Whether you’re looking to connect with industry leaders, explore the latest in retail and tech, or uncover strategies to fuel brand growth, there’s a CPG conference that fits the bill. We’ve pulled together a running list of upcoming conferences worth your attention. This roundup will be updated regularly as new events are announced—so consider bookmarking it as a go-to resource. Know of a great conference we should add? Drop us a line —we’d love to include it. January 2026 C

The pet industry is booming, and staying connected with the latest trends, innovations, and key players is more crucial than ever. Whether you're launching a new pet food line, expanding your product distribution, or looking to forge strategic partnerships, industry conferences offer unparalleled opportunities for networking, education, and business growth. We've pulled together the most essential pet industry conferences happening in 2026 that every pet food and product bran

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be one of the biggest commercial moments of the decade. For CPG brands, this isn’t just about sponsorship visibility, it’s about using cultural relevance to align your brand with the fun, community and passion of soccer fans.  Here are five examples of how CPG brands are turning FIFA into a real growth lever. 1. Coca-Cola: Turning the Trophy Into a Retail Growth Engine Coca-Cola’s FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour is a masterclass in how to

Many brands ask whether awareness campaigns are worth investing in when the primary goal is sales. The short answer is yes. Why? Because new customers do not buy products they have never heard of. This answer is not based on intuition alone. It is supported by decades of marketing science from respected researchers including Byron Sharp, Les Binet, Mark Ritson, and Andrew Tindall. Their collective work consistently shows that awareness and performance campaigns are not compet

Every December, we do something that might seem counterintuitive in an industry known for its relentless pace: we close our doors. Not just for Christmas Day or New Year's Day, but for the entire stretch between the holidays. It's a tradition we've maintained since day one at Left Hand Agency, and honestly? It's one of the decisions I'm most proud of. This isn't about being lazy or uncommitted to our clients. It's about recognizing something fundamental that our industry ofte

As we wrap up 2025, it's clear this has been a pivotal year for advertising. The industry has undergone significant tactical shifts: from the rise of AI-powered automation to the mainstreaming of creator partnerships and the evolution beyond traditional SEO toward sophisticated geo-targeting. Yet beneath all the operational changes, the fundamental laws of brand growth remain as solid as ever. While the methods have evolved dramatically, the marketing science Byron Sharp docu

The retail media landscape is shifting under our feet, and smart CPG brands are already adapting their strategies. As retailer media support models evolve across the industry, brands are discovering powerful new ways to harness retailer data for offsite growth.  The days of relying purely on managed service solutions from retailers are numbered. But here's the thing—this isn't a crisis—it's an opportunity. The brands that figure out how to leverage retailer-derived shopper an

Retail media networks (RMNs) have become the shiny new toy in CPG advertising, promising unprecedented access to shopper data and closed-loop measurement. While RMNs deliver on some of these promises, the reality is more nuanced than the marketing materials suggest. Here's what we've learned about where retail media truly excels. And, where it falls short. The Measurement Advantage: Finally, Real Impact Data One of the biggest advantages of using retail media networks is the

Retail media continues to evolve. If you're managing retail media for a CPG or retail brand, you’ve likely noticed changes in how service models are structured, particularly around offsite support. Many networks are shifting from a single managed-service pathway toward more self-service and partner-managed options for offsite campaigns. These changes signal how retail media networks are prioritizing product development, measurement, and first-party data as they refine their s

5 Advanced Questions to Ask Before Committing to an Retail Media Network (Part 2) Last week we covered the foundational questions every brand should ask before engaging a retail media network. This week, we’re getting into the weeds. These are the questions that reveal how built-out, transparent and data-driven an RMN really is.   It’s no secret that RMNs are the Wild Wild West.   These five questions are the ones even sophisticated teams often forget to ask. They expose how

The holiday shopping season transforms grocery stores into entirely different ecosystems. Your typical weekday shoppers are suddenly joined by stressed party hosts, last-minute gifters, and families stocking up for major celebrations. Understanding how these shoppers think and behave isn’t just interesting, it’s essential for CPG brands looking to capture their share of peak seasonal spending. This year’s data reveals notable shifts in holiday shopping behavior. Here’s what’

Retail media is booming! Emarketer predicts ad spend will reach $100 billion by 2029.  That means one in every $5 spent on digital will be for retail media! But before you get out your wallet, know that not all retail media comes from retail media networks (RMNs). And, not all RMNs are built the same. Some have world-class data, clean measurement, and true incrementality. Others sell expensive impressions inside a very shiny walled garden.  We're sharing the first five quest

If you're a brand manager or CPG marketer, you’ve probably heard “POG” tossed around in retail conversations. Maybe you nodded along, hoping context would fill in the blanks. Let’s clear it up. POG stands for Planogram  — a visual blueprint that shows exactly where each product should be placed on store shelves. Think of it as a floor plan for your space at shelf. It’s a retail fundamental that can significantly influence your brand’s in-store performance. Why POGs Matter Mor

If you're managing a CPG brand and wondering why your distribution numbers don’t match your sales performance, you may be missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: All Commodity Volume (ACV) Distribution, or %ACV. Many brands focus on how many stores carry their products. The real game-changer is understanding which  stores actually drive meaningful revenue. ACV Distribution isn’t just another metric; it’s a roadmap to strategic growth. By measuring distribution based on store s

One of my favorite parts of working in CPG is how much founders share with each other. You’d think the space would be cutthroat, but in my experience, it’s the opposite — people genuinely want to help, and the ones who show up regularly become voices that make the entire industry better. This week, I’m highlighting five CPG founders you should be following on LinkedIn (plus a few honorable mentions). I never scroll past their posts — and that says a lot about their content!

It’s easy to blame lack of shelf presence on distribution. But in many cases, the issue isn’t logistics, it’s visibility. Here’s the...

In a world chasing clicks, static out-of-home (OOH) stands its ground. No rotations. No shared space. Just 100% share of voice, front and...

Digital out-of-home (DOOH) has become an increasingly valuable tool in the modern media mix—especially for CPG brands trying to stay...

Most marketers don’t stall because their strategy is weak. They stall because it worked really well until it didn't. And now they're...

I just got back from Newtopia Now in Denver, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite events in the natural products space. The expo...