emphasizes the value of FDM's personal touch and its role as an extension of the brand. He also provides insights on trade shows, including the importance of being memorable and the value of attending category-specific shows. Marcus mentions Pop Daddy as a brand that has gained buzz and success in the industry.

In this episode, Isaac and Ryan are joined by Anthony Corsaro and Kyle Krull, hosts of a ReGen Brands Podcast. They discuss the concept and benefits of regenerative agriculture, the challenges of defining and certifying these products, and the importance of building a supply chain. Brands like Kettle & Fire and Zack's Mighty are highlighted as examples incorporating regenerative principles. The episode also explores the market potential for regenerative products, the connection to nutrient density, and the regulatory challenges of making health claims. Additionally, they discuss the adoption of regenerative practices by retailers, the need for clear messaging, and the relationship between regenerative and organic agriculture. They recommend watching documentaries like 'Kiss the Ground' and 'The Biggest Little Farm' to learn more about regenerative agriculture.

Isaac discusses the social influence scorecard created by him and his team at Socialike. The scorecard focuses on midsize retailers and their ability to help CPG brands. Isaac explains that retailers can be considered influencers, as they already have a social following and a level of trust from consumers. The scoring methodology takes into account factors such as the number of stores, follower count, engagement rate, and the quality of community management. The top five retailers on the scorecard are Green Natural Foods, Kimbertons, Deer Bergs, Harmons, and Fresh Thyme. The conversation concludes with a discussion on personal shopping habits and appreciation for the report.

In this episode, Ryan, Isaac, and guest Mike Scavuzzo from Numerator discuss various trends and challenges in the beverage industry. They dive into the trending category of prebiotic and probiotic soda, highlighting brands like Ollipop and Poppi. They also explore the rise of non-alcoholic beverages and the challenges of merchandising these products. The conversation touches on the synergy between alcohol and non-alcoholic options, the growth of mocktails, and the specialty coffee market. In this conversation, Mike Scavuzzo discusses consumer insights, data collection methodologies, and the value of data for brands. He highlights the importance of understanding consumer behavior and purchase patterns, as well as the challenges smaller brands face in accessing and utilizing data. Mike also shares his experiences working with Red Bull, RX Bar, and Midday Squares, showcasing the success and strategies of these brands. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the role of data in retail decision-making and the impact it can have on brand growth and execution.

Kamal Jarrett from Hillside Harvest discusses his journey in the food industry and the growth of his brand. He highlights the importance of regional collaboration and the impact of events like Naturally New England. Kamal shares his experience in expanding his brand's reach and the challenges and opportunities of marketing Caribbean-inspired products. He emphasizes the need for authenticity and innovation in the industry.

Kamal also discusses the value of social media and the benefits of participating in holiday markets and pop-up events. He provides advice for CPG founders and shares his excitement for Expo West.

In this episode, we interview Alex Adam from Boredom Kills Creative, a creative agency based in England. We discuss Alex's background in music and how he transitioned to working with CPG brands. We also explore the value of mascots in branding and building a tribe.

Alex shares insights on the importance of food imagery in packaging and staying ahead of design trends. We talk briefly on the different approaches for e-commerce and retail brands and the importance of understanding the brand's problem and goals. The conversation concludes with a discussion on exploring opportunities at trade shows and Alex's music career

Matt Levine, founder of Chlorophyll Water, shares his journey in the beverage industry and the success of his brand. He discusses the brand partnership with Alo and how it has influenced the growth of Chlorophyll Water. Matt also talks about the importance of strategic placement in stores and the approach to retail expansion. He emphasizes the focus on one core product and the frugal approach to growth.

Matt shares insights on trade shows, social media strategy, and leveraging trends to attract buyers. He discusses the challenges of educating buyers about chlorophyll water and how it differs from other superfoods. He also talks about the success of chlorophyll water and the importance of marketing and growth. The conversation ends with a discussion about the Billy Madison reference and plans for Expo West.

We went deep with Brady. Beyond TruFru which is a great story by itself we really leaned on him to give his insight on larger aspects of marketing. Like why enlist Snoop Dogg and then fire a CEO? What is Whalebone? And showing up for your consumer.

Season 2 Premiere! In the first pod of season 2 we kick off with Ryan Forsythe from Pitted Labs. They help CPG brands with all things Amazon. We chatted a lot about Amazon but also picked Ryan's brain on a few other CPG topics