Colby Spence Colby Spence has been named Western Sales Manager/Key Accounts at Terrascend Canada. She had been Territory Sales Manager at Steam Whistle Brewing. CATEGORIES Cannabis PUBLISHED August 19, 2022 AUTHOR ForceBrands
Leah Pitman Leah Pitman has been named PR and Cultural Partnerships at Campari. She had been Head of Communications and Digital at New Belgium Brewing. CATEGORIES Beverage PUBLISHED August 19, 2022 AUTHOR ForceBrands
Inc. 5000 2022: These Consumer Brands Are Among the Most Successful Companies in America Inc. magazine revealed its 2022 Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at independent American companies that have achieved spectacular growth. What’s more is that these companies not only survived a tumultuous global pandemic, they’ve thrived. With resilience, spirit, grit, and perseverance, this year’s honorees have successfully and […] CATEGORIES ForceBrands PUBLISHED August 17, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Dirty Hands Expert Advice: How Today’s Natural Food Brands Can Leverage Economic Uncertainty to Advance at Retail, Not Retreat Ongoing uncertainty and tough economic conditions are affecting all aspects of the natural foods industry. From brands to retailers, consumers, investors, and manufacturers, everyone is feeling the effects of long-term disruptions and instability. Recessions exacerbate existing problems and today’s retail climate is already saddled with significant challenges for all stakeholders. Some of the realities facing […] CATEGORIES Food PUBLISHED August 16, 2022 AUTHOR Dirty Hands
The Key to WFH Success? Your Morning Routine If you’re one of the many workers who transitioned to a remote workplace amid the pandemic, you’ve very likely had to adjust your schedule. With the absence of a morning commute, the rhythm of your daily routine has been altered. An article from Employee Benefit News highlights how morning routines hold the key to optimizing […] CATEGORIES ForceBrands PUBLISHED August 14, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Unlock Your Growth Potential in Just 9.6 Minutes a Day Have you ever heard of the expression, Rome wasn’t built in a day? The adage suggests that greatness takes time. And several behavior experts agree that this theory isn’t only true, but it may also be the key to unlocking your growth potential. According to the author of “Atomic Habits,” James Clear, personal and professional growth […] CATEGORIES ForceBrands PUBLISHED July 31, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Cannabis Matters with Lisa Hurwitz of Happi As one of the only cannabis-infused beverages on the market that’s targeted to women, Happi is uniquely positioned in the industry. In this episode of Cannabis Matters, we go behind the scenes of the company with its president Lisa Hurwitz, who’s bringing her experience in big CPG and at MSOs to the cannabis startup space. […] CATEGORIES Cannabis PUBLISHED July 26, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
One Step Closer to Zero Waste: A Conversation with OSC’s Packaging Collaborative Director Jake Hebert Plastic-Free July is a campaign initiated by One Step Closer (OSC) to highlight the steps their Packaging and Climate Collaborative is taking this month to raise awareness about climate change. Some of their initiatives include a trash collection challenge in collaboration with Alter Eco to be #1StepClosertoZeroWaste. In addition, they’ve been sharing helpful tips all […] CATEGORIES ForceBrands PUBLISHED July 25, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Phil West Phil West has been named VP of Marketing at Conecuh Brands, LLC. He had been Brand Marketing at E. & J. Gallo Winery. CATEGORIES Beverage PUBLISHED July 24, 2022 AUTHOR ForceBrands
Scott Butler Scott Butler has been named Senior Controller at Archer Roose. He had been Controller at Donum Estate Winery. CATEGORIES Beverage PUBLISHED July 24, 2022 AUTHOR ForceBrands
Natalie Liener Natalie Liener has been named Director, Brand & Consumer Marketing at NotCo. She had been Director of Brand & Integrated Marketing at NAADAM. CATEGORIES Food PUBLISHED July 24, 2022 AUTHOR ForceBrands
Accelerating Brands: Go Behind the Scenes of Mocktail Club Inspired by her worldly travels, Pauline Idogho initially launched Mocktail Club as a way for her to continue to enjoy celebratory cocktails while pregnant. Capitalizing on the low- to no-alc trend among today’s younger consumers, Idogho hopes to build Mocktail Club into a global brand. We caught up with her to learn more about the […] CATEGORIES Beverage PUBLISHED July 24, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Phil West Phil West has been named VP of Marketing at Conecuh Brands, LLC. He had been Brand Marketing at E. & J. Gallo Winery CATEGORIES Beverage PUBLISHED July 24, 2022 AUTHOR ForceBrands
Now Hiring? How Companies are Responding to Recession Concerns There have been a lot of conversations about economic uncertainty and the job market, especially in the last six months. Even while data from a recent jobs report is less indicative of an economic slump, recession concerns are validated by rising interest rates and record-high inflation. Many companies are also restructuring their teams. Layoffs, hiring […] CATEGORIES ForceBrands PUBLISHED July 17, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Cannabis Matters with Nick Fotis of 710 Labs Quality over everything is the mantra behind 710 Labs and it shows. The brand is comprised of award-winning artists obsessed with making the richest flavored, pesticide-free, organically fed, small batch, hand trimmed cannabis on the planet. In the latest episode of Cannabis Matters, we go inside 710 Labs with its Chief Marketing Officer Nick Fotis who […] CATEGORIES Cannabis PUBLISHED July 12, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Job Market Data Offers a Bright Spot Amid Recession Concerns Are we already in the midst of a recession? The job market doesn’t think so. While a recession is defined (by technical terms) by gross domestic product (GDP) shrinking for two consecutive quarters, some experts argue that we’re already in one, especially if August’s GDP data follows the first quarter’s 1.4 percent decline. But even amid recession […] CATEGORIES ForceBrands PUBLISHED July 10, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
The Price of a Dream Job: Would You Take a Pay Cut for the Ultimate Opportunity? Would you take a pay cut for your dream job? It’s a tough question but it may be easier to answer depending on what your role is, says LinkedIn‘s latest Workforce Confidence Index. The survey analyzed 25 careers to see who’s most tempted to leave their current role for one that’s more enjoyable but offers less pay. We wanted […] CATEGORIES ForceBrands PUBLISHED July 2, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Consumer Brands Respond to Ruling Overturning Roe v. Wade On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, affecting countless Americans. In a historic 5-4 vote, Roe v. Wade — the 1973 landmark decision that guaranteed a constitutional right to an abortion — was struck down. While the widespread impact of the decision will reverberate for weeks, months, and years, […] CATEGORIES ForceBrands PUBLISHED June 28, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
How biom Co-Founders Will Gahagan and Hank Schellenger Are Cleaning Up the Wipes Industry With a shared passion for the ocean and sustainable design, Will Gahagan and Hank Schellenger are cleaning up the wipes industry. While straws and plastic bottles may first come to mind when people think about environmentally-unfriendly products, 90 percent of wet wipes contain plastic. This discovery, combined with the fact that all wipes produced globally […] CATEGORIES Beauty PUBLISHED June 26, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Bliss Dake Bliss Dake has been named VP Marketing at True Terpenes. He had been US General Manger, Genki Forest. CATEGORIES Cannabis PUBLISHED June 21, 2022 AUTHOR ForceBrands
Cannabis Matters with Graham Farrar, President of Glass House Brands In the premiere episode of Cannabis Matters, we go behind the scenes of Glass House Brands with President Graham Farrar. A self-proclaimed tech geek with a longtime passion for cannabis, Farrar is on the cutting edge of California’s booming cannabis industry. ForceBrands‘ Cannabis Client Strategist and host of Cannabis Matters, Eric Rosen, catches up with […] CATEGORIES Cannabis PUBLISHED June 21, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
5 Iconic Food Companies That Are Leaders in LGBTQ+ Workplace Equality Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. While the majority of Americans support the Equality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender, many companies have also stepped up to openly express support for the community. The food industry, for the most part, has been an ally. In the […] CATEGORIES Food PUBLISHED June 21, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
ForceBrands Introduces New “Cannabis Matters” Video Series ForceBrands is proud to introduce Cannabis Matters, a new thought leadership video series that explores conversations with the brightest minds in today’s cannabis industry. Hosted by ForceBrands’ Client Strategist Eric Rosen, each episode offers insights from leaders about how they’re attracting and retaining world-class talent and navigating the ever-evolving cannabis space. The series features leaders […] CATEGORIES Cannabis PUBLISHED June 16, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Thought Leadership in 10 with Deborah Brenner, Founder of Women of the Vine & Spirits Join Founder and CEO of ForceBrands and PINATA Josh Wand in 10-minute conversations with leaders across the consumer brand universe. The series of fireside-like chats, originally shared on his LinkedIn, feature some of the industry’s most game-changing thought leaders. Watch the video to catch up with Deborah Brenner, Founder of Women of the Vine & Spirits. Read the full interview […] CATEGORIES Beverage PUBLISHED June 15, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Thought Leadership in 10 with Beverage Industry Executive Jeff Popkin Join Founder and CEO of ForceBrands and PINATA Josh Wand in 10-minute conversations with leaders across the consumer brand universe. The series of fireside-like chats, originally shared on his LinkedIn, feature some of the industry’s most game-changing thought leaders. Watch the video to catch up with beverage industry executive Jeff Popkin. Read the full interview […] CATEGORIES Beverage PUBLISHED June 15, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
How Spring Sisters Makes Work Easier for Ambitious Startups and Established Brands When Sheila Friedland founded boutique outsourcing solutions provider Spring Sisters, she based it on one simple idea: to make work easier. As a project coordinator in her last role, Friedland was familiar with the pains of outsourcing. “There’s a unique set of problems that companies of all sizes face when trying to achieve long-term, sustainable […] CATEGORIES ForceBrands PUBLISHED June 14, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
3 Cannabis Brands That Celebrate Pride Pride Month (June) is an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Parades, festivals, and other events show solidarity with the community in remembrance of the Stonewall Riots that took place on June 28, 1969 — an event widely viewed as a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. A year later, the first Pride parade […] CATEGORIES Cannabis PUBLISHED June 12, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Making the Wine Industry More Inclusive with Cool Cat’s Co-Founder Rocco Venneri Rocco Venneri is building a community of ‘Cool Cats’ — like-minded individuals who share his mission to break down barriers and be inspired to follow their dreams. As a minority founded, led, and operated beverage lifestyle company, Cool Cat is a modern brand that represents more than ‘just a drink.’ We caught up with Rocco […] CATEGORIES Beverage PUBLISHED June 12, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Juan Eduardo Lopez Sela Juan Eduardo Lopez Sela has been named Chief Marketing Officer at Mezcal Amaras. He had been Premium Portfolio Marketing Director/Marketing Head LatAm at Jose Cuervo. CATEGORIES Beverage PUBLISHED June 9, 2022 AUTHOR ForceBrands
Kara Eller Kara Eller has been named Director of Global Sales at Domenica Fiore. She had been Territory Sales Manager at Stella and Chewy’s. CATEGORIES Food PUBLISHED June 9, 2022 AUTHOR ForceBrands
DEI: Building the New Normal with OSC’s Cynthia Billops Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) sounds simple enough, but its implementation into actionable change is still very much a work in progress. According to Cynthia Billops, Vice President of Operations and Memberships and Belonging at One Step Closer (OSC), there’s a long way to go before we reach the new normal. “What I love about […] CATEGORIES ForceBrands PUBLISHED June 6, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Is This Hot, New Skill On Your Résumé? Experts Say It Should Be From office closures to flexible work schedules, the pandemic has disrupted the workplace as we knew it. But those who have adapted more readily to their new work environments are being touted by experts as having a ‘source of power.‘ In a recently published article from Business Insider, ‘hybrid competence’ is being dubbed the latest […] CATEGORIES Career Advice PUBLISHED June 5, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
Amelia (Stier) Epstein Amelia (Stier) Epstein has been Head, Brand Identity, Creative & Design at SmartyPants Vitamins. She had been Creative Director at Saatchi & Saatchi / Team One. CATEGORIES Beauty PUBLISHED June 2, 2022 AUTHOR ForceBrands
Accelerating Brands: Go Behind the Scenes of Yips Yogurt Chips Yips Yogurt Chips was born out of innovation and convenience. Co-Founder Erin Vranas was looking for an easier way to eat yogurt on the go without a spoon. We caught up with her to learn more about the inspiration behind the company, her future business aspirations, and advice she has for fellow entrepreneurs. Read the […] CATEGORIES Food PUBLISHED June 1, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer
5 LGBTQ+ Owned Beauty Brands to Show Your Pride The beauty industry has been slow to evolve when it comes to embracing inclusivity. The good news is that progress is being made. While emerging brands like the ones featured on our list are making notable strides in setting new standards for the beauty industry, legacy beauty companies are taking notes. This is not to […] CATEGORIES Beauty PUBLISHED June 1, 2022 AUTHOR ForceBrands
Foxtrot Awards 6 Female-Founded DTC Brands Shelf Space Convenience store of the future Foxtrot announcing the newest winners of its Up & Comers Small Makers Awards, a program to uncover the best emerging food and beverage brands. Last year’s inaugural winner Omsom, the fast-growing Asian pantry staples brand, has continued to take the CPG space by storm since earning its ‘Hero Winner’ title. “Our Up […] CATEGORIES ForceBrands PUBLISHED May 31, 2022 AUTHOR Rebecca Fryer