

The CPG View
The CPG View
The #1 CPG information source for Global Omni-Channel Leaders.
Empowering you to win in CPG!
Empowering you to win in CPG!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 29, 2026 • 23min
Inside CMX: Scaling Retail Media Without Losing the Consumer (Parbinder Dhariwal, VP, General Manager at CVS Media Exchange (CMX))
To kick things off, can you share a bit about your journey and what led you to your role at CMX, and what experiences have shaped the way you think about omnichannel media today?CMX is known for turning consumer intent into action. Can you walk us through how your team uses precision and scale to thoughtfully connect brands with customers across the entire funnel?You often describe CMX’s approach as fueling meaningful shopping experiences. Can you share a case study that illustrates how full-funnel strategies have driven measurable results for a brand or retail partner?From your vantage point, how are omnichannel media strategies evolving, and what should brands be doing today to ensure they’re driving both brand growth and long-term performance in such a fragmented landscape?When you look ahead, what excites you most about the future of full-funnel media and the role CMX is playing in transforming how brands connect with consumers?

Jan 22, 2026 • 22min
Scaling Innovation by Empowering People With AI at Walmart (Dave Glick, SVP, Enterprise Business Services at Walmart)
What are the key lessons you've learned about building high-performance teams that actually move the needle? You’ve described the classic “SWAT team” lifecycle: small, focused, agile—and then scale brings complexity and drag.What’s one example from your career where you saw that SWAT energy sustained—or completely lost—when scaling? What was the key difference?At Walmart scale, structure is inevitable.How do you personally balance the need for speed and experimentation with the operational rigor required in a global enterprise? How do you know when it’s time to add process—and when to get out of the team’s way? You mentioned protecting velocity and preserving that tight customer feedback loop. How are you using GenAI to enable that today? Can you share a concrete way GenAI is helping Walmart teams make faster, more informed decisions? You’ve worked across startups and Fortune 1. What genuinely excites you right now?Is it the technology, the scale, the people challenge? What’s keeping you energized as you lead this next chapter of transformation?

Jan 15, 2026 • 21min
Progress Over Perfection: How Marketing Leaders Make Smart Risk Decisions (Nick Hammitt, Chief Marketing Officer at Newell Brands)
Your career spans some of the world’s biggest CPG brands, from Unilever to PepsiCo to Newell. Looking back, what pivotal moments or decisions shaped your approach to marketing leadership?Consumers today interact with brands across so many touchpoints—online, in-store, social, and more. How do you approach creating a consistent, meaningful brand experience that resonates across channels while staying true to the brand’s core purpose? You’ve led the launch of major products and platforms. What’s your approach to fostering innovation in large organizations, and how do you decide which risks are worth taking?You emphasize collaboration, strategic clarity, and entrepreneurial agility in your leadership. How do you cultivate teams that can execute bold marketing strategies while staying agile in an ever-changing market?As we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to leave today’s listeners with—an insight, a piece of advice, or a perspective from your journey that you hope they take away?

Jan 8, 2026 • 20min
Marketing Where Life Happens: Turning Everyday Moments into Powerful Brand Experiences (Jack Shannon, CEO & Co-Founder at Recess)
Can you walk us through how Recess works — from how brands discover experiential opportunities to how they execute and measure success through the platform?" You’ve worked with powerhouse brands— what’s something happening in the world of brand activations or consumer marketing that genuinely excites you right now? Recess helps brands scale sampling in trusted communities like Equinox, WeWork, and DoorDash. What recent feature, partnership, or trend on the Recess platform are you particularly energized about? As you look ahead to the next year or two, what’s the biggest opportunity or shift in consumer engagement that has you most fired up? On a personal or professional level, what’s inspiring or motivating you right now outside the day-to-day of the business?

Dec 18, 2025 • 23min
Leading with Purpose: Bryan Santee on Innovation, Trust, and Customer-Centricity at PepsiCo Beverages (Bryan Santee, Chief Commercial Officer at PepsiCo Beverages U.S.)
Can you walk us through your career journey and share a pivotal moment that defined your leadership approach?You’re passionate about fostering high-performing teams. What principles or practices do you prioritize to build a culture of empowerment and innovation?As an omnichannel leader, what strategies have you found most effective for creating seamless consumer experiences across platforms? What are you most excited about within the digital space, and how do you see it reshaping the food and beverage industry? With your endless curiosity and focus on staying ahead of industry trends, what are some emerging consumer behaviors or technologies you believe will drive the next wave of transformation in food and beverage?

Dec 11, 2025 • 19min
Leading at Target: Curiosity, Innovation and Thriving in an AI Driven World (Prat Vemana, EVP Chief Information and Product Officer at Target)
You’ve often been described as a continuous learner and someone who thrives on curiosity and experimentation. How have those qualities shaped your leadership philosophy, and how do you bring that mindset to the teams you lead? At Target, you’re leading massive teams across technology and product, both of which rely on speed, innovation, and collaboration. What are some of the ways you empower teams to take smart risks and experiment while still driving business outcomes at scale? Curiosity is a powerful word, but it can be hard to operationalize. How do you take something like curiosity and translate it into everyday behaviors or rituals within your organization? Without giving too much away, Target has a big announcement coming up that seems to reflect many of the values you’ve championed. Continuouslearning, innovation, and customer focus. How do you ensure that experimentation and transformation don’t just happen in pockets, but become part of Target’s broader culture? Looking ahead, what kind leadership legacy do you hope to leave behind, both at Target and for the next generation of technology and product leaders?

Dec 4, 2025 • 25min
Rethinking Retail Reach: IGA’s Blueprint for Smarter Shopper Marketing (Michael La Kier, Vice President, Brand Development at IGA, INC. )
You’ve worked on some of the most iconic consumer-loved brands—how do you translate that big-brand thinking into IGA’s decentralized, independent retail model?How has your direct marketing mindset influenced the way IGA approaches shopper insights, loyalty programs, and CRM in today’s fragmented retail environment?What role does storytelling play in building richer customer relationships across IGA’s network of stores, especially when trying to drive both local and national relevance?With so much focus on digital innovation and shopper experience, how is IGA evolving its in-store programs to align with online expectations and behaviors?From your experience, what’s the most overlooked opportunity for brand and shopper marketing leaders to create more profitable customer relationships in today’s CPG-retail ecosystem?

Nov 20, 2025 • 24min
The Lottery Ticket Effect: What Drives True Partnership (Chris Haimbach, North America General Manager at Perrigo)
You’re responsible for driving the global growth strategy across Perrigo’s Skin Healing division—what key consumer trends or unmet needs are shaping that strategy today? Balancing innovation with heritage can be tricky in categories like skin healing—how do you think about modernizing a trusted portfolio while staying true to what consumers love? In a world flooded with skincare claims and health-conscious consumers, how does Perrigo approach trust, transparency, and efficacy in brand building across the portfolio? You’ve led go-to-market strategies at a global scale—what have you found to be the most critical success factor when launching skin healing products in today’s competitive retail landscape? What are you most excited about right now in your role - whether it’s a breakthrough innovation, a bold new brand strategy, or something entirely unexpected?

Nov 13, 2025 • 26min
Rethinking Fulfillment: Amazon’s Big Change and What Comes Next (Rob Hahn, Chief Operations Officer at Pattern)
Amazon's decision to end FBA prep services is a significant shift for sellers. From your perspective, what are the immediate challenges brands should anticipate, and how can they proactively address them?You emphasized the importance of not waiting until the last minute to adapt to these changes. What are some early steps sellers can take now to ensure a smooth transition?Pattern offers solutions to help brands navigate these changes. Can you share how Pattern's services are uniquely positioned to support sellers during this transition?In your experience, how can brands balance the need for cost-effective solutions with maintaining the quality and compliance standards that Amazon expects?Looking ahead, what do you believe the future holds for Amazon sellers in terms of fulfillment and logistics, and how can they best prepare for these evolving dynamics?

Nov 7, 2025 • 27min
Choose Your Own Adventure: Empowering the Next Generation of Commerce Leaders (Gemma Spence , CEO of VML)
You’ve been instrumental in driving growth and implementing transformative models in digital commerce. Can you share what you think are the key elements for success in this space?As the digital commerce landscape continues to evolve, what trends or developments are you most excited about, and how do you see them shaping the industry?Leading a large, diverse team across the EMEA region is challenging. What strategies do you use to ensure alignment, innovation, and consistent results across such a broad scope?With tools like Commerce Studio and other innovations, how do you see technology playing a role in optimizing operations and enhancing customer experiences?From your work in digital commerce to your entrepreneurial ventures, what drives your passion, and how do you envision your role in shaping the future of this field?


