The CPG Guys

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Michael La Kier, VP of Brand Development at Independent Grocers Association, Inc. (IGA), the largest affiliation of independent grocers in the U.S. and around the world, boasting 1,700 U.S. stores and 6,200+ globally.

Follow Michael La Kier on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaellakier/
Follow IGA on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iga-inc./
Follow IGA online at: https://corporate.iga.com/

Michael answers these questions:

1. What is IGA and what services are you charged with providing to and for your member retailers?
2. How does your role in brand development at IGA play into the broader shopper engagement strategy? 
3. IGA has built a partnership with Grocery Shopii. What is the objective here and what are the outcomes you are seeking for your shoppers? Is this about digitally-influenced sales?
4. It seems that every retail is getting into the publishing game by building a retail media network. IGA has done this. What unique or differentiating capabilities were you looking to offer CPG brands?
5. IGA has partnered with Ideal by DesignHouse in developing its RMN. Why are they a great partner and what does the partnership afford to brands looking for investment?
6. What RMN capabilities is IGA offering to brands and how is performance measurement achieved?
7. Are there specific trends that you are monitoring for your brand development role and how do you hope they will play into value-building for IGA’s shopper engagement strategy?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
CPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.com
RetailWit Website: http://retailwit.com
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj on PopStar Academy: https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81587828?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en
Kavita's podcast: Spotify   Apple

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Nicole Vinson, VP Global Digital, Media & Omni Shopper Experience at Kellanova. This episode was recorded at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Ajay Sharma, VP of eCommerce & Omnichannel at Bayer guest hosted this episode.

Follow Nicole Vinson on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevinson
Follow Kellanova on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kellanova/
Follow Kellanova online at: http://kellanova.com
Follow Ajay Sharma on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajay-sharma-26900360/

Nicole answers these questions:

1. You have a career with ecommerce experience and even touched Xbox and CRM systems. Take us through the years and how you got to the leadership role you are in today? What advice would you give an entry level you?
2. Retail media - 2020 bs 2024. What’s changed, how do you coach brands and sales teams on this?
3. Capabilities - does digital content, images, videos all these mean anything anymore?
4. You’ve been in ecommerce account development since day one Amazon. How has this evolved and how have you handled the evolution.
5. What is digital transformation in a world where most are now Omnichannel trained? What are you advocating in the industry?
6. AI - how are you approaching it?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
CPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.com
RetailWit Website: http://retailwit.com
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj on PopStar Academy: https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81587828?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en
Kavita's podcast: Spotify   Apple

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Steve Dennis, author of “Leaders Leap - Transforming Your company at the Speed of Disruption” and host of the Remarkable Retail Podcast.

Follow Steve Dennis on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpdennis/
Purchase Leaders Leap on Amazon: https://a.co/d/j8kHQ6M
Listene to the Remarkable Retail podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5br8q17fDMJx6mmpuTw9SX?si=5MT-PFjGRS270lve23N4_A

Steve answers these questions:

1. Shift happens. What shifted in your life to make you change direction and ultimately to write the book Leaders Leap?
2. In your book, you note that leaders are often too timid in their efforts to transform their businesses in an ear of rapid change. What is often the result of this timidity?
3. The meat of your book focuses on seven leadership principles. We’ll go through them in our discussion. Why does a leader need to crush her/his own ego, getting humble & embracing vulnerability and wake up to accept new realities (not just using Google as a facsimile)?
4. Great brands don’t chase customers, customers chase great brands. How does this quote exemplify the need for businesses to improve their targeting and why should they connect emotionally through memorable stories?
5. How does thinking radically improve growth and success and why is playing it safe actually risky in business?
6.  How does agility & innovation support success in an era of disruption?
7. The culmination of the book is all about the Big Leap. Have you taken your own advice to break free of the retail corporate persona you have been cultivating in your career?
8. Tell us about the Remarkable Retail podcast.

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
CPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.com
RetailWit Website: http://retailwit.com
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj on PopStar Academy: https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81587828?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en
Kavita's podcast: Spotify   Apple

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPGGUYS are joined in this episode by Bharat Pulgam, co-founder & CEO of affordable last mile delivery service - Buncha. Buncha is a 'milk-man' type delivery service now operating in Colorado & Minnesota and fast expanding. For $3.45 per delivery, this is about the lowest cost we are experiencing in the marketplace.

Find Bharat Pulgam on Linkedin at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/bpulgam/
Find Buncha on Linkedin at : https://www.linkedin.com/company/gobuncha/
Find Buncha online at : https://www.gobuncha.com/

This episode is sponsored by Buncha

Here's what we asked Bharat :

1. Bharat, give us the update, since March its been a few months at the time of this recording, what has expanded, what has changed at Buncha?
2. Why is Buncha a good value proposition for brands. What brands and categories should be talking to you? Can brands work with you on the platform for offers to consumers?
3. How has investor partnerships been and can you take us through how capital growth has been? Any key messages for prospective investors?
4. Give us the scoop on expansion plans, since you last came on, what categories have you expanded to, which new brands and retailers are partners?
5. Retail expansion - what does your current capital flow look at and what cities or neighborhoods are you seeking to deliver for and into?
6. I’d love to hear about customer experience on the app? What’s new, what’s changed and how are you streamlining order friction for your customers?
7. What is your outlook on other grocery intermediary delivery partners? They don’t focus on routine and pantry but they are a large part of home delivery? What is your approach for these customers?
8. The last question here is always a fast forward - what trends do you see evolving in delivery that makes you believe Buncha is the long term community grocery pantry delivery platform of choice for customers, brands and retailers alike?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
CPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.com
RetailWit Website: http://retailwit.com
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj on PopStar Academy: https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81587828?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en
Kavita's podcast: Spotify   Apple

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPGGUYS are joined in this episode by Luke Kigel - VP of digital marketing & consumer experiences at Kimberly-Clark.

Connect with Luke Kigel on Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukekigel/
Connect with Kimberly-Clark on Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/company/kimberly-clark/
Connect with Kimberly-Clark online : https://www.kimberly-clark.com/en-us

This discussion is all about modern marketing and catering to today's digitally influenced consumer and what skillsets are required to make today's brands elite.

Here's what we asked Luke :

1. Your career passes through elite brands like J&J, mediacom, Universal Mcann, OMD, Walgreens including retail media leadership. Take us through the years to KCC and what advice do you have for someone wanting to follow in your steps?
2. How have your past experiences at agencies, especially UM, shaped your plans for this role? 
3. How does Kimberly-Clark approach full funnel marketing? Which one wins - upper or lower funnel? What does a full funnel marketing campaign look like?
4. How do you advocate for the perfect campaign at KCC - what constitutes a great campaign?
5. How do you help measure media success? What kind of metrics do you use and advocate for in your MMM?
6. Retail media - the crazy world that’s shaped over the last 4 years. You even have experience running an RMN in your previous role - what is going on?
7. How do you partner with brands on innovation? What is your innovation philosophy and how do you partner with retail to activate?
8. The last question is called fast forward - what’s the next evolution of the consumer and the shopper journey? What are you planning for?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
CPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.com
RetailWit Website: http://retailwit.com
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj on PopStar Academy: https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81587828?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en
Kavita's podcast: Spotify   Apple

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

THE CPGGUYS are joined in this episode by Jeff Cohen, tech evangelist for Amazon ads. We did this LIVE from the Amazon port podcast studio at Cannes Lions international festival of creativity at Cannes, France.

Find Jeff on Linkedin at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreycohen/
Find Amazon on Linkedin at : https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon/
Find Amazon ads online at : https://advertising.amazon.com/

This discussion is about career leadership and how it is to work at Amazon day to day. Here's what we asked him : 

1. Jeff, your career touches textbooks.com, has wheels in it, then principal evangelist for amazon ads. Take us through the years and learnings you have picked up on the way?
2. What is a principal evangelist for Amazon ads? What does a day in your life look like?
3. Talk to us about mentoring and mentorship? Are they different, have you had influential mentors? Do you mentor others today?
4. Brand excellence - you are obviously a brand builder as well. What coaching would you give brands - sitting right here in Cannes about building. What principles have you used for this?
5. How do you motivate and inspire your team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential?
6. What are some of the key qualities that you believe are essential for effective leadership, and how do you cultivate those qualities in yourself and others?
7. In today’s crazy “I want it now” world, how does Jeff balance the need for short-term results with the need for long-term strategic planning?
8. This last question is called fast forward. What trends are you following these days in the industry? What would you advise the CPGGUYS to follow?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
CPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.com
RetailWit Website: http://retailwit.com
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj on PopStar Academy: https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81587828?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en
Kavita's podcast: Spotify   Apple

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPGGUYS are joined in this episode by Kenny Juskowiak, MD for emerging brands. Our discussion was recorded LIVE at NielsenIQ's annual c360 conference in May 2024. We discussed NielsenIQ's offerings and services for startup and emerging brands.

This episode is sponsored by NielsenIQ.

Find Kenny Juskowiak on Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenny-juskowiak/
Find NielsenIQ on Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/company/nielseniq/
Find NielsenIQ online : https://nielseniq.com/global/en/

Here's what we asked him:
1. Let’s start with your career background - you have extensive client service experience in customer success at Nielsen itself over 10 years in the past. How did this set you up to be the leader for emerging brand success at NIQ?
2. Take us through how you approach services for small brands at NIQ? How do you bring focus to brands thay may not have the scale or financial resources to partner with you in a scaled way?
3. I want to double down on ecommerce - Amazon obviously is the behemoth here and a brand should not be looking at comprehensive share without Amazon coverage. How do you provide a full view of coverage for them with ecommerce in the mix?
4. We just saw the second annual pitch slam. How did NIQ conceive this? How do you go about sourcing the finalists and what happens next to the winner - how do you support them?
5. So, with coverage and partnerships for smaller emerging brands, how do you partner with private equity or VC who is probably the desired exit outcome for many of them?
6. What about founders who are in very early stage - can they partner with you on measurement and insights? If so, how do you support them?.
7.  NIQ has a whole offering on consumer insights led by panel data, shopper journeys, etc. and a thorough understanding of the shopping experience - do small brands have the ability to do this with you?
8. Thanks for the summary of how NIQ covers emerging brands - lets do a section called ‘fast forward’ - how do you see small brands competing in today’s over complex ecosystem of extensive data and digital shelf vs physical shelf? Are you ready for this mega shift in consumer response?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj in the band Katseye debut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYg6aMDQ_TA   

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

In our 400th episode, the CPG Guys are joined by Seth Dallaire, Chief Revenue Officer at Walmart. The episode was recorded at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

This episode is sponsored by the 2024 DSN Issue Summit, December 4 in New York City. To learn more, visit: https://events.drugstorenews.com/issuesummit 

Seth answers these questions:

1. Welcome back, since we last had you, Walmart connect, Walmart Data Ventures, and Walmart plus are on a great ride. If you look back at the last few years you’ve been here, do you feel the magic moment has arrived?
2. Walmart connect - growing every day in leaps and bounds, providing value everyday to brands. What’s the heartbeat of WMC, and why should brands continue to invest with you? 
3. Walmart Luminate has now also been around a couple years. At General Mills, I was a big believer that we should used the outputs from the platforms for our everyday business - penetration, growth, share, etc. How are brands leveraging Walmart luminate?
4. Can you take us through the larger Walmart data ventures endeavor - what else does it involve, are there services that we are not discussing on the CPGGUYS?
5. On the people side, how do you ensure your teams are staying abreast of new technologies and trends in the industry? Inflation has challenged all of us - how are you helping brands to navigate it?
6. In store retail media - we have to discuss what’s next here. What do you offer and what’s next here? How are you delivering upper funnel out of platform capabilities for brands?
7. Walmart plus is also a few years in - how is it performing, are consumers excited to continue to leverage it - what’s in the works?
8. Lastly, we always ask - what’s next. What trends are you following and coaching Walmart on? What adoption curve are we at the edge of?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
CPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.com
RetailWit Website: http://retailwit.com
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj on PopStar Academy: https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81587828?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en
Kavita's podcast: Spotify   Apple

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Deren Baker CEO of Flywheel Ventures and Molly O'Bryen Sr. Director, Head of TikTok Shops at Flywheel Ventures, part of the Flywheel Commerce Network.

Follow Deren on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derenbaker/
Follow Molly on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-o-bryen-3a050147/
eMail Molly at: [email protected]

Read Flywheel's new White Paper "The Big Shift" at: https://www.flywheeldigital.com/guides/the-big-shift-retail-power-dynamics

Deren & Molly answer these questions:

1. What is this new group Flywheel Ventures?
2. What is TikTok Shops?
3. Why should CPG brands be interested?
4. What does a brand need to concern itself with to activate the commerce opportunities on the platform?
5. If doing your own shop, what are the FAQ's 
6. How is FW making this easier?
7. How long does it take to get up and running?
8. How do brands get involved?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
CPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.com
RetailWit Website: http://retailwit.com
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj on PopStar Academy: https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81587828?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en
Kavita's podcast: Spotify   Apple

TikTok Shop

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Jay Richman, VP of product & technology for Amazon. This episode was recorded LIVE at Cannes, France during the Cannes Lions festival of creativity in June 2024. Customer obsession, experimenting with new technology are at the core of Amazon. In this episode, we discuss everything from today's artificial intelligence trends to user experience improvements and of course creativity.

Follow Jay Richman on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrichman/
Follow Amazon on Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon/
Follow Amazon online : https://www.amazon.com/

Here's what we asked Jay :

1. Jay, you come with a solid media background that includes NBCU & spotify before Amazon. What have you learned over the years in this space and what advice would you give an earlier you to navigate this?
2. What is your role at amazon as a VP of product & tech and how does it intersect with AI?
3. AI - buzzword to many, reality to amazon for a long time. How has AI developed over the years in the industry and where is AI today?
4. AI and Amazon. I have to imagine the UX is directly delivering through AI. Can you share where Amazon is on this journey?
5. Core customer obsession has always been at the heart of Amazon. How do you connect AI and customer obsession for Amazon?
6. You have so many brands on the seller platform. Not all of them are equally built for resources. How are you helping them in their journey of content and scale with AI?
7. Lets talk Amazon ads and helping even larger brands scale there. The sheer volume of content needed between native and standard ads is different. Are you using AI to help brand creators scale easily? Does an aura of test and learn quickly get born now?
8. What tech trends are you following these days? What matters? What would you coach us to follow?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
CPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.com
RetailWit Website: http://retailwit.com
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj on PopStar Academy: https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81587828?s=i&trkid=258593161&vlang=en
Kavita's podcast: Spotify   Apple

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.