MPG - The Path Forward Podcast

The digital marketplace is transforming at an unprecedented rate, especially on platforms like Amazon, where consumer engagement and purchase behaviors are continuously evolving. For marketers looking to fuel online brand growth, our latest podcast offers invaluable insights to help you better master Amazon’s platform and grow your eCommerce business.On this episode of the MPG Path Forward Podcast, we share the insider insights needed to transform your eCommerce game as the platform evolves. Join Bryan Gildenberg as he chats with digital eCommerce and Amazon leaders Tripp Standa and Jason Omenn, known for innovative strategies that unlock brand growth on Amazon. They’ll break down the latest eCommerce trends, deep-dive into the Amazon ecosystem, and share their insights to grow sales and scale your business. Highlights from the podcast include: - [3:13] The Future of CPG Marketing on Amazon: The shift to programmatic, growth marketing off-platform to drive demand, the reality around AI, and preparing for what’s next - [10:18] Focus: It’s Not About the Plane; It’s About the Pilot: Having the right combination of tools and people - [18:53] Avoiding the Lure of the Next Shiny Thing: Don’t ignore these 7 real keys to conversion - [25:35] Best Bets:  Considering new offerings when every dollar counts - [27:16] Tips to Up Your Profitability on Amazon - [28:23] Strategies to regain your Amazon Buy Box:  Costly chargebacks, overbillings, shortages…It’s time to stop profit leakage on Amazon!  - [29:00] Why Some Brands are Returning to 1PDon't miss out on this opportunity to unlock your Amazon potential! Listen or watch now! Check out our MPG Path Forward podcast on YouTube or listen to us on your favorite listening connection, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more! 

What does it take to drive sales and profitable growth this year in the Grocery channel? Always a complex channel, Grocery is undergoing dramatic changes, given a growing omnicommerce landscape, evolving consumer behaviors, and mounting pressures on both shoppers and retailers. How can emerging and established brands successfully navigate all of the complexities this year?In today’s podcast, Bryan Gildenberg sits down with former Wakefern veterans and Market Performance Group (MPG) retail leaders as they unpack the latest Grocery trends and share brand growth drivers in this dynamic, highly complex environment.·       MPG EVP Chris Skyers, a former Wakefern Food Corp. executive known for his success leading and growing banner brands such as SHOPRITE, PRICE RITE, THE FRESH GROCER, and DEARBORN MARKET. Most recently, Chris spearheaded the reinvention of Own Brands at the Co-op through the launch of the BOWL & BASKET & PAPERBIRD brands, and a refresh of the company’s better-for-you brand, WHOLESOME PANTRY. ·       MPG Head of Strategic Food Mike Sainsbury, who previously headed the perishable unit of Own Brands at Wakefern, overseeing Produce, Meat, Seafood, Bakery, Foodservice & Deli departments. Together, they provide actionable insights to drive brand growth this year.  Among the hot topics they discuss:Key Pathways to Unit Growth in this year’s highly competitive environment, and insights on the promotional strategies CPG brands need to bring to the table in 2024Omni Planning this Year: How marketers should be looking at digital spend vs. brick and mortar as the space evolvesCost vs. Convenience in the Purchase Decision: What Gen X and Millennial shoppers want, how retailer Own brands are delivering, and what brands need to consider to position for successGetting and Staying on Shelf in a Complex Channel: Insights for building a standout brand to capture growth in 2024Kroger-Albertsons Proposed Merger: What suppliers should be doing right now Today’s episode of MPG Path Forward offers invaluable perspectives to inform your strategies for accelerated growth. For more insights on how MPG can help your business win in the Grocery channel, connect with Chris Skyers at [email protected]

Suppliers are feeling heightened pressure as drug retailers look for ways to drive foot traffic, differentiate, and stay relevant with shoppers. The U.S. retail Drug channel continues to face multiple headwinds that are putting pressure on sales and margins. Highly impacted by post-COVID changing consumer habits and preferences, it’s also experiencing economic and inflationary pressures, labor shortages, online pharmacy disruptors, decreasing reimbursement, and most recently, a disappointing cough/cold season. At the same time, retailers are focused on omnichannel health and wellness as they continue to transform their businesses into one-stop healthcare destinations. A highly complex environment, the Drug channel requires suppliers to embrace a radically new mindset and mindful strategies to win. In this episode of the MPG Path Forward Podcast, Bryan Gildenberg speaks with former CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid veterans and MPG retail leaders to explore the key trends and challenges currently impacting this channel. Hear why a “rinse and repeat” approach no longer works, and gain their insider insights on what is now needed to drive high brand sales performance in this complex landscape.  - Bill Bergin, former Group Vice President of Health and Beauty at Rite Aid  - Luke Rauch, former Walgreens Chief Merchandising Officer - Sherry Saffert, former CVS Health, Beauty and Personal Care Merchandise and Category Management leader - Jason Henney, MPG EVP, Drug Retail and Drug Wholesale Sales Strategy & ServicesWhether you're a seasoned brand owner or newly venturing into this space, this episode of MPG Path Forward offers invaluable perspectives that can pivot your strategies for accelerated growth. For more insights on how MPG can help your business win in the Drug channel, connect with @Jason Henney at [email protected]

Warehouse clubs continue to transform retail, winning market share from supermarkets and supercenters as they win the hearts and minds of more and more members – all thanks to a value proposition that combines bulk value with a “treasure hunt” experience. For national brands and increasingly, DTC brands, the big goal is to get in the Club Store basket. But what does it really take to get there – and then stay on shelf?Join Bryan Gildenberg for a robust discussion with two of the country’s leading voices in Club: MPG EVP Todd Matherly, a former senior merchant and long-time veteran of Walmart and Sam’s Club, and MPG Sr. Director Carla Pettigrew, a former Johnson & Johnson Sales Executive with extensive experience driving sales growth and penetration at Costco and the Warehouse Club channel. Together, they share valuable insights from the buyer and supplier sides, on topics that include: What makes Club more challenging than traditional retail? What is an item merchant looking for?What are the top three things brands need to gain Club distribution? What’s critical to stay on-shelf?What are the most common mistakes suppliers make with Costco and Sam’s Club?How do Costco and Sam’s Club members differ, and how are they targeted differently? How do eCommerce and retail media fit into Costco and Sam’s Club’s overall strategies?  Check out our MPG Path Forward podcast on YouTube or listen to us on your favorite listening connection, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more! Subscribe to our podcast RSS feed at https://feeds.transistor.fm/mpg-the-path-forward-podcast For more insights on how MPG can help your business win in the Club channel, connect with Todd Matherly at [email protected] or Carla Pettigrew at [email protected]

With 600+ #Retail Media Networks today, each operating in a #walledgarden, many brands are finding it touch to determine where to put their money for best ROI. How can you evaluate performance across #RMN partners? Which KPIs are most meaningful? What should we use to connect the dots between #ad exposure and #sales?Join IAB‘s Jeff Bustos, Andy Murray of BigQuest, MPG OmniCommerce Acceleration Lead Heather Campain, and Confluencer Commerce CEO Bryan Gildenberg as they share the latest thinking on what really counts today in retail media. Among the topics they’ll discuss:Are we getting closer to a standardized approach? How can we best evaluate performance across #RMN partners? What should we be using to connect the dots between #ad exposure and #sales?What should be the role of ROAS? How does incrementality help differentiate the effectiveness of an RMN?What’s needed from #brands, networks, agencies and adtech to better manage this complex ecosystem?As a leading end-to-end, strategy & services omnichannel commerce agency, MPG is passionate about sharing best practices and charting the best PATH FORWARD for brands in the fast-changing omnichannel environment.

Retail Media Networks (RMNs) are receiving enormous attention and energy right now, as literally hundreds of retail and retail-related ecosystems look to monetize their value as advertising platforms. The speed of investment and start-up of so many RMNs have caught many CPGs off balance. While this breathless enthusiasm is yielding great opportunities, there is also confusion and frustration among the brands and agencies trying to leverage these platforms for success.Listen to our discussion about the strategic PATH FORWARD, from promise to practice, for brand success in a retail media network world.  Retail media legend Andy Murray of BigQuest joins MPG Omnichannel Strategy leader Larissa Dannenberg and Confluencer Commerce CEO Bryan Gildenberg for a robust discussion; hear their thoughts on how retailers will further develop their capabilities and how brands can best turn retail media initiatives into real and sustainable success.In this podcast, Bryan, Andy and Larissa discuss:What is the promise of retail media today? The opportunities? The watchouts?What role should retail media play in terms of awareness and/or conversion? Where does it come in on the purchase journey? How can brands more effectively use retail media to optimize the shopper experience and drive better performance? How should brands approach the largely untapped in-store retail media opportunity to create a frictionless shopping experience?Without standardization, how do we know which metrics to use to know if our RMN investment is working?