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Frank Cappelleri, Founder and President, CappThesis shares why he is keeping a close eye on stocks such as Coinbase, Mondelez International, AT&T, The Williams Companies and Krogers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. A Chicago-based snack company says consumers appear to be prioritizing essentials over cookies, crackers and other snacks. Mondelez International says it saw slower growth in the latest quarter and blames consumer worries about inflation and the economy. Mondelez is the owner […]
How much electricity will AI need? To train AI models companies use graphics processing units, also known as GPUs. They are now starting to build larger clusters of GPUs, which requires even more electricity. How much electricity you may ask? AI data centers use about 30 Megawatts of electricity at a time. If you don't understand megawatts, let's just say it's a lot of power. Picture 30 Walmart stores and how much electricity they use at any given time, that is estimated at 30 megawatts. Fast forward five years into the future when there will be more data centers and larger AI models. It is estimated they will require 5 gigawatts of electricity. 5 gigawatts is a huge amount of energy, it is about the same amount of energy needed to power a city like Manhattan in New York. Also, a big concern is within the next five years these massive data centers could consume up to 17% of US electricity. You may be thinking just build more power plants. The problem is data centers can be completed within 18 to 24 months, but to build a power plant can take over three years and that's provided all permits and regulations are met on time. There's also the concern of how do you get that energy to the data centers, you're going to need more transmission lines, but that can take 10 years or longer to get that task completed. Wind and solar are not the answer because data centers need power 24 hours seven days a week and when the sun goes down or the wind stops, there's no power. I see some roadblocks ahead with fast moving AI, maybe we need to slow down a little bit? Mag Seven capital expenditures could be a big problem! The Mag Seven, which includes Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, and Tesla has been a group that has dominated the stock market the last couple of years. Much of the excitement around the stocks have been tied to advancements in AI, but there has still been little evidence these companies (outside of Nvidia) have been able to profit from the trend. A major concern I have is these companies are investing tons of money and the big question is how profitable will these investments be? It is estimated Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta will spend $200 billion on artificial intelligence this year alone and their budgets have continued to grow. If we look at total capital expenditures, also known as capex, the budgets have grown immensely for many of these companies. Amazon is projected to spend around $105 billion on capital expenditures in 2025, up 27% from 2024, which came after a 57% increase over 2023. Microsoft has guided to $80 billion in capex for its fiscal 2025, up 80% from 2024, which was up 58% from the year before. Alphabet estimated capex of $75 billion in 2025, up 43% from 2023, which was up 63% from 2022. Meta has a forecast of $60 billion to $65 billion of capex in 2025, up 68% at the midpoint from 2024, which was up by 37% from the year before. The big problem with major capex is investors won't see much of a difference in earnings, but there will be major hits to free cashflow. Capex is generally expensed or depreciated over time, which means it won't hit earnings in a major way initially, but it could weigh on earnings growth over time as that expense remains for years to come and potentially grows if capex budgets continue to climb. As an example, Meta is projected to see $68 billion of net income this year, but free cash flow could slide 25% to $40 billion. Investments of this magnitude need to pay off, especially considering the high valuations for these stocks. Time will tell if these investments work out for all these companies, but I must say I'm skeptical they will all be winners from this movement 5-10 years from now. Investors need to look at the full picture and understand all the moving parts, which includes how all the financial statements work together. At our firm we don't just look at earnings, we also want to see good cash flow and a strong balance sheet. Producer Prices come in hotter than expected The Producer Price Index, also known as the PPI, showed prices in January climbed 0.4% compared to last month. This topped the expectation of 0.3% and led to an annual increase of 3.5%. Core PPI, which excludes food and energy, produced an annual gain of 3.4%, which was lower than last month's reading of 3.5%. While these data points were a little hotter than expected, economists now have inputs to estimate the closely followed PCE report. It is interesting that after the release of the CPI and PPI, which were both higher than expected, estimates for core PCE actually look quite favorable. On a monthly basis core PCE is expected to show a 0.22% increase, which would be a nice deceleration from December's reading of 0.45% and on annual basis estimates are looking for a reasonable 2.5% increase. We will have to see what the actual results look like for the PCE later this month, but with these reports now in hand I continue to believe that while inflation is not at the Fed target, I still don't see it as a major problem. The True Cost of Credit Card Interest Everyone knows that paying credit card interest is a bad thing, but it's less well known how that interest is accrued. Interest is calculated using an average daily balance method, which means every single purchase begins accruing interest immediately. Purchases made on a credit card throughout a monthly statement period increase the outstanding balance. After a month of spending, if the full statement balance is paid by the due date, which is generally 20 to 25 days after the statement period ends, no interest will be due, even though it was accruing during that time. This is known as the grace period which is essentially an interest-free loan on those purchases. For example, if you spend a total of $5,000 through a statement period during January, you will not need to make a $5,000 payment until the end of February to avoid any interest. However, if you do not make that full payment by the due date in February, your grace period is void and you will owe accrued interest from the date those purchases were made in January, not from the due date in February. Also, any additional purchases made in February and afterward begin accruing interest immediately without a grace period, even though those statement periods have not ended yet. Since interest is calculated using the average daily balance method, the unpaid balance and interest compounds on itself making it more and more difficult to pay off. Credit cards have a monthly minimum payment, which is usually $25 to $50 dollars, which paying prevents a mark on your credit report, but it does not stop interest from accruing. Credit cards can be a great tool as they can give you points and fraud protection, but those benefits are greatly outweighed when a balance is being carried. Companies Discussed: Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR), Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE), Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ) & Phillips 66 (PSX)
MONEY FM 89.3 - Prime Time with Howie Lim, Bernard Lim & Finance Presenter JP Ong
Singapore stocks began the day trading in positive territory, even as markets abroad experienced mixed results overnight. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) had risen 0.6 per cent to 3,817.67 points after 67.5 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have DBS, after the local bank announced yesterday that it has appointed Han Kwee Juan as head of institutional banking with effect from Jan 1, 2025. Elsewhere, from more on how China’s top leaders plan to loosen monetary policy and expand fiscal spending in 2025, to crypto volatility picking up – more international headlines remain in focus. Also on deck – all about chocolates to satisfy your sweet tooth, given how Mondelez International is reportedly exploring an acquisition of Hershey. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments of the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Plus: T-Mobile shares drop after CEO Mike Sievert warned fourth-quarter subscriber figures could be underwhelming. Hershey's shares rise following a report that Mondelez International approached the chocolate maker about a potential tie-up. J.R. Whalen reports. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A look at the busy week ahead on Wall Street, the New York Mets sign Juan Soto for a record-breaking 765 million dollars and Chicago's Mondelez International eyes a take over of chocolate giant Hershey.
A look at the busy week ahead on Wall Street, the New York Mets sign Juan Soto for a record-breaking 765 million dollars and Chicago's Mondelez International eyes a take over of chocolate giant Hershey.
A look at the busy week ahead on Wall Street, the New York Mets sign Juan Soto for a record-breaking 765 million dollars and Chicago's Mondelez International eyes a take over of chocolate giant Hershey.
A look at the busy week ahead on Wall Street, the New York Mets sign Juan Soto for a record-breaking 765 million dollars and Chicago's Mondelez International eyes a take over of chocolate giant Hershey.
The United States has imposed new export restrictions on 140 Chinese companies to curb advancements in semiconductors, particularly in AI and military applications, potentially disrupting the global supply chain and increasing costs across industries. This move has sparked criticism from China's Commerce Ministry and highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions. Google's AI video generator, Veo, will soon be available for private preview on Google Cloud's Vertex AI, enabling clients like Quora and Mondelez International to create high-definition video content. Google is addressing ethical and legal concerns related to AI-generated content and intellectual property rights. Vishnu Mohandas, after leaving Google over privacy concerns, created Ente, a secure, end-to-end encrypted photo storage service prioritizing user privacy. Ente has gained over 100,000 users, offering a trustworthy alternative for those concerned about data security. Alfonso Cobo launched Hypelist, an app transforming traditional list-making into a visually appealing and user-friendly experience, integrating AI chatbots for personalized recommendations and fostering community collaboration. OpenAI has appointed Kate Rouch as its first Chief Marketing Officer to enhance brand recognition and trust, focusing on promoting capabilities, ensuring ethical leadership, and leveraging strategic partnerships. Britain's National Cyber Security Centre reports a 16% rise in cyber incidents in 2024, with increasing sophistication of attacks leveraging AI, prompting advanced defense strategies and international collaborations. Clarifai launched a vendor-agnostic AI life cycle platform to revolutionize the orchestration, management, and optimization of computational resources for enterprise and government customers, marking a shift to more commercially viable and ethically sound AI applications.
Who got rich during the Gold Rush? But can the popular business narrative that “more millionaires were created by those who sold mining supplies than the diggers themselves” also apply to the growing functional snack category? Well…it seems the multinational food conglomerate behind iconic snack brands like Oreo and Sour Patch Kids is testing that theory. In exchange for shutting down its startup brand accelerators, Mondelez International has launched SnackFutures Ventures…that will invest in “disruptor” supply-side companies. And this new corporate venture capital arm has already invested in two startups…a cellular agriculture company focusing on cocoa and food technology company that utilizes ultrasonic energy to create minimally processed no-added sugar snacks. By supporting the “picks and shovels” that make functional snacks better, Mondelez International gets early insights into innovation that could result in future competitive advantages. FOLLOW ME ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS LINKEDIN YOUTUBE TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/joshua-schall/support
ABOUT TARA HAASE HIEMINGA:LINKEDIN PROFILE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-haase-hieminga-48124621/TARA'S BIO:Tara Haase Hieminga is the Elevated Shopper Experience Global Lead at Mondelez International. With more than 12 years at Mondelez he has previously held roles such as Senior Manager Shopper Marketing & In-Store Merchandising, Sr. Manager Design & Digital Engagement. Prior to Mondelez, Tara was at Kraft Food Group as the Design Strategy Leader and before that, she worked for Mars as the Brand Manager, Candy and In-Store Marketing Manager for Snackfoods.SHOW INTRO:Welcome to the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast.EPISODE 72… and my conversation with Tara Haase Hieminga. On the podacast our dynamic dialogues based on our acronym DATA - design, architecture, technology, and the arts crosses over disciplines but maintains a common thread of people who are passionate about the world we live in and human's influence on it, the ways we craft the built environment to maximize human experience, increasing our understanding of human behavior and searching for the New Possible. The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD Magazine part of the Smartwork Media family of brands.VMSD brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. The IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing the discourse forward on what makes retailing relevant. You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience. SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.orgTara Haase Hiemanga who is the Global Lead for Elevated Shopper Experiences at Mondelez.She is using an understanding of neuroscience to enhance customer experiences across a number of the Mondelez brands. What brands are those, well there is a pretty big list but let me just say a few of my favorites – OREO, Toblerone, Cadbury, Wheat Thins and I could go on…We'll get to all of that in a moment but first though, a few thoughts… * * *Back around 2008, 9 and 10 my wife was studying interpersonal neurobiology with Dr. Dan Siegel. I used to come downstairs and listen to her and all the videos she was watching and various conversations she was having and I was often saying ‘wow that really replies to the work that I'm doing in trying to create retail stores.'As I listened it became clearer and clearer to me that I could perhaps rely on the lessons of understanding neuroscience as being the core driver to customer experience rather than simply thinking of it in terms of psychology, demographics and culture.What fascinated me then and still continues today is the idea that – there was something beyond simple psychology that we would be able to use to design better stores something that would relate to almost all humans in terms of how they understood environments specifically how they would look through product assortments, identify key item presentations, understand graphics, and how color, pattern and texture would all come together to either hinder or help decision making in the shopping aisle.Interestingly, back in the day, it took me a little while to get into architecture. I'd had a great time in junior college but my grades weren't great so I ended up enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in psychology which I was fascinated in anyway because I wanted to understand human dynamics but, I also had a sense that there was something deeply rooted and not just how buildings looked from the design point of view and but how they made people feel from an embodied / sensory point of view. And so, when I finally got into architecture a lot of my thinking about design was about how these places that we were creating would have qualities about them that would make people feel a certain way.I sometimes used to say that I didn't care whether you loved it or hated it (of course I hoped you loved it) but I wanted to make sure that you felt something as you were experiencing some place. And that later in my retail design career that you were satisfied with the experiences as well as the things that you bought in the store.In 2012 I did a presentation at global shop that was ostensibly about emotions and how we had to begin to understand that creating stores was about building emotional relationships and long term connections and then the awareness of how empathy played into this equation.This single presentation was a turning point in my career because someone came up to me at the end of it and said “…that idea should be a book.”And so, taking that as a sign…I was on my way to immersing myself for the next couple of years in writing “Retail (r)Evolution: why creating right brain stores will shape the future of shopping in the digitally driven world. “In the book I really dug into the nature of shopping as a cultural phenomena; it's power across the ages to tie together ideas and commerce the growth of shopping places around the world from the intersections of silk trade routes to the mega malls of North America and I also dug into brain science. In fact over a third of the book deals with understanding functional areas of the brain and how if we we're able to appreciate more how our gift in perception through our body was directly tied to our emotional connections and long term memory could be used - that all shoppers and retailers would be better off.I tried to explain it this way: imagine you're in your car - what I'd like you to do is write down 5 things that make the engine of your car run now if you're actually in your car while listening to this, do not start to write down these five things but hold them in your head as an idea what are the five things that make your car engine run? OK got 5 of them?Now, I want you to think about your brain and think of five things that make you run - through your engine - in other words your brain. The strange thing is and I've done this at multiple presentations around the world people are more apt to be able to describe 5 things that make the engine of their car run where they might spend 2 hours a day in rather than being able to identify more than two things that make themselves run ( the functional areas of their brain) that they spend 24hrs a day in.I also put forward the following proposition:- if we understood that all of our behaviors, thoughts and feelings are run by our brain-body connection, how is it possible that we could be designing stores and not have any clue about the very thing that is so influential in making decisions in the shopping aisle and our willingness to maintain relationships with the brands we love?So, it became a little bit of a career mission to bring the understanding of neuroscience to the retail design masses hoping that they would understand the power of the brain-body and design and creating effective selling spaces.Now, the other influence here was the emergence of digital technologies and how that was fundamentally changing the way our brains were being wired. With the idea that the more you use a functional area of your brain the more you maintain its wiring between neurons and the less used something is the more though the brain goes on a wonderful topiary garden creating extravaganza trimming away neural pathways that are not being used. This whole subject is referred to as “synaptic pruning” and fits together neatly with an idea around “neuroplasticity” - how your brain changes over time in relation to the things that you're exposed to in the patterns of behavior you engage in.So my premise then was: - if you are increasingly not using certain areas of your brain related to the exercise of empathy in face to face embodied interactions with other people like we continually do by communicating through our digital devices, what does that mean for the pathways for empathy in our brains and how we communicate with others?If stores were about empathic engagement, we might have a significant challenge ahead of us. In other words, if we are communicating less and less in embodied, face-to-face ways, what happens to the neural pathways built for empathic connection if we are using them less? Does synaptic pruning play a role here eventually diminishing our ability to engage in empathic extension?This became particularly interesting when you began to look at an entire cohort of emerging customers whose lives were very much directed by their interaction through social media that works and the digital devices they held in their hands. That is the subject of a bigger and equally interesting conversation which I'll save for another podcast but for now let's continue to focus on trying to understand what actually motivates people in the shopping aisle there have been fantastic studies that I came across the work of Baba Shiv and how decision making was made in the shopping aisle in relation to the potential for customers cognitive overload how they decided to choose one thing or another or the work of Sheena Iyengar who did a famous study of jams and the idea that a huge selection did not infact increase more purchases and satisfaction in the products chosen.There are now a heft of studies that are available that continue to reinforce the fact that people's behavior in the shopping aisle is not fully conscious. Much of it happens below the conscious awareness radar.We are driven by our emotions and our collective history of hundreds of thousands of years of human evolution that gear our brains, regardless of culture, religious or sexual orientation political affiliation or where you live in the world, that we all to some degree are reacting from the same baseline of brain activity in the brain's functional areas that we all have.Over the past 10 years there have been a number of organizations that have emerged focusing on the relationship between neuroscience and the built environment.The ANFA - the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture would be one of them.Another would be the Neuromarketing Science and Business Association whose conferences around the world bring together neuroscientists, designers, architects, retailers and brands to talk about the influence that neuroscience could play in creating more effective shopping places.So, I am a huge advocate for trying to understand how we work and the neural mechanisms that influence our behavior beyond our psychology. The whole idea here is that if we knew a little bit more about how your brain worked, you might likely not do some of the things you do as an architect or designer creating retail or brand experience places thinking it matters when in fact it's completely off of the awareness radar and probably has little influence on how people react while in stores.And so we come now to my interview with Tara Haase Hiemanga who is the Global Lead for Elevated Shopper Experiences at Mondelez.So… when I say Mondelez you may not know the parent brand but I'm quite sure that you know some, if not all, of these brands and products that might be in your diet every single week.The Mondelez brands include: Cadbury chocolate and Dairy Milk, Chips Ahoy cookies, Clorets, Halls, the famous Oreo cookie, Philadelphia cream cheese, Ritz crackers, Tang apparently the drink that the astronauts used to have back in the day, Wheat Thins and Toblerone.Do you know some of those brands? Yeah I thought you probably did. Last spring I was attending the SHOP Marketplace event and onto the stage comes Tara Haase Hieminga and a consultant from the company Sellcheck.They proceeded to talk about how they were using neuroscience to enhance shopper experiences across their assortment of products. Now if you've ever walked down the snack aisle at your local grocery store, I am quite sure that you are familiar with the sea of merchandise that exists there.Hundreds of brands all selling within the same category and the question is how does a brand stand out or how do you as a consumer, if you don't already know your brand that you want to buy, decide to buy anything?If you follow the neuroscience, it can be quite a challenge for the brain to unpack most of what's in that shopping aisle. On the other hand, if you consider neuroscience you can begin to understand how people make decisions about what they want to buy and be able to do things in terms of your packaging, your product positioning, shelf graphics, the language you use on your packaging to enhance the likelihood that customers will give you deeper consideration and maybe buy more than they anticipated.And that's exactly what Tara, Sellcheck and Mondelez is doing across their portfolio brands. They have begun to see the incredible impact of implementing neuroscience principles to the design of their packaging, point of purchase presentations and shelf displays so that the customers that they have, or ones they hope to acquire, will be attracted to their product, understand the messaging and end up with more than one bag of snacks in their shopping cart.I wish that Tara and I would have had hours to discuss the intricacies of neuroscience and shopping behavior and how it relates to the design of products and in store presentations.This is a subject that I believe all of us should have intimate knowledge.Since I have never met a retailer who wanted to have a bad experience for their customers, I would suggest that implementing a deep understanding of our innate neurobiological hardware is critical. * * *ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites: https://www.davidkepron.com (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645 (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comTwitter: DavidKepronPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore. In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon. David also writes a popular blog called “Brain Food” which is published monthly on vmsd.com. The next level experience design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.
How can you identify and place top talent in stretch assignments?What does it mean to invest in and place a bet on talent?My guest on this episode is Stephanie Lilak, EVP & Chief People Officer, Mondelez InternationalDuring our conversation Stephanie and I discuss:How Stephanie's unique career philosophy and making unconventional career choices have driven her success.Why she believes in stretching talent throughout all career stages, not just in early careers.The critical role of HR leaders in driving the talent agenda and an aligning the role, talent and business needs to drive value.Why she believes peer relationships for HR leaders are critical and you need to purposefully invest in themInsights into Stephanie's approach to onboarding as a 3X CHRO and lessons you can apply to your organization.Connecting with Stephanie Lilak:Connect with Stephanie Lilak LinkedInEpisode Sponsor:Deeper Signals - Click here to get your free Core Drivers assessment and 14-day free trial!Next-Gen HR Accelerator - Learn more about this best-in-class leadership development program for next-gen HR leaders
It's not often you get the opportunity to chat with a successful brand co founder that sold to a multinational for 200 Million Pounds just 10 years after launching their brand in the UK.The brand is of course Grenade. Launching in the UK in 2010 with the vision of being an iconic weight loss product and the go to brand within Sports Nutrition.This really is a fabulous chat with Juliet Barratt who with husband Alan identified a gap in the market then took the Grenade brand into 80 countries over a decade, before selling to Mondelez International in 2021.This is a great listen for anyone in the food and beverage game. I hope you enjoy episode #26 of The Food Mentor Podcast.https://www.business-sale.com/news/business-sale/mondelez-acquires-grenade-at-40x-multiple-221314David Burns is also the founder of DJB Food Group and Creme design helping manufacturers, brands and entrepreneurs develop innovative new products and brands to supply into retail. Also see davidjburns speaker, because we love talking about this industry. Would you like to be a guest on our show or sponsor an episode to reach your target audience? Connect with us anytime david@djbfoodgroup.com
MONEY FM 89.3 - Prime Time with Howie Lim, Bernard Lim & Finance Presenter JP Ong
It's almost time for dinner, but today's conversation might just get you reaching out for that bag of chocolates or snacks right before meal time. That's because we're speaking to one of the largest players in the global snacking industry today – Mondelez International. Mondelez International is a relatively young company founded in 2012, but its history goes way back. The company emerged when the then-Kraft Foods was split into two companies to separate its North American grocery business with the remaining of the company. The North American grocery was called Kraft Foods Group, while the remainder of Kraft Foods was renamed into Mondelez International in October 2012, with a focus on snacks and confectionery. Mondelez International holds some of the most iconic snack brands that we know today, including iconic US$1 billion dollar global brands such as Oreo, Toblerone and Cadbury, as well as other well-known local jewels such as 7Days and Alpen Gold. As for the money – its 2023 net revenues came in at approximately US$36 billion. But what was the rationale behind the spinoff? How would the firm assess the success of the spinoff of Kraft Foods Group and the rebranding into Mondelez international thus far? Meanwhile, Mondelez International had in July this year missed expectations for second quarter revenue as consumers tighten their purse strings amid high inflation. But how would the firm assess its most recent performance? Which are the key markets and categories driving growth and what are the opportunities ahead? Speaking of markets, Mondelez International is reportedly said to expand its presence in China by introducing a wider range of cake-related products. It also said in May 2024 that it will invest over US$5 million in a Regional Biscuit and Baked Snacks Lab and Innovation Kitchen in Singapore. But what can we expect on both fronts? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway's finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Tomás Centeno, Vice President of Strategy and Commercial Excellence, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (AMEA), Mondelēz International.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the CPG industry, how have you seen the approaches and strategies for engaging consumers online differ from those used in traditional retail channels, and what lessons can CPG brands learn from these differences to optimize their online presence? As the digital landscape continues to evolve, what emerging trends or technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on the CPG industry, and how are you preparing your teams at Mondelez International to adapt and thrive in this changing environment? With the growing popularity of online grocery shopping and delivery services like Instacart, how do you see the relationship between CPG brands and these platforms evolving in the coming years? What opportunities are there for CPG brands to collaborate with platforms like Instacart to enhance the customer experience and drive sales? In your role as Executive Sponsor of the US Women's Sales Leadership Network at Mondelez, what initiatives or strategies specific to the CPG industry have you found to be most effective in promoting diversity and inclusion, and in supporting the career growth of women within the organization? The digital shelf plays a crucial role in the CPG industry's online presence. How do you ensure that Mondelez International's brands are effectively leveraging the digital shelf to engage consumers, increase conversion rates, and maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic online CPG market?
Did Mondelez International “swallow a grenade” 3.5 years ago…or has its most significant UK investment since the hostile takeover of Cadbury seen explosively positive results? Being a protein bar company in the summer of 2019 was arguably one of the most valuable things you could be in the growing functional food space…and Mondelez got the party started by announcing it was purchasing a majority stake in refrigerated protein bar brand Perfect Bar in June 2019. Then, two months later…The Simply Good Foods Company acquired Quest Nutrition and The Hershey Company acquired ONE Brands (maker of the ONE bar). Yet, the world was about to drastically change…and just as suddenly the value propositions of protein bars would no longer make them the “fun person” at the convenient nutrition party. With the bar format of convenient nutrition being strongly tied to consumer mobility, the “Great Shutdown” caused a sharp decline in consumption. And the categorical struggles continued into the next year, as restrictive living situations (and work-from-home adjustments) became normal, along with the fact that most “health and fitness” and weight management goals weren't prioritized by a lot of consumers during that period. Though, many of us industry strategists looked past the near-term categorical struggles and pointed to the fact that underlying drivers (feeding long-term secular trends) were unchanged, and the inevitable reorientation of consumer behaviors would continue to support growth within the bar format of convenient nutrition. And it seems that Mondelez International was also aligned with that in March 2021, as they acquired a majority stake in Grenade, a UK-based sports nutrition brand that was best known for its protein bar Carb Killa, reportedly valuing it at $277 million. Now…I didn't have a problem with Mondelez doubling down on the nutrition and protein bar segment, as I've been this broken record over many years stating that consumers are moving closer towards this four-way intersection of taste, convenience, nutrition, and functionality. My issue is more around the valuation paid by Mondelez…considering just how different the marketplace was in March 2021 (compared to the summer of 2019). Regardless, even as the bar format of convenient nutrition continued to bounce back slower than consensus expectations, Mondelez “tripled down” on its strategy to reshape its snacking portfolio by announcing it would acquire CLIF Bar in June 2022. But in terms of operational performance, Grenade did a relatively excellent job against the still weak categorical backdrop of 2021 and 2022. But in 2023, Grenade had an outstanding year…growing its net sales 56.5% YoY to around $120 million. So, what happened? In January 2023, Grenade Oreo protein bar was born...quickly becoming the top-selling protein bar in the UK market. But despite Grenade currently being a revenue “rounding error” impact to Mondelez, I'd assume Mondelez CEO Dirk Van de Put has keenly recognized the under-the-radar long-term potential in Grenade. And since Mondelez International wants to own substantial market share within the protein snacking space...don't get caught letting short-term ROI financial metrics cloud your vision because Grenade has a lot of explosive growth opportunities ahead. FOLLOW ME ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS LINKEDIN YOUTUBE TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/joshua-schall/support
In this episode of the Greenbook Podcast, host Karen Lynch engages in a compelling conversation with Nick Graham, the SVP Global Head of Insights and Analytics at Mondelez International. They dive into Nick's extensive career journey and his pivotal role in leveraging data to guide strategic decisions at Mondelez. Nick discusses the delicate balance between technology and human expertise in generating actionable consumer insights. He also shares innovative ways generative AI is being used to boost efficiency and creativity within the insights team. For professionals in the field, Nick offers invaluable advice on networking, career growth, and adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of insights and analytics. This episode is packed with practical tips and forward-thinking perspectives that promise to enrich your understanding of the industry's future.You can reach out to Nick on LinkedIn. Many thanks to Nick for being our guest. Thanks also to our producer, Natalie Pusch; and our editor, Big Bad Audio.Mentioned in this episode:Join us at an IIEX Event!Visit greenbook.org/events to learn more about events in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Use code PODCAST for 20% off general admission at all upcoming events.
Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Chicago-based snack maker Mondelez International has been fined $366 million by the European Union for anti-competitive behavior involving cross-border sales of chocolate, cookies and coffee. Mondelez makes Oreo and Chips Ahoy cookies, Wheat Thins, Ritz Crackers, Triscuits and Toblerone. It was […]
Kathryn interviews Author Jeanie Y. Chang.Mental health education for practitioners is lacking when it comes to cultural sensitivity for Asian patients and clients, according to Asian Mental Health Collective board president, Korean American licensed marriage and family therapist Jeanie Y. Chang. She noted that there's some stigma about mental health care within the Asian community in itself, explaining, “It is a very shame and guilt-based culture. It runs deep, the stigma, because of that.” One way Chang connects with her clients is through Korean entertainment. She explores how the wildly popular K-Drama global phenomenon can not just entertain us, but also help us grieve from losses, heal trauma and improve our overall mental health. She has presented her trademarked curriculum for many corporations such as Google J. Crew, Microsoft, Mondelez International, and the NFL.Kathryn also interviews Author Hasan Merali MD.Terrible twos, temper tantrums, and grocery store meltdowns are usually the first things that come to mind when people think of toddlers. But pediatric emergency medicine physician and researcher Dr. Hasan Merali has long thought toddlers are among the best people in our society and adults could do well to learn from them. These extraordinary youngsters can be impulsive, yes, but with this comes a remarkable ability to take risks and ask questions—two qualities that can help us enjoy life more. To unpack this behavior, he includes many humorous examples from his experience as a pediatrician and father, but the core lessons are drawn from two decades worth of fascinating and surprising studies in child psychology and development. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University. His writing has been featured on CNN, Science, the Boston Globe, NBC, CBC, and Popular Science.
Kathryn interviews Author Jeanie Y. Chang.Mental health education for practitioners is lacking when it comes to cultural sensitivity for Asian patients and clients, according to Asian Mental Health Collective board president, Korean American licensed marriage and family therapist Jeanie Y. Chang. She noted that there's some stigma about mental health care within the Asian community in itself, explaining, “It is a very shame and guilt-based culture. It runs deep, the stigma, because of that.” One way Chang connects with her clients is through Korean entertainment. She explores how the wildly popular K-Drama global phenomenon can not just entertain us, but also help us grieve from losses, heal trauma and improve our overall mental health. She has presented her trademarked curriculum for many corporations such as Google J. Crew, Microsoft, Mondelez International, and the NFL.Kathryn also interviews Author Hasan Merali MD.Terrible twos, temper tantrums, and grocery store meltdowns are usually the first things that come to mind when people think of toddlers. But pediatric emergency medicine physician and researcher Dr. Hasan Merali has long thought toddlers are among the best people in our society and adults could do well to learn from them. These extraordinary youngsters can be impulsive, yes, but with this comes a remarkable ability to take risks and ask questions—two qualities that can help us enjoy life more. To unpack this behavior, he includes many humorous examples from his experience as a pediatrician and father, but the core lessons are drawn from two decades worth of fascinating and surprising studies in child psychology and development. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University. His writing has been featured on CNN, Science, the Boston Globe, NBC, CBC, and Popular Science.
Mondelez International Chairman/CEO Dirk Van De Put discusses the company's earnings and the state of the consumer amid the popularity of weight loss drugs. He has been speaking to Bloomberg's Alix Steel and Romaine Bostick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With roughly one-third of all food produced globally lost or wasted, the food industry is pivoting towards sustainable practices aimed at curbing these losses. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about how different sectors within the food industry are combating food waste on Stop Food Waste Day 2024 and beyond. For example, tech companies are creating software and systems that help restaurants and food producers optimize their inventory and Grocery chains are also revising their supply chain practices. Upcycling, turning by-products or waste materials into new, high-quality products, is another innovative approach gaining traction. The hospitality sector, including hotels and resorts, is also making substantial strides by implementing programs that analyze and improve food preparation and consumption patterns. The team wonders whether tech innovations like AI and blockchain can make a significant impact in cutting food waste across the supply chain. Also in this episode, Sydney talks about the Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare's (BBFAW) recent report, which evaluated 150 prominent food companies and assigned the majority a low-performance impact rating due to their poor animal welfare practices. According to the report, approximately 95 percent of food companies worldwide recognize farm animal welfare as a central business issue. Despite this, none have reached Tier 1 ‘Leadership' status in the BBFAW rankings. Many of the largest food companies, including Mars, Mondelez International and Starbucks, show no evidence of farm animal welfare on their business agendas, with Tier 6 rankings. Companies like Domino's Pizza and Yum China Holdings are yet to even publish a formal farm animal welfare policy. The team posits that consumers shouldn't have to pay a premium for ethical animal products, but rather that it should be the standard. Read the full article here: Stop Food Waste Day 2024: The Food Industry's Role in Reducing Waste:https://xtalks.com/stop-food-waste-day-2024-the-food-industrys-role-in-reducing-waste-3798/ Farm Animal Welfare: Global Food Companies' Challenges and Slow Progress: https://xtalks.com/farm-animal-welfare-global-food-companies-challenges-and-slow-progress-3807/ For more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage. https://xtalks.com/vitals/ Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: https://twitter.com/XtalksFood Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xtalks/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured
During the latest earnings call held on April 30, 2024, Mondelez International released their report, and CEO Dirk Van De Put informed investors of a stable demand, particularly in the sphere of chocolate, leading to continued investment in brands and a sustained focus on Europe. Van De Put's remarks echoed the performance of the company, underscoring its financial stability and healthy business output. In line with the company's assertion, the emphasis on its core categories, namely Chocolate, Biscuits, and Baked Snacks, alongside synergetic acquisitions has proven to be fruitful.Mondelez International has strategically focused on these core categories, aiming to garner 90% of its revenue from these domains by 2030, as communicated during the earnings call. Consumer loyalty and preference for identifiable brands serve as the cornerstone of this strategy.Consumer sentiment shows variation across geographical regions. Price sensitivity has led to the preference for smaller pack sizes in Biscuits and Chocolates in some markets. In Europe, however, consumer confidence has shown stability, resulting in consistent performance of Chocolate and Biscuit segments, according to information shared in the earnings call. Contrasting this, Van De Put stated, "Overall, I would say that we are not expecting to see a big difference in our European performance for the full year", which suggests a more careful approach toward their European operations.Emerging markets have shown significant growth as disclosed in the earnings call, this trend is underscored by demand steadfastness and limited price elasticity.Looking forward, Mondelez International plans to maintain momentum through calculated investments in brands and workforce, precise execution, portfolio realignment, and bolstering sustainable snacking. The focus remains on maximizing the success of core categories and benefiting from acquisitive synergies. The stated objective of the company to effect considerable progress in environmental and social sustainability, for instance, climate change response and promoting responsible snacking, illustrates their commitment to larger global goals.In conclusion, the recent earnings call paints a picture of a measured business strategy by Mondelez International, fueled by strategic investment in core categories, and focused brand management. Their future strategy, derived from information shared on the earnings call, confirms a sustained interest in core categories, sustainability, and long-term growth through thoughtful initiatives and acquisitions. However, it is crucial to note that while the current outlook indicates an unwavering focus and a seemingly successful strategy, the future trajectory of the company, shaped by various volatile external factors, can only be objectively evaluated with time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theprompt.email
Effective and impactful strategy has been instrumental to Cadbury's phenomenal commercial success - +22% value sales between 2017 and 2021. Lindsay Gorton-Lee from Kantar unpacks the genesis and activation of Cadbury's transformation with Mariarita Mugnai, Global Director Insights & Analytics on Cadbury at Mondelez International and Clare Hutchinson, Chief Strategy Officer at VCCP London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
US equity futures are indicating a higher open as of 04:45 ET. This follows markets trading higher in Asia, whilst European equity markets have also opened stronger. Fairly unsurprising January FOMC minutes noted most officials flagged the risks of cutting rates too early, with only "some" policymakers warning of downside risks of maintaining higher rates for too long. NVIDIA reported Q4 top and bottom line beats, with Data Center revenue exceeding lofty expectations.Companies Mentioned: NVIDIA, Mondelez International, Mercedes-Benz Group
Having recently organized their fresh earning call, the Mondelēz International has fortified their position within the food industry as a global heavyweight. The CEO of Mondelez International, Inc., Dirk Van De Put, expressed satisfaction with the company's performance. The company's bolstered revenue and profit dollars speak to their strong operational capabilities. Revenue growth is seen predominantly in their key segments - chocolate, biscuits, and baked snacks - which collectively pool in impressive global net revenues. Such strategic focus on core categories has enabled Mondelez to capitalize on its strong brands such as Oreo, Milka, and Cadbury, thereby impressively driving revenues. The company, however, has not merely been satisfied with their existing lineage. It shows an active interest in expanding its portfolio and enhancing its market presence. More specifically, it has targeted market segments with high growth potential and pursued acquisitions and divestitures to augment its portfolio. Consequently, Mondelez has managed to maintain its market relevance by catering to its customers' evolving tastes and preferences. Dirk Van De Put, the CEO, noted, "I'm pleased to share that we delivered our best year ever in 2023, with robust top-line growth, continued share improvements, record profit dollar growth, and strong total shareholder return." This statement underscores the company's successful execution of their strategic plans. As for their future endeavors, Mondelez has charted out several initiatives to sustain their growth. This plan includes continual investment in their existing brands and capabilities, alongside upholding their acquisition efforts. Moreover, their intention to incorporate sustainable practices into their operations aligns with customer preferences for healthier and environmentally-friendly product choices. Drawing to a close, Mondelez International, Inc. shows promise of a bright future backed by a strong current performance, a prudent diversification strategy, and a commitment to sustainability. The recent earnings call bolsters Mondelez's leading stance within the snack industry, promising growth and sustainability amidst a competitive market landscape. MDLZ Company info: https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/MDLZ/profile For more PSFK research : www.psfk.com This email has been published and shared for the purpose of business research and is not intended as investment advice.
In this episode of the B2B Marketing Excellence Podcast, Donna spoke with Erik Qualman, a digital leader with Equalman Studios and a bestselling author. They had a wide-ranging discussion on the key aspects of digital leadership and innovation, emphasizing the importance of asking good questions, understanding customer needs, and providing excellent customer service.Erik introduced the acronym STAMP, representing the five habits of successful digital leaders: Simple, True, Action, Map, and People. They also discussed the importance of transparency, owning up to mistakes, and focusing on what's not going to change rather than constantly chasing the next big thing. The conversation highlighted the need for a balance between digital and physical components in business.Here are just some of the topics discussed:Importance of asking good questions in cultivating relationships with the audience.Avoiding self-promotion and focusing on addressing customer challenges.Importance of transparency in the digital world.Focusing on what's not going to change in digital leadership and innovation.Identifying and developing one's true superpower.Standing out in a noisy market by focusing on what works.Donna highly recommends that all business leaders should read Erik's book, “Digital Leader: 5 Simple Keys to Success and Influence”.If you would like to continue this conversation, please feel free to contact Donna Peterson at dpeterson@worldinnovators.com. Guest Bio:Erik Qualman5x Bestselling Author and Motivational Speaker, Erik Qualman, has performed in 55 countries and reached over 50 million people. Qualman was voted the 2nd Most Likeable Author in the World behind Harry Potter's J.K. Rowling. For availability: 617-620-3843 or eq@equalman.comHis work has been used by the National Guard to NBCUniversal to NASA.His animation studio Equalman Studios has produced work for Disney, Raytheon, Mondelez International, Takeda, Chase, Verisign, Hearts on Fire, and many other brands.https://www.linkedin.com/in/qualman/ ================================== Let's Connect: LinkedIn Live Tuesday 4:00 pm EST https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnaapeterson/ ================================== Subscribe to get notifications on new episodes when they become available.Subscribe via Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-world-innovators-podcast/id1553086832Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/39val2FZWA1OWGnJjiw1f5https://www.worldinnovators.com/b2bmarketingexcellence
What's up guys, it's your boy Joshy Pooh! OK…OK…that poor attempt at copying Maxx Chewning was not authentic. So, I guess according to the famous Dan Lourenco saying "authenticity is undefeated," I'm taking a loss here. But let's talk about the recent GHOST x Sour Strips collaboration a bit though. Tons of content out there already on the amazing taste of the products and overall cool factor, which is par for the course with GHOST, but here's what I loved about the collab…the tactful ability of GHOST Lifestyle to navigate its two existing sour candy licensing partnerships. And I want to stress the word partnership, because without strong, trusting, and dare I say authentic long-standing partnerships with Impact Confections and Mondelez International…the Sour Strips collaboration is just another totally awesome idea that never sees commercialization. FOLLOW ME ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaschallmba YOUTUBE - www.youtube.com/c/joshuaschall TWITTER - https://www.twitter.com/joshua_schall INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/joshua_schall FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/jschallconsulting --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/joshua-schall/support
Mondelez International, Inc., Q3 2023 Earnings Call, Nov 01, 2023
Mondelez International Chairman and CEO Dirk Van De Put discusses demand in the snack-food market. He speaks with Bloomberg's Romaine Bostick and Scarlet Fu.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic continue to gain traction across the US, Americans could potentially reduce their purchases of high-calorie snacks and fast-food. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about how these weight loss drugs work and how the food industry has slowly but surely become aware of the potential impact of these drugs. For example, Walmart's US CEO recently revealed that consumers using Ozempic tend to purchase fewer groceries. Shares of Mondelez International have fallen nearly 11 percent over the past six months. Food giant Nestlé has seen a 15 percent dip in the same period and even announced plans to develop products similar to Wegovy and Ozempic amidst concerns that they could reduce food consumption and impact profitability. While the team believes it's too early to tell what the impact could be, they are intrigued by the possibility of these two worlds colliding.Also in this episode, Sydney talks about Consumer Reports' (CR) revelation that dark chocolate could contain cadmium and lead, metals known to cause health issues. While cacao is the heart and soul of chocolate, giving it its characteristic taste, it's also where these heavy metals predominantly reside. With dark chocolate usually having a higher cacao content, it's more susceptible. In its pursuit of clarity, CR tested 48 different products spanning seven categories, namely cocoa powder, chocolate chips, milk chocolate bars, dark chocolate bars, brownie mixes, chocolate cake mixes and hot chocolate. Out of seven dark chocolate bars tested, five, or 71 percent, surpassed CR's thresholds for cadmium, lead or both. The team posits that most people won't need to worry about heavy metal consumption from dark chocolate, but it should encourage consumers to stay informed, choose wisely and enjoy in moderation.Read the full article here:Are Wegovy and Ozempic a Threat to the Food Industry?Cadmium and Lead in Dark Chocolate: A Sweet Treat with Bitter ConcernsFor more food and beverage industry content, visit the Xtalks Vitals homepage.Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @XtalksFood Instagram: @Xtalks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Xtalks.Webinars/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtalks-webconferences YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/XtalksWebinars/featured
In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, guest host Jamie Tenser sits down with Jie Cheng, VP and Global Head of Digital Commerce for Mondelez International, following her panel discussion at Groceryshop 2023. With a diverse background spanning multiple iconic brands such as Conair, Danone, Hershey, and Campbell Soup, Jie has amassed a wealth of experience in e-commerce, digital marketing, and digital transformation. She has played a pivotal role in pioneering online sales strategies for branded products, demonstrating her expertise in leveraging digital channels to drive business growth. Jie's current focus lies in harnessing the power of data-driven personalization to enhance consumer experiences and optimize marketing campaigns. During their conversation, Jie dives into the world of retail media in the grocery industry and sheds light on the untapped potential of leveraging consumer data for personalized marketing and enhanced consumer experiences. Resources: Connect with RETHINK Retail on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/rethink-industries/ For the latest retail insights, visit: www.rethink.industries Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to our channel and give us a 5-star rating on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Goodpods! - - - - - - This RETHINK Retail Podcast episode was captured live at Groceryshop 2023 on September 21st, 2023. Hosted by Jamie Tenser Produced by Gabriella Bock Research by Maggie Schwenn
The CPG Guys are joined by Alister Greenwood, Global Head of eCommerce Analytics & Insights at Mondelez International.Follow Alister on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alister-greenwood-2363b915/Follow Mondelez on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mondelezinternational/Follow Mondelez online at: https://www.mondelezinternational.comAlister answers the following questions:In the age of omnichannel, is the marketing funnel still applicable? How can brands create a seamless shopping journey as they try to influence purchasing behavior, particularly with impulse purchases?What do you think is the single most important development for companies to prioritize and staying ahead in the eCommerce landscape over the next year or two? Incorporating AI? Building out technology for Web3? Building up their tech stack? Or maybe getting the basics right?How do test & learns play into developing a robust set of insights & analytic capabilities for brands? How do you instill discipline across the enterprise to ensure outcomes are best measured?At Shoptalk Europe, earlier this year, your colleague Cristina Marinucci described Phygital Marketing as the blending of physical and digital experiences in the shopper journey. How do you think about measuring Phygital marketing efforts, especially in terms of digitally-enabled selling?How are you implementing next generation analytics in your eCommerce COE? Do you need to rely on your service provider partners to do the heavy lifting or is it about building home-grown solutions? What are the considerations in striking the right balance?Accessing data from single sources has become exceedingly challenging in a fragmented world. How are you working to help your business units access meaningful data for business intelligence?What is the future for eCommerce COEs? How do you roll skills and disciplines back into the business units and will the value of a COE diminish in the process?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comCPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.comNextUp Website: http://NextUpisnow.org/cpgguysRetailWit Website: http://retailwit.comRhea Raj Website: http://rhearaj.comVote for Lara Raj in Dream Academy at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=E1LSX8plfy9J82cP&v=_lKKx3O30oI&feature=youtu.beDISCLAIMER: 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.
Al is a serial entrepreneur and Co-Founder/CEO of Grenade, one of the most successful UK FMCG brands of the last 25 years. Starting with a £500 loan from the UKTI Passport to Export program in 2010, he sold shares in Grenade in 2014 for £35M, again in 2017 for £72M, and in 2021 for £200M, to Mondelez International.Current trading as of 2023 values the brand at over £500M and still growing.Grenade has been featured in the Virgin Fast Track 100 for seven consecutive years in a row, with no signs of slowing down, and its signature product, Carb Killa, is currently the bestselling protein bar brand in the UK grocery channel, disrupting the entire confectionary category for the first time in many years, as well as the number one selling item in food on Amazon.Al has won UK Entrepreneur of the Year an unprecedented three times, and is a mentor for Virgin Start Up, as well as an angel investor and philanthropist. He also holds multiple pilots licences for both aeroplanes and helicopters and is an honorary Colonel in the British Army (Royal Artillery)He has invaluable experience in going head to head with industry giants and passionately tells the highs and lows of building a disruptive global brand and overcoming adversity against all odds, from making front page headlines after surviving a plane crash to creating one of the UKs best known and fastest growing consumer brands.Find out more about Al Barratt via: LinkedIn.Find out more about Grenade via: their website, Instagram and Twitter.A new episode EVERY WEEK, showcasing the journeys of inspirational entrepreneurs, side hustlers and their mentors. We discuss their successes, challenges and how they overcame setbacks. Focusing mainly on what they wish they had known when starting out. The podcast aims to give aspiring entrepreneurs the confidence to START UP and START NOW by showcasing real and relatable entrepreneurs. After all, seeing is believing! Join the conversation using #startupstartnow and tagging us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Don't forget to leave a review as it really helps us reach those who need it and allows us to get the best guests for you! Connect with START UP. START NOW. and to nominate a guest please visit: www.startupstartnow.co.uk. To connect with Sharena Shiv please visit: www.sharena.co.uk.
The Supply Chain Buzz is Supply Chain Now's regular Monday livestream, held at 12n ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience!This week's edition of The Buzz featured Scott Luton, Greg White, and regular guest host Constantine Limberakis. They started the show by recognizing the life and professional achievements of Sandra MacQuillan, former Chief Supply Chain Officer at Mondelez International, who lost her long, hard-fought battle with cancer earlier this year.In this livestream, created in collaboration with a live Supply Chain Now audience, Scott, Greg, and Constantine discussed:• The impact of the United Auto Workers labor strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis on the economy in general and each manufacturer's supply chain• Infrastructure investments being made by India as they try to position themselves as a competitive alternative to China for manufacturing capacity• Increasing human rights-based regulatory pressures that are changing the calculus for companies that have historically relied upon Chinese production• Concerns about the energy consumption required to power generative AIAdditional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comCheck out our new Supply Chain Now Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3emdLcKSubscribe to Supply Chain Now and all other Supply Chain Now programs: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribeJoin the NOW Community: http://bit.ly/41kpUSO2023 Q2 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https://bit.ly/3VuwnIkWEBINAR- 3 Proven Strategies to Level-Up Your Business with Walmart: https://bit.ly/3DUpVT5WEBINAR- A Match Made in Heaven - Your ERP and Inventory Planning Software: https://bit.ly/3sP3TyLWEBINAR- Five Steps to Getting Proactive with Digitization and Supply Chain Data: https://bit.ly/3LejfTQThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton, Greg White, and Constantine Limberakis. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/supply-chain-buzz-strikes-ai-power-chinese-manufacturing-1173
Today is Monday, September 18, and we're looking at The J.M. Smucker Company vs. Mondelez International.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Every day of the year is associated with multiple special interest topics. September 6th is National Read a Book Day, Fight Procrastination Day, and National Coffee Ice Cream Day – not to mention Piggly Wiggly's birthday. This year it was also Discuss Top News Stories with Mike Griswold Day!Mike Griswold is the Vice President of Research at Gartner, specializing in retail with a particular focus on forecasting and replenishment. He is responsible for Gartner's annual Top 25 Supply Chain ranking and joins Supply Chain Now on a monthly basis to discuss the latest in retail supply chains from an analyst's perspective.In this episode, Mike discusses four recent news stories – some of which feature companies from the 2023 top 25 supply chain ranking with co-hosts Scott Luton and Greg White:• Why recent activity involving U.S. West Coast dockworkers continues the ideas that 2023 should be declared the “Year of the Workforce”• HP's decision to shift significant laptop production from China to Thailand, Mexico and Vietnam• How Amazon Shipping is shaking up the world of parcel delivery yet again, with their recent relaunch• Mondelez International's plan to apply entrepreneurial startup power to your next tasty snackAdditional Links & Resources:Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comCheck out our new Supply Chain Now Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3emdLcKSubscribe to Supply Chain Now and all other Supply Chain Now programs: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribeJoin the NOW Community: http://bit.ly/41kpUSO2023 Q2 U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: https://bit.ly/3VuwnIkWEBINAR- Unlocking the Power of Diversification in Last Mile Delivery: A Game-Changing Webinar for Logistics Professionals: https://bit.ly/445N2F2WEBINAR- 3 Proven Strategies to Level-Up Your Business with Walmart: https://bit.ly/3DUpVT5WEBINAR- A Match Made in Heaven - Your ERP and Inventory Planning Software: https://bit.ly/3sP3TyLWEBINAR- Five Steps to Getting Proactive with Digitization and Supply Chain Data: https://bit.ly/3LejfTQThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton and Greg White. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/fighting-procrastination-today-tomorrow-1169
Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Snack behemoth Mondelez International may add Hostess Brands to its family of goodies. Hostess is reportedly considering a sale and Mondelez is among the potential buyers. General Mills, PepsiCo and Hershey have also shown interest. Should Mondelez make the acquisition, it […]
Sean Tibor is a Sr. Cloud Engineer at Mondelez International and host of the Teaching Python Podcast! In this episode he discusses tools, lessons learned and best practices for using Terraform in a serverless environment! Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seantibor/ https://twitter.com/smtibor https://serverless.tf/ https://github.com/antonbabenko/serverless.tf https://docs.powertools.aws.dev/lambda/python/latest/ https://docs.python.org/3/ https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/fluent-python-2nd/9781492056348/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH2GP6Lydj8
Mondelez International, Inc., Q2 2023 Earnings Call, Jul 27, 2023
In this episode of the RLC Voice of Business Podcast, Steve Cox and Nick Smith get to interview Jenny Wilkinson – Senior Manager, US Insights & Analytics at Mondelez International, and Monica Kumar – Belonging, Equity & Inclusion Strategist with EngageNWA about their experiences as Asian Indian Americans living and working in Northwest Arkansas. The interview was conducted in honor of AAPI Heritage Month, and was a part of the Chamber's efforts to educate our community on the diverse backgrounds of those living and working together in Rogers, Lowell, and the rest of NWA. During Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, communities celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans with community festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities for students.
In the CPG industry, how have you seen the approaches and strategies for engaging consumers online differ from those used in traditional retail channels, and what lessons can CPG brands learn from these differences to optimize their online presence? As the digital landscape continues to evolve, what emerging trends or technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on the CPG industry, and how are you preparing your teams at Mondelez International to adapt and thrive in this changing environment? With the growing popularity of online grocery shopping and delivery services like Instacart, how do you see the relationship between CPG brands and these platforms evolving in the coming years? What opportunities are there for CPG brands to collaborate with platforms like Instacart to enhance the customer experience and drive sales? In your role as Executive Sponsor of the US Women's Sales Leadership Network at Mondelez, what initiatives or strategies specific to the CPG industry have you found to be most effective in promoting diversity and inclusion, and in supporting the career growth of women within the organization? The digital shelf plays a crucial role in the CPG industry's online presence. How do you ensure that Mondelez International's brands are effectively leveraging the digital shelf to engage consumers, increase conversion rates, and maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic online CPG market?
CAREER-VIEW MIRROR - biographies of colleagues in the automotive and mobility industries.
Kevin spent five years in the aeronautical and defence industry at the nexus of machine learning, image processing and analysis and ceramics engineering before realising that his mission in life was to create delightful consumer experiences. In the mid 1990s, Kevin joined Gillette as an ‘Innovative Scientist' and found great reward by applying his love of science to challenges associated with cutting human beard hair with atomically sharp razor blades, whilst leaving the skin undamaged. Following an expatriate assignment in Boston, Mass., Kevin began a series of increasingly senior management roles culminating with the position of Laboratory Director for Gillette's global upstream R&D laboratory based in Reading, U.K.. Kevin led the teams that created multi-billion dollar shaving systems including Gillette Guard, Fusion and Venus. Following the $57bn acquisition of Gillette by P&G, Kevin and his wife Ruth moved with their family to Cincinnati, Ohio where he led global R&D for Head & Shoulders, Pantene and Herbal Essences. A desire to broaden his responsibilities led Kevin to join Mondelez International in East Hanover NJ, where he had global R&D responsibility for Gum, Candy and Biscuits with 800 colleagues in Tech Centres across the world. In his time at Mondelez, Kevin led consumer-centric new product launches and quality improvements across brands including Oreo, Ritz, belVita, Trident, Sour Patch Kids and Lu. After 12 years of expatriate life in the US, Kevin and Ruth returned to the UK to live near Cambridge. Kevin is enjoying a life of semi-retirement where he is focussed on giving back, guided by his purpose of helping improve the lives of others. He is an advisor to the Carbon 13 accelerator and coaches companies in the realms of consumer-centric innovation, innovation strategy and sustainability. Kevin is also realising a decades-old promise to himself of becoming a Reader in the Church of England.I'm confident that you'll find his story and his insights about consumer focus gleaned at the cutting edge (literally) of another global industry fascinating. I've had the privilege to call Kevin a friend for over 20 years and I'm delighted to introduce you to him in this episode. I look forward to hearing what resonates with you.Reach out to Kevin:LinkedIn: Kevin Powell Thank you to our sponsors:ASKE ConsultingEmail: hello@askeconsulting.co.ukAquilaeEmail: cvm@aquilae.co.ukEpisode Directory on Instagram @careerviewmirror If you enjoy listening to our guests career stories, please follow CAREER-VIEW MIRROR in your podcast app. Episode recorded on 18 April, 2023
Today on Subscribing to Wellness we are joined by Jason Karp, founder and CEO of Human Co. Human Co is a mission-driven holding company that invests in and builds brands focused on healthier living and sustainability. In addition to HumanCo, Jason is also Co-Founder of Hu, known for its award-winning organic chocolate and one of the fastest growing snacking companies in the U.S. Hu was sold to Mondelez International in January 2021. Prior to Hu, Jason was the Founder, CEO and CIO of Tourbillon Capital Partners, an investment fund that managed over $4 billion. We talk to Jason about incubating vs. acquiring, the original story behind his chocolate company and much more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/subtowellness/support
#73: In this episode we sit down with Jason Karp the Founder and CEO of HumanCo - a mission-driven holding company that invests in and builds brands focused on healthier living and sustainability. In addition to HumanCo, Jason is also Co-Founder of Hu (pronounced "Hue" as in "Human" and known for its award-winning organic chocolate), one of the fastest growing snacking companies in the U.S. Hu was sold to Mondelez International in January 2021. Prior to Hu, he was the Founder, CEO and CIO of Tourbillon Capital Partners, an investment fund that managed over $4 billion. Here are some of the topics we discuss in the episode: Background on Jason and his health and wellness journey The birth of Hu and how they got into the chocolate business Challenges of building the Hu CPG brand Tips for working with spouse/family members or really just great practices for business/relationships The *iconic* acquisition of Hu Products The distinction between brand awareness v brand equity Jason breaks down his newest endeavor: Human Co. A shift to focus on ingredients good for the consumer instead of the bottom line Food trends that Jason to be excited about + SO much more! For more from me, I'm over on IG @rachLmansfield, tiktok @rachLmansfield and rachLmansfield.com
In recent episodes of Taste Radio, entrepreneurs in the midst of raising capital have noted that investment firms are increasingly emphasizing profitability within their funding criteria. And they will point to a common thread among such companies: a foundation rooted in business fundamentals. Supplying early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs with the resources to learn the ropes and develop a sustainable, scalable business is a primary goal of The Hatchery Chicago, a non-profit food and beverage business incubator focused on the Chicagoland region. Since its launch in 2016, The Hatchery has focused on supporting women, BIPOC and local founders with affordable commercial kitchen space, fundraising workshops and business coaching. It operates a 67,000 sq. ft. foot facility on the West Side of Chicago and is financially backed by organizations including The MacArthur Foundation and Walton Family Foundation, as well as major food companies Kellogg's and Griffith Foods. In this episode, Natalie Shmulik, The Hatchery Chicago's chief strategy and incubation officer, spoke about the incubator's origins and work with early-stage entrepreneurs, the most pressing needs and challenges facing small businesses and how she and her team are advising brands on scaling and investment. She also discussed the typical attributes of a company that has successfully scaled beyond The Hatchery and how high-profile strategic partners, including Pepsico and Mondelez International, are involved in its development. Show notes: 0:45: Natalie Shmulik, Chief Strategy & Incubation Officer, The Hatchery Chicago – Shmulik met with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif at the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas where they riffed on their alma mater Boston University, where she is an adjunct professor, before discussing the common traits and backgrounds shared by The Hatchery's entrepreneurs and the types of businesses the incubator supports. She also explained why the organization advises clients to focus on building a sustainable business before seeking funding, ways to raise capital beyond private investment and how to plan a path to profitability. Later, Shmulik shared success stories of brands that have exited the incubator, goals for the next 12 months and her thoughts on a national network of incubators. Brands in this episode: Justice of the Pies, Taylor's Tacos, ChiFresh Kitchen, Nufs
On this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE Cristina Marinucci, Global Head of Shopper Excellence at Mondelez International gets Phygital with hosts Sarah and Rachel. She starts by defining Phygital - the blending of the digital and physical to create enhanced experiences for all our customers - and then delves into the best practices for rolling out this omnichannel approach to retail both with customers and with internal stakeholders.In order to grow an omnichannel business, you need cross-functional buy-in. Cristina says that demonstrating measurability and the halo of digital influence on all sales has helped shift mindsets at Mondelez.As an international leader, Cristina also speaks to the need to meet each market where they are and to take advantage of the opportunities offered by less developed markets to test and learn outside of existing infrastructures. You will leave this episode with a whole new Omnitude and a new vocabulary for providing excellent shopper experiences.Key Takeaways:When pitching omnichannel initiatives internally, make it simple and demonstrate “what's in it for me” to your audience.Measure not just digital sales, but digital influence in order to see the full power of your Phygital efforts.Collaboration, whether cross-functional teams or co-creating experiences with retailers, fosters the best omnichannel results. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Good Thursday this is the chocolate Knox with your cross politic daily news brief for Thursday April 14th 2022 CDC to extend federal transportation mask mandate for additional 15 days https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/13/politics/mask-mandate-extension/index.html The CDC plans to extend the federal transportation mask mandate for another 15 days to early May, according to a Biden administration. The mandate is now set to expire on May 3. "Since early April, there have been increases in the 7-day moving average of cases in the US. In order to assess the potential impact, the rise of cases has on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and health care system capacity, CDC is recommending that TSA extend the security directive to enforce mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs for 15 days, through May 3, 2022," An official told CNN. The official added, "This will give additional time for the CDC to learn more about BA.2 and make a best-informed decision." When you are not bold enough to keep your state free and you want to curry favor with you base you do something like this… https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-migrant-bus-arrives-washington-d-c If this is the best that we have to offer as a solution to the problem we are doomed. Patrisse Cullors one of the founding members of BLACK LIVES MATTER said while speaking at an event at Vashon Center for the Arts that anytime she hears about IRS Form 990, which requires charities to disclose their financial activities, she gets triggered. https://dailycaller.com/2022/04/13/patrisse-cullors-black-lives-matter-financial-disclosure-laws-unsafe-triggering/ Remember that the BLM Global Network Foundation spent $6 million of the charity’s money on a massive Southern California mansion in October 2020, New York Magazine reported. Dyane Pascall, the financial manager of an LLC run by Cullors and her spouse, purchased the mansion and transferred ownership to a Delaware-based LLC, preventing public knowledge of the foundation’s ownership, according to the report. The BLMGNF allegedly tried to keep the purchase a secret. Cullors said several activists have expressed fear to her that they will be hounded with requests from outlets about their 990 forms, which charities are required to disclose upon public request. Well, no one would know better than a trained marxist. An internal memo from the organization obtained by New York Magazine listed possible reasons for owning the house, such as a studio for producing content and a safe house for leaders with security concerns. Cullors stepped down as the organization’s executive director in 2021 after the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) reported she used her position as the charity’s leader to funnel business to an art company led by the father of her only child. Redballoon Not so long ago, the American dream was alive and well. Employees who worked hard were rewarded, and employers looked for people who could do the job, not for people who had the right political views. RedBalloon.work (www.redballoon.work/flf/) is a job site designed to get us back to what made American businesses successful: free speech, hard work, and having fun. If you are a free speech employer who wants to hire employees who focus on their work and not identity politics, then post a job on RedBalloon. If you are an employee who is being censored at work or is being forced to comply with the current zeitgeist, post your resume on RedBalloon and look for a new job. www.redballoon.work/flf/, the job site where free speech is still alive! www.redballoon.work/flf/ Government school Fifth-graders in New Jersey could be taught that puberty blockers are an acceptable way to 'manage' adolescence and masturbating 'a few times a day' is a healthy way to relieve stress. The new sample lesson plans, some of which are accompanied by animated videos, are part of a broader, K-12 health and sex education curriculum adopted by the New Jersey Board of Education. The plans, which were first reported by Fox News, are now being reviewed by individual school districts in the state. In one proposed lesson plan aimed at fifth graders entitled 'It's All about the Hormones,' students are instructed to watch a video containing animation called 'Puberty and Transgender Youth.' I’ve attached a lkuink to the video in the notes which are only available if you have the app… 'Whether you identify as male, female, gender queer or something else, you're perfectly normal, and there are lots of ways to manage puberty so that it can be a fun, exciting time rather than a scary or stressful one,' the video states. This is pure queer theory. Democratic New Jersey Gov. Murphy told Fox News on Monday that while he believes parents should have a say in the education of their children, 'some are using this as an opportunity to score political points and to further divide us – us vs. them – and I say that on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ communities.' He also pointed out that such standards on gender identity were voted on two years ago by the state's board of education. The governor said that he was open to hearing from people that believe the standards 'need to be adjusted or altered.' You're not imagining it. Everything is getting more expensive. Rising costs on products from Oreos to PlayStation5 consoles can be linked back to the supply chain crisis, container port bottlenecks and global shortages on labor and computer chips. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows prices have risen 7.5% over the past 12 months. This is the fasted prices have increased in the past 40 years. Many of your favorite products have been hit by rising inflation, including toilet paper, streaming-service subscriptions, snack foods, groceries, kitchen gadgets and more. Keep reading to see what products are going to cost you more this year -- and how to spend less when it comes time to buy them. Procter & Gamble announced to investors that it has plans to increase prices by the end of February 2022. The company owns the laundry-care brands Tide, Downy and Gain, plus Bounty paper towels, Charmin toilet paper, and several feminine-care brands including Always, Tampax and L. P&G executives have said the company's price increases are to offset higher costs, including labor, transportation of goods and the rising cost of raw materials such as fuel, resin and pulp. Mondelez International, owner of Oreo, Ritz, Cadbury and Sour Patch Kids, announced a 7% price increase by January. Kraft Heinz, owner of Oscar Mayer and maker of Heinz ketchup and Kraft macaroni and cheese, announced that some product prices would increase by 20%. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded that grocery-store prices increased by 6.5% over the course of 2021. The bureau found that the cost of meats, poultry, fish and eggs increased the most, rising 12.5% over the year. As of Jan. 25, 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that prices will continue to rise. Amazon will charge sellers a 5% fuel and inflation surcharge on fulfillment fees starting April 28th so expect everything you purchase from Amazon to go up in price as well. According to WHO, every year in the world there are an estimated 40-50 million abortions. This corresponds to approximately 125,000 abortions per day. In the USA, where nearly half of pregnancies are unintended and four in 10 of these are terminated by abortion [1] , there are over 3,000 abortions per day. Twenty-two percent of all pregnancies in the USA (excluding miscarriages) end in abortion. Abortions worldwide this year: 11,985,629 Lies, Propaganda, Story Telling, and the Serrated Edge DNB: This year our national conference is in Knoxville, TN October 6th-8th. The theme of this year’s conference is Lies, Propaganda, Storytelling and the Serrated Edge. Satan is the father of lies, and the mother of those lies is a government who has rejected God. We have especially been lied to these last two years, and the COVIDpanic has been one of the central mechanisms that our government has used to lie to us and to grab more power. Because Christians have not been reading their bibles, we are susceptible to lies and weak in our ability to fight these lies. God has given us His word to fight Satan and his lies, and we need to recover all of God’s word, its serrated edge and all. Mark your calendars for October 6th-8th, as we fight, laugh and feast with fellowship, beer and Psalms, our amazing lineup of speakers, hanging with our awesome vendors, meeting new friends, and more. Early bird tickets will be available starting in the middle of March.