Two Brands, One Win. What Makes Collaborations Work?
Taste Radio
Brand collaborations are exploding, and they’re becoming one of the most effective growth levers in CPG. In this episode, the team breaks down why co-branded products are becoming a core strategy for food and beverage brands, what separates meaningful partnerships from gimmicks, and how leaders like Grillo’s, Fly By Jing, Graza, and Liquid Death are using them to drive awareness, trial, and category expansion. Show notes: 0:25: Playoff Beards. Popping In. A Secret Guest. Smokes To Snacks. Collab Work. Healthy, Hot & High. – The episode opens with playful banter about facial hair...
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Elevator Talk: No Cap!, Lua Coffee, Tizz, The Purple Drop
Taste Radio
The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from No Cap!, Lua Coffee, Tizz and The Purple Drop In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week’s special co-host is Wade Yenny, the vice president of brand management & business development for Vdriven. He offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast. Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to...
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There’s Profit In Niche. A Lot Of It. Ask Dirty Sue.
Taste Radio
What if the biggest opportunity in your industry is something no one else recognizes? In this episode, Eric Tecosky, the founder of pioneering cocktail ingredient brand Dirty Sue, unpacks how a simple gap behind the bar became a first-to-market product, a profitable niche, and a lesson in disciplined focus. From navigating skeptical buyers to scaling a single SKU for 20 years, ET breaks down the strategy, timing, and execution behind building a sustainable, category-creating brand. Show notes: 0:25: Eric "ET" Tecosky, Founder & CEO, Dirty Sue – ET talks about the origin of...
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Hemp Bevs Take A Hit. Trip Keeps Calm & Raises $40M.
Taste Radio
A battle may be over, but has the war just begun? Baked into the deal to reopen the U.S. government is a surprising provision: a ban on intoxicating hemp products. What does this mean for the future of THC-infused beverages? The hosts weigh in. We also sit down with Trip co-founder Olivia Ferdi, whose fast-growing relaxation beverage brand recently announced a $40 million funding round at a valuation of $300 million. Show notes: 0:25: What A Trip. Retailers, Investors & More. Stigmas & Bans. A Lucky Bet. Beer Jerky. More Mez. -- Ray highlights Trip’s explosive growth toward $100...
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How Freestyle Snacks Won Over The ‘Sharks’
Taste Radio
She made olives fun — and the “Sharks” noticed. Nikki Seaman, the founder and CEO of Freestyle Snacks, landed a $300K deal on “Shark Tank” after turning her pandemic frustration over shuttered olive bars into a modern snack brand. In this episode, Nikki explains how she disrupted the “trusty but dusty” olive aisle with bright packaging, tantalizing flavors, and convenient, brine-free pouches. Bootstrapped and profitability-focused, Freestyle has grown strategically. The brand is now sold in over 5,000 stores, including Whole Foods, Target and Central Market, and is also carried...
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Lessons From Caulipower’s Exit, With Padma & ‘Popcorn’ in Focus
Taste Radio
What do the hosts make of Caulipower’s fitting exit, a tennis icon’s investment in a corn-free (!) popcorn startup, and Padma Lakshmi’s partnership with a particularly spicy CPG brand? It’s a full serving of Taste Radio, complete with a taste-test of high-fiber gummy candy and a $20, creatine-packed cereal. Show notes: 0:25: Stacking, Bro. A Plant-Based Pioneer. No Corn, Thanks. Celeb Spice. Rising Talks. Man, That’s Pricy. – Mike recounts his attendance at Supply Side Global and takeaways from the annual trade show. The hosts unpack Urban Farmer’s acquisition of Caulipower...
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Elevator Talk: Pantry Gems, Berski, Benni Pops, KiuKiu, Superlova
Taste Radio
The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Pantry Gems, Berski, Benni Pops, KiuKiu and Superlova. In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week’s special co-host is Mia Medina, the founder and CEO of Gather Brands. She offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast. Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future...
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Why Discipline Is Everything For Something & Nothing
Taste Radio
Every founder dreams of breaking the rules. Few do it with such quiet confidence as Oliver Dixon, the co-founder of better-for-you soda brand Something & Nothing. In this episode, Olly tells the story of how a creative experiment in a London bar became a category-disrupting soda brand now expanding rapidly across the U.S. He explains how his design sensibility and refusal to compromise on flavor helped shape a brand that feels both modern and timeless. Something & Nothing’s complex, mid-calorie sodas are inspired by travel and crafted with natural juices, not sweeteners. The...
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Burnin’ Dollars? Recess' $30M Raise & Ben Stiller's Soda.
Taste Radio
The hosts break down Recess’ $30 million raise, pound shots of olive oil, and wonder if Ben Stiller’s nostalgic soda brand can make it in middle America. Oh, and someone bottled a hot sauce wrapped in a real $100 bill. Show notes: 0:25: Take Your Best Shot. Deadlines, People. Pivot & Win. A Benny With Every Bottle. Ben’s Beer. – The show opens with a sampling of Kosterina’s new high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil shot, which has a spicier kick that some of the hosts realize. Ray reminds listeners that Oct. 31 is the deadline to submit nominations for BevNET, NOSH, and...
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Her Recipe for a Multimillion-Dollar Brand? Start With Dough.
Taste Radio
Doughlicious is proof that product obsession and strategic growth can make a small brand big. In this episode, Kathryn Bricken, the founder and CEO of Doughlicious, shares how she turned a London-based cookie dough startup into a global frozen dessert powerhouse now in 6,000 U.S. stores, including Whole Foods, Target, and Kroger. Kathryn talks about perfecting her signature gelato bites, scaling frozen logistics, securing $5 million in funding, and launching innovative treats like the brand’s new banana oat cookie skillet with plant-based collagen, all while keeping quality and joy at...
info_outlineBrand collaborations are exploding, and they’re becoming one of the most effective growth levers in CPG. In this episode, the team breaks down why co-branded products are becoming a core strategy for food and beverage brands, what separates meaningful partnerships from gimmicks, and how leaders like Grillo’s, Fly By Jing, Graza, and Liquid Death are using them to drive awareness, trial, and category expansion.
Show notes:
0:25: Playoff Beards. Popping In. A Secret Guest. Smokes To Snacks. Collab Work. Healthy, Hot & High. – The episode opens with playful banter about facial hair before previewing upcoming BevNET Live, Nosh Live, and Brewbound Live in L.A. next month. Ray highlights the return of Poppi co-founders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth to the BevNET Live stage to discuss building the modern soda category and notes Allison’s recent appearance as a guest shark on “Shark Tank,” including her investment in Freestyle Snacks. The hosts also spotlight upcoming programming such as CVS Health’s Lauren Castro at NOSH Live, a still-secret Nosh Live guest and also urge founders to nab remaining Elevator Talk, and One-to-One meeting slots. They pivot to brand collaborations, citing Grillo’s Pickles’ new Zippo tie-in and its growing list of partners, as well as prolific collaborators like Mike’s Hot Honey and Graza. The hosts offer advice on considerations for partnerships and co-branded products and what makes for a successful collaboration. John praises Lentiful’s Thanksgiving Feast instant lentil cup, Mike is hot about Blobs’ new spicy mango-guava flavor and everyone has their say about Rind’s recently released raspberry-almond granola squares. Jacqui introduces a “drink your skincare” energy beverage and Mike samples a THC-infused “Soda Pot.” Ray reminds listeners that Thanksgiving week gets chaotic, so those planning to attend December’s BevNET Live, NOSH Live, or Brewbound Live should finalize registration soon to avoid missing out – and the inevitable post-event FOMO.
Brands in this episode: Poppi, Freestyle Snacks, Grillo’s, Graza, Little Spoon, Firehook, Ithaca, Alec’s, Rind, Mike Hot Honey Grillo’s, Hippies, Ithaca, Sonic, V8, Boulder Canyon, Aura Bora, Claussens, Fly By Jing, Daily Crunch, Lundberg Rice, Fishwife, Little Sesame, Keystone, Huer, Frank’s Red Hot, Lentiful, Blobs, Huxley, Tropicana, Rind, Skinergy, Clrty! Soda Pot, Mockly