CPG Week Podcast

In this episode: This week on the podcast, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss how Gatorade is courting dehydrated non-athletes, Laird Superfood’s acquisition strategy, the impact of GLP-1s on consumer purchasing behavior and what’s happening in hemp. Show Highlights: 0:20 – Gatorade is entering a “transformational new era” as it broadens its addressable audience beyond elite athletes and platforms with multiple tiers of hydration products. 2:45 – With help from its new majority investor, Nexus Capital Partners, Laird Superfood has made its second acquisition in less than six months, establishing itself as a buyer in the functional wellness set. 6:00 – How are GLP-1 drugs impacting CPG food and beverage? Monica dives into recent data from sales and marketing company Acosta Group, tracing purchasing trends. 9:45 – Lukas goes through the latest intoxicating hemp category news, including a legislative solution proposed by Sen. Rand Paul and how industry stakeholders are safeguarding against the impending November ban. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: On this episode of CPG Week, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard discuss the most recent twist in Ben & Jerry’s battle with Unilever over its stance on the Gaza War, how Slate Milk has ridden the high-protein trend to a $23 million investment, SlimFast’s new owner and why one seasoned beverage industry executive thinks energy drinks need to grow up. Show Highlights: 0:15 – Monica discusses why Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has stepped down from his iconic frozen dessert brand and how this is the latest escalation between the brand’s founders and its parent company Unilever. 2:40 – Lactose-free chocolate milk and iced coffee brand Slate has closed a $23 million Series B round. Lukas explains why the brand has capitalized on the high-protein trend and its ability to draw in celebrity backers. 4:30 – SlimFast has been acquired once again. The diet shake brand’s new owner, Heartland Food Products Group, is an Indiana-based co-manufacturer that owns the low-calorie sweetener and drink mix brand Splenda. 8:15 – Mōcean is a new energy drink from the mind of former White Claw brewmaster Tony Vieira. The brand is launching this fall with a differentiated formulation that includes shiso leaf and echinacea for immunity benefits. Lukas explains how the brand is targeting adult consumers with its marketing strategy. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: This week, the podcast team digs into the disruption caused by a cyberattack on wholesaler UNFI’s information technology systems last week. Next, the hosts discuss Taste Tomorrow Ventures’ first food investment and why sour candy is whetting investor appetites lately. Finally, the podcasters highlight a soccer star’s foray into the consumer packaged goods field and a beverage brand’s latest partnerships. Show Highlights: 0:15 – A cyberattack hobbled wholesale distributor UNFI last week, leaving many bare shelves at grocery stores across the country. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous details the company’s recovery efforts and shares tips for brands affected by the disruption. 3:20 – L.A. Libations’ Taste Tomorrow Ventures invested in candy brand Better Sour. Senior reporter Brad Avery unpacks the reasoning behind the investment and how the startup plans to spend its new cash. 6:00 – Soccer legend David Beckham has launched a new snack venture targeting the overlooked market of youth sports. Monica highlights the brand’s go-to-market strategy and future product development plans. 8:00 – Speaking of soccer, Yerba Madre – the beverage brand formerly known as Guayaki – has kicked off some new sponsorship deals with football clubs and events. Brad details all the new marketing plays from the brand since unveiling its new identity earlier this year. 10:35 – Monica and Brad talk about a “hard seltzer that goes hard,” Liquid Death’s latest clapback, and dill pickle ramen noodles. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: Who doesn’t want a personal vending machine in their garage? The CPG Week talks about poppi’s recent publicity stunt and the backlash that has ensued before exploring how the CPG industry is evolving with convenience stores. A recent CoBank report highlighted how foodservice is making an impact with consumers in c-stores. The CPG Week team explores how the channel is offering fresh opportunities and new challenges to food and beverage brands. Show Highlights: 0:30 – There have been a lot of opinions about poppi’s vending machine marketing campaign that launched during the Super Bowl last weekend. The CPG Week team gives its takes. 4:15 – Senior reporter Brad Avery explains what he learned from a recent CoBank report about foodservice in the convenience channel. The group discusses how CPG brands are evolving with a shift in consumer buying behavior in the channel. 7:00 – How are next-generation brands adjusting strategy to better align with how consumers are using c-stores as food destinations as opposed to just a snack stop while filling the gas tank? 9:20 – Operating in the convenience channel is different than grocery retail. How are CPG operators prioritizing their distribution to meet a brand’s target audience? What does this mean for the larger food and beverage companies? 13:15 – The team discusses how the evolution of convenience stores towards better-for-you brands represents a recent shift in consumer behavior. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: The CPG Week team is capping the year with a discussion about BevNET and Nosh Best of 2024 Awards, which were announced during the live events in early December. Senior reporter Lukas Southard reveals a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the selection process and explains why Olipop and Poppi were both celebrated as BevNET’s Brand of the Year. Next, senior reporter Brad Avery points to a few rising stars, including Nguyen Coffee Supply and Barcode. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous wraps up the conversation with standouts of the Nosh Best of 2024 Awards, including Brand of the Year Good Culture and Best Marketing Campaign award winner Fishwife. Show Highlights: 0:50 – Team Olipop or Team Poppi? Lukas highlights why – for the first time ever – two companies received BevNET’s Brand of the Year designation. 5:00 – Which adult non-alcoholic brands bubbled to the top? Brad and Lukas shine a light on several standouts, including Brez, Recess, Little Saints and Lapos. 9:15 – Brad and Monica examine the parallels between the BevNET Person of the Year and Nosh Person of the Year award winners, respectively, David Crooch of Ritual Beverage Co. and Miguel Garza of Siete Foods. 11:25 – Monica rattles off the winners of Nosh Rising Stars honors and explains why they stood out among a strong slate of nominees. About CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: It’s that time of year and the red-and-white is not in honor of Santa’s impending sleigh ride around the world. It’s time for BevNET Live and the CPG Week podcast team took some time out of preparing for both Nosh Live and BevNET Live to discuss some of the exciting speakers and panels taking place Dec. 8 and 9 in Marina Del Rey, Calif. Along with respective speaker discussions focused on retailing THC beverages and innovative marketing strategies, the team also talks about buying expensive Erewhon smoothies and getting tattoos. For listeners looking to tune into either Nosh Live or BevNET, both events will be live-streamed online or available on-demand for Insiders. About the CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

In this episode: On CPG Week, the podcast team talks about how retaliatory tariffs are plaguing the export market for American craft distillers. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Lukas Southard and Brad Avery are joined by special guest BevNET spirits editor Ferron Salniker to discuss a recent feature she wrote about how craft distillers have been pulled into a long simmering trade war. The group discusses the history of export taxes on American-made products, the impending reinstatement of various tariffs that impact liquor makers and what the potential impact could be on smaller producers. Show Highlights: 0:30 – What does an espresso turkey-tini taste like? The group discussed their thoughts on the Thanksgiving-themed marketing campaign from Reynolds Wrap. 2:00 – As the presidential election comes to a head, both campaigns are talking about tariffs. Ferron explains why this conversation is especially important for the country’s craft distilling industry. 4:45 – Ferron explains how craft distillers are preparing for the tariffs to go back into effect in March 2025 and how it relates to a series of retaliatory tariffs that have rocked global exports of spirits among many other products unrelated to beverage. 10:15 – How does this relate to an overstock of American whiskey and the increased demand that has developed over the last decade? Ferron helps the team understand the complicated relationship between craft distillers and the economics of operating in the export market. About the CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week’s stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts