Brittney Connolly

"Thanks Kaleigh Theriault, great play by play on the first half, let’s take a look at what’s going to be needed to win the year." 🏈 Halftime Report: Preparing for the second half in the Beverage Alcohol Industry! 🏆 As we take a breather at the halfway point of 2024, it's clear that the beverage alcohol industry has seen some major plays and strategic moves. Let's huddle up and look at the game plan for the rest of the year: 🍺 Beer: The price increases in 2023 are putting pressure on consumers, with long-term inflation effects and multiple drivers pointing to lower volumetrics. To stay in the game, deeper price subsidization for core Beer categories is essential. However, Imports show potential for a positive finish. Maintaining consumer loyalty will be our MVP move here. 🍷 Wine: The $15-$25 range continues to be the sweet spot, driving consumer interest. But to achieve positive trends by year-end, we need to capitalize on Q4 gifting. A big comparable period is coming up, so some price adjustments might be necessary, especially for infrequent Wine shoppers. 🥃 Spirits: We're seeing a continued shakeout as consumers transition from traditional products to RTDs. Flavor and turn-key cocktails are the winning plays, making Q4 critical for gifting and entertaining. Price discounting is already in motion to boost revenue. 🍹 RTD (Ready-to-Drink): RTDs remain a game-changer this year. With their share of total Alcohol growing, we expect more stability in growth rates as the shift from Seltzers slows. Building consumer brand loyalty for Spirits RTDs is crucial, and we need to watch out for potential flavor fatigue in the second half. Let's get ready to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead! Here's to a successful second half of 2024! 🥂 "Why did the football team go to the bank at halftime? To get their quarterback!" 🏆 #BeverageIndustry #AlcoholTrends #Beer #Wine #Spirits #RTD #MarketInsights #SecondHalf #HalftimeReport Note: This report looks at the 26 week ending period thru July 6th, 2024

70

2 Comments

The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola zero sugar...after a stronger-than-expected second quarter 2024 performance that was announced today, which saw net sales revenue increase 3% to $12.4 billion, the Coca-Cola Company has raised its full-year outlook. Coca-Cola’s latest earnings success comes at a time when the soda business as a whole is in decline. Between 2004 and 2023, the volume of carbonated soft drinks bought and sold in America decreased by -27%, according to trade publication Beverage Digest. Still, amid the category’s downward trajectory one brand has continued to rise, capturing more market share in the past 20 years than all the others. That brand: Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar is an ongoing example of how superior taste drives consumer demand, with Coca Cola Zero seeing a +20% global volumes increase. The strong performance of Coca-Cola's Zero sugar variants, is reflective of an overall beverages category move to Zero sugar offerings as consumers look for healthier beverages choices, with zero calories and sugar. For any beverages brand owner or manufacturer looking to create great tasting 😋 beverages innovations 💡 with reduced or zero sugar, please reach out to the beverages team at Kerry, we are here to help. #cocacola #cocacolazero #zerosugar #sugar #softdrinks #taste #zerocalories #refreshingbeverages #tastsesense Erlon Pereira Marc LEJEUNE Breda Kelly Tiphaine BEAU Farrah Gilsenan Thomas Hahlin Ahlinder Sheelagh Pentony Carol Dunne Gwyneth Kelly Michelle Osagie Mark Allen Leigh-Anne Vaughan Massimo Barbeni Romel Doshi, MBA Sam Choucha Nina Riggins Sergio Saavedra Rodríguez Birgit Schaaf Ian Chesworth Erika Minaguchi Magdalena Edyta Przewoźnik Barbara Lezzer David Deeley Brian Short Aoife Mc Donald Elaine Druhan Juan Soto Daniel S. Xavier Herrera

24

The spicy food revolution is here, and the younger generations are leading the charge: Research shows that 47% of #GenZ and 45% of #millennials prefer moderately spicy or very spicy options.    Have you ever tried a Flamin’ Hot product in two different regions? You might have tasted two different spice mixtures – because even though love for spice is up worldwide, we adjust the spice level of our foods market-by-market based on consumer preference. The way I see it, the broadened popularity of spicy foods is a response to our world being more connected than ever. It’s an area ripe for growth and innovation, something we’re excited to lean into at PepsiCo! We’ll continue to grow to meet people where they’re at – and predict what’s coming next.    Read this breakdown of the growth in the spicy section of American supermarkets:

76

3 Comments

A big acquisition in the works. This will certainly broaden the reach of PFG in the southeast and continue to solidify itself as the 2nd largest foodservice distributor.

16

3 Comments

“In the ever-evolving world of social media, trends can emerge overnight, captivating audiences and driving consumer behavior. One such trend is the viral blueberry iced coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts, which has taken TikTok by storm. This blog post explores the viral drink, the influencers behind its popularity, and the significant impact it is having on Dunkin’ Donuts’ brand and sales.” Check out our recent blog post on how influencers influenced a viral Dunkin Donuts drink: https://lnkd.in/gSsxiG6K  

2

Sunday is here—a time to reflect on the past week and gear up for the opportunities ahead. With the holiday season in full swing, the stakes are higher, and so is the energy! 🎄🎁 In QSR, this is our game time. The Mamba Mentality reminds us to embrace challenges with precision, discipline, and determination. Whether it’s serving guests during peak holiday rushes or managing the influx of Yelp and Google reviews, every interaction counts. Reputation management isn’t just reactive; it’s about proactively creating moments worth celebrating. This season, let’s focus on systems that shine. 🎯 Streamlined operations and consistent guest experiences are how we turn first-time customers into loyal regulars. Kobe taught us to work harder than everyone else, but also to work smarter. That’s how we create winning teams and a winning guest experience. As we dive into the holidays, let’s also take time to appreciate our teams. They’re the heart of the hustle, ensuring every guest leaves satisfied. What’s your Mamba game plan to end the year strong? Let’s keep the conversation going! #MambaMentality #ReputationManagement #CGlassSolutions #QSR911 #Yelp #GoogleReviews #AMEnterpriseExec #HolidaySeason #SystemsMatter #GuestExperience

2

I am thrilled to be a mentor for SKU's Fall '24 Track! This cohort is a diverse group of 8 innovative brands and dynamic founders in the food, beverage and wellness categories. SKU, the nation's first and leading consumer products accelerator, is an ecosystem unlike any other. We connect, empower and champion the household brands of tomorrow, serving as a catalyst for lasting change and innovation in CPG. Amia, founded by Jon Katz, is the first functional, better-for-you food brand offering trigger-free food options for the 40 million Americans suffering from migraines. Amia’s first product is a soft-baked oat and seed snack bar, with a larger vision to create the trigger-free category, akin to gluten-free or allergen-free, where every grocery store nationwide offers a variety of trigger-free food options. Bala Enzyme, founded by husband-and-wife team Dr. Arash Aftabi & Dr. Farnoush Fadavi, retired dental surgeons who researched plant-based alternative therapies to help patients recover from post-operative swelling, bruising and inflammation. Bala, which promotes recovery and rehydration, is the world’s first & only nutrition powder mix that is made with a patent-pending blend of plant-based enzymes, turmeric, electrolytes & amino acids. Foraged & Found, founded by former marketing-executive-turned chef Jenn Brown, revolutionizes pantry staples by infusing everyday foods with sustainably harvested kelp. It offers innovative products like Kelp Pickles, Pasta Sauces & Salsas that make it easy and delicious to enjoy the benefits of this nutrient-dense superfood. Kif & co, founded by Caroline Brain, is a probiotic beverage company that crafts kefir water, which is a low-sugar, less vinegar-y alternative to kombucha. The brand was inspired by Caroline’s own personal gut health journey & her search for a probiotic solution that offered a low sugar content and was free from caffeine, gluten, and dairy. Long Table is next gen pancakes from heirloom grains, powered by love. Founded by Samuel Taylor, Long Table makes nutrient-dense, regeneratively grown, heirloom whole-grain pancake + waffle mixes that are light enough to float but filling enough to power you through your day. Modica, created by professional mixologist Eric Wentworth & business partner JD Mitchell, is a line of award-winning cocktail and mocktail mixers developed using better ingredients. Peace Love Hormones is an herbal-based supplement brand dedicated to women's health. Founder Maddie M. launched PLH following her personal journey to overcome long-term health challenges, ultimately finding relief through herbal medicine. The Bloody Buddy is a perfectly handcrafted chili-pepper infused vodka and bloody mary mix together in one bottle. It was created behind the bar by former bartenders Buddy Jordan and Joey Kindred, made at their distillery in Dripping Springs, Texas. Please join me in congratulating these founders - can't wait to see what we can accomplish together!

54

3 Comments

Great time with Elanie and Kay from the Renegade Nutrition Podcast! Their content is always so timely related to changes in the science of nutrition, it's impact on our wellness, and how we can all be better at 'biohacking'. We discussed the importance of polyphenols in the diet for longevity, data from blue zones, and Goode Health. Give it a listen (if you have an hour or listen at 1.75x speed) and follow Renegade!

19

Functional foods are more than just a fad —they’re shaping the future of health and wellness in CPG. Consumers today are actively seeking products that go beyond basic nutrition (which is still rare) , and are looking for functional benefits like added protein, gut health support, and enhanced energy. This shift is driving innovation across the food industry, as brands tap into the demand for products that fuel both body and mind. Protein Candy is trying to be a big part of this movement, bringing high fiber, low sugar, protein-packed treats to the candy aisle. It’s an exciting time to be in the space where food meets function.

75

25 Comments

🛠️ Managing Conflict for Organizational Success from Drae's Standing Desk Over my 20 plus years of working for start-ups to small companies to large fortune 500 entities, one thing that is consistent is conflict! It is an inevitable aspect of organizational life, but not all conflict is detrimental. Contemporary perspectives show that effectively managing both functional and dysfunctional conflict can yield significant benefits for organizations. Functional Conflict 🌟 (Constructive) - Supports group goals and improves performance. - Encourages critical thinking and innovative solutions. - Fosters a culture where diverse viewpoints are valued. Dysfunctional Conflict 🚩 (Destructive) - Arises from personal struggles for control or recognition. - Disrupts collaboration, erodes trust, and diminishes morale. - Leads to decreased efficiency, increased stress, and higher turnover. Effective Conflict Management Practices in my Toolbox: 1. Identify Conflict Types: Determine if the conflict is functional or dysfunctional. 2. Promote Constructive Debate: Encourage open communication and collaborative problem-solving. 3. Train in Conflict Resolution: Empower employees with negotiation skills. 4. Address Issues Promptly: Mediate disputes and set clear behavior expectations. 5. Support Emotional Well-being: Maintain a positive work environment. By recognizing the differences between functional and dysfunctional conflict and applying targeted strategies, organizations can enhance performance and foster innovation and cohesion. Effective conflict management is crucial for a healthy, sustainable organization. #Leadership #ConflictManagement #OrganizationalSuccess #Innovation #WorkplaceCulture

15

1 Comment

Reflecting on this monumental moment, I wanted to wait until the news was "official" before sharing my thoughts and feelings... Almost 7 years ago, a good friend now who started as a good client invited me to his new office in NJ to explore a plant-based protein company he was considering acquiring. That's when I first encountered OWYN. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to make of it initially. Plant-based, vegan protein drinks weren't in my usual "repertoire" of ideation and marketing. But after trying the product that day, I knew I wanted to be part of the journey. And what an incredible journey it has been! Throughout the last 7 years, in my capacity as a "strategic advisor," I've embraced a multitude of roles and responsibilities, working closely with a diverse array of talented leaders. From individuals who made significant contributions from the outset and have since moved on, to those who have ascended to leadership positions, such as CEO Mark O. and Chief Sales Officer Matt OConnell, as well as "more recent" additions like CMO Julia Perez, who came in and made an immediate and substantial impact, our collaboration has been characterized by passion, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to innovation. Now, fast forward to today. After countless hours of strategic discussions, meetings, and partnerships, we've achieved something remarkable. We've taken a niche brand, crafted with the finest ingredients, and found the perfect successor in our recent acquisition. If you notice, even as a "consultant" I always will refer to it as we. When I work with brands, especially from day 1, I consider myself a true part of the team. Being part of a brand from inception to this pivotal moment is incredibly special. As a matter of fact, it's been a huge goal of mine since that fateful day 7 years ago. I'm eager to see what lies ahead for OWYN and hopeful that I can continue contributing to a product and brand that means so much to me and countless others, especially our consumers. #OWYN #PlantBased #Acquisition #Journey #Gratitude #Business #CPG #SimplyGood https://lnkd.in/emY6UT2g

45

6 Comments

PepsiCo announced its agreement to acquire Siete Family Foods for $1.2b With $400m in sales, this is the story of how a disruptive wellness brand can shift the market For Pepsico this taps into the growing trends for authentic, better for you, culturally relevant foods in a way that its existing stable of brands couldn't. Healthier ingredients + engaging branding = deep consumer connection Expect to see this be the next rocket ship. Pepsico is a powerful marketing machine - no doubt that $400m is going to grow rapidly. The big lesson for new food brands? Or large incumbents waiting for a 'risk-free' move? Prioritise health Pepsico is a cash hungry mega-brand, they play chess. This is a case study that the future of brand growth sits with those who value healthier ingredients. Who wants to own the last coal mine?

21

5 Comments

Julie Jargon for The Wall Street Journal reports on the detrimental effects of energy drinks on young people. According to the CDC, over 50% of American teens consume energy drinks. Despite having a substantially higher average caffeine content than other caffeinated beverages, energy drinks are mostly unregulated - and their caffeine content often goes unlabeled. This is yet another example of regulatory agencies foregoing the regulation of dangerous products to instead focus on the intensive regulation of products with long track records of user safety and benefits. My opinion: energy drinks are not supplements and should not be regulated as such. I hope this changes soon. In the meantime, if you have a teen who is consuming multiple energy drinks a day, help them sub those out for a safer alternative (such as a cup of Rarebird, Inc. Px Coffee or MUD\WTR). #PxCoffee Jeffrey Dietrich Shane Heath https://lnkd.in/e8jJgMi3

30

Kellogg Company made a huge mistake… They compromised consumer trust. When will Kellogg stop putting profit over consumer health? Why are U.S. consumers left in the dark about ingredients that aren’t allowed in other countries? It’s time we hold companies like Kellogg’s accountable. As a parent of two children, I find this repulsive that Kellogg is using toxic ingredients in an extremely popular cereal like Froot Loops. It’s shocking, but companies like Kellogg’s continue to use potentially toxic ingredients in products marketed to American children—ingredients that have been banned elsewhere. This raises some serious questions about corporate responsibility, ethics and consumer safety. It should go without saying, but Kellogg has to do better and prioritize health over profit. It’s time to demand safer standards! Let’s discuss how we can protect our families from ingredients no one should be consuming. #kellogs #CPG #foodindustry

12

1 Comment

Alcohol trends have changed substantially over the last few years. Join the webinar to know more about how today's consumer is different.

2

The Rise of Frozen Healthy Food in the United States: Balancing Convenience and Nutrition (with Data) The United States, like many other countries, has witnessed a growing trend towards convenience foods in recent years. This can be attributed to our fast-paced lifestyles and busy schedules. However, this trend has also led to an increased focus on healthy eating habits. This has opened a significant market for frozen healthy food options. Impact of Frozen Food on Food Preservation Freezing is a well-established method of food preservation that offers several advantages. It halts microbial activity by lowering the temperature and reducing water availability (aw) within the food [1]. This technique helps retain the food's texture, flavor, and nutritional value to a greater extent compared to other preservation methods [1]. Understanding Consumer Needs for Healthy Frozen Food According to a 2023 Statista Report, the U.S. frozen food market is expected to reach over $260 billion by 2025. This growth is being driven by a consumer demand for convenient and healthy food options. **A 2021 Grand View Research report](...) indicates that the frozen food market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2022 to 2030. This highlights the increasing popularity of frozen food options, with a significant portion likely driven by the demand for healthy choices. Challenges and Considerations While frozen healthy food offers a convenient solution, it's important to be mindful of potential drawbacks. Here are some factors to consider: • Sodium Content: Frozen meals can sometimes be high in sodium to enhance flavor and preserve shelf life. It's important to check the sodium content on labels and choose options that are lower in sodium. • Vegetable Content: While some frozen meals include vegetables, they may not provide the recommended daily intake. Aim for options with a higher vegetable content or supplement with fresh or frozen vegetables. Looking Forward: The Future of Frozen Healthy Food The frozen healthy food market is expected to continue its growth in the U.S. As consumer demand for healthy and convenient options increases, we can expect to see continued innovation in this sector. This includes the development of frozen meals with: • Reduced sodium content • Higher vegetable content • Greater flavor variety • Organic and non-GMO ingredients By addressing these consumer preferences, the frozen healthy food industry can play a significant role in promoting healthy eating habits in the United States. References: • [1] Lindemann, Sonia Regina; Oliveira, Jurema Valéria de; Mendoza-Sassi, Jussara Helena (2016). "Freezing as a food preservation method: A review". Research, Society and Development. 5 (8): 1450–1461. doi:10.14393/ريسرد160812 “Check the 2nd part”

1

Do well by doing good. As leaders in business, we're constantly seeking the ROI on virtually everything. But here's the real question: Are we measuring the right things on our initiatives? .......... Too often, businesses fall into the trap of assuming a zero-sum game with spending and returns. .......... But the truth is, compounded impact is on our side when we do the right thing: ☑ Investing time, effort, and resources in people leads to fulfillment, motivation, and impact on the team. ☑ Investing in creating community with your brand results in loyalty, retention, and virality for your solution. ☑ Investing focus, prioritization, and resources in your mission creates a future state of the world that you, your stakeholders, and consumers want. ......... I've seen this firsthand. From Nuun Hydration, to Caldrea, to Kashi Company, and to SC Johnson. In every case, we did really well by doing good for the world. ......... How are you compounding your goodness as a team? #cultureFIRSTleadership PS: The facts support this hypothesis, see below 👇

6

2 Comments

Listen to our CEO Alison Patt of Thomas Cuisine, who shares her unique insights on leadership, inclusivity, and work-life balance. Discover profound lessons on improving both work and family life through REAL FOOD. Don't miss this inspiring episode! #ThomasCuisine #Leadership #Inclusivity #WorkLifeBalance #RealFood

19