The CPG Guys

The CPG Guys are joined by Craig Dubitsky, a serial entrepreneur who created Eis Lip Blam, Hello oral care products and now happy Coffee (along with actor Robert Downey Jr.)Follow Craig on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-dubitskyFollow happy on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-happy-products/Follow happy online at: https://www.happyproducts.com/We ask Craig these questions:Why don’t we start with when did the entrepreneurial spirit first take hold in your career and why has it become a habit for you?You founded eos 16 years ago. Why did you think lip balm was the category to disrupt and how did you seek to engage consumers in terms of product and message? In 2012, you founded hello products. What about the oral care category told us you that it was ripe for delight?How did you seek to create a thriving culture at hello and were you concerned about how it might transform when you decided to sell the company to CP?After joining CP, you didn’t just fade into the sunset with a big bank account, you remained as Chief Innovation Strategist for nearly 3 years. What exactly were you doing and how did it help a 100+ year old company innovate for growth?I remember in Orlando, you posting both your email and your direct phone number for anytone to reach out. You are an incredibly accessible and responsive person. How has this served you in your professional pursuit?In the summer of 2023, you founded happy. What is happy, how are you seeking to delight people who consume coffee and why did you partner with a super hero to launch it?How are you leveraging today’s media ecosystem to drive happy’s success?What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs based upon your vast experience to ensure that they position their business for maximum success?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comCPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.comNextUp Website: http://NextUpisnow.org/cpgguysRetailWit Website: http://retailwit.comRhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comDISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPG Guys welcome Cyndi Loza, Managing Editor at Path to Purchase Institute, discussing the Retail Media Network Trends Study. They cover the change in RMN investments, challenges faced, and the promises participants want RMNs to deliver. The survey assessed 25 RMNs and discussed the coordination and integration of retail media with other digital channels.

Karan Girotra, Dan Hooker, and Clare Galvão discuss the Omnichannel Leadership Program at Cornell University, including curriculum development and desired outcomes. They also highlight the benefits of attending the program, such as deep learning and networking. Other topics include AI-based food ordering, Dollar General's grocery expansion, and upcoming speakers at the event.

The podcast discusses the importance of attending conferences & trade shows in the CPG retail industry, with a focus on events like CES, NRF, FMI, and Shop Talk. The speaker reflects on their experience at Shop Talk conference and discusses upcoming conferences like Grocery Shop. They also mention industry events such as Amazon unBoxed and advertising week in NYC.

The CPG Guys welcome LiveRamp's Kevin Dunn to discuss the changing world of identity in personalized marketing and the recent acquisition of clean room provider Habu. They explore the importance of creating a single view of the customer through data collaboration, the merging and analysis of data sets in clean rooms, and the challenges of measuring data activation and multi-channel attribution.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Mary Pellettieri, co-founder and CEO of La Pavia Beverage Inc., maker of the Top Note Tonics brand of mid-calorie soft drinks and mixers.This episode is sponsored by the Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management "Omnichannel Leadership Program" which is taking place June 10-13, 2024 at Cornell Tech in New York City. To learn more about the program, visit: https://ecornell.cornell.edu/omnichannel-leadership-program/?utm_source=cpg+guys&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=business_Omnichannel+Leadership+Program+-+CPG+GuysFollow Mary on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-pellettieri-3739807/Follow Top Note on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/la-pavia-beverage-inc/Follow Top Note Tonics online at: https://store.topnotetonic.com/Mary answers these questions:What inspired you and Noah to start Top Note, and what is the company's mission?What sets your beverages apart from others in the market?What major challenges did you face when starting the company, and how did you overcome them?What trends in the beverage industry do you find most exciting or influential right now?What role does consumer feedback play in the evolution of your beverages?Can you discuss any partnerships or collaborations that have been particularly impactful for Top Note?What strategies do you employ to stay adaptable in a rapidly changing market?Are there any plans for expanding your product line or entering new markets?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comCPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.comNextUp Website: http://NextUpisnow.org/cpgguysRetailWit Website: http://retailwit.comRhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comDISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPG Guys welcome Sharon Fox, operating partner of Stride consumer partners.Stride Consumer partners is a private equity firm that specializes in partnering with talented and dynamic founders, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to build the next generation of great consumer brands. Follow Sharon on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-fox-b979265/Follow Stride consumer partners on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stride-consumer-partners/Follow Stride consumer partners online at: https://www.strideconsumer.com/Here's what we asked Sharon: 1. Could you share insights into the current trends shaping the consumer goods industry? 2. What strategies has your company employed to navigate challenges in the rapidly evolving consumer landscape? 3. How do you identify promising consumer goods startups to invest in, and what criteria do you prioritize? 4. Can you discuss the role of sustainability and ethical practices in the consumer goods sector, and how it influences investment decisions? 5. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to pitch their consumer goods startups to investors like Stride Consumer Partners? 6. In your experience, how has technology impacted the consumer goods industry, and what opportunities or challenges does it present? 7. How do you see the future of consumer goods evolving, especially with emerging technologies and changing consumer preferences? 8. Can you share a success story of a brand that has yielded positive results with your partnership?9. What role do branding and marketing play in the success of consumer goods startups, and how do you assess these aspects when considering investments?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comCPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.comNextUp Website: http://NextUpisnow.org/cpgguysRetailWit Website: http://retailwit.comRhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comDISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

Recap of CES 2024 highlights, including Walmart's AI-enhanced home, Instacart's partnership with Google, and AMC's use of AI tools. Also discussed are the intersection of changing mobility patterns and consumer behavior, challenges with generative AI, and the perception of technology on human connections.

The CPG Guys welcome Shiva Ramani, CEO at iOPEX Technologies, a new-generation business solutions provider offering optimized management and Automation services. Founded in 2009, the demand for their specialized optimization solutions has helped them grow to over 1,800 employees in ten years.But wait, they are actively the white label managed services provider for retail media publishers!!!!  This episode is sponsored by IOPEX Technologies.Follow Shiva on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiva-ramani-216b52230/ Follow iOPEX on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iopex-technologies/Follow iOPEX online at: https://www.iopex.com/Here's what we asked Shiva: What inspired you to start iOPEX - what unmet need did you build services for, and what is your vision for the company's future?How does iOPEX differentiate itself from competitors in the industry and what are the key values or principles that guide iOPEX's business operations and relationship?In what ways does iOPEX adapt to the changing landscape of technology and business services?Could you share a recent success story or significant milestone that iOPEX has achieved?What are the biggest challenges you see facing the cpg industry, and how is iOPEX positioned to address them?Therefore what’s your take on retail media and what do you have cooking in this space?How does iOPEX prioritize and ensure quality and customer satisfaction in its services? CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comCPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.comNextUp Website: http://NextUpisnow.org/cpgguysRetailWit Website: http://retailwit.comRhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comDISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast. 

The CPG Guys’s PVSB and Fresh 4 co-host Andrea K. Leigh of Allume Group speak with 3 Amazon Sellers at the 2023 Amazon Accelerate Conference in Seattle Washington. They speak about how selling through Amazon’s 3P marketplace has helped them grow their businesses.This episode is sponsored by Stratcache, the leader in in-store digital retail media solutions. Register to attend their NRF event "What's In-store for Retail Media" January 13, 2024 in NYC here: https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowNRF241/Flow/RMN?_gl=1*c7i4oi*_ga*MTM0ODc0NDY1NC4xNjk5OTg3Mjkx*_ga_39FVVE9CL0*MTY5OTk4NzI5MC4xLjEuMTY5OTk4OTYyNi42MC4wLjA.*_gcl_au*MTI4OTc4MDIxNS4xNjk5OTg3Mjkx#!/registrant//Member/Toyin Kolawole is the Founder & CEO of Iya Foods, which creates everyday foods with a touch of innovation using African superfoods for nourishment and extra flavor.Follow Toyin on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toyinkolawole/Follow Iya Foods on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/iyafoods/Follow Iya Foods online at: https://www.iyafoods.com/Justin Forster & Wale Forrester, who met in college as athletes, co-founded Hustle Clean, a performance hygiene company delivering personal active care products to people who want to do more and be more throughout their day, without compromise.Follow Justin on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-forsett-29800670/Follow Wale on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wale-forrester-mpa-32a680a/Follow Hustle Clean on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hustleclean/Follow Hustle Clean online at: https://hustleclean.com/Nolan Koon is the Director of Omni Channel Sales at Every Man Jack, One of the original Men’s care clean brands focused on using Naturally Derived Ingredients and making sustainably minded choices, Every Man Jack inspires men to take care of themselves and the world around them. Follow Nolan on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-koon-9a3b0558/Follow Every Man Jack on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/everymanjack/Follow Every Man Jack online at: https://www.everymanjack.com/CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comCPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.comNextUp Website: http://NextUpisnow.org/cpgguysRetailWit Website: http://retailwit.comRhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj on Instagram: http://instagram.com/lararajjDISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. ByCPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.