Channel: Ecommerce & Digital Evolution of Apps A couple years ago, Cory Doctorow observed a phenomenon in online products and platforms that he dubbed “enshittification”: “Here is how platforms die: First, they are good to their users; then they abuse their users to make things better for their business customers; finally, they abuse those business customers to claw back all the value […] Tom Fishburne April 14, 2025April 14, 2025 3 min read Fun & HumorDept. Natural / OrganicSponsoredMarketing: Social MediaConsumersTikTokOwned Brands (Private Label)PackagingMeta (Facebook)GoogleResults & InvestmentTechnology & InnovationAmazon 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Department & Category Scenario Planning There’s a famous observation from Dwight D. Eisenhower I’ve always found interesting: “Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” Another is Mike Tyson’s quip before a fight with Evander Holyfield: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” What we know as “scenario planning” can be traced back to a Shell strategist […] Tom Fishburne April 7, 2025April 7, 2025 3 min read Fun & HumorStrategySponsoredPredictions and ForecastsData & InsightsDept. NonfoodDept. Fuel 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Channel: Restaurants Wendy’s nets nearly 52M impressions in single day with Snap ad product Snap began testing Sponsored Snaps, which allow brands to deliver a vertical video directly to users’ inboxes, last October. MarketingDive April 3, 2025April 3, 2025 < 1 min read RestaurantsSponsored 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Retail Ecosystem Shoptalk 2025 Recap With The CPGGUYS The CPGGUYS cover the recently concluded Shoptalk spring 2025 from Las Vegas. What a show! Besides our opening networking reception, we had a chance to meet up with many brands, retailers and of course all our sponsors. This episode is collectively sponsored by Epsilon, Dunnhumby, Osmos, Apply to join the Cornell retail media program https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/marketing/retail-media-strategy/ […] The CPG Guys April 1, 2025April 1, 2025 < 1 min read Industry Conferences and EventsMarketing: Social MediaStrategyPodcastsBrokersMarketing: Retail MediaInsight ProvidersOmnichannelVendorsdunnhumbySponsoredTechnology & InnovationBig Data 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Corporate Strategy AI-First Organizations have been sending very mixed signals with AI. Many have claimed a strategy of being “AI-first” in one breath, while setting confusing draconian guardrails in the next. The promise of AI has outpaced our organization’s ability to adopt it. I like how Oguz Acar, professor at King’s Business School advocated for a more balanced […] Tom Fishburne March 25, 2025March 25, 2025 4 min read Technology & InnovationAIFun & HumorSponsoredStrategyProcter & GamblePredictions and ForecastsData & Insights 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Corporate Strategy Navigating Uncertainty Almost exactly five years ago, in early March 2020, I drew a cartoon that captured some of how I felt in that moment of uncertainty. It showed a group of of people in a meeting and one holding up a coin: “We need to update the forecast. Heads, this will blow over soon. Tails, it’s […] Tom Fishburne March 17, 2025March 17, 2025 4 min read Fun & HumorSponsoredStrategyGovernmentPredictions and ForecastsEconomyData & Insights 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Channel: Mass Target’s digital ad unit delivers $2B in value for embattled retailer Advertisers have flocked to Roundel due to offerings like sponsored product ads placed on Target’s app and website, which saw 35% growth last year. MarketingDive March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 < 1 min read TargetSponsoredRoundelMarketing: Retail Media 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Media & Marketing Loyalty Programs In 2012, I drew a cartoon of a shopper emptying her purse at checkout, saying “wait, I may have a card showing my loyalty to whatever store this is.” The loyalty program arms race has only accelerated since then — partly driven by brands trying to collect more first-party data. The checkout ask for an […] Tom Fishburne March 3, 2025March 3, 2025 3 min read Fun & HumorMarketing: Loyalty & SubscriptionData & InsightsConsumersSponsoredShoppersConsultingOwned Brands (Private Label)Marketing: Direct & Personalization 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Department: Food AI Low Hanging Fruit With all the hype and promise of AI, including synthetic market research I wrote about last week and new advances like “Agenic AI”, adoption in business is facing barriers and obstacles. Deloitte published their latest State of Generative AI report last month, including this headline takeaway: “We see that most companies are transforming at the […] Tom Fishburne February 24, 2025February 24, 2025 4 min read Fun & HumorTechnology & InnovationAISponsoredDept. FreshConsultingInsight ProvidersDept. LaundryLegal & CriminalData & Insights 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Media & Marketing How the Rise of Streaming is Democratizing TV Advertising As connected TV (CTV) rapidly becomes the dominant method for consuming television, it also has become the fastest-growing ad channel in the U.S., accounting for one in every 10 dollars spent on digital advertising, according to Emarketer. In fact, U.S. brands alone spent more than $28 billion on CTV advertising last year, making up one-third of the total […] Retail TouchPoints February 22, 2025February 22, 2025 5 min read Marketing: BroadcastStreamingTechnology & InnovationAIESG and CSRMarketing: Social MediaMarketing: Digital MediaConsumersTargetDept. FreshStrategyMeta (Facebook)ExecutivesCoca ColaDept. PerimeterDept. NonfoodGooglePredictions and ForecastsDept. FuelSponsoredDept. DairyData & InsightsAgencies 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
CPG: Food Market Research Pitfalls Early in my marketing career, at General Mills, we used to hold focus groups in a Minneapolis suburb called Eden Prairie. I once overheard a couple of our agency partners jokingly refer to this focus group ritual as going to see the “Oracles of Eden Prairie.” Whether new products, campaign strategy, or ad creative, the […] Tom Fishburne February 17, 2025February 17, 2025 4 min read Fun & HumorTechnology & InnovationAIThick DataSponsoredConsultingExecutivesData & InsightsDept. NonfoodGeneral MillsResults & InvestmentStrategyAgencies 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Shopper & Customer How to Boost Customer Acquisition With Direct Mail As we leap into 2025, the name of the game for marketers is customer acquisition strategies that truly stick. And while digital tactics have their moment, there’s one trusty powerhouse that’s primed to deliver big results: direct mail. It’s the personal touch your audience is always looking for and it’s ready to take your marketing […] Jacqueline Johnson-Leister February 11, 2025February 11, 2025 4 min read AcquisitionShoppersConsumersMarketing: Direct & PersonalizationData & InsightsStrategyStreamingMarketing: BroadcastHoliday & EventsCustomer ExperienceDept. ApparelMarketing: In StoreTechnology & InnovationSponsoredPredictions and ForecastsResults & InvestmentPricing & PromotionsGovernmentMerchandisingMarketing: Social MediaMarketing: Digital MediaDept. GroceryBig DataDept. FreshThick Data 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Department: Nonfood Digital Distractions and Finding Focus We need to find time for focus to do our best work. Ironically some of the tools we use to make us more productive are designed to steal focus. Distraction is the default setting. Some of this challenge relates to work norms. I love how Jeff Maurer joked about the “always on” expectations of Slack: […] Tom Fishburne February 10, 2025February 10, 2025 3 min read Fun & HumorSponsoredStrategyMarketing: UGCThick DataTechnology & InnovationHealth & WellnessDept. Nonfood 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Agencies & Vendors Super Bowl 2025 Ads Recap In this episode, the CPG Guys review all of the television ads that played in Super Bowl 59, February 9, 2025. This episode is sponsored by Recess – ‘helps CPG brands connect with their key retail shoppers, delivering experiential sampling in high-impact locations like gyms, colleges and community events to drive trial and conversion. Now […] The CPG Guys February 10, 2025February 10, 2025 < 1 min read Holiday & EventsPodcastsMarketing: Retail MediaBrokersTechnology & InnovationStrategySponsoredShoppersMarketing: In StoreMarketing: Broadcast 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Technology & Innovation Boom Times For ChatGPT ChatGPT vs. the competition. Source: SimilarWeb ChatGPT is booming. After months of stagnant usage in early 2024, the chatbot hit an inflection point and is now far outpacing its competition, according to new data from analytics firm Similarweb. OpenAI’s flagship bot hit 3.8 billion visits on desktop and mobile web in January 2025, more than […] Bigtechnology February 7, 2025February 7, 2025 5 min read AITechnology & InnovationChatGPTData & InsightsBigTechAmazonPodcastsCompetitionMarketing: Social MediaLegal & CriminalAssociatesGoogleHoliday & EventsStreamingMarketing: BroadcastExecutivesGovernmentData VisualizationMarketing: VoiceAcquisitionStrategyResults & InvestmentFlagship StoresOperations & Supply ChainCoca ColaSponsoredStore LocationTech: RoboticsAutonomous VehiclesDelivery 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Media & Marketing Oreo hypes Post Malone cookie drop with new Snapchat ad format The Mondelez marketer is the first in the snack category to take advantage of Sponsored Snaps, which include a link to make a purchase. MarketingDive February 5, 2025February 5, 2025 < 1 min read Marketing: Social MediaMondelezSponsoredMarketing: In StoreDept. Grocery 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
CPG: Food The Super Bowl Ad Formula The Super Bowl is the biggest high wire act in marketing. The media alone costs $7 million for a 30 second spot to reach an audience of more than 100 million people. So this is when marketers pull out all the stops. And yet they also tend to play it safe by following tried-and-true conventions. […] Tom Fishburne February 3, 2025February 3, 2025 4 min read Fun & HumorHoliday & EventsSponsoredTechnology & InnovationMars Inc.ExecutivesCrypto 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Data & Insights New Study Reveals Five Crucial Priorities Shaping The Future of Patient Services Today’s guest post comes from Scott Genone, Chief Product Officer at CareMetx. Scott shares key takaways from CareMetx’s recent survey of over 100 industry leaders. He outlines four trends that will define the future of patient services. To view the full survey results, download The 2025 Patient Services Report: Provider Engagement is Make or Break for […] Drug Channels January 24, 2025January 24, 2025 2 min read Predictions and ForecastsData & InsightsMarketing: Social MediaThick DataSponsoredShoppersMeta (Facebook)Brokers 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Channel: Ecommerce & Digital Agile Teams In 2001, a group of 17 software engineers famously drafted the Agile Manifesto at a ski resort in Utah. They were frustrated by the limitations of traditional “waterfall” software development and wanted a more flexible, iterative approach. The term “agile” evolved into a collection of methodologies that not only changed software development but started to […] Tom Fishburne January 20, 2025January 20, 2025 4 min read Fun & HumorSponsoredTechnology & InnovationStrategyAmazonExecutivesPredictions and ForecastsPodcastsDeliveryConsultingBrokers 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Trends & External Forces Informa Connect’s Patient Assistance & Access Programs (PAP) Informa Connect’s Patient Assistance & Access Programs (PAP) March 18-20, 2025 | Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown PA Pre-Conference Workshops on March 17, 2025 Drug Channels readers save 10% on their registration with code 25DC10 When it comes to patient affordability, it’s difficult to imagine a more complex time for our industry. Navigating policy updates, disarming AFPs, […] Drug Channels January 20, 2025January 20, 2025 3 min read Predictions and ForecastsHealth & WellnessSponsoredData & InsightsMarketing: Social MediaBrokersGovernmentKraftHeinzLegal & CriminalTechnology & InnovationMarketing: TradeMeta (Facebook)Operations & Supply ChainPartnershipsPricing & PromotionsAssociates 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Trends & External Forces 2025 Brand Drug Challenges: A GoodRx Perspective Today’s guest post is from Dorothy Gemmell, Chief Commercial Officer and President, Manufacturer Solutions, at GoodRx. Dorothy highlights five trends to watch in 2025. She then describes how GoodRx’s Cash Point-of-Sale Solution can help brands improve gross-to-net (GTN) while also making medications more affordable for patients. Click here to download the latest GoodRx data on […] Drug Channels January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 2 min read Predictions and ForecastsData & InsightsMarketing: Social MediaSponsoredShoppersMeta (Facebook)Brokers 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Partnerships & Alt Profit How we Brief Sir John Hegarty, founder of Bartle Bogle Hegarty, famously said: “Writing bad briefs is the most expensive way to write advertising.” The sentiment applies to any form of creative communication and any type of brief. How we brief creative partners is as important as the talent of those creative partners. Writing a truly great brief […] Tom Fishburne January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 4 min read Fun & HumorSponsoredPredictions and ForecastsPartnershipsHealth & WellnessAgencies 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Data & Insights AI Learning Curve It’s hard to make sense of the real promise of AI amidst the hype and noise. In 2023, Google CEO Sundar Pichai famously compared AI to the creation of fire and invention of electricity on an episode of 60 Minutes. By 2024, the hype cycle around AI gave way to the trough of disillusionment, as […] Tom Fishburne January 9, 2025January 9, 2025 4 min read Technology & InnovationAIFun & HumorSponsoredData & InsightsPredictions and ForecastsGoogleExecutivesBig DataResults & InvestmentPartnershipsESG and CSR 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Retail Ecosystem 2024 Omnichannel Retail Recap with Flywheel’s Emma Irwin The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Emma Irwin from Flywheel digital to recap all things omnichannel & retail in 2024. Emma is also host of the podcast ‘Commerce collective’. Find Emma Irwin on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-irwin-b950a397/Find Flywheel on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flywheel-digital/posts/?feedView=allFind Flywheel online: https://www.flywheeldigital.com/Find the ‘Commerce collective’ podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-commerce-collective-podcast/id1633426767 Here’s what we discussed : […] The CPG Guys December 28, 2024December 28, 2024 < 1 min read PodcastsTechnology & InnovationAIMarketing: Social MediaOmnichannelBrokersStreamingEconomyHoliday & EventsIndustry Conferences and EventsCVSMarketing: Digital MediaMarketing: In StoreResults & InvestmentSponsoredMarketing: BroadcastMarketing: Retail MediaTikTok 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Channel: Ecommerce & Digital Ho, Ho, Holiday Returns Over the last decade, “Free Returns” became the new “Free Shipping,” going from differentiator (for pioneers like Zappos) to table stakes (for everyone else). But the tide is turning. According to logistics provider goTRG, 49% of US retailers now think of Returns as a severe problem, especially during the holiday season. In just the last […] Tom Fishburne December 23, 2024December 23, 2024 4 min read Fun & HumorReturnsSponsoredHoliday & EventsData & InsightsShoppersOperations & Supply ChainConsumersDeliveryThick DataAmazonExecutivesDept. ApparelSustainabilityLegal & Criminal 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Data & Insights Experiential Retail Trends in Beauty: Embracing Pop-Ups and Immersive Marketing The beauty retail industry is embracing experiential retail, a strategy that transforms shopping into an immersive and interactive experience. Experiential retail goes beyond simply buying products—it’s about creating memorable moments through activities, curated spaces, or interactive elements that engage customers on a deeper emotional level. Beauty pop-ups and flagship stores have become destinations, offering gamified […] Mintel December 18, 2024December 18, 2024 5 min read Technology & InnovationAIConsumersDept. HBCData & InsightsPop UpsDeliveryMarketing: Social MediaInternational - UKPredictions and ForecastsMarketing: In StoreShoppersDept. NonfoodPackagingESG and CSRFlagship StoresHoliday & EventsTrends: RetailDept. BeverageDept. DeliDept. Fresh PreparedDept. Toys & GamesMarketing: Loyalty & SubscriptionDept. GroceryBrick and MortarSustainabilityCOVID19Dept. FreshStrategySponsoredMerchandising 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Partnerships & Alt Profit Product/Market Fit Product/Market Fit has emerged as a key threshold of success for startups, but the concept can apply to businesses of any size. First coined by Benchmark co-founder Andy Rachleff, Product/Market Fit was popularized by Marc Andreesen in 2007 in a famous essay titled “The Only Thing That Matters.” In the essay, Marc defined Product/Market Fit […] Tom Fishburne December 16, 2024December 16, 2024 3 min read Fun & HumorSponsoredShoppersPredictions and ForecastsPartnershipsMarketing: Social Media 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Trends & External Forces Who Will Pay for Prescription Drugs in 2032: Four Takeaways from the New Government Forecasts (rerun) This week, I’m rerunning some popular posts while I prepare for today’s Drug Channels Outlook 2025 live video webinar. (If you sign up before 12 p.m. ET, you can attend the live event.) Click here to see the original post. The econowonks at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the latest […] Drug Channels December 13, 2024December 13, 2024 2 min read GovernmentData & InsightsHealth & WellnessPredictions and ForecastsMarketing: Social MediaConsumersEconomySponsoredMeta (Facebook)Brokers 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Technology & Innovation Marks and Spencer Chairman Archie Norman set to headline Retail Technology Show 2025 conference Chairman of M&S, Archie Norman, has been confirmed to headline the 2025 edition of Retail Technology Show (RTS). Debuting in its new home, ExCeL London, RTS will welcome 15,000 retail professionals on 2nd and 3rd April. Speaking on the Headline Stage on day one, Norman will join ‘Customer Whisperer’ Kate Hardcastle, for a fireside chat […] Retail Technology Innovation Hub December 10, 2024December 10, 2024 3 min read Technology & InnovationAIPredictions and ForecastsData & InsightsExecutivesIndustry Conferences and EventsOmnichannelSustainabilityShoppersMarketing: Social MediaAssociatesOperations & Supply ChainTrends: RetailInternational - UKEconomyPartnershipsCustomer ExperienceESG and CSRMarketing: Loyalty & SubscriptionSponsoredDeliveryTwitter 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Retailer Media Live from Groceryshop With Henkel’s Karen Satterlie, Pacvue’s Melissa Burdick & 84.51’s Barbara Connors The CPG Guys are joined by Karen Satterlie, Director of eCommerce Marketing & Shopper Marketing at Henkel, Melissa Burdick, president of Pacvue & Barbara Connors, VP Strategy & Acceleration at 84.51 a division of Kroger. The episode was recorded in Las Vegas at Groceryshop 2024. This episode is sponsored by 84.51. Follow Karen Satterlie on […] The CPG Guys December 7, 2024December 7, 2024 2 min read Marketing: Retail MediaMarketing: Social MediaInsight Providers84.51Industry Conferences and EventsBig DataVendorsOmnichannelBrokersPodcastsStrategyShoppersConsumersKrogerMarketing: ShopperSponsoredExecutivesTechnology & InnovationMarketing: Loyalty & Subscription 0 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Channel: Ecommerce & Digital Channel: Mass Data & Insights Technology & Innovation Walmart will use geospatial tech to power delivery The data-science capability redefines the retailer’s delivery maps to expand the channel’s reach and accessibility. Written by Grocery Dive April 17, 2025April 18, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Data & Insights Retailer Media Agencies & Vendors Data & Insights Technology & Innovation Why Kroger’s former chief data officer is starting an AI-focused firm Todd James recently left the grocer’s 84.51° data analysis unit to start a firm that helps companies solve common problems related to artificial intelligence. Written by Grocery Dive April 17, 2025April 18, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Operations & Supply Chain International Technology & Innovation Trends & External Forces Operations & Supply Chain Q1 2025 Top Retail Trends What happened in retail in Q1? (A lot!) What’s up: 🔺 Tariffs 🔺 Supply chain shifts 🔺 AI adoption 🔺 Value-oriented retailers’ store counts What’s down 🔻 Retailers with declining relevance 🔻 The status quo and certainty 🔻 DEI programs Written by Lisa Goller March 24, 2025March 24, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Channel: Drug Department: HBC Acquisitions, Divestitures & Mergers Corporate Strategy Corporate Finance Media & Marketing Retailer Media Retail Ecosystem Shopper & Customer Trends & External Forces Retail Operations Associates & Employees Stores & Formats Walgreens Agrees to $10B Sycamore Partners Acquisition Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has finalized a deal with private equity firm Sycamore Partners to take the company private after being in the stock market for nearly 100 years. Sycamore will pay $11.45 per share in cash for the Walgreens business, according to a company announcement. Shareholders can receive up to $3 more per share […] Written by Retail TouchPoints March 7, 2025March 7, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked
Channel: Grocery Corporate Strategy Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen resigns after ethics review His departure follows a company board investigation into conduct “unrelated to the business,” the grocer said. Written by Grocery Dive March 3, 2025March 3, 2025 Saving Bookmark this article Bookmarked