CPG Week Podcast

In this episode: On this episode of CPG Week, the podcast team talks about “zombie brands,” a rumored mega-merger of snacks and sweets, a recap of earnings, and another lawsuit for PRIME. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporter Lukas Southard are joined by BevNET managing editor Martín Caballero in a packed episode where they talk about the idea of zombie brands and how it relates to other CPG categories (and Steven Seagal movies?). The group also discusses a rumored acquisition of Kellanova brands by Mars and what this could mean for both food companies. Afterwards, the team goes on to review recent beverage company earnings reports and yet another legal case filed against Logan Paul’s PRIME beverage company. Show Highlights: 0:30 – Nostalgia is in and the podcast hosts discuss what discontinued CPG products should make a comeback. They share their favorite long-lost items from bubbly beverages to one of the OGs of the bar category. 3:15 – After reading a recent story in Modern Retail focused on the increasing amount of “zombie brands,” the team discusses how this idea relates to alternative meats and its links to the influx of new brands that came out of the pandemic and have since stalled as investment has waned. 8:15 – What could it mean for Kellanova to be acquired by sweets maker Mars and what does this foretell for both companies? The CPG Week podcast jumps into the rumors swirling around these food giants’ possible merger. 12:30 – Marty goes over recent earnings from Celsius and BellRing Brands with a look towards how the large strategics are utilizing their distribution networks to buoy revenue. 15:00 – PRIME is in more legal hot water after beverage manufacturer Refresco filed a $67 million lawsuit alleging Logan Paul’s brand backed out of a production deal. Marty goes through this latest suit and what it could mean for others in the energy and sports drink categories. 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 this episode of CPG Week, the podcast team teases their Nosh Notables honorable mentions, details the latest investment for a fast-growing food brand and discusses the different marketing approaches food brands are taking in the Ozempic Era. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard talk about Oats Overnight Series B round and how the brand has built a strong consumer base in ecommerce. The team goes on to dive into the Brightfield Group’s exclusive BevNET/Nosh Q2 Report: The GLP-1/Ozempic Craze and reflects on how food brands are marketing around the continuing demand for weight loss solutions related to GLP-1 drugs. Show Highlights: 0:50 – The team shares their personal honorable mentions for Nosh Notables including a shoutout to Omsom’s founders, the creative mind behind Netflix’s “Unfrosted” and one of leading names in hot honey. 3:00 – Senior reporter Brad Avery talks about Oats Overnight’s recent $35 million investment announced this week. The company appears to be continuing its growth trajectory and resourcing its manufacturing and labor force with the new tranche of capital. 6:45 – Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous explains what was reported in the Brightfield Group’s Q2 dive into GLP-1 drugs and how consumers are responding to weight loss solutions in CPG. The conversation harkens back to previous podcast episodes where the team has discussed the growing trend towards weight loss products and how food and beverage brands are positioning around semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. 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: The Nosh and BevNET team bring on spirits editor Ferron Salniker to dive into why the adult non-alcoholic beverage category might be facing struggles as news broke that Boisson, one of the largest independent retailers of NA beverages, is closing its brick-and-mortar stores. The team talks about what this says about the category as a whole and what might come next as non-alc brands move into larger retail distribution. Later, Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Lukas Southard and Brad Avery discuss provocative branding in energy drinks and how finding a lane in the competitive category is forcing at least one player to rebrand itself. Show Highlights: 2:00 – BevNET spirits editor Ferron Salniker joins the podcast to explain all that we know about the recent news that non-alcoholic adult beverage retailer Boisson has suddenly shuttered all its stores. 4:15 – The team discusses how the news reframes the non-alc category as the trend moves from niche to being carried among larger distributors and retail chains. 7:20 – Where does this leave the non-alc category and what does this foretell for the industry if one of its earliest adopters and largest independent retailers is having trouble? Ferron gives some insight into how the Boisson news is representative of how the category is growing as a whole. 11:15 – Lukas explains why Lucky F*ck Energy rebranding as just Lucky Energy is unsurprising but also speaks to how the attention economy and brands like Liquid Death have influenced other brands to increasingly push the envelope with edgy marketing campaigns. 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: This week, the Nosh and BevNET team discusses recent food and beverage funding news. In this capital-constrained environment, startups are tapping conventional options like investment firms as well as celebrities, consumers and distributors to rake in extra cash. Show Highlights: 0:35 – Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous shares the latest twist in the Kellogg cereal drama. HumanCo founder and CEO Jason Karp filed an activist letter urging the company to follow through with its previously stated commitment to remove artificial dyes from such brands as Froot Loops sold in the U.S. 4:15 – Senior reporter Lukas Southard discusses snack pack maker Sunnie’s unique approach to securing funding, inviting some of its consumers to participate in its recent round. 7:25 – Senior reporter Brad Avery unpacks Liquid Death’s $67 million funding round that involved some of its distributors, as well as celebrities and investment firms. 9:15 – Monica dishes details of organic baby and toddler food company Serenity Kids’ $52 million Series B funding. Brad offers perspective on how an already profitable company can benefit from such a significant cash injection. 11:10 – Monica, Brad and Lukas highlight additional brands that have recently raised money. 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: This week, the Nosh and BevNET team gear up for Natural Products Expo West, the so-called Super Bowl of the packaged food and beverage industry. With a special appearance for BevNET Editor-In-Chief Jeff Klineman, the group discusses their various strategies for the big show. What’s the best attack plan for hitting all the booths on a show planner? What items should (or should not) make it into an Expo backpack to stay prepared for long days on the floor? Learn how to keep an eye out for good “Expo Etiquette” and why you might spot a BevNET or Nosh team member interviewing this year’s celebrity-du-jour. Show Highlights: 0:35 – Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous asks Editor-In-Chief Jeff Klineman how he prepares for Expo West. Senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard chime in on how they are planning for efficient trips to the Anaheim Convention Center. 6:30 – Jeff outlines helpful hacks for exhibiting brands seeking to capture a buyer’s attention on the show floor and why building pirate ship crow’s nests for spotting important people is frowned upon. 9:15 – Brad reflects on his celebrity interviews at previous Expos, including a particularly memorable conversation with a pop star about apple cider vinegar. 11:30 – Jeff, Brad, Monica and Lukas each share the trends they are watching at Expo West. 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: This week the BevNET and Nosh team discusses Poppi acquisition rumors, the investment landscape, and consumer adoption of functional mushrooms. Show Highlights: 0:30 – Monica starts the episode challenging Jeff and Brad to a hypothetical pistachio cracking competition that devolves into a semantical discussion about “nut meat.” 3:25 – Brad highlights prebiotic soda brand Poppi’s big week, which included a highly-watched Super Bowl ad and a Bloomberg article speculating about a Coca-Cola takeover. 7:00 – Why haven’t any of the biggest soft drink companies created their own version of Olipop or Poppi? Jeff draws comparisons to Coke’s short-lived, stevia-sweetened cola, and points out why large players are wary of snapping up small brands today. 9:00 – Monica notes probiotic soda brand Culture Pop’s recent $21 million funding and points to other beverage brands raising capital recently. Jeff shares what investors are looking for in potential targets. 11:15 – The team considers whether consumers understand functional mushrooms and shares examples of brands entering the space. Brad asks whether psychedelic imagery on packaging confuses shoppers. 15:05 – Jeff poses the question that should be on every product developer’s mind: What’s the next big health grail consumers are seeking, a la the antioxidant? “Is it prebiotic, psychedelic or adaptogenic?” 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: This week the BevNET and Nosh team talk about Subway speed dating, cell-cultured meat’s many challenges, why unrealistic investment might be dragging down food tech companies, and why the alternative meat and dairy industry is a good comparison point for realistic market demand. Show Highlights: 0:30 – Monica starts the episode asking Brad and Lukas how they feel about Subway’s recent Valentine’s Day speed dating stunt. 2:00 – After a series of stories in recent weeks explaining the struggles of the cell-cultured (or lab-grown) meat industry, Lukas kicks off the conversation highlighting his recent newsletter column exploring why the industry is falling short of its claims of creating a more sustainable food system. 5:05 – It all comes back to the money. Monica brings up some of the recent companies that have shuttered or had to restructure as a result of investment in the category drying up. 7:35 – Why has the industry fallen short of getting products to market? Brad makes comparisons to the failures of the plant-based food industry as a good example of how food tech struggles to gain market share. 9:45 – Does food tech’s challenge come from financing or from consumer adoption? The team debates how brand messaging plays a role but maybe less expensive food alternatives have an easier path to 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