Podcasts about mars petcare

Natalia Ball, global chief growth officer at Mars Pet Nutrition joins The Big Impression podcast to talk about how Pedigree transformed a local Brazilian insight into a global business story. She also shares why she is now focused on the next frontier of growth: Connected commerce and making sure brands show up when AI agents, not just people, are making purchasing decisions.  Episode TranscriptPlease note, this transcript  may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler (00:00):I'm Damian Fowler.Ilyse Liffreing (00:01):And I'm Ilyse Liffreing.Damian Fowler (00:02):And welcome to The Big Impression.Ilyse Liffreing (00:09):This week we're joined by Natalia Ball Global Chief Growth Officer at Mars Pet Nutrition home to brands like Pedigree and Sheba.Damian Fowler (00:18):Last March, pedigree launched a bold, purpose-driven campaign in Brazil celebrating mixed breed dogs, especially the iconic Vela Caramelo.Ilyse Liffreing (00:27):It wasn't just a campaign, it became a movement boosting adoption and challenging long held bias.Damian Fowler (00:35):The work went on to win top honors at the 2025 cans. Lions including the titanium lionIlyse Liffreing (00:41):And its impact is still rippling across markets and media channels worldwide.Damian Fowler (00:45):So today we're unpacking what made it work with the person who helped drive it. Natalia, tell us about the Carello campaign and how you landed on the idea.Natalia Ball (00:57):Carmelos are mixed dogs that are beloved in Brazil. They are found on the streets everywhere. They are the subject of meme, street culture, and people just identify Carmelo as the Brazilian dog. However, the inside that we discover was that this dog is 90% less likely to get adopted than breed dogs. So it is the most popular dog in Brazil, but the most overlooked. And when we learned about that, we decided that we wanted to make a difference and that we wanted this dog to get the position it deserve and pedigree decided to champion the underdog and become the official brand of caramel's in Brazil.Damian Fowler (01:41):You talked about the caramel. Could you just describe a little bit more for people who don't really know the caramelo and that term Vita, where does that come from?Natalia Ball (01:52):Yes, so caramels are basically mixed breed dogs that you can find on the streets of Brazil everywhere they are called caramel because they are caramel color and that's what it is in Spanish and they tend to be that caramel color, short hair. But there are different ways that these dogs look and feel because they are mixed breeds. But like I said, they are beloved dogs in Brazil, but when it comes to getting a pet, getting a dog, they are not the ones that people are going for. They see them as street dogs, not a dog that you have in your house. And the whole campaign was about, like I said, championing these caramels, driving adoption of mixed breed dogs, not only breed dogs. And we did that by saying that if caramels were considered non breeded, pedigree was going to give them a breed and who better to give them a breath than pedigree.Ilyse Liffreing (02:48):Great. And then at what point did you connect that insight to the campaign itself?Natalia Ball (02:54):What you need to know about pedigree? Pedigree is one of the largest dog brands in the world. Pedigree feeds more dogs than any other brand, and it has been there for many years and for the past 20 years or more, pedigree has been driving adoption, encouraging people to adopt pets everywhere. We have had a lot of iconic campaigns so much which maybe you would've heard, like for example, docs on Zoom during COVID or the child replacement program, which was a very interesting one. And we were talking about adoption in Brazil, but other local brands were talking about adoption too. So we were not cutting through and it was only when this insight came to us, which was a very deeply local insight that we made the connection, if we want to drive adoption in Brazil, this is going to be the way in and we're going to make this as big as it can possibly be.(03:51):Because we, from the very beginning saw we understood this idea of the vi Lata. You mentioned it before by the way, the vi lata is how you call mixed breed dogs in Brazil. And so when we had these conversations about this insight, the injustice of this beautiful dog not getting adopted, but also the cultural impact that it would have on resilience themselves, who could see themselves related in the fact that they were being championed, we decided to go really big on this campaign and not only do just an activation, but actually we are doing this campaign. We did it all of last year and we continue activating through this year. And some of the ways in which we championed this was actually by creating a caramel kennel club by creating the first ever caramel DNA testing. And it's the largest ever DNA test done in mos in all of history, kept creating a Carmelo dog show and not only that, putting caramels for the very first time ever on our packs. So it was really a way to give them the rightful place.Ilyse Liffreing (05:01):I love how you guys just took it a step further than even just it being a campaign and you actually adopted it into your packaging and the whole bit. At what point did you realize that the campaign wasn't only just a marketing ploy and it began actually affecting culture?Natalia Ball (05:23):Yeah, I mean this campaign has really changed culture in Brazil, but it was a campaign that was deeply rooted in culture itself because Carmelos were part of Brazilian culture. But when we realized the campaign became bigger than ourselves, absolutely. When it started driving difference in adoption of Carmelos, we saw more than 200% lift of caramelo adoption just in the first month. And we saw a 65% increase in likelihood to adopt a Carmelo in the future with this campaign. And then when we started seeing other brands and other businesses even outside of the pet care category start using the Carmelo in their campaigns in their advertising, that's when we knew this had really hit culture big. An example of that was Chevrolet that actually launched a partnership with Netflix that launched a documentary about caramel, and several launched a caramel or a caramel colored car in a promotion.(06:29):Other brands like Honda or Whirlpool also feature caramels in their advertising. So we started seeing that this became much bigger than ourselves, but maybe the biggest achievement that we had with this campaign other than driving adoption itself, which was the cost at the end of the day, was the fact that we were betting on the mixed pre-doc actually not being accepted in dog shows because only breed dogs are accepted usually in dog shows. But at the end of the day, the movement became so big that after only two weeks of this campaign, the federation that actually controls the dog shows called us and said, we now want to move to accept mixed breed dogs in all of our shows. So that was a huge achievement that we never knew it would be possible.Damian Fowler (07:18):What's really interesting to me about this campaign is the way you focused on one region, one country, one market, but obviously you're a global brand. So how does that connection to the local end up escalating? So it became this global campaign.Natalia Ball (07:35):Like I said, adoption is a huge cost for us, and we have been very consistently on pedigree, driving adoption for a long time. So we have an evergreen brief that goes out to all of our agencies on adoption, and in my case in particular, I am a strong believer in creative excellence as a driver for growth. And so I put a creative excellence program in place that included building capabilities on creative excellence, but also creating a creative council where the best ideas could come faster to the marketing leadership of Mars Pet Nutrition so that we could move at speed, but also we could fund the better ideas. And in this creative council DL map team, Al Map VO, who are the agency that came up with this idea presented Carmelo. And from the very beginning, me and the whole leadership team fell in love with it, and so we decided to fund it.(08:31):We decided to go big and to give it our full support. We knew it had the potential to drive the business and change culture, and I think in this case, the important thing about the campaign, obviously it did a lot of good. So it's a purposeful campaign and pedigree is a purposeful brand, but it was not only about the purpose, it was also about driving business results. Through the campaign in the first couple of months, we were able to grow 15% and through all of last year, we moved to grow volume and value by double digits. So the campaign really did the job about turning around the pedigree brand and delivering results not only on the cost but also on the business.Ilyse Liffreing (09:11):That's great. And you're doing something right when all the other brands out there are copying you guys suddenly in pop culture and everything like that. I'm very curious about as the campaign evolved, obviously it started out from a social aspect, but as it evolved, how did you decide what other channels to bring it into? What other channels did you try out in this process?Natalia Ball (09:42):Yes. Actually this campaign started as social first and we then boosted with media. The way it started is we partner with local influencer called Tata Vernick. She loves caramels and she herself has adopted caramels. And we asked her to register her caramel in a dog show because we knew that her caramel was going to get rejected, which it did. And so she posted on her Instagram that had 60 million followers that she was outraged that her beautiful and smart caramelo could not be accepted in a dog show. This went viral immediately in Brazil and everybody was outraged. This went on the evening news, the morning shows everywhere, and we waited for it to gain enough fire for us to step in. So actually we were planning that this was going to take a couple of days, but at the end we had to act after only 10 hours because this became so big so quickly.(10:41):And we step in and we said, you know what, Tata, don't worry. Pedigrees got you. We're going to give all caramels a breed. And we launched the campaign with our beautiful campaign video that talks about our program of giving them a DNA test, giving them a show, giving them a kennel club and giving them everything that breed dogs have. And then after that, we use that video and we boost the message. The video went viral as well, but we boost the message, for example, with connected TV as well as Prime and Disney, et cetera. So in order to make sure that everybody had listened to it, but it was truly an omni-channel approach because we use a lot of offline tools like for example, the dog show itself that we created or the adoption drive that we had later on where we were invited people to adopt caramels and then online tools like Instagram or Connected TV or Disney, et cetera.Damian Fowler (11:38):You suggested that the kind of timeline got really sped up really fast. So this thing you had to act very quickly. At what point did you realize you had a hit on your hands in a way, and how quickly did it escape the local context and became this bigger campaign that everyone looked at?Natalia Ball (12:01):Yeah, this exceeded all of our expectations. So we knew that it was going to get picked up, but like I said, we were not expecting for this to become so big so fast. And the fact that it appeared in all of the big shows, evening news, morning shows, et cetera, it appeared as well on national media, on print Everywhere meant that we needed to step in faster, but we were fully prepared for that. So that didn't represent the challenge. It was more of an opportunity. And then the other thing that really surprised us was that the largest dog association reached out to us after only 24 hours to partner to see how mixed beat dogs could then be allowed to compete. We were not expecting this. We were expecting actually that to be attention point that we were going to leverage in our campaign, and this became so big that they just couldn't ignore it. So it was a big win just from the very beginning.Damian Fowler (12:57):Wow.Natalia Ball (12:57):Now one of the things that we're seeing is even though this was very, very local, as we have started sharing this work across many other places in the world, we have realized that the insight actually exists in many other markets. For example, in Chile they have a dog called the Quilter, which is the equivalent of the caramel. We have them in Philippines, we have them all over the world. So this insight can travel. The way to activate might be different because you need to localize to the nuance, but we are very excited about the potential of drive more inclusion of these dogs with these campaigns, but also for pedigree to stand stronger in culture.Ilyse Liffreing (13:36):I love that. As a dog owner, myself and owner of a mutt, I'm glad they're getting their time in the spotlight a little bit more around the world. Generally, I feel like post COVID in the marketing world today, some brands have actually moved away from purpose-driven marketing a little bit, but this is a really good example of it done right. What would you say this campaign proved or maybe disproved about purpose-led marketing?Natalia Ball (14:04):I am a strong believer of purposeful brands actually growing stronger, but it only works when it's aligned truly and authentically to the reason for the brand to exist. Pedigree itself, the purpose of the brand is we believe that dogs bring out the best in us, and pedigree wants to bring out the best in dogs. So the purpose of pedigree is pedigree brings out the good dogs bring to the world to do that. We obviously do that with our great nutrition, but we do that by putting dogs in houses so that they can bring out the best in people. That's what we do because we strongly believe that dogs make us better. So that's why we have been driving adoption for more than 20 years. And when you really make this part of your core DNA and it's authentically linked to the brand, that's when it really works.Damian Fowler (14:56):And one of the proof points of that is the awards that you scooped up last year. Can you tell us a little bit more about how that happened? And that must have happened quickly because the campaign rolled out in March, 2025 by June, you're already in the spotlight.Natalia Ball (15:13):Yes. So this campaign was picked up for a lot of awards at Cannes last year. We won the Rainbow, silver, gold and Titanium. The titanium we are very excited about because it's Mars Inc. First ever titanium. So we are really proud of that, and it's also an award that rewards transformation in the creative industry, and we believe this idea was transformational. We're also proud of, I mean, we've got the many other awards, but the other one that we're really proud of is that we got the Grand Phy in the latam phy and in the Brazil phy, which shows that this was not only a creative idea that was very strong, but also a very effective idea in driving the business. So you can achieve both. You can do good in the world, you can drive the business and you can be creative actually. So it's three.Damian Fowler (16:03):Yeah, that's great. I love that trifecta. What happens to the titanium award?Natalia Ball (16:09):Well, I have it right hereIlyse Liffreing (16:10):With me.Damian Fowler (16:12):NoIlyse Liffreing (16:12):Way. Very nice. Beautiful here. It's beautiful.Damian Fowler (16:16):Beautiful. Well, congrats again. So from that, obviously momentum has come on. We've talked a little bit about how it influenced other brands, but in terms of the campaign continuing, what's next? How are you thinking about expanding this?Natalia Ball (16:33):In Brazil itself? We want to stay committed to this idea. We don't want to do one and go, and we are working, we continue activating the campaign through all of our channels. We continue doing adoption drives. For example, very recently we released the results from the DNA research that we did. So we find ways to keep this relevant. But now I think the next stage is to move on from not only caramels but all mixed breed dogs. Because with this campaign, the sentiment has been extremely positive. We got 99% positive sentiment. The only 1% negative comments was what about the other mixed breed dogs? They also deserve to be adopted. They also deserve recognition. So I think that's probably where we're taking it next in Brazil and then outside of Brazil, we are working on, like I said, these inside travels very well, but we're working on how to localize it in a world that feels authentic for the specific markets. I can't share anymore. Stay tuned, because some interesting things are coming soon.Ilyse Liffreing (17:44):And it sounds like that theme is going to keep going with this idea of all putting mutts in the spotlights from now on too.Natalia Ball (17:54):Exactly, yes. This is about inclusion. At the end of the day, our hope is that mutts are shown everywhere. We also love breed dogs. They're great. All dogs deserve to be feature everywhere. So our hope is that this campaign will drive inclusion, inclusion in advertising, inclusion in homes, inclusion everywhere.Damian Fowler (18:16):Another thought I had actually is when you were filming this campaign, did you have any standout caramelo stars?Natalia Ball (18:22):Actually, actually, I think our biggest star was Patas Caramel, which we then did a lot of things with her, I think. I mean, I don't record very well, but I think it was Mia, her name, but we did a lot with her in our activation. She was present when we did the dog show, et cetera. So I think that was our biggest star.Ilyse Liffreing (18:43):Oh, that's great. It can't always be that easy to shoot with dogs though, even if they're very well-trained, I imagine it's still a different world than human actors. So Natalia, what problem are you most obsessed with solving right now?Natalia Ball (18:59):I am right now obsessed with agentic commerce and agentic search and winning the race to thatIlyse Liffreing (19:08):BecauseNatalia Ball (19:09):I'm really concerned that in only a couple of years, if we are not winning, we will completely disappear the way all decisions are going to be made. So together with my team, we're trying to figure out how do we stay ahead of that race and how do we crack it pretty soon, so we're ready future.Ilyse Liffreing (19:26):Wow. And just to press you a little bit more on that, so you're talking about probably using agents on your website directly.Natalia Ball (19:35):It's about we are very good about marketing to people. We have cracked the code on how do we talk to people. We have the best insights in pet care, so we know how to create compelling stories that humans will listen to, but we need to crack how to market to agents, how to market to the machine because they are going to be making a lot of decisions for us in the future, in the very near future. And that's what we're working on.Damian Fowler (20:05):You're talking about media buying specifically on the creative side of itNatalia Ball (20:12):Or the LLM. This is about how do you make your brands show up in searches that are being done on ai? This is how do you make your brands be the ones that get recommended to be bought? So for example, when you're on Cha G PT and you're asking Cha G pt, I got a new puppy, what brands should I buy for my puppy? We want our brands to be the first ones to be recommended if you are going to buy a gift, anything like that, we want our brands to show up and we want our brands to show up in good light. And so that's what we're trying to figure out and to win. There is a combination of how do you have the right content in the right places? How do you get the right third parties to talk about you in the right way? What are the media channels where you need to show up? How do you optimize your search? So it is a very complex way. We need to crack the algorithm basically.Damian Fowler (21:12):On that point, how do you ensure your marketing teams have the right capabilities for success?Natalia Ball (21:19):Well, that's a big priority for me as CGO is one of my main jobs is to make sure that we're building capabilities for today and for the future. So in my team, we have a strong capabilities program where each and every one of the people on my team owns a capability and owns making sure that we get best in class content training and as well as the tools, because it's not only the knowledge, it's also the tools in order to do that. But the reality is that none of this works unless you are creating a culture of curiosity. And I really want to instill that in myself and in my teams because the industry is changing so fast. The minute you think you have cracked something, there is a new challenge. And the only way to stay fresh, the only way to stay in line with what's happening is to be curious. Whenever you don't know anything, go and ask someone who knows, go and ask questions like really try to learn instead of fearing the change, be curious about the change, and that's the way that we will build future proof capabilities.Ilyse Liffreing (22:22):Beyond ai, how do you see the role of connected commerce in the pet industry? Are there any other channels, for instance, that you're testing out? I'm thinking of are you testing shopping ads on CTV or any of that?Natalia Ball (22:40):Connected commerce is extremely important for us in pet care. The reason for that is because this category is one of the highest engagement categories that there are out there. People are making decisions for living beings, and they need to do deep research in order to make those decisions because they have real consequences. And so people are very engaged in reading through rating and reviews, and connected commerce gives us an opportunity to connect better with pet parents in those moments that matter most. We also, when it comes to pet care, a lot of our products come in huge bags that are hard to carry. So actually the fact that the convenience of those bags getting delivered at home make so that digital commerce becomes really important in our category. And so what we're trying to is to really help consumers navigate the pet parent journey and moving from content to commerce in a seamless way so that they can make the best decisions for their pets and that we are helping them along the journey to make those decisions.Damian Fowler (23:46):Okay, here's another, what's one marketing rule? This campaign, the Caramelo campaign happily ignored.Natalia Ball (23:52):The one rule that we happily ignore is about keeping your distinctive memory structures consistent because pedigree has always had a golden retriever on its pack. But with the Caramel campaign, we thought that it would be hypocritical of us to feature a breed dog while we were championing a mixed breed dog. So for the first time ever in history, we changed our pack and we feature a caramel, and this made the news again. And this was a huge bold move that we made and that made the campaign even more authentic and more powerful.Ilyse Liffreing (24:28):Now we have a fun one for you. Personal one really. Are dogs better than cats when it comes to brand lift?Natalia Ball (24:36):Oh, when it comes to brand lift, well, actually both are great for brand Lift. We actually have studies that show that when you feature cats or dogs in advertising, attention significantly increases emotional connection, significantly increases. This is why you see a lot of brands that are not in the pet care space featuring cats and dogs. They are both fantastic. Cats are more powerful in meme culture, as you probably know. They are huge in meme culture. And then dogs are some of the biggest stars in social media today. Some of the biggest accounts on social media are dogs accounts. So we are lucky that we get to work in this beautiful category because people want to see dogs and cats. I myself have a dog. My dog's name is Bella. She's been with us for three years and she's great. But the more I work in this category, the more I'm falling in love with cats as well because they are so particular and so unique. So yeah, both are fantastic.Damian Fowler (25:45):And that's it for this edition of The Big Impression.Ilyse Liffreing (25:47):This show is produced by Molten Hart. Our theme is by love and caliber, and our associate producer is Sydney Cairns.Damian Fowler (25:54):And remember,Natalia Ball (25:55):You can do good in the world, you can drive the business, and you can be creative.Damian Fowler (26:00):I'm Damian.Ilyse Liffreing (26:01):and I'm IlyseDamian Fowler (26:01):And we'll see you next time.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode GuestNick Foster is the General Manager for Mars Pet Nutrition in Northern Europe, where he leads with a passion for purpose, people, and pets. With nearly 20 years at Mars, he's held diverse roles across sales, marketing, and supply chain, always driven by a desire to be a good ancestor.Episode Timestamps:0:00 Introduction0:23 Meet the General Manager of Mars Petcare1:00 From RAF Dreams to a Business Career2:05 Finding Purpose Through Pet Care3:20 Nick's Duvet Flip: Being a Good Ancestor4:10 Lessons from McDonald's and Early Work Ethic5:15 Accidental Entry into Mars6:40 Career Advice: Squiggly Lines & Making Friends8:10 General Management Explained9:45 Mars Petcare's Scale and Purpose11:15 Changing Law to Help Renters with Pets13:00 Cancer-Sniffing Dogs & Coral Reef Projects15:00 Mars' Family Values and Long-Term Thinking16:40 Starting a Career at Mars: Advice to Young People18:00 The Myth of Work-Life Balance19:30 How to Build a Career with Impact21:10 Nick's Leadership Style and Communication Growth23:00 The Power of Mentorship & Sponsorship25:00 Fun Q&A: Sloths, Brainstorms & Huskies28:00 Key Digital Skills for Petcare Careers30:00 Final Lessons on Career, Purpose & Progression33:15 What Gets Nick Out of Bed Each DayEpisode Partners

Send us a textIn this episode, we sit down with James Deysel, Marketing Director of SnackBrands, to explore a career built on resilience, values, and strategic growth. Raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, James shares how his early life shaped a strong sense of fairness, justice, and hard work - principles that helped him earn a full university scholarship and set the foundation for his professional journey.James takes us through his academic path at the University of Johannesburg, where he completed a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, and into his early career juggling full-time work and part-time postgraduate studies. Starting on the front lines as a field sales representative at Clover, he provides insight into how hands-on sales experience sharpened his commercial instincts before progressing into an assistant brand manager role.The conversation then follows James' move to Mars Petcare, where he broadened his marketing expertise across a global organization, eventually leading to an international relocation to Australia. Now a Marketing Director, James reflects on the skills, mindset, and career decisions that enabled his growth across markets and roles.This episode offers aspiring sales and marketing professionals practical lessons on starting from the ground up, leveraging education and values, and embracing global opportunities to shape a future-focused career.

Joining Anthony for this episode of VETchat by The Webinar Vet is Cecilia Villaverde, consultant in clinical nutrition for ExpertPet Nutrition.In this episode, Anthony and Cecilia speak about the critical issue of obesity in pets. They discuss the importance of nutrition in veterinary medicine, the role of body condition scoring, and the need for customised weight management plans for pets. Cecilia emphasises the significance of effective communication with pet owners regarding nutrition andthe challenges faced in treating obesity. The conversation also touches on the role of veterinary nurses in educating clients and the importance of managing treats within a pet's caloric intake. This episode provides valuable insights into preventing and managing obesity in pets, highlighting the need for a collaborative approach between veterinarians, pet owners, and veterinary staff. Thank you to MARS Petcare for making this episodepossible.Nutrition CourseExpert Pet Nutrition

Send us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Kerl interviews VCA's former Vice President of People and Organization, Paola Perez Loaiza. Listen in as she shares her unique journey from engineering to HR leadership in the veterinary field. She discusses the vital role of overseeing People and Organization at VCA Animal Hospitals, emphasizing the importance of culture, associate well-being, and professional development. Paola highlights the significant investments made in associate support, including health resources and internship programs. She also reflects on the Mars Associate Survey's findings and its impact on employee engagement and client experience. As she transitions to a new role at Royal Canin, Paola expresses her excitement for the future of veterinary medicine and the ongoing commitment to world-class care.Paola has held several leadership roles within the Mars Petcare ecosystem, including AniCura P&O head, Vice President for Mars Vet Health International and Diagnostics, and various P&O leadership roles with Mars Global Pet Nutrition and U.S. Pet Nutrition. Before joining Mars, Paola was at Procter & Gamble for 17 years, where she held multiple roles in supply and procurement in Latin America, Europe and North America.Eighteen months ago, Paola's family adopted Zula, a mixed-breed dog from a shelter. She has brought much joy to Paola and her family. This adoption was one of the first success stories of VCA Charities' "Dog Day Out" program. Paola is passionate about finding and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. She believes that every person needs to find their own definition of happiness and, from there, work hard and persevere in pursuing their dreams. She loves traveling, learning about different cultures and experiencing their gastronomy. Paola, her husband and two children have lived in different countries and cities across Latin America, the US and Europe. She loves spending time with family and friends and doing CrossFit. Paola has accepted the position of Vice President, P&O, Royal Canin European Region and joined the Royal Canin team on June 1, 2025. In this enhanced role, Paola will serve as the P&O Business Partner for the Regional President and the leadership team supporting a multi-year transformation of Royal Canin Europe, the home of 2,700 talented Royal Canin Associates across 28 countries and 10business units. She will also own the strategic direction for global Royal Canin Talent, Leadership and OE agenda.Visit our website: vcavoice.comAll episodes produced by dādy creative

Christina Rapsomanikis is VP of Connected Commerce at Mars Petcare. From sales at Unilever to launching her own DTC business and leading digital at Coty and now Mars, Christina has seen the evolution of e-commerce from every angle. She joins us live from Mars' London offices to talk about how digital has moved from the sidelines to the center of FMCG strategy. Tune in to hear about: Christina's career journey across FMCG, beauty, and pet care What “Connected Commerce” really means at Mars Why consumer-centricity is more than a buzzword Building internal alignment with data and tools How leadership has evolved in the hybrid work era The rise of digital as a core FMCG growth engine More Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fmcgguys/   Audio Mixing by Rodrigo Chávez Voice Acting by Jason Martorell Parsekian

Data driven marketing is just like sport for Nikita Kucheryavy - you need to train it, you need to have the right warm-up, and you have to develop good technique to get the most out of it. In this episode, he also shares the benefits of having pursued an international career within Mars Petcare, and tells us why he's picked retail media as a shiny new object.

Senior Research Manager at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Mars Petcare, Dr. Tammie King answers the question, "What is the importance of understanding the human-animal bond to a successful pet industry?"

In this Vet Times Extra podcast, we're delving into the pivotal role that research plays in building our understanding of the human-animal bond. Dr Tammie King, senior research manager, and Dr Vanessa Ashall, human-animal interaction technical leader, are both experts from the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. SPONSORED The Waltham Petcare Science Institute is Mars Petcare's science centre, where their mission is to improve the lives of pets through science, in support of their purpose of creating a better world for pets. Researchers at Waltham have recently launched the Pets and Wellbeing Study programme, known as PAWS. Working in collaboration with leading global academic institutions and experts, the multi-study PAWS programme will explore the relationships between pets and people and the role pets play in well-being across multiple geographies and demographics. Engaging more than 35,000 pet owners across more than 20 countries, this ambitious research programme aims to deepen our understanding of the mutual benefits of the human-animal bond through robust scientific data. Dr Tammie King is a member of the research leadership team at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. Her passion lies in improving dog and cat health through evidence-based knowledge. In fact, Dr King holds a PhD in anthrozoology – the study of human-animal interactions – and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in animal behaviour. Vanessa Ashall is technical lead for the PAWS research programme and is central to defining the research strategy. It's Vanessa who holds responsibility for ensuring the portfolio of projects truly demonstrate Waltham's commitment to robust, innovative and impactful research into the human-animal bond. Vanessa is a European veterinary specialist in animal welfare science, ethics and law, a bioethicist, a social scientist and a cross disciplinary HAI researcher.

As we celebrate National Pet Day, Jim's guest this week on The CMO Podcast is Natalia Ball, the Global Chief Growth Officer of Pet Nutrition at Mars. This is a big business for Mars, Petcare is about 60% of its estimated $50 billion in sales. Mars was founded as a candy company by Frank C. Mars in 1911 in Tacoma Washington; it remains to this day a family-owned business. Mars Petcare brands include Pedigree, Whiskas, Royal Canin and Iams. Natalia has been at Mars Petcare about seven years, and was promoted to Global Chief Growth Officer in April 2024. Before Mars, Natalia spent about 15 years at P&G, starting as a brand manager in Venezuela; her last role at P&G was senior portfolio director in global Laundry. Natalia joined P&G in my early days as P&G's Global Marketing Officer. Tune in for a conversation with a dog-loving, London-living mom of a seven year old, and a chief growth officer!---This week's episode is brought to you by StrawberryFrog and Deloitte. Learn more: https://strawberryfrog.com/jimSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can your pets inspire you and shape the direction of your career? How can practicing abroad open doors? And what personal and professional lessons can you draw from training for and completing an Ironman triathlon?Join Tim Hirsch, General Counsel at Mars Science and Diagnostics, as he talks about making transitions: from practicing law in the EU to practicing in the US; working in-house at huge companies like Mastercard to becoming Head of Legal at Collibra, a ten-person start-up; taking the leap to co-found his own business, DoggyChef; and leveraging that experience in pet care into his current role as GC at one of the biggest names in the industry.Listen as Tim discusses the different expectations on lawyers in the US versus Europe, how to have influence in a huge in-house legal team, what it takes to turn an idea into a company, operating a start-up while working full-time, and much more.Read detailed summary: https://www.spotdraft.com/podcast/episode-92Topics Introduction 0:00 Starting a legal career in Europe: 4:27 Bringing a different perspective to in-house legal: 8:59 Becoming Head of Legal at Collibra: 11:25 Learning business skills on the job: 14:24 Developing the confidence to start a business: 20:02 Co-founding DoggyChef: 21:29 Moving into a GC role at Mars Petcare: 30:08 Switching between large and small organizations: 34:58 Training for an Ironman triathlon: 39:34 Rapid-fire questions: 49:36Connect with us: Tim Hirsch - https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyhirsch/ Tyler Finn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerhfinn SpotDraft - https://www.linkedin.com/company/spotdraftSpotDraft is a leading contract lifecycle management platform that solves your end-to-end contract management issues. Visit https://www.spotdraft.com to learn more.

The CPGGUYS are joined in this episode by NA GM for Mars Pet Nutrition - Alanna McDonald. With brands such as L'Oreal & Procter & Gamble in her background, we knew this would be a solid foundational discussion on ways to think through today's category shaping trends and opportunities. This episode was shot LIVE at New York City at their office.Apply to join the Cornell retail media program https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/marketing/retail-media-strategy/Find Alanna on Linkedin at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanna-mcdonald-bb5b741/Find Mars on Linkedin at : https://www.linkedin.com/company/mars/Find Mars Petcare online at : https://www.mars.com/our-brands/petcareHere's what we asked her : What were some pivotal moments in your career that helped you reach this leadership position?How do you foster innovation through research within a legacy portfolio of brands like at Mars Petcare?How do you think about brand trust and transparency in an age where consumers demand more information about what they feed their pets?What do you see as the biggest trends shaping the omnichannel pet care industry in the next five years?How are data analytics being leveraged in pet nutrition and pet healthcare?With the rise of direct-to-consumer and e-commerce pet brands, how is Mars staying competitive? What role does subscription in home delivery play in this?How do you ensure Mars Petcare remains relevant to both long-time customers and new pet owners?What do you see as the biggest trends shaping the omnichannel pet care industry in the next five years?What's one recent product innovation or business initiative you're particularly proud of?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comCPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.comRhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/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.

In this episode of Petworking, host Peter Kenseth sits down with Cecilia, founder and CEO of BistroCat, to explore how this innovative "Kitty Keurig" is revolutionizing cat care. Launching in November 2025, BistroCat isn't just an automated wet food feeder - it's a comprehensive health monitoring platform that could change how we understand feline health.Discover how BistroCat tracks eating behaviors to detect health issues before they become severe, why the company delayed their launch to incorporate customer feedback, and the surprising data insights that have major pet food brands eager to partner with them. Plus, learn about their acceptance into Mars Petcare's LEAP Venture Studio and their plans for veterinary telehealth integration.As cats have historically been underserved in both veterinary medicine and pet tech, BistroCat represents an important step forward in recognizing cats' unique needs. Use code "PETWORKING" for 40% off when you pre-order with a food subscription!

Mi3’s most read story of 2024 came via an Oxford University marketing scientist’s peer-reviewed paper underlining precisely why not all reach is equal. Based off analysis of 1,000-plus campaigns and a million customer journeys via Kantar and Wavemaker, the data shows optimising for reach alone rarely tallies with business growth. In fact, in almost all cases, per Saïd Business School Associate Professor Felipe Thomaz, it delivers “really mediocre outcomes”. That’s the collective market failure News Australia aims to address – at least the start of it, with ‘Engaged Reach’, which counters the current industry bias for chasing fleeting user volumes for shallow scale. News Australia’s Lou Barrett, Dean La Rosa and Jess Gilby unpack how it’s already working for Mars Petcare, Chemist Warehouse, Inspiring Vacations and Subway, the latter a benchmark win for the publisher in QSR after Subway’s CMO said News Australia’s custom-built, integrated program outplayed the big tech platforms and landed the entire Subway initiative. The “all assets” rollout rapidly notched 3 per cent sales growth after a single campaign for Subway. The trio also underline why News Australia’s partnership with free streaming service Tubi – Barrett aims to rapidly double its monthly audience towards 3 million – means it can map buyer intent signals from the content audiences are reading to the shows they are watching. Plus tell advertisers where their best targets can be found around the clock, what they are interested in and how to engage them to maximise results.News Australia feeds circa 2.5 billion monthly intent signals into its CDP, enabling marketers to target audiences across 7,000 segments, using AI to hit sweet spots that might not be immediately obvious, per La Rosa. “It will forecast, it will understand the size, the scale, the relevance.” As Gilby underlines: “Everyone's got data, but it's about how you use it, how you apply it, and how you can be creative with it … We’re going from efficiently reaching audiences to effectively engaging them.” Somewhere in Oxford, a professor will be nodding in agreement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we sit down with Maia Reed, Global Climate Data Lead at Mars Petcare, to explore how one of the world's largest companies is tackling carbon reduction within agriculture supply chains.What you'll learn:Setting Up Carbon Reduction Projects: Insights into leveraging supplier relationships to overcome implementation challenges.Bridging Data Gaps: Tackling data scarcity with tailored management approaches and grassroots solutions.Balancing Compliance vs. Impact: Navigating the trade-offs between inventory and intervention strategies.Empowering Farmers: Using carbon insights to improve livelihoods and inform sustainable sourcing.Innovation in Action: Embedding sustainability into R&D, with a focus on alternative proteins.

In Episode 7, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom is joined by Matt Stebbings, Petcare D&A Transformation Director at Mars Petcare, where they discuss the importance of the first and last mile in change & transformation, which includes; Transitioning from an engineering and IT background to a growth function at Mars PetcareBeing one of the world's largest family-owned businesses, accounting for 60% of Mars' operationsThe history and significance of Mars' five principles and their role in shaping the company's cultureWhy doing business with a data analytics mindset is critical for shaping the futureUnderstanding the difference between transformation and changeLeveraging growth science to foster loyalty and drive innovationThe ecosystem strategy: using data to combat issues like feline kidney diseaseOvercoming challenges in engaging the business to embrace data-driven mindsetsMaintaining public-facing insights through extensive behind-the-scenes data workDifferentiating between focus and prioritisation to maximise valueEmpowering business leaders within product ownership teamsShifting from traditional data projects to product-oriented working in data analytics and its impact on changeThe evolving role of the CEO and the addition of "D" (data) to their responsibilitiesEstablishing the need for CDO-type functions in modern organisationsTraining and transforming teams to adopt a more data-focused approachEmbedding the D&A team within the growth function to align with business outcomesBalancing the importance of getting both the first and last mile right in data initiativesThanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

Today, I have the privilege of engaging in a fascinating and eye-opening conversation with Dr. Judy Morgan, a renowned figure in the field of veterinary care.  As a certified veterinary acupuncturist, chiropractic owner, and food therapist, Dr. Morgan's expertise extends way beyond traditional allopathic medicine. Although she retired from clinical practice in 2020, her dedication to promoting exceptional veterinary care remains unwavering, both within the United States and abroad.  In our discussion, we dive into the factors contributing to the declining health of our beloved pets, such as the alarming obesity rates affecting 60% of pets in the United States. We also explore the flaws within the pet food industry, including the significant influence of Mars Petcare, a conglomerate that has acquired a substantial portion of the processed food industry.  Our conversation covers a myriad of topics, ranging from the distinctions between rendered and food-grade meat to the complexities surrounding grain-free diets. We touch on the contentious subject of vaccines, explain how to navigate between core and non-core vaccinations, and discuss specific concerns, such as lipomas, tooth care, exercise, and grooming. We also explore the best approaches to selecting flea and tick preventatives and the potential health implications of chemicals and plastics on our pets.  As someone who once contemplated a career in veterinary medicine, it was a true delight to interview Dr. Morgan- especially considering my allergies prevented me from pursuing that path! I encourage you to explore her insightful books and online resources because I am confident you will find them invaluable. Join me in this enlightening discussion that will undoubtedly shed light on essential aspects of pet care and welfare! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why the health of our animals is declining. The difference between feed-grade and food-grade meat or food. How conglomerates are taking over the care of our pets- and not in a good way. Pet food that has Dr. Morgan's stamp of approval. What to look out for when reading the list of ingredients on a bag of pet food. The longest chapter in Dr. Morgan's brand new book, Raising Naturally Healthy Pets, is on vaccines. Dr. Morgan shares her recommendations for navigating flea and tick season. Dr. Morgan talks about lipomas. Why do you need to brush your dog's teeth every day? The problem with ignoring dental disease. Why dogs and cats need to exercise every day. What to look out for if you have to have your pet's anal glands cleaned out all the time. An entire chapter in Dr. Morgan's new book is dedicated to finding a veterinarian who is right for you. Bio: Dr. Judy Morgan: Judy Morgan DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT is a certified veterinary acupuncturist, chiropractitioner, and food therapist. After 36 years, Dr. Morgan retired from clinical practice in 2020. She now focuses on empowering pet parents to provide longer, healthier lives for their pets through educational courses, seminars, blogs, and speaking engagements. Her e-commerce site, Naturally Healthy Pets, provides high-quality products to enrich the lives of animals. She is a best-selling author of four books and has appeared on CNN, PBS, ABC, CBS, NBC, and hundreds of radio shows and podcasts. Her goal is to change the lives of over ten million pets by teaching pet owners worldwide how to minimize the use of chemicals, vaccinations, and poor-quality processed food while using natural healing therapies. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website Connect with Dr. Judy Morgan On her website Facebook and Instagram The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Dr. Morgan's books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or her website.

Sponsored by Antech Diagnostics. Mars Science & Diagnostics, a relatively new division of Mars Petcare, focuses on veterinary diagnostic and scientific research. Its vision aligns well with legacy brand, Antech, in helping veterinary professionals predict, diagnose, and monitor wellness or disease using science, data, and technology, so pets can live their healthiest lives. Learning Objectives: Learn how Antech's KeyScreen® test harnesses PCR testing. Hear how the Antech Imaging Services® RapidRead™ test complements the expertise of veterinarians by harnessing artificial intelligence to provide rapid imaging solutions.   Understand what makes the Nu.Q® Canine Cancer Test so attractive in monitoring the wellness of high-risk breeds and senior dogs.

In this episode, host Farzana Baduel sits down with trailblazing PR consultant and advocate Ishtar Schneider, whose career spans continents, industries, and pioneering initiatives. Ishtar shares her journey from an ambitious intern at Edelman Australia to an established leader in public relations, with expertise in healthcare and a deep commitment to mental health, gender equity, and diversity. Now a global health PR consultant, Ishtar has championed purpose-driven projects, including Mars Petcare's campaign to make Australia more pet-friendly, and has developed Australia's first-ever online Certificate in Healthcare PR.Through dynamic storytelling and practical insights, Ishtar reflects on her global perspective in PR, her ongoing work to support women in the industry, and her role as Chair of the PRCA Equity Inclusion Advisory Board. Additionally, she has served as Co-Chair of PRCA Health Group and is a decorated leader recognised by the PRCA, Aspen Rising Leaders, and others. From PRWeek's Health & Pharma accolades to B&T's 30 Under 30, Ishtar's story is one of resilience, creativity, and impactful change. This episode is for listeners who aspire to build inclusive, globally-minded PR careers that empower both clients and communities. Join Farzana and Ishtar for a conversation that is as insightful as it is inspiring, exploring what it means to lead with purpose in today's PR landscape. Connect with Ishtar Schneider: LinkedIn: Ishtar Schneider Twitter: @ishtar413 Follow Farzana on Social Media: Twitter & Instagram: @FarzanaBaduelExecutive Producer: David Olajide - david@curzonpr.com Podcast Manager and Editor: Ikechukwu Mgbenwelu - ike.mgbenwelu@prca.org.ukDisclaimer: Views expressed by the guest are their own and not necessarily endorsed by the Fuse podcast.

In this Vet Times Extra podcast, we discuss innovations in testing and diagnostics with Mars Science and Diagnostics' chief medical officer Jimmy Barr – including what Antech has planned in the future.

Jacci Weber, Team Lead, Pet Parent Insights at Mars Petcare & Co-Founder of the Insights Career Network, discusses the exciting parts of tech and its role in market research, her experience leading AI initiatives, the impact an insights professional should have and her passion for spreading pet parent centricity. 

“Further, Faster.” Rachel Shepphard, Director of Ventures for Mars Pet Care, shares how the Leap Venture Studio & Academy ignites impactful growth for pet care startups.7 out of 10 US households have a pet, with 97% considering the pet a part of the family - which explains the $320+ billion global pet care market (predicted to get to $500bn by 2030). In this episode, we discuss the future of pet care, exciting startups, and new technologies, as well as how to find adjacent and emerging opportunities and the value of holding frameworks lightly in the fast-moving world of innovation.

The world of flavours is relatively small, so there are just few iconic personalities. One of them is undoubtedly Andy Taylor. After 32 successful years at the University of Nottingham, where he pioneered the study of flavour release from food, he changed career direction in 2010 to found a spin-out company, Flavometrix. He then joined Mars Petcare where he worked for 6 years. Andy currently works with a number of companies to help develop flavour research strategies and to mentor younger researchers in planning and managing their research projects. His association with the University of Nottingham continues through his role as Emeritus Professor, where he works on an ad hoc basis to support and develop younger researchers and is one of the key people organising the key flavour research event: Weurman Symposium. Host: Trevor Groome, Music: Aidan Kirkwood, Editing: Mark Millward, Publishing: Ján Peťka © 2024 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Society of Flavourists⁠

This week, Shawn Wilkie and Dr. Ivan Zak chat with Dr. James Barr, Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare's Science & Diagnostics division, about the challenges and strategies of prioritizing innovation within a large organization. Dr. Barr discusses the impact of AI and other advanced technologies in veterinary diagnostics and care.   Discover the leadership practices with Simon Sinek's TED Talk. Dr. James Barr recommends “Crucial Conversations” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler.

We're joined this week by Corey Ritenour, current Sr. Director Transportation and interim Head of Supply Chain for Lindt & Sprungli, one of the premier chocolate manufacturers in the country. Corey comes to the table with 20 years of industry experience, all working for large, established manufacturers. He began his career at the ground level at Conagra working as a Transportation Planner, working his way up and across various roles as he moved on to PepsiCo, Smurfit Stone, and Mars PetCare before establishing himself for 5 years at Dairy Farmers of America. He has now spent the last 5 years in his current role with Lindt. This wide breadth of transportation experience makes for a riveting conversation that any supply chain professional can learn from. He provides advice and insights that he gathered from his time at each of these great companies.We spend time doing deep dives into Dairy Farmers of America and Lindt & Sprungli, two very unique organizations, one owned by farmers, the other representing a shared services model across three chocolate companies. The nuances from these experiences and depth provided make for quality conversation and valuable learnings for listeners.We pivot from there to Corey's perspective on brokers and carriers pursuing his business. He gives us an inside look to his role, the challenges he faces on a day-to-day basis, and the "do's and don'ts" for prospective partners. We get into a market cycle conversation as well, looking at the last four years, from the highest of highs during Covid, to the lowest of lows brought on the last two years in the aftermath. End to end, this episode is filled with great nuggets of information thanks to Corey's decades of experience and wisdom shared. ***Episode brought to you by Rapido Solutions Group. I had the pleasure of working with Danny Frisco and Roberto Icaza at Coyote, as well as being a client of theirs more recently at MoLo. Their team does a great job supplying nearshore talent to brokers, carriers, and technology providers to handle any role necessary, be it customer or carrier support, back office, or tech services.***

Hello there!In this roundtable episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Dr. Gail Kuhlman, Dr. Kate Shoveller and Dr. Julia Pezzali discuss the generational perspectives and evolving roles of women in the pet food industry. The conversation spans their unique academic and professional journeys, highlighting the impact of technological advancements and changing workplace dynamics. Tune in to gain insights from three generations of female leaders in pet food science. Listen now on your favorite platform."The internet has reshaped how we access information, making research and learning more efficient."Meet the guest: Dr. Gail Kuhlman, a retired Technical Fellow in Companion Animal Nutrition, boasts over 30 years of experience with leading companies like Mars Petcare and Procter & Gamble. She holds a PhD in Animal Nutrition/Immunobiology from Iowa State University and has been instrumental in pet food formulation and nutrition research. Meet our hosts: Dr. Julia Pezzali, an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University and Pet Food Program Director, specializes in companion animal nutrition and pet food processing. She earned her DVM from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and her PhD in Animal Biosciences from the University of Guelph. Dr. Anna Kate Shoveller earned her B.Sc. in Animal Biology from the University of Guelph and her Ph.D. in Nutrition and Metabolism from the University of Alberta. She is now a Professor at the University of Guelph, focusing on comparative nutrition, amino acid metabolism, and macronutrient partitioning in various species.What will you learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:32) Introduction(05:36) Generation traits(09:52) Face-to-face communication(13:32) Technology impact(22:22) Mentor relationships(30:52) Women in the pet food(38:15) Final QuestionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Trouw Nutrition* Kemin- Alura- ICC- ProAmpac- ADM- Biorigin- Innovafeed- EW Nutrition- Scoular- CorbionAre you ready to unleash the podcasting potential of your company?

What responsibility do global businesses have in conserving our oceans? In this episode, Johan is joined by Marika McCauley-Sine, Chief Sustainability Officer for Mars Petcare, WWF partner and the first global pet food company to publicly commit to sustainable seafood sourcing over 15 years ago. They discuss the challenges of responsible fish sourcing (3:22), Mars's endeavors in coral reef restoration (6:51), and the importance of leadership in cross-sector collaboration to engage consumers on environmental conservation efforts (11:30). Links for More Info: Marika McCauley-Sine bio Mars Sheba - Hope Reef Documentary  

On the final day of Cannes Lions, WARC's Ann Marie Kerwin discusses marketing's relevancy problem with Najoh Tita-Reid and Leonid Sudakov from Mars Petcare. McCann's Grand Effie winner, Jamie Peate shares insights on why humour is back. Finally, WARC's David Tiltman share his highlights from the Creative Impact track.

This week: Mars Petcare's chief sustainability officer, Marika McCauley Sine, provides some reflection on the future of food and beverage, speaking at Innovation Forum's recent conference in Amsterdam with Ian Welsh. They talk about the importance of absolute reduction and understanding carbon and biodiversity impacts as regenerative agriculture is put into practice.   Plus: Innovation Forum's Catie Ball shares further updates about the upcoming sustainable apparel and textiles conference taking place in New York on 25th-26th June. Register now and save $200 on your conference passes, click here for more information.

Hello there,Discover how probiotics offer groundbreaking strategies to boost pet well-being in the pet food industry. In this episode of The Pet Food Podcast Show, Dr. Marcial Guevara unravels the significant benefits of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics for pet health. His expertise illuminates the positive impact of these components on gut health and overall pet wellness, introducing forward-thinking approaches to pet care. Listen to this episode on major platforms for key insights into enhancing your pet's health with sophisticated nutritional strategies."The initial thought when we think about probiotics is the gut, but the more we look into it, we know that giving probiotics can impact immune health and cognitive health." - Dr. Marcial GuevaraMeet the guest: Dr. Marcial Guevara is a leading Companion Animal Nutritionist and Veterinarian, currently serving as the Global Senior Technical Product Manager Pet at Novonesis. With a rich background that includes roles at Chr. Hansen and Mars Petcare, Dr. Guevara's work focuses on advancing the health of pets through probiotics, research, and education. With a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, his expertise lies in improving pet well-being by optimizing nutritional strategies.What you'll see:(00:00) Highlight(01:13) Introduction(11:41) The Evolution of Dietary Fibers' Understanding(15:13) Impact of Diet on Gut Microbiome and Health(31:38) Challenges in Maintaining Probiotic Viability(37:00) Safety and Regulation of Probiotics in Pet Food(40:17) Future Trends in Probiotic Research(45:13) The final questionsThe Pet Food Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Trouw Nutrition* Kemin- ADM- Innovafeed- ProAmpac- ICCAre you ready to unleash the podcasting potential of your company? wisenetix.co/custom-podcast

In this VetFolio Voice podcast episode, Dr. Cassi chats with Dr. Matt Panasevich and Dr. Tiffany Bierer from Mars Petcare about the science-based approach to the traditional GREENIES Dental Treats and Pill Pockets™ products, and how it applies to the nutrition philosophy of their newest launches of GREENIES SMART ESSENTIALS™ dry dog food and SMART TOPPER meal complement for adult dogs. They delve into the ingredients and nutrition philosophy of these diets, the health benefits they focus on, and what makes them unique for pet owners to consider as a viable option for their adult dogs.

A love of food, creative scientist Jake Brown, PhD, found a way to combine his educational background with his long-term interests, now serving as a Product Development Scientist with Mars Petcare. 

In the previous episode of Petworking, Daryl Hatton and I delved into the difficult topic of financial euthanasia and its role in the increasing compassion fatigue among veterinarians. We highlighted the alarming mental health crisis in the veterinary field, underscored by a high suicide rate and the startling statistic from Royal Canin that 70% of veterinarians have known a colleague or peer who died by suicide. Mars Petcare's projection of a 41,000 veterinarian shortage in the U.S. by 2030 due to burnout and exit from the profession paints a grim picture. This week, we shift focus to another significant challenge in veterinary medicine: non-compete agreements. Joining us is Paul Diaz, founder of Offer First, and my college friend and legal expert, Henry Whitehead. They bring a blend of personal experience and legal insight into the impacts of non-competes on veterinarians' careers and mental health. Our discussion covers the legal nuances, emotional toll, economic consequences, and ethical considerations of these agreements, especially in light of the FTC's anticipated vote on banning such clauses in employment agreements by 2024. With Henry's legal expertise, we discussed the following aspects of non-compete agreements, both in the veterinary profession, and in general. Why the enforceability of non-compete agreements is highly dependent on state law and specific circumstances Employer motivation for utilizing non-compete agreements, and alternative methods for protecting business interests while ensuring better care for animals and improved working conditions for veterinarians The emotional health impacts on those subjected to non-compete agreements and the potential for limiting career mobility The economic impacts of non-compete agreements, specifically with respect to depressing veterinary wages The financial risk associated with defending against a non-compete lawsuit, and why it's generally more cost-effective to hire a lawyer for front-end contract negotiation. Non-competes might not always be enforceable, but the risk and expense of defending against them can be significant The relationship between the projected shortage of veterinarians and the use of non-compete agreements. At a time when pet parents' access to veterinary care is severely limited, is it ethical to limit veterinarians' ability to practice for the sake of preserving business interests? Why some leading veterinary businesses have abandoned the use of non-competes, and whether we could see this model replicated in the near future, not withstanding the fact that the FTC is expected to vote on a rule to ban non-compete clauses in employment agreements in April 2024

Join us in listening to Kyle Mayton and Jacci Weber talking about Marketing Resarch after the MSMR program. Jacci talks to Kyle about his work after graduating from the MSMR Program and his job as an Associate Account Director at QualSights!    

SuperZoo has become an annual August tradition for me. Despite the fact that it tends to coincide with my birthday, I love the networking and trendspotting, the chance to see new product launches, to meet new people, and reconnect with old friends. And as each year passes, the number of people I'm reconnecting with at SuperZoo continues to grow. This year was special for me, as it represented the first time I'd attended SuperZoo since launching Petworking in April. I have to say, I was humbled by the positive response I received from nearly everyone at the show. I wanted to post a compilation of the highlights and conversations that I managed to record during the show. In this week's episode of Petworking, you can check out: At SuperZoo 2023, manufacturers such as Instinct, Primal Pet Foods, and Stella & Chewy's talking about the benefits of adding even 20% of raw, freeze-dried, or gently cooked foods to your pet's diet.I spoke with Dr. James Templeman, Director of Nutrition at Primal Pet Foods , and he noted that the nutritional differences between raw, freeze-dried, or gently-cooked are minuscule. Dr. Templeman will be joining me on an upcoming episode, where we'll get into a deeper discussion of pet nutrition, and how these foods can benefit your pet. Mars Petcare unveiled a line extension for Greenies, which expanded into the pet nutrition space, with the launch of a dry food in 5 SKUs, along with 4 formulations of toppers. One of the launches I was most excited about at SuperZoo was Naavi Pet, a slow-roasted food option that seeks to combine the convenience of freeze-dried raw with the visual appeal of fresh/gently-cooked diets.As much as consumers have gravitated towards fresh/frozen gently-cooked diets, there are consumer concerns around convenience with these food forms, and it's left me wondering if a move towards shelf-stable fresh diets represents the next big trend in the pet nutrition space.I chatted with Sarah Hubler about Naavi Pet, which you can find in your local independent pet store. Supplements continue to be an area of growth in the pet industry. We saw an NAD+ supplement launch from Zesty Paws, which follows Leap Years® into the NAD+ space. Leap Years® was launched by Animal Bioscience earlier this year, and founders Nick Sinclair and Ginny Rentko appeared on the first episode of Petworking. I also had a chance to catch up with Dan Horner, VP of Sales at Pet Honesty, and talk about the company's amazing growth, which he said surpasses the growth he witnessed earlier in his career at FreshPet. Finally, Chad Stuart, Western Director of Sales at Halo, talked about how he did a 90-day trial of Halo Elevate with his dog Charlie, before joining the company. SuperZoo was a great 3 days, and I can't wait to dive further into these topics on future episodes of Petworking.

Thank you for listening to Brown Mama Bear hosted by Shanera Williamson.  Today on the show, Shanera welcomes Travis Lester, senior manager of diversity and inclusion of Mars Petcare.     Mars Corporation website   Black History Month article on Mars website   Connect with Travis Lester: LinkedIn   Connect with Shanera and Brown Mama Bear: Facebook, Instagram, Website   Make sure you share Brown Mama Bear with at least 3 friends so you have someone to talk with about these things.  

Vet Life Reimagined guest, Dr. Aletha Carson, will help us embrace technology's frontier in veterinary medicine. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of technology in veterinary medicine. Dr. Aletha Carson is the Senior Manager of Data and Clinical Studies at Mars Petcare and is at the forefront of innovative technological advancements in the field.After vet school, Dr, Carson became an equine veterinarian, where she later transitioned to small animal practice at Banfield, a Mars veterinary hospital.   Eventually, she found her way to a Mars Petcare IT team helping develop Whistle, a pet activity monitor, as a veterinary diagnostic tool.In this episode, you will learn about veterinary careers can take you to numerous placesa groundbreaking initiative that seeks to revolutionize the way we care for pets using data and technologywhat to know about technology in veterinary medicineResources:Whistle & the Pet Insight ProjectEpisode on YouTube (a fun one to watch!)Watson, the Jeopardy-playing IBM computer**PSA** Thank you for being a listener! If you listen on the Stitcher platform, this app will be discontinued on August 29th. There are many other great podcast platforms like Podopolo (you can use my referral code megansprinkle), Podbean, Overcast, Spotify, and more. Support the showMore Vet Life Reimagined?

In the latest episode we dive into what makes successful marketing when using AI - automation with human curation, according to our guest Jeric Griffin, Performance Marketing Manager at Mars Petcare. Find out why extreme automation kills the quality of your marketing outputs, how to avoid this with human curation, and a key difference for creative effectiveness: automation vs. optimisation. Hear how Mars works with Automated Creative to improve creative effectiveness and find out Jeric's top marketing tip and his best investment so far.

In 2020, the Mars Petcare leadership team found themselves facing critically important inclusion and diversity issues. Unprecedented protests for racial justice in the U.S. and across the globe generated demand for substantive change, and Mars Petcare's 100,000 employees across six continents were ready for visible signs of progress. How should Mars' leadership build on their existing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and effectively capitalize on the new energy for change?

Today, I have the privilege of engaging in a fascinating and eye-opening conversation with Dr. Judy Morgan, a renowned figure in the field of veterinary care.  As a certified veterinary acupuncturist, chiropractic owner, and food therapist, Dr. Morgan's expertise extends way beyond traditional allopathic medicine. Although she retired from clinical practice in 2020, her dedication to promoting exceptional veterinary care remains unwavering, both within the United States and abroad.  In our discussion, we dive into the factors contributing to the declining health of our beloved pets, such as the alarming obesity rates affecting 60% of pets in the United States. We also explore the flaws within the pet food industry, including the significant influence of Mars Petcare, a conglomerate that has acquired a substantial portion of the processed food industry.  Our conversation covers a myriad of topics, ranging from the distinctions between rendered and food-grade meat to the complexities surrounding grain-free diets. We touch on the contentious subject of vaccines, explain how to navigate between core and non-core vaccinations, and discuss specific concerns, such as lipomas, tooth care, exercise, and grooming. We also explore the best approaches to selecting flea and tick preventatives and the potential health implications of chemicals and plastics on our pets.  As someone who once contemplated a career in veterinary medicine, it was a true delight to interview Dr. Morgan- especially considering my allergies prevented me from pursuing that path! I encourage you to explore her insightful books and online resources because I am confident you will find them invaluable. Join me in this enlightening discussion that will undoubtedly shed light on essential aspects of pet care and welfare! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why the health of our animals is declining. The difference between feed-grade and food-grade meat or food. How conglomerates are taking over the care of our pets- and not in a good way. Pet food that has Dr. Morgan's stamp of approval. What to look out for when reading the list of ingredients on a bag of pet food. The longest chapter in Dr. Morgan's brand new book, Raising Naturally Healthy Pets, is on vaccines. Dr. Morgan shares her recommendations for navigating flea and tick season. Dr. Morgan talks about lipomas. Why do you need to brush your dog's teeth every day? The problem with ignoring dental disease. Why dogs and cats need to exercise every day. What to look out for if you have to have your pet's anal glands cleaned out all the time. An entire chapter in Dr. Morgan's new book is dedicated to finding a veterinarian who is right for you. Bio: Dr. Judy Morgan: Judy Morgan DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT is a certified veterinary acupuncturist, chiropractitioner, and food therapist. After 36 years, Dr. Morgan retired from clinical practice in 2020. She now focuses on empowering pet parents to provide longer, healthier lives for their pets through educational courses, seminars, blogs, and speaking engagements. Her e-commerce site, Naturally Healthy Pets, provides high-quality products to enrich the lives of animals. She is a best-selling author of four books and has appeared on CNN, PBS, ABC, CBS, NBC, and hundreds of radio shows and podcasts. Her goal is to change the lives of over ten million pets by teaching pet owners worldwide how to minimize the use of chemicals, vaccinations, and poor-quality processed food while using natural healing therapies. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia's website Connect with Dr. Judy Morgan On her website On Facebook and Instagram The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Dr. Morgan's books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or her website.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more and more prevalent in today's society; in everything rom art to search engines, it's trending in almost every circle. But how should be we view it in regards to our online business? Will it help or hurt us? Should we embrace it or avoid it? In this episode, I cover how business owners area currently using it to help (or hurt) their stores. Here is the Mars Petcare news article I promised in the show. Watch this episode on YoutubeContact Us on InstagramContact Tony on TwitterEmail us at podcast@privy.comTry Privy for FREE Today

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) meets annually to offer continuing education for horse vets worldwide. They meet in a major American city every autumn (this year is in San Antonio, TX); however, they also offer a virtual meeting for practitioners who cannot attend. That appeals to me as November and December are my busiest months as my clients get ready for their show season. Why do I attend this meeting? The answer is to collect my credits for maintaining my veterinary licenses. It is also my way of conveying to horse owners listening to this podcast an interpretation of the information my colleagues are receiving from the "experts." I listen to what is said, but I also listen to what they don't say. In this episode, I review a recommended paper by the prime speaker of this conference called "Review of Considerations When Feeding the Equid with Insulin Dysregulation" by Dr. Pat Harris. It is an interesting paper that states six things horse owners can do for horses with ID (insulin dysregulation). I agree with some of the recommendations, especially when it suggests that owners should not feed "cereal grains" to horses with ID. I further say that no horse should be fed grain to PREVENT ID. But what was not surprising to me was at the end of the paper, the author states that s/he works for Mars Petcare. This relationship means that the information is biased toward the company's interests. Also, there was never any mention of protein, which I consider an important factor in ID. Thank you for listening and forwarding this to other horse owners.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Michael Graber, Managing Partner of Epic Pivot, who shares his story of growing up in Memphis, Tennessee with both mother and father being entrepreneurs and being surrounded by the musical influences of the city, and how those experiences helped shape his future. During the interview, Michael talks about his work and efforts with Epic Pivot, a transformation, insights, innovation, and strategy boutique on a mission to make business a force of good in the world. He talks about their process, why the transformation to being purpose-driven is so important, and how it can drive new levels of growth for both the organization and the community. The interview covers important trends, Conscious Capitalism, lessons learned, advice for entrepreneurs, and much more.  Visit www.epicpivot.com to learn more. About Michael Graber: Michael Graber is the founder and managing partner of Epic Pivot, a transformation, insights, innovation, and strategy boutique in Memphis. Michael has years of experience advising more than 250 top companies and non-profits, including Cardinal Health, Arrow, FedEx, ServiceMaster, Mars PetCare, St. Jude, Jack Nicklaus, and others. Pragmatic, edgy, globally inspiring, and yet infused with Southern charm, Michael's style resonates with a wide range of audiences. A well-established author of multiple books and hundreds of published articles, when not working, you can find Michael playing music around his native Memphis, TN.

This week, Rachel Sheppard, Director of Ventures at Mars Petcare, joins Nadia & Rob to share how founders can take full advantage of an accelerator or incubator experience and offers her observations and insights on systemic bias in the entrepreneurial space and suggests ways to mitigate that bias. Hosted by Nadia Butt & Rob Hadley Inclusive Collective is a production of Rifelion Media. For more information email us at info@rifelion.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Nothing can teach you more than your failures. Your struggles are where you're growing the most.” Ikdeep Singh is Mars Petcare's President of North America, responsible for iconic brands such as Pedigree, Iams, Cesar, and Sheba — and driving the company's purpose of “A better world for pets.” Prior to Mars, Ikdeep served as the President at the L'Oréal Group, and he started his career at P&G P&G, where he worked across Canada, the US, UK, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China for 14 years in Beauty Care, Baby Care and Grooming. Recognized on Forbes' inaugural “CEO Next” list, Ikdeep had humble beginnings in rural India. He studied Industrial Engineering at Dalhousie University, and received an MBA from The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania where Ikdeep serves on the advisory board for Wharton's Baker Retail Center. Ikdeep and his family of 4 are avid travelers and “gastro-tourists” who go in search of some of the world's most delicious places to eat. You'll enjoy this thoughtful conversation about slowing down to reflect and learn — because with hard work, and some lucky breaks, we can find a path we love, collaborating with others to win, together.

Women's history month comes to a close with Jess Hauff, General Manager of ECommerce for Mars Petcare. Follow along with her journey from being the daughter of a parent who worked for NASA, being a college athlete, becoming the wife of a professional athlete and her professional path to being a corporate executive. Hit the subscribe button for new episodes every Monday at 8 AM!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women's history month comes to a close with Jess Hauff, General Manager of ECommerce for Mars Petcare. Follow along with her journey from being the daughter of a parent who worked for NASA, being a college athlete, becoming the wife of a professional athlete and her professional path to being a corporate executive. Hit the subscribe button for new episodes every Monday at 8 AM! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sophie Lavallée, M.Sc., Agronomist Sophie has a Master's degree in Animal Science / Monogastric nutrition and B.Sc Animal Science at McGill University She is an innovative pet nutrition expert with proven skills in research and development with more than 22 years of experience with the last 8 years dedicated exclusively to developing new complete and balanced diets for cats and dogs. Sophie's business focus is on launching new products and participating in the improvement of existing brands. David Primrose A food technologist by training, Synergy Petfood Managing Director David Primrose also has an MSc in Food Safety Management and over 40 years experience in the global pet food industry. This has enabled him to develop an extensive knowledge of pet food science and technology combined with food safety management. In a 27-year career in Mars Petcare, he worked in diverse areas including Research and Development, materials quality and development, and process development. Through global supplier quality assurance responsibilities, he developed an extensive knowledge of petfood raw materials quality, safety, and functionality. *The views, information, or opinions expressed during The Petropolist podcast or youtube video series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the host or the employees of The Petropolist. The primary purpose of this show is to educate and inform. This show does not constitute medical or other professional advice or services. Please contact a medical professional/veterinarian for all questions regarding the health of your pet. The Petropolist show and podcast are available for private non-commercial use only. You may not edit, modify or re-distribute this show.* --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tazz-thepetropolist/message

What's up everybody! Thanks for tuning in to  "Hey Kids... this is Titans Talk with Cason"... a really official Tennessee Titans podcast. 

Ryan Levy syncs up with Scott Lyle, Head of the Pet Insight Project at Kinship (a division of Mars Petcare) to discuss how we can use data and data science to create a better world for pets and much, much more!