LEAD Marketing Conference

Call Us: +1 440-582-3122

2024 LEAD Marketing Conference Presentations

Click on the Screens at Right

To Play the Session Recordings

Exploring AI in CPG: From Use Cases to Success Stories

Joel Cartwright, Industry Principal, Consumer Products, Vistex

The Consumer-Packaged Goods industry is currently immersed in discussions surrounding AI, prompting extensive dialogue and inquiry. Among the pressing questions is the strategic application of AI to business processes: Should AI capabilities be developed first, then applied to a relevant use case? Alternatively, should a use case be identified beforehand, guiding the implementation of AI?

This LEAD session explores methods for formulating business process use cases optimized for AI integration. Furthermore, it aims to assess the potential expansion of AI applications beyond customer planning to other operational domains.

Loyalty Disrupted: Transforming Consumer Relationships with CPGs Utilizing In-Store Insights

Georgios Tzafis, Vice President, Sales of Emerging & Midcap Brands, and

Sarah Jankowski, Director, User Growth and Integrated Marketing, Trax Retail

Join us as we dive into the evolving landscape of consumer loyalty in the CPG industry. With Instacart, in-store pick-up, and other grocery innovations shaking up the market, the traditional concept of brand loyalty is being redefined.

After surveying over 10,000 consumers, the number one reason why consumers shift in loyalty for CPG brands is due to product not being on the shelf when they want it! In this session, we dive into consumer shopping expectations and offer innovative solutions. It's time to stay ahead during this pivotal point of disruption.

Using Certifications to Enhance Credibility

And Stand Out in the Marketplace

Nikki Smith, Associate Director of Marketplace Development, Plant Based Foods Association

Jen Berkebile, Technical Scheme Lead - Food Product Claims, NSF

Megan Mahon, Director - Product Intelligence Certification Partnerships, SPINS

Sarah-Marie Cole, Chief Marketing Officer, MyForest Foods

In today's dynamic business environment, third-party certifications are no longer just an option but a necessity. Join us for an enlightening LEAD session featuring industry leaders from NSF International, SPINS, MyForest Foods, and the Plant Based Foods Association as we delve into the realm of certifications and their pivotal role in propelling your business forward.

Discover how certifications are a beacon of trust, guiding consumers toward your products amidst a sea of choices. Learn the intricacies of the certification process and gain expert insider knowledge, ensuring a smooth journey toward certification while enhancing your brand's credibility and appeal. Delve into market data and trends to understand the pulse of the plant-based landscape, unlocking invaluable growth opportunities.

Protecting Margins Amid Cost Volatility:

Strategies for CPG Manufacturers

Joel Cartwright, Industry Principal, Consumer Products, Vistex

With rising inflation, increasing interest rates, and volatile costs—especially in food away from home, ingredients, packaging, and supplies—consumer products manufacturers face increasing pressure to protect their margins. While inflation may drive revenue growth, the real concern is shrinking margins.

As material costs fluctuate, tightening controls is crucial for maintaining profitability. Attend this LEAD session to learn how CPG manufacturers are pivoting to control the controllable and safeguard their margins in this evolving landscape.

Align Retail Media with ACV: The Challenge for Grocery Brands

James Tenser, Storyteller-in-Chief, VSN Strategies

The stunning rise of retail media networks has profound implications for CPG marketers, as they seek workable strategies and methods for allocating their marketing investments. Few possess the resources to make empirical buying decisions beyond the largest few RMNs.

Typically, Walmart Connect, Amazon DSP, Albertsons Media Collective, Kroger, CVS Media Exchange, Target (Roundel), Costco dominate the list. But these media distribution plans align poorly with their ACV product distribution. Advertising on just the top 7-10 RMNs leaves some three-fourths of grocery retail locations out of the media planning picture.

Brands have historically been even-handed in their trade marketing investments across all of their retail distribution channels. How can they achieve this proportionality with respect to their retail media investments?