BevNET presents: The Nombase CPG podcast, a series featuring open discussions on pressing topics impacting food and beverage businesses. Each episode explores a key issue in the CPG industry, offering timely insights, tactical advice, and community discussion. Join the live podcast recording to ask your questions and share your comments directly with our guests, or catch up on past podcast episodes anytime.
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The Ingredient Doing the Most For Flavor and the Forests
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41:32Mike Farrell of The Forest Farmers, Michael Ham of Wild Orchard Tea, and Susan Hartman of Recoup Beverage share how their brands use sustainable maple to power innovation. They explore how maple sap provides clean hydration, natural sweetness, and a functional base to beverage formulations. Our panel will discuss regenerative farming, nutritional b…
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What Not to Miss at BevNET Live Summer 2025
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28:01Headed to BevNET Live? Or still deciding?? In this episode, Jeff Klineman shares a bts look at how the show comes together and what to watch for if you're focused on building a profitable brand. From key sessions to the people you need to meet, Jeff offers tips to help you navigate with purpose. Whether you're looking to connect with investors, ret…
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How to Grow Your Brand Without Burning Out
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45:13
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45:13Building a business is hard as you're juggling so many roles while trying to build momentum without running out of resources. In this episode, Ashley Waldman, Founder & CEO of Jubilee's (high-nutrition kids' milk), gets advice from Ashley Selman, Co-Founder of Heywell (functional sparkling water), and Pauline Idohou, Founder & CEO of Mocktail Club …
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Behind the Redesign, Part 2: Dappy’s Transformation with Suite9c
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47:30How does a top-tier design studio reimagine a fast-growing brand? In Part 2 of our brand refresh series, Suite 9C founder Paula Grant—joined by team members Jessy Qussar and Melissa Piombo—unveils five final design directions created for Dappy, a non-alcoholic functional beverage brand on the rise. Maddie Frank, Dappy’s founder, shares her candid r…
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The True Cost and Return of Trade Shows: A Look at Expo West and Beyond
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46:05Join Scout Brisson, CEO of De Soi, Troy Bonde, Co-Founder of Sauz, and Sarah Jahnke, CEO and Co-Founder of Homecourt as they discuss the true cost and return of attending trade shows like Expo West, sparked by Scout’s LinkedIn question: Is exhibiting at Expo West worth it? Learn how to create a memorable brand experience, measure success beyond sal…
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Thrive Market: What’s New, What’s Next, and Key Updates in 2025
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42:58Natalie Wieder, Vice President of Category Management at Thrive Market, shares recent updates to this leading grocery e-commerce retailer’s vendor experience, including the launch of a new vendor portal, a brand insights dashboard, and a retail media platform. The conversation covers shifts in product selection strategy, key attributes Thrive prior…
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Global Pressure, Local Impact: Rethinking Sourcing When Prices Skyrocket
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47:00
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47:00Join Christian Quie, VP of Sales at ChocXO, and Lillard Anthony Wong, CEO of Owlvericks Coffee, discuss how their brands are responding to sharp ingredient cost increases caused by shifting trade policies and environmental factors and. They share approaches to managing supply chain volatility, strategies for alternative sourcing, methods for commun…
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The New Rules of Consumer Behavior Around Responsible CPG Packaging
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41:35Consumers say they want sustainable packaging, but what do they actually care about, and how can brands deliver without tanking margins? Martin Caballero (BevNET), Simon Gainey (Hard Working Packaging), and Benjamin Puncher (Mintel) unpack it all, from the power of clear front-of-pack messaging to the value of recyclable materials and packaging tha…
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Behind the Redesign: Transforming Dappy with Suite9C
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40:17In part one of this two-part series, DAPI founder Maddie Frank teams up with Suite 9C—the design studio behind brands like BodyArmor, Lemon Perfect, and Core Hydration—to rethink her packaging and bring the brand closer to its vision. This episode covers how to make your packaging design work smarter, not harder; how to position a non-alc product i…
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Smart Demos, Steady Growth - How Successful Brands Turn Sampling into Sales
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39:00
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39:00Jana Goodbaugh of Happy Wolf and Jason Smith, the “Demo Dynamo” from Ithaca Hummus and former Perfect Bar retail lead, share how to turn demos from a cost center into a growth engine. From pinpointing the best sampling days to building a passionate demo team, they reveal insider strategies for driving product discovery, converting samplers into loy…
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You Might Be Overspending on Retail—Here’s How to Cut Costs
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43:28Nicola Buffo, co-founder of Pistachio—a viral pistachio butter brand dominating DTC and expanding in indie retail—is on a mission to decode CPG’s “grow slow and steady” mantra. What does smart growth really look like when you’re bootstrapped? Pierre Jamet, Fishwife’s Chief Sales Officer, shares his ingenious tricks for conserving cash, boosting vel…
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Belgian Boys’ Bagmageddon: Expo West Success or Swag Grab?
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30:15At Expo West, everyone was either carrying the Belgian Boys pink bag or talking about it. The line around their booth was for the bag—waffles and pancakes took a backseat. Known for great swag, did Belgian Boys go too big this time? Was it worth the investment? When the bags ran out, did the brand see their show goals realized? Anouck Gotlib, CEO o…
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The Golden Ticket: How Brands Can Win Investors & Retailers at Trade Shows
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43:58
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43:58Get a behind-the-scenes look at Expo West 2025 with two key decision-makers: Casey Gaston (Whole Foods Market) and Molly Santuli (Springdale Ventures). They break down standout trends, name breakthrough brands, and reveal what made certain products impossible to ignore. Learn how to network with decision makers like these, secure key meetings, and …
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We're launching something BIG at BevNET, NOSH, and Brewbound, and you're invited to be the first to see it! Introducing Nombase — a new digital community and directory built for the CPG world. Nombase connects CPG professionals with trusted industry partners, AI-powered insights, timely conversations, company announcements, and job opportunities — …
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The Community Call podcast is taking a short break as we gear up for something big and exciting here at BevNET, NOSH, and Brewbound. Stay tuned for what's next!
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Key 2025 Regulatory Issues and Their Impact on Your Business
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53:23Justin Prochnow, regulatory attorney and partner at Greenberg Traurig, provides an in-depth update on the legal and compliance challenges facing CPG brands. He covers topics from class action lawsuits over product claims and ingredients to emerging state regulations in California, offering insights on navigating compliance, mitigating risks, and pr…
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CPG Brand Investment: Lessons from 2024, Opportunities for 202
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48:49Bevnet's Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Kleinman, unpacks the key trends and shifts from 2024, and shares insights on the 2025 investment landscape. We'll discuss the changing M&A and corporate venturing dynamics, and the implications for emerging brands seeking funding. Jeff offers strategic advice for founders on positioning their businesses to attract in…
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Thrive in 2025: NIQ’s Essential Trends and Insights to Grow a Winning Brand
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59:14
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59:14Sherry Frey of Nielsen IQ provides an insider’s guide to the 2025 CPG landscape, covering key trends and opportunities. Sherry delves into the latest ingredient and flavor trends, evolving snacking habits, the growing influence of global flavors, and the sustainability factors driving consumer loyalty. Highlights include growth opportunities for sm…
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How Women’s Health Trends Drive CPG Sales - Data Insights from Brightfield Group
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52:18
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52:18As women enter life stages marked by perimenopause and menopause, their health needs are driving demand for targeted foods, beverages, and supplements. Kate Stevenson and Julie Murphy from Brightfield Group, a social listening and consumer insights organization, join this Community Call to share data and trends on the ingredients, products, and val…
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NIQ: On-Premise RTD Beverage Winners and Their Impact on the Category’s Future
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53:50The NIQ On-Premise team shares their latest data on RTD beverage trends, highlighting the biggest opportunities for brands. Joining the conversation are Ben Tilton and Matt Crompton of NIQ On-Premise, along with Ferron Salniker, BevNET's spirits editor. Together, we’ll explore the size of the RTD opportunity, key consumer demographics, channels of …
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SPINS on the Science of Smart Promotions - Using Data to Drive Results
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51:53
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51:53Benji Fitts, Director of Customer Education at SPINS, shares how to run smart, cash-efficient promotions that drive velocity while protecting margin as much as possible. By focusing on market share and lift, we’ll explore strategies to fine-tune discounts, optimize timing and frequency, and leverage real-time insights to outperform competitors and …
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While We're Away at BevNET Live, Nosh Live, and Brewbound Live
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2:13
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2:13If you're headed to Nosh Live, BevNET Live, and/or Brewbound Live, we've got a GREAT show lined up for you. Make sure you come say hello and introduce yourself! And, if you're at home this year, catch the free livestream on Nosh.com, BevNET.com, and Brewbound.com
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Once Upon a Time in a Boston College Dorm Room...
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26:11
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26:11BevNET started in Boston as an idea fueled by Mountain Dew and Snapple in a college dorm room, back before Mark Zuckerberg was just a twinkle in his parents’ eyes. In this episode, COO Carolyn Craven shares the story of BevNET’s 20-year journey. As we prepare for BevNET Live, NOSH Live, and Brewbound Live this December, we reflect on the trials and…
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Can You Scale a Globally Inspired Brand Without Compromising Identity?
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57:26
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57:26How do you scale a culturally rooted brand while preserving authenticity and brand identity? Kartik Das of Doosra, a modern take on Indian chai-time snacks, brought this question to our recent Community Call, where innovative brands like Nguyen Coffee Supply, Brooklyn Delhi, MìLà, and DayDayCook joined the discussion. We discussed how to balance au…
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It's Not Rocket Science - Outsmart Big CPG with Simple Retail Media Tips
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1:00:30
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1:00:30Sven Alwerud, founder of Celerity CPG, and Sarah Gordon, VP of Marketing at Evergreen, share their tried-and-true tactics for leveraging retail media to boost product velocity. Find out how advertising directly on retailer websites and apps can empower you to compete with big CPG on an emerging brand's budget. We'll discuss how to set up high-ROI c…
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After the Buzz: How Two Brands Turned Viral Moments into Lasting Success
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56:16
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56:16Maya French, founder of HappyPop and Koia, and Kendra Bennett, CMO of Bon Bee Honey, each turned unexpected hits of PR exposure into sustained brand growth. They’ll share the key decisions they made—and wish they had made—on prioritizing accounts when you're tight on product, ramping up production for unexpected demand, and using pre-orders and cus…
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Inclusive Hiring: The Surprising Benefits for Brand and Culture
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51:35Inclusive hiring strengthens communities and benefits your brand. Adrianne DeLuca of BevNET, Joshua Velasquez of Shire's Naturals, and Kevin McGahren of Greyston Bakery discuss how they use non-traditional hiring, share effective hiring and training tactics, and explain the positive impact on both business and communities. Find out how equitable hi…
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Bristol Farms: How Functional Ingredients are Showing up On Shelf
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57:27Supplement trends, such as the popularity of collagen, protein, and nootropics, often forecast shifts in food and beverage CPG trends by tracking consumer behavior. We welcome Darren Viscount, Senior Natural Living Category Manager/OTC Category Manager at Bristol Farms, to discuss these natural living trends and their impact on food and beverage pr…
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You Have a Great Product, But Does Anyone Know? The New Rules of Affiliate Marketing and PR
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1:03:13
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1:03:13Holly and John Arbuckle, founders of Singing Pastures Farms, are building a unique, clean-label, pasture-raised, woman-owned meat snack brand. They’re navigating the complexities of earned PR to gain meaningful exposure and drive brand awareness that translates into sales. Sara Brooks, from Goldilocks and Fridays digital marketing firm, joins to sh…
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Why Target Said 'Yes" to Mazaah: 3 Key Retail Ready Elements
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56:50
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56:50Target may be a major retail powerhouse, but there's a unique pathway for emerging brands to get their product on shelf and be successful. Target's Director of Activation & Growth, Le'Spencer Walker, outlines the three retail-ready factors he considers for emerging brands: packaging and branding, business performance data (even for small brands), a…
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Whole Foods Market - Updates for Local and Emerging Brands
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49:47
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49:47Casey Gaston, Executive Leader of Local and Emerging Brands at Whole Foods Market, offers key updates and strategies for emerging brands who want to partner with this key retailer. In this session, she discusses how to navigate the current category review process and provides details on the LEAP accelerator program. Casey also shares her top tips f…
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Walmart’s Open Call Program: A Chance for Small Brands to Access a $600+ Billion Market
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59:58Walmart's Open Call program is a unique opportunity for emerging brands to enter one of the world’s largest retailers. Our guests—Scott Gutche, Sr. Development Executive at Walmart, Molly Blakeley of Molly Bz Cookies, and Yasmin Curtis of Two Fish Foods—share their experiences with the program, from the application process to preparing to pitch. Th…
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Hotpot Queen Asks: How Long Until You Start Making Money in Retail?
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55:30Slotting fees, free fills, retail markups, distribution costs, trade spend & marketing—making money in retail is expensive and complex. But just how long does it take? Jia Liao, founder of Hotpot Queen, wants to find out. Join us as experts Dwight Richmond, Director of Center Store at Town & Country, and Sarah Dorey, partner at Synergy Sales, share…
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Grow Sales and Loyalty with Amazon's Buy with Prime, Even Without an Amazon Seller Account
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54:54
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54:54Derek Majewski, Sr. Partner Development Manager at Amazon's Buy with Prime, and Robert Principe, President at eTail Advisors, explain Amazon's Buy with Prime feature, which allows brands to integrate the Prime button on their own websites. In this episode we discuss the benefits, logistics, and strategic considerations for CPG brands, covering the …
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The Tricks Emerging Brands Can Take from Big CPG Innovation Strategies
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53:10
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53:10The Conagras and Nestlés of the world have business fundamentals and levers that drive smart innovation and product development, which aren't always available to smaller brands. Monica Watrous, managing editor of Nosh, and Glenn Pappalardo, co-founder of Integral CPG, clarify the attributes and themes big brands center their innovation strategy aro…
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POD Foods’ Secret to Competing Big? It’s All About Backing Small Brands
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56:27
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56:27POD Foods offers a distribution solution that stands out from broadline options, particularly benefiting early-stage brands. Dan Rabens, Director of Growth at POD Foods, explains how their model emphasizes transparency, eliminates deductions, and improves speed-to-shelf. We’ll break down POD Foods' fee structure and discuss how they provide support…
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Launching a New Product? Make Sure You Do This First.
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49:05Kimberle Lau, founder of Bake Me Healthy’s upcycled, allergen-friendly baking mixes, is preparing to launch a new product line but wants to set herself up for success by ensuring it answers a consumer need. Robyn Carter from Jump Rope Innovation brings her experience from big CPG to help Kimberly figure out what her core consumers like about Bake M…
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How Cedar's Helped Make Hummus a Household Name and Expanded to 15,000 Stores Through Store-Level Relationships
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46:19To succeed in retail, building direct relationships at the store level can grow your food or beverage business, creating valuable "eyes inside." Cedar's Hummus has its roots in DSD and store relationship building. Aimee Tsakirellis, EVP of Marketing at Cedar's, will share tips on forging strong relationships with store teams, expanding into new reg…
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GNGR Labs' DIY Mile-Deep NYC Strategy that Secured Investment and Distribution
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47:33We’ve all heard that owning your backyard and going a mile deep is key for gaining traction in CPG. The GNGR Labs team self sold their product into to every indie store and bodega in NYC, building a grassroots base. Their scrappy approach allowed them to test and refine their ginger shots before partnering with a distributor, leading to investment …
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NOSH Notables LIVE Announcement: CPG's 24 Most Influential People of 2024
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53:36The Nosh editorial team joins the Community Call to announce and honor our 2024 NOSH Notables—individuals who make the CPG industry enjoyable, successful, and fulfilling. Visit NOSH.com to see the full list!
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Build Your Dream Team: Choosing Advisors and Forming Your Board
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59:22Join Jamie Borteck, board member and advisor, and Matt Weiss from RIND Snacks as they guide you through assembling the ideal team to support your CPG brand's growth. We'll cover selecting advisors who complement your skills, building a board for exponential growth, compensation strategies, approaching potential partners, and maximizing your partner…
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How an Expert Optimizes Amazon Presence: Her Number One Tip Is Free
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40:41Lorena Arathoon and her team at Tasu Chips have launched their brand on Amazon and are looking to refine their strategy. Betsy McGinn, an Amazon guru and e-commerce strategist, joins Community Call to provide Lorena with ideas that will steadily grow sales. Find out how to create the perfect listing, the advertising that's worth investing in, and w…
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The Key Ingredient Consumers Are Trying to Avoid, and Other Notable Trends in CPG
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37:05Monica Watrous, Managing Editor of NOSH, and Amrit Richmond, CPG Strategist, join Community Call to discuss the key trends in food and beverage. We explore the ingredient consumers are avoiding, despite reassurances from the FDA, Harvard School of Public Health, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. We also delve into trends in production, distri…
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Sun Noodle's Secret to Evolving from Category Innovator to Leader: The Power of Customer Collaboration
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49:41Sun Noodle, a global leader in ramen noodles and the preferred choice of ramen shops like Momofuku, has been pivotal in establishing the ramen industry in America. Founded in 1981, Sun Noodle began during a time when ramen in America was, for the most part, microwaveable Cup Noodles. Join Sun Noodle's President, Kenshiro Uki, and his team as they t…
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How to Tap into $2.6 Billion in National Co-op Sales with the Help of NCG
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59:13National Co+op Grocers (NCG) represents 164 food co-ops operating over 230 stores with annual sales of over $2.6 billion. Heidi Traore, Supplier Relationship Development Manager at National Co+op Grocers (NCG), will explain how brands can leverage NCG's expansive network to amplify their sales and distribution. Tune in to uncover strategies for suc…
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Mable’s Chargeback-Free Program for Distributor Partnerships
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55:55Mable helps food and beverage brands achieve growth in both food service and retail, even if they’re early-stage businesses not currently set up with distributor partners. Arik Keller, Founder and CEO of Mable, Lauren Ricciardi, Mable's Marketing Director, and Adrianne Deluca, reporter for BevNET & NOSH, share essential tips for creating a "pro" pr…
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Sprouts Farmers Market Wants Your Innovation: Simple Keys to Get and Stay on Shelf
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59:47Scott Romano, VP of Innovation at Sprouts Farmers Market, and Elliot Begoun, founder of TIG Brands, share best practices on getting on shelf at this important natural channel retailer, and how to achieve ongoing growth. Join us as we follow the journey from initial contact to thriving on Sprouts' shelves. From crafting the perfect pitch to understa…
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VMG Fund Update and Brand Readiness in the Current Climate
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56:25Kathy Yuh, VP at VMG Partners, discusses the venture fund's current investment strategies, partnerships, and evolving criteria amidst shifting market conditions. We'll explore valuation trends, best P&L practices, and notable categories and trends.
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Inside RangeMe: Put Your Best Profile Forward
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51:39RangeMe is an important digital platform that connects brands with retailers and retail opportunities. How strong is your RangeMe game? Join Vir Satyan, SVP of Supplier Success at RangeMe, on Community Call as he helps brands craft their best profiles and put their strongest foot forward. We'll explore the buyer's dashboard, discuss the elements of…
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SPINS Decodes Plant Based Data Trends - What's Thriving and What's Declining?
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48:01We've seen exponential growth in the plant-based category, but this acceleration is stalling in some areas while thriving in others. SPINS' Client Insights Manager, Kelli Howard, dissects data on food and beverage trends within the plant-based sector. Discover thriving and declining categories, how successful brands are evolving to meet customer de…
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