ARCast
ARCast is a bi-weekly broadcast created specifically for professionals across retail and consumer goods companies "in the trenches" analyzing data, drawing planograms, researching shoppers, and more. The concept of “In The Trenches” is intended to build a real community of category management and shopper insights colleagues to share their authentic stories. ARCast brings like-minded individuals with relatable experiences to the table to reflect on their careers, share tips, funny anecdotes, and learnings along the way. "In The Trenches” is a reminder that people are behind it all. We make it happen. Welcome to our podcast.
Episodes
49 episodes since 2022
Insight Opens Doors
No team can truly be effective until it understands who they serve. Follow Lawrence as he takes us on a journey to learn why it takes real empathy to deliver value for his customers.
September 11, 2024
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44:21
No More Broad Strokes
We have moved beyond the era of pulling one lever and solving all your problems. The business is more challenging and the shopper landscape is exponentially complex, so we need to think and act differently. Shiraz helps us uncover some cu...
August 28, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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41:56
Everything Ends on a Shelf
Frank Castaneda has that classic story of moving from a grocery store clerk to director of category management. Learn how throughout the journey, he always remembered the basics while becoming a leading trusted advisor.
August 21, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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28:25
Riding the White Claw Rocketship
Life can be hard when you’re a David among Goliaths. Find out how Justin used critical insights to identify an emerging segment of an age-old category.
August 07, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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30:04
Buyers Don't Care About Brands
Early in his career, Simon Dunn worked on a myriad of interesting businesses from Liquor to Produce to Household Cleaners. He learned what drives success between category partners and now wants to share that knowledge with brands from around th...
July 24, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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41:40
Ask The Question Beyond The Data
With endless streams of data at our disposal, it is easy to spend your time justifying ways to use it. But Ella's career was cut from a different cloth, shaped by what she lacked. In this episode, discover how starting with a questi...
July 10, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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41:35
In Transition? Be Encouraged
From the likes of Pepsico, Dr. Pepper, Kantar and more, Lindsey Gladden has had a major impact across the globe through her expertise in shopper insights. Now we get insights from her about looking for her next role, the state of the market in ...
June 26, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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35:03
Give Them The Respect They Deserve
Zel Bianco has focused over 30 years on CPG, honing his software company to make the lives of category managers easier. Now he asks leaders to think differently and join him in this mission. Listen to another compelling episode as Z...
June 12, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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45:26
The Day My World Changed
You just celebrated your 30th birthday when suddenly you find yourself leading the Center of Excellence at one of the largest CPG companies in the world. What do you do? Let Alex take you on a ride as he shares this unbelievable sto...
May 29, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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48:31
It's OK To Be Afraid
Follow the story of Brandon Warshaw as he goes from The White House all the way to where he is now at Harmonya. Learn how Brandon used a "does it freak me out" metric to assess opportunities along his journey.
May 15, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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46:28
Relationships Matter
Nobody values people more than Brian Rutherford. He treasures a career that was "gifted" to him by mentors and looks to pass it along through interactions with customers, shoppers, and teammates. Understand why Brian truly believe...
May 01, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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40:30
The 1P Entrepreneur
Seeing a planogram as a summer intern was all it took for Dan Desmarais to be captivated by category management. Over the next 30 years, learning about the data and how it could influence supply chain shaped his career from sales to entre...
April 17, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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1:02:21
From Cashier to Category Manager
Initially unsure of her career aspirations, Nina Palazzolo placed herself on the front lines of retail. And fell in love. Learn how Nina navigated through her fascinating journey to where she is today at Kodiak Cakes.
April 03, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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34:57
Category Management and the Art of Telling Stories
There is so much value in this interview, we decided to run it again! Take a listen to ARCast's most popular episode.Get in the trenches as James talks to one of the best category managers around, Dan Thaler at Simply Good Foods. Learn ...
March 20, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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27:45
The Chairwoman
Stacey Ring-Sanders has been an integral part of pivotal moments in our industry including the meteoric rise of Kashi, the recent transformation of Kellogg's, the turbulent days of COVID, and the expansion of the CMA. Take time to listen ...
March 06, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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35:36
From Buyer to Business Maven
Michelle Ojulah orchestrated a decorated career in the UK retail scene, making her mark with founder-led companies such as Cath Kidston, Boden, George and Monsoon. But, entrepreneurism was calling so she decided to make a change. Jo...
February 21, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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40:18
Faith To Keep Trying
After coming to the US from Nigeria at age 18, Modupe Ladeji has spent a career continuously growing, with a mindset to never give up and take calculated risks. From his start in gas stations to the largest retailer in the world and now a...
February 07, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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43:55
All Sides Of The Table
It is rare to find a person who has sat on all sides of the desk until you meet Mark Samuels. As a manufacturer, retailer, solution provider and consultant, Mark helps us learn a tremendous amount about the industry in this fascinating AR...
January 24, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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40:42
A Tribute To Her Parents
Her parents immigrated to the U.S. to find opportunities for themselves and their future family. Learn how Yanira brings their dreams to reality in this heartwarming episode of a category management professional just starting her career.
January 10, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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23:48
No Boundaries - Category Management in the EU
Could you do category management in the European Union? Listen to Robert Skowron from Hasbro as he shares the category management landscape in locations such as Warsaw.
December 27, 2023
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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32:31
A Man Of The People
Have you ever experienced a terrible boss? This is a must listen especially for leaders (or potentials) on how to be truly effective.
December 13, 2023
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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31:06
The Road Less Traveled
Have you experienced a left turn along your career? Hear how Trey’s unconventional path gave him the fuel needed to build the Category Management function at Talking Rain Beverage Company.
November 29, 2023
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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34:39
I'll Prove Them Wrong
At times you have to go to extraordinary lengths because they don't believe in you - that's Suzanne Shriner's story. Learn how this scrappy, determined professional rose above it, and let them know they were sadly mistaken.
November 15, 2023
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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32:43