Episode #52 - Building Cannabis Brands with Expert Insights from Kyle Bergman, The Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer at Pinkberg

Roots to Risk

In this episode of Roots to Risk, hosts Eric Schneider and Isaac Bock sit down with Kyle Bergman, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Pink Berg, a marketing firm that specializes in helping digitally native cannabis and lifestyle brands tell their stories through customized creative strategies.

Kyle takes listeners through his journey from building the quirky and innovative SW Overalls brand — a unique blend of sweatpants and overalls — to launching Pink Berg, a full-service marketing agency born out of his frustration with traditional agencies that lacked the practical, hands-on understanding of direct-to-consumer (D2C) operations.

Kyle discusses key strategies for cannabis brands, such as the importance of focusing on a niche market first before attempting to scale nationally, drawing comparisons to brands like Athletic Brewing and RXBAR. He also explains how Pink Berg's unique, profit-first approach to marketing — with a strong emphasis on post-campaign analysis and iterative testing — helps cannabis brands not only survive but thrive in an industry where compliance and creativity are equally important.

Kyle also touches on the broader landscape of the cannabis industry, discussing trends in THC-infused beverages, the future of the hemp-derived space, and how Pink Berg is helping to shape the next generation of cannabis branding.

Whether you're a cannabis entrepreneur, marketer, or someone interested in the intersection of cannabis and consumer goods, this episode offers a wealth of practical advice and expert insights to help you understand the nuances of cannabis marketing in a rapidly evolving industry.