MAD//FEST’s Post

Access to the best resources, connections, and insights will give you a MAJOR confidence boost, and help you confirm you're moving in the right direction. But don't take it from me – take it from Sprout Beverage alum Samantha Franklin, Co-Founder of Black Yeti Beverage! #AdultBeverage #BusinessIncubator #Accelerator

COLLAB OF THE WEEK Guess who's turning up the heat with a sizzling collaboration with Hot Ones? 🐼🌶️ Panda Express is taking flavour to a whole new level by introducing its spiciest dish yet. A partnership with one of the hottest entertainment brands around! As we've seen time and again, creative collaborations between brands can lead to exceptional innovations. It's a testament to the power of teamwork and the willingness to push boundaries and create new products. Check out the details in the article below 🥢 #CulinaryInnovation #SpicyFlavours #BrandCollaboration #BrandCollab #Branding #ProductMarketing

So, if a Established Regional Brand- just starts Breakfast, while adding multiple new dinner specials (adding them on Weekends) Is it truly about driving business? Or more about staying alive? In the beverage business, when a brand “repositions pricing to a reach a broader audience” it is usually to achieve volume (and sales dollars) it used to have. (And more than likely, it never will again) Opening more day part’s doesn’t always equal more sales, and more importantly, Brand Growth/Sustainable Growth. Doesn’t history prove this practice wrong?

See, buyers aren’t all that scary 😜 Katie from Katie Swift Cordials shares her delightful experience of pitching to Gertrude Grocer at last year’s Festival. Want to get the opportunity to pitch your product to one, multiple, or all our retail partners next week at the 2024 Foodpreneurs Festival? Simply: 1. Grab your ticket to the Foodpreneurs Festival here if you haven’t already: https://buff.ly/3UwuNFQ 2. Head to our website's "Apply to Pitch" page here: https://lnkd.in/gFBAu6-W (BUT BE QUICK AS SUBMISSIONS CLOSE IN 24 HOURS!). 3. Submit your application*. 4. Wait to hear from us whether your pitch application has been successful (you’ll hear by 15th May). 5. Head to our FAQs page here: https://buff.ly/3UuHotf to learn more about pitching at the event (including what to bring on the day and how brands are selected to pitch). *Submission does guarantee your application will be looked at and your product assessed for suitability by buyers but does not guarantee you a pitch time slot. See Foodpreneurs Festival website for details.

In the grand chessboard of marketing, where every move is critical, the Marketing Teams of Xtra Foods Supermarket and CARIB Brewery came together, not in the boardroom, but in the vibrant backdrop of our local Starbucks. It was here, amidst the lively crescendo of espresso machines and casual conversations, that an innovative strategy was carefully crafted. With the strategic finesse reminiscent of a masterclass in Porter’s five forces, we peered into the competitive landscape with a vision to not just see but to reimagine. Infusing the disruptive energy of a start-up and the wisdom of seasoned market sages, we charted a path that marries the familiar with the frontier. Our strategy for the second quarter is not just a plan, but a mosaic of collaborative ventures, akin to butterflies in the midst of metamorphosis, ready to disrupt the status quo with newfound grace. This collaboration transcends mere brand alignment; it’s a conscious coupling of heritage and pioneering spirit, where time-honored tradition waltzes with cutting-edge innovation. What’s brewing is a campaign that embodies not mere change, but a bold reinvention, a strategy that weaves intrigue with the anticipation of transformation. This is more than marketing; this is an unfolding story where every twist and turn is meticulously designed to engage and captivate. Stay with us as we roll out a narrative that’s set to make an enduring impact on the commerce landscape. The journey ahead is ripe with expectancy, heralding a fresh era that elevates not just a product, but an entire experience to resonate deeply and redefine the market space. #XtraInnovation #CaribCreativity #StrategicMastery #MarketMetamorphosis #XtraFoods #CaribBrewery

Great article . Worth pausing and challenging your own business concept

The buzz around THC-infused beverages is palpable right now, but with all the hype and applause, there's a noticeable gap in execution and long-term planning within the industry. While some brands are focused on short-term gains and LinkedIn recognition, few are prioritizing scalability and sustainable growth. With that said, there are visionary brands paving the way for future success by investing in long-term strategies and prioritizing consumer needs over headlines. As we approach Summer 2024, it will be fascinating to see which brands can stay in stock and effectively meet consumer demand, ultimately shaping the future of what I believe is this century's most promising beverage opportunity. 

Together, we are stronger, surely? These five drinks brands certainly think so. Neatly following on from my recent post about the importance of storytelling, is this story that hit the trade press yesterday: A band of 5 independent drinks brands (Botivo Drinks, MURI, Lockdown Liquor & Co, RAPSCALLION_SODA and Ama Brewery) have come together to form ‘The Makers Alliance’. The alliance is focused on highlighting the ‘craft’ in producing yourself, particularly in the emerging markets they all inhabit. Now, we don't have the character count to debate own production vs co-manufacturing for challengers, so I’ll not comment there. But, I love this. It’s organised, aligned storytelling, focused around a key USP. To quote Imme Ermgassen , Co-founder of Botivo: ‘Individually our voices are small, but together we can really drive awareness of true craft brands in this space and showcase them.” The release getting picked up alone shows that in action. There’s not a great deal more I could find just now, beyond a fledgling YouTube channel, but I look forward to seeing what comes next. In the hectic, notification-overloaded environment in which we all operate, combining forces to amplify a message and drive home a common cause feels like a very smart move. Maybe 2024 can be the year of the alliance. #MakersAllianceDrinks I’m Andrew Allen, a couple-of-times F&B founder, who currently operates as an EiR, Consultant, and Mentor. I love innovation in the space, and the intersection between corporates and the start-up space. If you want to chat, drop me a message, and if this happens to float your content boat, please give me a follow.

In this video, I delve into the reasoning behind Pepsi's venture into food products, unveiling the carefully crafted strategy behind this move. 🍔🥤 Join me as I explore the exciting journey and share insights into the brand's innovative path. Don't miss out on this unique blend of business and flavor! 👉 Follow for more exclusive insights into business strategies and industry innovations. Let's stay connected on this exciting journey! 🚀 Don't forget to share with your network to spread the knowledge! 🤝 #PepsiStrategy #FoodInnovation #BusinessUnveiled #FollowForUpdates #ShareTheInsight

Collaborate for Local Food Unity Collaboration is the key to success for small food entities in a market dominated by large industrial players. Some ways you can collaborate: 1. Joint marketing efforts with complementary brands 2. Shared distribution channels 3. Sharing customer bases 4. Sharing resources, pooling buying power, and offering best practices #CollaborateToGrow #LocalFoodUnit Twitter Version: "Team up with fellow local food producers! Collaborative efforts can unlock new markets and opportunities for growth. #FoodCollaboration #GrowTogether"