
The CPG Guys
CPG & FMCG eCommerce industry icon Sri Rajagopalan & consumer loyalty guru Peter V.S. Bond explore how brands and retailers understand and engage with consumers in-store, online and everywhere in between. http://cpgguys.com
Latest episodes

Dec 8, 2021 • 40min
Into the Tank with Dude Products' Sean Riley
Send us a textThe CPG Guys, Sri & PVSB, are joined in this episode by Sean Riley, co-founder and Chief Executive Dude of Dude products.Follow Sean Riley on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spriles/Follow Dude Products on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dude-products-inc/ Follow Dude Products online at: https://www.dudeproducts.com/ Follow Dude Products on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChd5U4N0VNU6TjXF_PTh7WA Sean answers these questions:1) Your story starts at Illinois State and self proclaimed to have consumed 1 million beer, how was dude wipes born?2) In these socially aware times, how hard it to make and market / sell a dude focused brand? How do you set a marketing tone that does not exclude? Are there any structural challenges you face others don’t see?3) What is the secret of scaling Dude wipes to these #’s of $40 MM? Was it one customer at a time?4) DTC - it seems every brand is focused on delivering some sort of direct partnership with the consumer especially if subscription oriented. How are you focused on it? What advice do you have for others in the DTC space 5) How did you go about building a team and how did you personally train them on creating this brand and scaling it?6) Has supply chain or delivery constrained your growth in 2021? If not, what makes you different from other brands?7) Let's get the 101 and 202 on your Shark tank visits? How as that and what can you pass back to budding entrepreneurs 8) Whats next for DUDE wipes? What about the portfolio?Please provide the CPG Guys feedback at http://ratethispodcast.com/cpgguysCPG Guys Website: http://CPGGuys.comCPG Guys on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cpgguysPlease follow the Network of Executive Women at http://newonline.org/cpgguysDISCLAIMER: 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.

Dec 4, 2021 • 48min
Step-change Growth Through Connected Ecosystems with Genpact's Tom McGuire & Rana Saha
Send us a textThe CPG Guys, Sri & PVSB are joined in this episode by Rana Saha – Global Head - Consumer Goods and Retail Leader, Sales and Commercial Practice and Tom McGuire – Consumer Goods and Retail Leader, Sales and Commercial Practice at Genpact, a global professional services firm that makes business transformation real. We drive digital-led innovation and digitally-enabled intelligent operations for our clients, guided by our experience running thousands of processes primarily for Global Fortune 500 companies. This is a the first in a 2-episode partnership with Genpact.Follow Rana Saha on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rana-saha-7997a712/ Follow Tom McGuire on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcguire-0628381/ Follow Genpact online at: http://genpact.comFollow Genpact on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/genpact/Rana & Tom answer these questions:1) What shifts have you seen in the CPG industry that were driven by the pandemic? And what trends continue to emerge?2) How have sales organizations been impacted due to this? What are some of the challenges and opportunities in this area?3) What has been the role of data and insights in tackling some of the challenges you mentioned above and how do you think it is going to impact the emergence of D2C and hyper-personalization?4) The lines between sales and marketing are blurring, what role will digital technologies play?5) Tell us more about Genpact’s work with leading CPG brands and manufacturers?6) Genpact says that one of the hallmarks of business that will thrive in the future are connected ecosystems - what does this mean for CPG brands?7) How is Genpact leading the way as a Growth Partner for leading CPG brands?8) What does Genpact’s roadmap for growth look like for the next 5-year horizon?Please provide the CPG Guys feedback at http://ratethispodcast.com/cpgguysCPG Guys Website: http://CPGGuys.comCPG Guys on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cpgguysPlease follow the Network of Executive Women at http://newonline.org/cpgguysDISCLAIMER: 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.

Dec 1, 2021 • 42min
Succeeding in Omnichannel B2B/B2C with JBS Pilgrim's Riz Akbar
Send us a textThe CPG Guys, Sri & PVSB, are joined in this episode by Riz Akbar, Head of eCommerce for JBS Pilgrim's, a leading global provider of high-quality food products, including well-recognized brands and value-added premium products. As one of the world’s largest poultry producers and a fully integrated pork producer, Pilgrim’s has provided wholesome, quality products to customers and consumers for more than seven decades.Follow Riz Akbar on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riz-akbar/ Follow JBS Pilgrim's on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pilgrims-corp/Follow JBS Pilgrim's online at: https://www.pilgrims.com/Riz answers these questions:1) Your story starts at University of Panjab, then you became a finance professional eventually emerging as an ecommerce leader. Decompose this for our audience and tell us how all this change came to be.2) In your opinion, what are the key components of a successful omnichannel B2B perishable food business?3) How is JBS Pilgrims working to ensure it is ecommerce & omnichannel ready = what are specific initiatives or actions you have taken?4) DTC - it seems every brand is focused on delivering some sort of direct partnership with the consumer especially if subscription oriented. How are you focused on it? 5) How are you focused on building a team and what does your team specifically focus on - is it knowledge or revenue?6) How is UGC important to you and the brands you support. Since you are primarily B2B is the type of content different that B2C?7) The pandemic has obviously changed shopper behavior for good it seems - do you agree. In the role you play, how are you responding to this and preparing for the transformation?Please provide the CPG Guys feedback at http://ratethispodcast.com/cpgguysCPG Guys Website: http://CPGGuys.comCPG Guys on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cpgguysPlease follow the Network of Executive Women at http://newonline.org/cpgguysDISCLAIMER: 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.

Nov 27, 2021 • 44min
Driving Omnichannel Growth Through Insights & Technology with Tiger Analytics' Kishor Gummaraju & Sari Somani
Send us a textThe CPG Guys, Sri & PVSB are joined in this episode by Kishor Gummaraju, Chief Customer Officer & Sari Somani, Omni Channel Strategy & Analytics Leader, of Tiger Analytics which develops bespoke solutions powered by data and technology for several Fortune 500 companies.This is a the first in a 2-episode partnership with Tiger Analytics.Visit https://www.tigeranalytics.com/omnichannel/ to know more about the Omnichannel offerings.Follow Kishor Gummaraju on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kishor-gummaraju/Follow Sari Somani on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraswati-somani-1a16b336/ Follow Tiger Analytics online at: https://www.tigeranalytics.com/ Follow Tiger Analytics on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tiger-analytics/Kishor & Sari answer these questions:1) You have been at various other analytics & consulting houses - what attracted you here as a CCO? What unique capability do you see here that will allow rapid growth? Why don’t you start with informing our audience about the core values of the company and who Tiger analytics clients are and how you help them everyday?2) Omnichannel commerce is hot - what are Tiger’s offerings here and what type of outcomes are you driving?3) Maximizing ROI on all spends? Almost cliché. How do you go about doing that?4) What do you think is the role of search & content ?5) What are you seeing happen in the Last Mile fulfillment space? And why should a large Brand bother?6) Tiger seems to see AI as an anchor for intelligence. Explain this for our audience and if you’re a retailer - why do you care?7) What are thoughts on Personalization and Segmentation?7) Lot of great thoughts, but how about Activation. How do you ensure that?We are in a global supply chain crisis. What solutions or offerings do you have for CPG to manage through this?8) Kishor you have been part of large Digital Transformation (whatever that may mean). Can you demystify this term for us and What is your philosophy for scale This is a cardinal question within any CPG organization, how do you help drive scale and adoption?Please provide the CPG Guys feedback at http://ratethispodcast.com/cpgguysCPG Guys Website: http://CPGGuys.comPlease follow the Network of Executive Women at http://newonline.org/cpgguysDISCLAIMER: 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.

Nov 26, 2021 • 41min
Demystifying Crypto Currencies & NFTs with Grammy-Winner Gino the Ghost
Send us a textThe CPG Guys are joined by Grammy-winning recording artist, songwriter and singer Gino "The Ghost" Borri, a Detroit Native.Follow Gino on Instagram at: http://instagram.com/ginotheghostFollow Gino on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@ginotheghostFollow Gino on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb2NG6NWyhjisymBWg8aSXQ Follow Gino the Ghost on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/GinoTheGhostFollow Gino on more platforms at: https://linktr.ee/ginotheghostGino joins the CPG Guys to talk about Crypto Currency and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)Please provide the CPG Guys feedback at http://ratethispodcast.com/cpgguysCPG Guys Website: http://CPGGuys.comCPG Guys on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cpgguysPlease follow the Network of Executive Women at http://newonline.org/cpgguysDISCLAIMER: 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.

Nov 24, 2021 • 21min
2021 Holiday Gift Guide with Walmart’s Whitney Cooper
Send us a textHo Ho Ho! This week, The CPG Guys are joined by Whitney Cooper, Senior Director of Omnichannel Transformation in the Walmart Connect retail media unit of Walmart.Whitney is here to give us a preview of her highly-anticipated Holiday Gift Guide!Link to Whitney's Holiday Gift Guide: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2021-holiday-gift-guide-whitney-cooperFollow Whitney on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneycook/Follow Whitney on Instagram at: https://instagram.com/whitneyfaecooperPlease provide the CPG Guys feedback at http://ratethispodcast.com/cpgguysCPG Guys Website: http://CPGGuys.comCPG Guys on Instagram: https://instagram.com/cpgguys Please follow the Network of Executive Women at http://newonline.org/cpgguysDISCLAIMER: 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.

Nov 20, 2021 • 45min
Scaling an Omnichannel Brand with JiMMYBAR's Jim Simon
Send us a textThe CPG Guys, Sri & PVSB, are joined in this episode by Jim Simon, the co-founder & CEO of JiMMYBAR, a family company with a female co-founder & creator of "Bars With Benefits" meaning high protein-low sugar great tasting bars with Functional ingredients like immune boosting fruit, Collagen, Turmeric, Guarana Caffeine, Keto friendly nuts. Follow Jim Simon on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jisimon/Follow JiMMYBAR on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jimmybar-whole-food-bars/Follow JiMMYBAR online at: http://www.jimmybars.comJim answers these questions:1) You were involved in tech M&A and your sister was running a restaurant, what made the two of you decide to start up a nutritional bar business?2) Did you hit the right recipes right off the bat or how did you evolve them into actual products?3) There are many things in my life that are non-negotiable. What was non-negotiable from an ingredients or taste perspective in your products?4) What were some of the ROI obstacles that you faced in getting your products listed in physical retail stores and how did that drive your Go To Market strategy, particularly as it relates to food service?5) How did JiMMYBAR develop into an omnichannel brand? How did you go about building and marketing your own brand site and when did you decide to enter the Amazon marketplace? On Amazon are you 1P, 3P or a combination?6) What are the tools and techniques you leveraged to grow your business on Amazon, particularly around supply chain and retail media?7) Your physical retail strategy has been quite successful. Hardly a week goes by without seeing you post on LinkedIn new retail listings: Commissaries, CIBO, TravelCenters, GetGo, GTM, Rite Aid, CVS, Costco and many others. What made it ROI positive when earlier it did not and is there a common path to listing success?8) You seem to have been a travel warrior as you built out your business. What has been the impact of the pandemic on your selling?9) Early in your startup, you made a conscious decision not to seek VC as you built your business. How did you manage scaling your business without substantial external capital and how has that changed?10) How do you think about developing innovation that scales successfully? What are the key elements of this process and where are you focusing for expansion?DISCLAIMER: 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.

Nov 17, 2021 • 38min
Principles of Successful Leadership with Unilever's Vandana Khanna
Send us a textThe CPG Guys, Sri & PVSB, are joined in this episode by Vandana Khanna, Director of Digital Finance Transformation at Unilever.Follow Vandana Khanna on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vandanakhanna/Follow Unilever on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unilever/ Follow Unilever online at: http://www.unilever.comVandana answers these questions:1) Your career has passed through several CPG brands, J&J, PepsiCo amongst them and core finance such as D&B. Decompose this for our audience and tell us how different it is CPG vs core financial companies.2) The pandemic has irreversibly altered shopper behavior it seems - do you agree. In the role you perform, how are you responding to this and preparing Unilever to win during the transformation?3) The word data lake is a misused and confusing term. Decompose this for our audience. How are you creating a data lake?4) From your experience, How does Finance play a big role in ecommerce transformation?5) Your role involves - Design the Roadmap and Path to scale Emerging Technologies like RPA, Cognitive and Intelligent Automation capabilities. What does this mean in everyday life?6) You are a partner to supply chain and factory finance - in these days of supply chain constraints how does your role help these functional groups?7) Diversity & inclusion has taken on a stronger meaning these days. How are you Champion Inclusivity and belonging for People of Color these days?8) What is your advice for others on the finance transformation journey like you? DISCLAIMER: 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.

Nov 13, 2021 • 35min
Insights-Driven Growth Marketing with Amazon Fresh's Rose Jia
Send us a textThe CPG Guys, Sri & guest host Melisssa Burdick from Pacvue are joined in this episode by Rose Jia, head of Growth Marketing for Amazon Fresh.This is the second of a two part partnership episode series with Cardlytics which partners with financial institutions to understand where and when consumers are spending their money. They use these insights to help marketers identify, reach, and influence likely buyers at scale.Follow Rose Jia on LinkedIn at: http://linkedin.com/in/rjiaFollow Renaissance Marketer at: http://renaissancemarketer.comFollow Whiskey-Me-Up at: https://whiskeymeup.com/Follow Cardlytics online at: http://www.cardlytics.comFollow Cardlytics on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardlytics/For more inquiries on eyekandy, please contact garrett@eyekandy.comRose answers these questions:Walk through your background—the journey from investment banker to marketing.Do you think your background gives you an edge/advantage in your current role, how so?What is renaissancemarketer.com How do you define a renaissance marketer?Are there certain gaps or common biases that you think hold a lot of marketers back from making a bigger impact?Shopper behavior has change dramatically in the past year and half. What challenges do you face in better understanding and incentivizing shoppers?You’ve spoken about your approach of choosing partners to go ‘deep’ with as similar to making investments in the financial world. Can you explain your philosophy about that?What gaps do you see in the solution provider space to meet the new needs of/partner with retailers?Any good examples of emerging platforms you’re bullish on delivering big marketing returns for you over the long term?What does best in class partnership look like to you? (Guiding/consulting/challenging vs marching orders/tactical execution)Please provide the CPG Guys feedback at http://ratethispodcast.com/cpgguysCPG Guys Website: http://CPGGuys.comInstagram: http://Instagram.com/cpgguysTwitter: http://twitter.com/cpgguysPlease follow the Network of Executive Women at http://newonline.org/cpgguysDISCLAIMER: 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 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.

Nov 10, 2021 • 53min
The CMO Suite with Connectivity Holdings' Sean Halter
Send us a textThe CPG Guys, Sri & PVSB, are joined in this episode by Sean Halter, CEO of Connectivity Holdings, a media strategy investment company and host of the CMO Suite podcast.Follow Sean Halter on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanhalter/Follow Connectivity Holdings on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connectivityholdings/ Follow Connectivity Holdings online at: https://connectivityholdings.com/ Follow The CMO Suite Podcast on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cmo-suite/Follow The CMO Suite online at: https://thecmosuite.com/DISCLAIMER: 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.