Jared Zack

Diageo doubles down on non-alcoholic spirits with the acquisition of Ritual Zero Proof & now owns three of the five world's largest non-alcoholic spirit brands Ritual Zero Proof was founded in 2019, and became the #1 non-alcoholic spirits player in the US after joining Diageo’s accelerator program in 2020. Five reasons why this deal makes sense: 1) Fast growing: The US non-alcoholic spirits has been the fastest growing category with +31% L5Y CAGR. 2) Incremental: 94% of non-alc buyers in the US also purchase alcoholic beverages, spending on avg $292 more than households exclusively purchasing alcohol demonstrating the incrementality of the category to beverage alcohol. 3) High Right-to-Win: Ritual is already a #1 non-alcoholic spirits player in the US, with a strong market position and tailwinds 4) Synergistic: being a #1 player globally in both alcoholic and non-alc spirits Diageo is well positioned to build on Ritual’s current success and scale it up further leveraging its GTM muscle and category expertise 5) Close to the Core: being a part of Diageo’s accelerator (Distill Ventures) since 2020, Ritual already knows what it takes to make cooperation with a spirits giant successful, limiting risks of integration challenges Exciting times for Diageo 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘂𝘀: FF&A solves the most complex strategic problems of the world's largest FMCG companies across Corporate Strategy, Organic Growth, Digital RTM (eCommerce, DTC, and eB2B) and M&A. 14 out of the world's 20 largest FMCG companies are repeat Clients 𝗧𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲, 𝗰𝗳. 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗠𝗖𝗚 𝗠&𝗔 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄: https://lnkd.in/efD5RNWX 𝗧𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝘀 & 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗠𝗖𝗚 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: https://lnkd.in/ea4gy65y #fmcg #cpg #mergersandacquisitions https://lnkd.in/dXAZQ242 Pernod Ricard The HEINEKEN Company AB InBev Carlsberg Group Campari Group William Grant & Sons The Coca-Cola Company PepsiCo

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Dairy, deli, and bakery have seen impressive growth among Gen Z and Millennials, but sustaining that growth requires a shift toward their evolving preferences, not traditional products. 🥐🧁 FoodNavigator USA recently highlighted Circana insights on how brands can better engage younger shoppers and the trends to watch. Read "From ‘Crookies’ to Sushi: What Gen Z Consumers Want Out of Bakery, Deli Options" to learn more: https://lnkd.in/ghqqqxDV

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Big news in the confectionary industry - Mondelēz International reportedly looking to acquire The Hershey Company This would clearly be a significant move for Mondelez and would gain them a leading share in the North America market where their current brands (Cadbury & Milka) do not have a large presence. Hershey had also just undergone a significant cost cutting round, making the chocolate maker more profitable despite rising costs. As prices of cocoa and other raw materials rise I believe we will see a lot more manufacturers in similar industries coming together. #grocery #omnichannel #foodandbeverage #foodindustry #foodandbev #digitalcommerce #ecommerce #cpg #cpgindustry #fmcg #fmcgindustry https://lnkd.in/e-mDiUNr

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West Food Brands Indiegogo campaign will be featured on The Associated Press. I will be sitting down talking with contributors to discuss our products and mission to change the CPG landscape. When I started West Food Brands I was first black owned donut and cookie mix brand in the world. This is scary to think that this is a multi billion dollar industry and not one black person owned a donut or cookie mix brand since me. This article will discuss how I turned down VC funding in the beginning, and why my campaign on Kickstarter had been denied due to systemic barriers. My hope long-term is not only more black owned brands can start CPG brands, however other minorities as well. African Americans spend roughly 1.2 trillion dollars in the USA today, however have the highest business failure rate than any other racial group. Also, African Americans face the highest poverty rate and unemployment rates in the USA. From the beginning I tried to help bridge the cap and educate people on why people should support black owned businesses. Also debunk theories about bad customer service and quality products. Supporting black businesses statistically will actually improve the whole entire US economy by a few trillion. Let's create more jobs and build communities of hope. This press release will highlight some great information on how I am changing the CPG industry, and bringing more diversity to the baking mix industry. Follow us on the journey at West Food Brands and our Indiegogo campaign if you haven't already done so. Try our products today before the Indiegogo campaign launches once it launches you will be able to only pre-order our products. R.I.P Wally Amos- "Nothing is an obstacle unless you say it is" #ap #associatedpress #pressrelease #article #news #Sunday #campaign #cpg #diversity #food #contributor #crowdfunding #emergingbrand #Amazon #indiegogo #wallyamos #glutenfree #Baltimore #blackowned #sustainability

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💰VC-Funded vs. Indie Brands in NA💰 I recently wrote a piece that celebrates the pioneers of the non-alcoholic drink industry. My dear friend and colleague, Christopher Marshall, is one of the pioneers I listed. He and I talk about the NA industry regularly—especially the financials, the role privilege plays in business, and why it’s important to support indie brands. We decided to have one of these convos on camera to show folks what it’s like to work in the non-alcoholic drink industry without having VC-funding. Chris Marshall is the founder of Sans Bar (the first NA bar in North America) and Sans Bar Academy (a virtual, 10-week course where people can learn the essentials of launching an NA brand, opening an NA bottleshop or bar, marketing, and much more!). He’s been in the NA scene before the NA scene was even a thing. In fact, I consider Chris Marshall to be the face of the non-alcoholic drink movement. A crown he kindly says belongs to the NA community as a whole. 👑 I’ve reported on the sober curious/mindful drinking movement since 2015. Until recently, my work focused on mental health, sobriety, liquid courage, and how all three intersect with our interpersonal relationships, all while sipping lots of NA drinks. I even wrote a book about research called Dry Humping. Now I’m on the other side of NA as a co-founder and CMO of my very own drink, (parentheses). Grab some tea, get cozy, and watch Chris and I discuss the following topics: 💰How VC-backed brands get different opportunities from indie brands 💰How much money brands (and authors!) are actually spending on publicists 💰The unique experience a customer has in NA bottleshops and NA bars vs buying NA drinks from a chain retailer 💰And most importantly, his adorable dog, Dexter, weighs in on the NA space from a canine perspective. 🔗Watch the convo here: https://rb.gy/0rqjgr

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America’s Weight Loss Revolution: Are We Finally Turning the Tide? 2023 marked a pivotal shift—after nearly five decades of rising obesity rates, America got less obese last year. For the first time in modern history, we're seeing what might be the spark that ignites a nationwide health transformation. GLP-1 drugs are reshaping how we think about weight loss—no longer is it simply about willpower or diet fads. We're talking about real, measurable change at scale for our most vulnerable population—those who have been victims of the high-sugar, ultra-processed foods that dominate our grocery stores. But here’s the thing: this movement goes beyond just medications. Better-for-you food & beverage companies are driving significant change by making healthier options more accessible than ever, and consumers are voting with their wallets for these types of products. Categories that once seemed owned by the “big guys” are being transformed. From energy drinks like Celsius, C4, and Ghost to the meteoric rise of low-sugar sodas like OliPop and Poppi, consumers are finally being offered choices that align with their health goals—without compromising on taste— and are being found wildly available. Brands like Premier Protein and Core Power are leading the protein revolution with rapid double-digit growth, while supplement companies like AG1 and Bloom are redefining wellness routines with eye-popping annual sales numbers. At Super Coffee, we’ve been tackling our own challenge in the coffee space since 2015. A lot of our work has been time spent swimming upstream, as for many Americans, their daily coffee ritual is almost a sacred moment. We aim to show customers they don’t have to sacrifice their beloved hyper indulgent coffee flavors popularized by Starbucks and Dunkin’ to pursue a healthier life. Through years of product evolution and ingredient innovation, Super Coffee offers a way to enjoy your favorite coffee ritual without compromising your health goals. Enough about us — here’s the trillion dollar question: What does this whole conversation mean for our future? As more people begin their weight loss journeys in America, will we see a significant shift in our food system toward making healthier items more available at scale? Let’s not ignore the data— 1 in 8 Americans are now using* GLP-1 drugs. This is not just a trend; it’s a seismic shift. Yet, 1 in 8 products on grocery shelves don’t provide the benefits needed to combat obesity. The overwhelming majority of space is still dominated by high-sugar, highly processed, prepackaged obesity options that have contributed to this crisis. (And don’t even get me started on gas station shelves if you’re looking for decently healthier options.) What do you think? Is the tidal wave of GLP1 Drugs going to allow us to see real change in 2025 on the shelves of the institutions that feed America, or is there still a long road ahead? #JakesAirplanePosts4.0

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We're officially soccer moms 💁🏻‍♀️ Here's what you can expect with our new official partnership with the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL): 1. Lactation and feeding room support across the League 🤱 2. Sharing the stories and feeding journeys of the moms on the field 🍼 3. A Bobbie Box for our Bobbie subs to catch some NWSL games! ⚽️ 4. Our name in lights along the field ✨ 5. Formula donations and giveaways throughout the League! ♥️ When women own companies we get to invest in the women also changing the world--- the female-owned League and athletes showing our little girls how to rewrite the playbook and that yes, women's sports are worth investing in.

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“Growing a CPG company, especially in the food and beverage space, ‘is astronomically harder today,’. ” Paul Voge you said it, man. So many truth bombs dropped in this article about the challenges and difficulties growing and scaling a CPG brand in today’s world. The cruel reality is that it takes a whole lot of money or a whole lot of time (and most times both) along with a fair amount of luck to have a chance at making it. If you dont have a ton of money then you better have a ton of time, some good fortune, and a product that can withstand many changes of the seasons (and "trends"). For most emerging brands today its all about survival and just finding a way.  There are lots of traps out there– lots of shiny objects– lots of vanity metrics hoping to be noticed and cared about–but at the end of the day sometimes its just about living to see another one. Here’s to all you day-to-dayers and week-to-weekers out there that are all just finding a way. Keep finding it.

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Coke vs. Pepsi? Not so fast.   For the first time, Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. has now claimed the #2 soda spot in America, surpassing PepsiCo, who had held the position for over two decades. Their innovative marketing initiatives and unique blend of flavors have truly set them apart from the competition. I had the chance to discuss Dr. Pepper's remarkable rise with The Food Institute, emphasizing their strategy and how they have particularly resonated with the younger demographic, who crave diverse flavors beyond traditional cola.   In the article, I mentioned: "Dr. Pepper has distinguished itself through effective marketing campaigns that emphasize its unique flavor and individuality. This strategy resonates particularly well with younger demographics seeking alternatives to traditional cola drinks."   With Dr. Pepper's leap to the #2 position, do you think they have a shot at dethroning The Coca-Cola Company from the #1 spot? In which other categories do you think a shift like this is possible? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g572y5jv   #MarketingStrategy #BeverageIndustry #Innovation #DrPepper

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Over the last couple of days, the food world has been abuzz about the long-anticipated sale by General Mills of the Yoplait brand and its assets. Many have talked about Yoplait's slow entry into the emerging Greek yogurt segment, slower growth and lower margins of the U.S. yogurt category, and the relatively low price-to-sales ratio. that General Mills received in the deal - probably warranted based on where the business is today But I wanted to address the transaction as someone who worked in Yoplait twice during my time at General Mills; I spent about 6 of my 13 years at the company in that division over two stints from 1998-2002 and 2008-2010 as an assistant marketing manager, marketing manager, and marketing director. For all of the issues Yoplait has had in the past decade, in the early part of this century, Yoplait was THE place to be in General Mills. Yogurt was the category for health, innovation, and significant growth. But it was also a great place to work because of the culture - and that's not intended as a yogurt pun! Within Yoplait there was a different vibe - there was more continuity of leaders in the functional areas, there was a tight-knit small company feel, there was a close connection to the plants, there was a global perspective through the Sodial relationship, and there was an amazing understanding of the consumer. One of my most rewarding special projects at General Mills was being tasked by Ian Friendly in 2002 to create a video on the history of Yoplait as part of the 25th anniversary celebration (for General Mills licensing the brand). I got to interview and film past presidents of Yoplait and learn about the growth of what was at the time one of the most successful startups cultivated by General Mills. One resounding theme from everyone I spoke with was the importance of creating and cultivating a strong culture in the business. That is something that has stuck with me throughout my career as I have gone to lead two organizations as a CEO. I am strong believer that you can drive strong results for a year or two, but to truly have sustained excellent results on a business it comes from building a strong culture that everyone buys into and it starts with leadership. I can't speak to the last 14 years in Yoplait, but I am grateful to the leaders in Yoplait during my time there who were very focused on the culture that drove sustained success for many years and provided me with many of my best career lessons. https://lnkd.in/g-ZddHJe.

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Pinched Wallets dominate earnings reports in discretionary categories. This sentiment was well summarized by McDonalds CEO, Chris Kempczinski, in the earnings call “Consumers continue to be even more discriminating with every dollar that they spend as they faced elevated prices in their day-to-day spending.” He was referencing the QSR category but this holds quite true as a pattern. McDonald's reported a dip in same-store sales growth & frequency of visits indicating that consumers are becoming more cautious with their discretionary spending despite promotions. On other end, Diageo also noted a slowdown in premium liquor sales. Cautious consumers impacting the volume sales in Americas. Inflation remains above Federal targets, borrowing costs are highest in decades impacting personal finance & spending power. This shift in spending patterns is impacting consumer confidence, which is still below pre-pandemic levels. This is expected to moderate through to end of year. It's important to stay close to consumers & analytics to track changes in sentiments, buying behavior & consumer base dynamics. Retail engagement has never been more important - incentivize loyalty, personalize messages & keep close watch on profitability of volume drivers. https://lnkd.in/dtia89_n

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People often ask me, “How do you balance work in Foodmarkethub and Supplybunny?” The truth is, my years at Supplybunny have been the perfect preparation for my role at FMH. Building and scaling a B2B marketplace from the ground up taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, agility, and the intricacies of the F&B supply chain. With a team now running Supplybunny, I’ve learned to trust and empower them to carry forward the vision while I focus on strategic growth at FMH. I still provide guidance once a week to keep the pulse on the business, but the real magic lies in the synergy between these two roles. The insights gained at Supplybunny directly inform how we approach supply-chain financing at FMH, helping restaurants streamline operations and manage costs. At the same time, FMH’s fintech innovations and birds eye view of the industry allows me to make extremely good high level decisions for Supplybunny It's symbiosis #Leadership #Startups #GrowthStrategy #F&BTech #Synergy #SupplyChainInnovation

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WE ARE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMIC FUNK, BUCKLE UP! When Stalwart Brands Like PepsiCo Trim Revenue Expectations We Should Pay Attention. We are still ducking Covid, two wars, inflation (prices remain high) as do interest rates. Asian markets have slowed down as have their factories. Oil prices are on the rise again. And one report says consumers plan to spend the same amount of money on Halloween (for example) as they did last year. One of the reasons PepsiCo and others are trimming revenue. Consumers are getting less for their money. Which means everything else is expensive and they will not buy more than they can afford. The grip of higher prices and keeping a roof over one’s head and food on the table is a bigger priority than splurging. Retail therapy today is more akin to balancing the home Economics budget and taking care of necessities. #retailing #strategy #ceo #technology #innovation

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In a corporate shake-up that’s about as subtle as a BOGO deal on ice cream during a heatwave, Kroger is reshuffling its top brass. Stuart Aitken, the guy behind Kroger's marketing mojo and all things merchandising, is stepping down to "pursue other professional opportunities." Translation? He’s packing his desk, but not before a long holiday send-off, as he’ll stay until December 31. Enter Mary Ellen Adcock, (Adcock, maybe that's the name of my next publication) the new Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer, who’s been with Kroger since the late '90s. She’s the quintessential insider, having climbed every corporate rung over the past 25 years. Adcock started in the manufacturing division, worked her way into the operational nerve center, and most recently managed all the moving parts for over 2,700 stores, 416,000 associates, and a mind-boggling 11 million customers per day. That’s more people than some countries. She’s not just taking over a department; she’s basically inheriting an empire. CEO Rodney McMullen is laying on the praise thick, calling #Adcock a "respected leader" and highlighting her ability to steer Kroger through the grocery gauntlet of the 2020s. And what a gauntlet it is—think Walmart breathing down Kroger’s neck, Amazon trying to reinvent grocery shopping as some kind of sci-fi utopia, and Costco making everyone question their commitment to weekly milk purchases. For Aitken, it’s a bittersweet farewell. He’s been instrumental in Kroger’s digital evolution, turning data into dollars with innovations like 84.51°—a name that sounds more like a hipster speakeasy than a data analytics powerhouse. Under his watch, Kroger sharpened its focus on customer-centric marketing, leveraging insights that turned your shopping cart into a goldmine of personalized offers. But now, he’s off to greener pastures—or at least a pasture where he’s not responsible for selling avocados in five different ripeness levels. Adcock’s promotion couldn’t come at a more turbulent time. Kroger is already in the hot seat with regulators over its planned $25 billion merger with Albertsons, and the grocery wars are nastier than ever. Walmart’s sheer scale, Amazon’s tech muscle, and Costco’s cult following leave Kroger fighting to stay relevant in an industry that’s no longer just about low prices but who can best predict whether you’ll add Oreos to your cart. Adcock’s background in operations hints at a possible shift in strategy. If Aitken’s era was all about jazzing up the customer experience and mining data gold, Adcock’s reign might focus on efficiency and operational grit—getting groceries on shelves faster, fresher, and cheaper. But will that be enough to keep the wolves at bay?

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57% of Millennial and Gen-Z TikTok users adopt nutrition trends they've seen on the app, but just 2% of these trends are accurate. If brands mindlessly adopt these trends, it can erode trust and create frustration for customers when they don't see the results they expected. Prinova's industry insights can give your brand insight into the latest scientifically-backed trends. This allows you to create products that deliver real value instead of hollow promises. #WeArePrinova #PrinovaGlobal #NutritionTrends #Misinformation

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🏢 Let's not forget about in-store retail which is still a huge part of a brands overall retail media strategy. Peter Crosby & I sat down with Jeffrey Bustos from the IAB and Michael Wessel Esq. from Kroger to talk about the latest in-store media playbook! Be sure to listen 🎧 #digitalshelf #content #retailmedia #instore #omnichannel

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Whole Foods Market just wrapped up an inspiring Q4 all-hands and let me tell you—there’s a lot to celebrate, and even more to be excited about. One of the highlights was an in-depth look at the future of sustainable sips, led by our own Mary Guiver and an incredible panel that included Garrett Oliver from Brooklyn Brewery , Peter Skrbek from Deschutes Brewery, Jack Dyer from Topa Topa Brewing Co., and Paul Lightfoot from Patagonia Provisions. They shared a clear vision of how the brewing and winemaking worlds are going greener by the day, proving innovation and sustainability (Kernza and Fonio are just two climate-smart ingredients that can be added to a brew to make a great beer) truly belong in the same glass. Our 2025 trend forecasts also confirm it: sustainable sips are on the rise. From regenerative agriculture to lightweight wine bottles these eco-conscious efforts are reshaping what we pour and Whole Foods Market will continue to be at the forefront, supporting brands that prioritize the planet while raising the bar for quality and creativity.

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