Beverages

Through the use of innovative thinking, technology solutions and even some aggressive marketing, these nine Standout SMB companies should be duly noted for the strategies that helped them grow in the midmarket.

CGT Editor Alarice Rajagopal gives you a sneak peek into the trends and topics discussed in this month's issue.

Since Talking Rain's ultimate retail strategy is to be a trusted advisor providing insight to its customer about the right product mix and placement of products, the company needed a technology that would enable the category management, marketing and sales teams to provide retailers with these insights.

Amazon set the Internet aflutter when it announced its latest digital innovation the Dash Button. Major CPG companies like P&G, Clorox, Coca-Cola and Kraft are already on board with the e-commerce giant testing with Amazon Prime members. It is already being said that these in-home buttons could give big CPG players the 'leverage they've lacked in e-commerce.'

The Absolut Company is using the EPiServer Digital Experience Cloud running on Microsoft Azure to develop a new family of web sites to support its leading spirit brands.

IRI, Kline to Provide Expanded OTC Coverage

Chicago-based shopper insights provider IRI and pharmaceutical market research firm Kline & Co., Parsippany, New Jersey, have partnered to provide the consumer healthcare industry a higher level of data accuracy, the companies said.

Brand Marketers
Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta

Russell Baker has been named vice president, shopper marketing strategy, content and capabilities, for Coca-Cola North America.

Many small, organic food companies start with a homegrown story that appeals to its consumer base, however, major consumer goods powerhouses have been recently vacuuming up these niche players. Giants like Coke, General Mills and Kellogg have recently expanded their organic portfolios through acquisition with rumors of more to come. With the risk of being called a sell out, is teaming up with bigger companies better for growth, or is it a death sentence for these smaller players?