Executive Council

Santa Baby, One Thing We Really Need ... Some Christmas Commercialism
Stores have used Christmas to drive the economy, and frankly Christmas has used commercialism to, as Ralphie puts it, secure its place as the date around which “the entire kid year revolved.” Learn more about holiday trends from Executive Council member Werner Graf.
U.S. Glass Shortage Putting a Crack in CPG Sustainability Efforts
Glass remains one of the oldest and most-trusted packaging materials, with a history dating back over 5,000 years. See how it has evolved across CPG manufacturing.

Member Q&A
Tapping Into Tech: An Inside Look With Google Cloud’s Carrie Tharp
Google Cloud's Carrie Tharp recently shared her thoughts on some of today’s standout topics, including digitizing the store experience and the various emerging technologies brands can tap into to better engage with consumers.
Council Member Insight
The Pride of the Consumer Goods Industry: Innovation
What Werner Graf learned down in New Orleans very early in his career was that there was really only one way to drive big wins — especially in a stoic, mundane business that had been frozen in time: innovation. Learn more.
Member Q&A
Owning the Cycle of a Promising Future: Up Close With Visionet’s Werner Graf
The CGT/RIS Executive Council member recently shared his thoughts on some of today’s most pressing issues in the CG and retail communities, including what may be the most exciting commerce opportunity on the horizon.
Member Q&A
Data Analytics Innovation: Up Close with Alteryx’s Gib Bassett
Bassett has identified patterns among those achieving value from their analytics investments, and he enjoys telling the stories to others wanting to similarly improve.
Member Q&A
Defining the Modern Enterprise: Up Close with Softtek’s David Jiménez
For David Jiménez, managing director, CPG, at Softtek, talent management is a subject he’s quite passionate about.
Member Q&A
Engaging in the Moment: Up Close with Treasure Data’s Danica Konetski
We caught up with the exec to get her thoughts on how companies can prepare for the future of direct-to-consumer, what’s effecting real change in personalization, and the e-commerce metrics worth prioritizing.
Council Member Insight
A Love Letter to Transparency and Communication
This isn't another article on the inflation-adjusted cost of flowers or comparing same-store sales of candy hearts at Walmart. It’s not about flowers and lace-cut cards. It’s about the marriage, not the honeymoon.
Council Member Insight
A Path to E-commerce Excellence
Today's sellers need to appear in a lot of different places to maximize consumer reach throughout the buying process. While it may seem overwhelming, here are steps to accelerate your brand on the path to e-commerce excellence:
Executive Council
Topics in 10 with PepsiCo’s John Phillips and AWS’ Justin Honaman
Two CGT/RIS Executive Council members sat down to discuss three of today’s most pressing issues in consumer goods and retail today — and they attempted to do it in 10 minutes.
Council Member Insight
CPGs Are Under Pressure. Is Cloud the Relief Valve?
Companies need to find new sources of efficiencies, and one of the key levers would be to look at unlocking value in the way CPG companies manufacture products.
Executive Council
The Future of Tech-Powered Commerce: Up Close with Publicis Sapient’s Liz Papasakelariou
The CGT/RIS Executive Council member shares what’s key for today’s brands when it comes developing a data strategy, the future of social commerce, the potential of blockchain and more.
Member Q&A
Boosting Supply Chain Challenges Through Advanced Technologies: Up Close with Zebra Technologies' Guy Yehiav
We checked in with Guy Yehiav, general manager of Zebra Analytics and a member of the CGT/RIS Executive Council, to get his perspective on the promise of AI in retail and consumer goods, as well as some of the ways companies are leveraging prescriptive analytics right now.