Why CPG Leaders Must Adopt AI Now
CPG Insiders
Most business leaders are unprepared for the wave of AI that’s already reshaping entire industries. In fact, only 1 in 1,000 CEOs are ready to integrate it into their companies. In this episode, Mark and Justin break down what’s driving that hesitation—and why ignoring AI could cost you everything. From driverless trucks to AI-powered marketing to “Virtual Mark,” they explore the real risks and game-changing opportunities that CPG leaders can’t afford to miss. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why fear, not technology, is holding leaders back from AI adoption How AI is...
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Logos, Slogans + Brand Design: What Actually Matters
CPG Insiders
Too many brands pour endless time and money into “perfecting” their logo, thinking that’s the brand. It’s not. In this episode, Mark, Justin, and Jekyll+Hyde’s Creative Director, Paul Perzyk, break down what truly makes a brand memorable — and why overcomplicating your design can hurt more than help. From international slogan mishaps to why Jaguar’s rebrand tanked sales, this conversation is packed with insights that can save you from expensive mistakes. You’ll learn: Why your logo should be simple enough to draw in the sand How to make packaging work for new,...
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The Most Underrated Channel in Advertising
CPG Insiders
Everyone’s chasing influencers and TikTok—but there’s one old-school channel quietly crushing it for CPG brands: radio. In this episode, Mark and Justin pull back the curtain on how they’ve used radio to drive explosive in-store sales, cut through media clutter, and dominate overlooked markets with laughably low CPMs. They’re not just talking theory—they break down real campaigns that worked (and why), including how to target truckers with satellite radio, trigger impulse grocery buys on drive-time, and hijack weather reports to sell skin cream. Why most marketers are dead...
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Why You’re Asking the Wrong Question: It’s ‘Who,’ Not ‘How’
CPG Insiders
You’re not stuck because you don’t know how to grow. You’re stuck because you don’t know who can help you do it. In this episode, Mark and Justin unpack one of the most powerful mindset shifts for CPG entrepreneurs: the “Who Not How” philosophy popularized by Dan Sullivan. If you’ve been trying to do it all—handle retail, ops, legal, marketing—you’re slowing your brand down. They get real about what happens when you hire the wrong people (especially from big CPG) and how founders sabotage growth by clinging to loyalty instead of capability. You’ll learn: Why...
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Mastering Your Retail GTM Strategy
CPG Insiders
Want your product on store shelves? It’s not as simple as you think. In this episode of CPG Insiders, Dr. Mark Young and Justin Girouard reveal the step-by-step guide for building a bulletproof retail channel strategy. You’ll learn why getting into the wrong store can kill your brand, how to identify the perfect retail partners, and why your first retailer sets the tone for your entire launch. Plus, discover why hope is never a strategy—and what to do instead. How to map out your ideal retail “dream team” The surprising costs of launching with regionals vs. nationals Why...
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Make America Healthy Again: What CPG Brands Need to Know Now
CPG Insiders
The future of CPG is cleaner, leaner, and more honest—and if you're not already preparing for it, you're falling behind. In this landmark 100th episode, Mark and Justin unpack the rising Maha movement (Make America Healthy Again), its momentum in retail, and why it matters right now for every CPG brand. From Kroger’s food-as-medicine strategy to the shift away from artificial ingredients and seed oils, this episode delivers critical insights on the new retail ethos. What Bobby Kennedy’s HHS leadership means for food, supplements, and personal care Why major retailers are prioritizing...
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How Mark Young Found His Path — and Why He’s Still on It
CPG Insiders
In today’s episode of CPG Insiders, Mark + Justin dive into their personal journeys in the CPG industry. Explore Mark’s early experience in advertising. Discover the importance of passion, purpose, and the impact of capitalism in creating successful products, and how the role of advertising can enhance people’s lives.
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3 Ways to Get Retailers to Say Yes
CPG Insiders
In today’s episode of CPG Insiders, Mark + Justin reveal the only three paths that get brands into retail. Retailers don’t care how much you believe in your product. They care whether it expands the category, trades customers up, or brings in new money. Learn how to identify which path is right for your brand, and why anything outside of these three routes is a dead end. Discover how to use data, advertising, and team structure to make yourself irresistible to buyers under pressure to perform. Getting on shelf is hard. This episode shows you how to make it a no-brainer.
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26 Unbreakable Rules for Retail Part 3: Mindset
CPG Insiders
On today’s episode of CPG Insiders, Mark + Justin wrap up the Unbreakable Rules for Retail series, this time focusing on the importance of mindset, truth, and proving one's worth in retail. You’ve heard the product rules. You’ve heard the investment rules. But this episode tackles what separates the winners from the wannabes Learn the difference between abundance and scarcity mindsets. Discover the necessity of adapting to retail demands and the importance of humility in entrepreneurship. These are the beliefs and behaviors that define real retail success. Realize the...
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26 Unbreakable Rules for Retail Part 2: Investment Strategies
CPG Insiders
On today’s episode of CPG Insiders, Mark + Justin are back with part 2 of their “Rules for Retail” series — and this time, they’re talking dollars and sense. From advertising spend to broker relationships, learn the exact strategies successful brands use to scale at exponential rates. Discover what “15% just to stay in place” really means, why your broker should scare you a little, and how exponential growth only comes when you stop playing it safe.
info_outlineToo many brands pour endless time and money into “perfecting” their logo, thinking that’s the brand. It’s not.
In this episode, Mark, Justin, and Jekyll+Hyde’s Creative Director, Paul Perzyk, break down what truly makes a brand memorable — and why overcomplicating your design can hurt more than help. From international slogan mishaps to why Jaguar’s rebrand tanked sales, this conversation is packed with insights that can save you from expensive mistakes.
You’ll learn:
- Why your logo should be simple enough to draw in the sand
- How to make packaging work for new, unknown brands
- The right way to choose slogans that connect with customers
- When and how to evolve your brand identity without losing its essence
Listen now and start building a brand people actually remember.