The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Michael Krans, Vice President of Retail Media at Macy’s Inc. and Andreas Reiffen, Founder and CEO of Pentaleap, a best-in-class ad-serving platform focused on relevance, transparency, and performance.

Follow Michael on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-j-krans-a7ba85
Follow Macy’s online at: https://www.macysmedianetwork.com/
Follow Andreas on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreasreiffen
Follow Pentaleap on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pentaleaptech/
Follow Pentaleap online at: https://www.pentaleap.com/

This episode is sponsored by Pentaleap.

Michael and Andres answer these questions:

1. From your vantage points, what’s broken today about how organic and sponsored product search currently coexist—or don’t—on retail sites?
2. From a retailer perspective, how do you balance monetization with protecting the shopper experience from potential friction impeding the journey?
3. Why is unifying organic and sponsored search so critical to relevance, and what happens to performance when those systems operate in silos?
4. How do shoppers respond when relevance breaks down?
5. Retail media has largely been built as closed ecosystems. Why is that becoming a limitation for advertisers today?
6. What do advertisers actually want when they say they want retail media to “meet them where they already are”?
7. What does “opening up” retail media really mean in practice?
8. Retail media RTB can sound abstract—can you break down what’s actually new here and why it matters now?
9. What does it unlock for a retailer when you can connect demand partners and swap ad servers without losing control of the experience?
10. Can you share a real-world example of how RTB-driven retail media improves outcomes for the retailer, the brand, and the shopper?
11. If this model continues to scale, how should brands rethink their approach to retail search and retail media investment?
12. Looking ahead, what does “best-in-class” retail search and media look like from a shopper’s point of view?
13. If there’s one thing retailers or brands listening today should start doing differently based on this conversation, what would it be?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
SheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Sarah Iooss, Director of Global Agency & Global Twitch at Amazon Ads, the retail media division of Amazon.

This episode was recorded at CES 2026 in Las Vegas Nevada.

Find Sarah on Linkedin at:
Find Sarah on Linkedin at:
Find Amazon Ads online at:

Here's what we asked Sarah:

1. What were kind of the key lessons or pivotal components of your experience that helped inform how you approach agency partnerships today?
2. What does global agency development at Amazon ads mean to you?
3. What are some of the most common misconceptions agencies may have about advertising on Amazon?
4. How are agency relationships evolving and how are those partnerships working out, especially when I think of some of the smaller ones?
5. How's Amazon ads really helping agencies connect those dots on a full funnel basis?
6. Is streaming in video are central to full funnel strategies as you just opened that up?
7. What are agencies getting right or still learning when it comes to working with Twitch communities?
8. How are agencies taking advantage of these AI-powered tools in the shift to more automated, integrated workflows?
9. Budgets are facing more scrutiny. What's resonating most with agencies when they talk to clients about efficiency measurement and improving impact on Amazon apps.

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
SheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

Each week, the CPG Guys will riff on the hottest topics in the world of omnichannel commerce.

This week’s topics:

• TikTok Shop announces all sellers must use their fulfillment services
• Pinterest cutting 15% of workforce, blaming it on AI
• Amazon shutters Fresh and Go stores
• Gen Z Holiday shopping

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
SheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Curt Munk, Head of Sales & Strategy at Tracy Locke, the Original Commerce Agency. Their relentless focus on the future and willingness to embrace innovative thinking has kept them and our clients ahead of the commerce curve for over 100 years.

This episode was recorded in Las Vegas Nevada at CES 2026.

Find Curt on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-munk/
Find Tracy Locke on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tracylocke/
Find Tracy Locke online at: https://tracylocke.com/

Here's what we asked him:

1. What are the major areas of focus at CES?
2. With respect to the Venetian Hotel, what types of tech are found on the show floor?
3. How do you go about curating all of the tech on display?
4. What you take clients on floor tours, how do you think about ensuring the content matches their business issues?
5. What were some of the best tech innovations at CES 2026?
6. Is 2026 a step-change year for tech or a natural progression?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
SheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Parag Shah, CEO & Co-Founder of ThinkBlue Consulting.

We decompose what happened at the 2026 FMI Midwinter Executive Conference.

Learn more about FMI Midwinter here: https://www.fmi.org/midwinter-conference

Follow Parag on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omnigrowthparag/CPG

Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
SheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

Each week, the CPG Guys will riff on the hottest topics in the world of omnichannel commerce.

This week’s topics:

• Target announced new board members
• Southwestern rebrands as The Winn-Dixie Company
• Amazon to open Illinois supercenter
• FMI Midwinter Recap

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
SheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Simon Angove, CEO of Syndigo which works behind every product to deliver consistent content and digital shelf performance, efficient product syndication and vendor-retailer collaboration, and accurate data and insights – all in one composable platform, on the largest commerce network.

This episode is sponsored by Syndigo.

Follow Simon Angove on LinkedIn here.
Follow Syndigo on LinkedIn here.
Follow Syndigo online here.
Access the full consumer report mentioned by Simon here.

Simon answers these questions:

1. Syndigo operates in the world of Product Experience Management—PXM. For folks who might not be familiar, what are we talking about when we use that term?
2. Why should brands be thinking about product experience right now? What’s the big deal?
3. Managing product experiences sounds straightforward, but clearly it’s not. What makes managing product experiences so complicated; why isn’t everyone doing it well?
4. What does agentic commerce mean for brands and retailers in terms of the opportunity it presents and also the difficulties you see in taking advantage of the Trend?
5. The market’s shifting fast—consumer behavior, tech innovation, even economic pressures. What is Syndigo doing to stay ahead?
6. With tighter budgets and resource constraints, where do you see the biggest opportunities for efficiency in PXM workflows? And where do companies tend to get bogged down?
7. One way we’ve seen technology vendors like Syndigo stay flexible and capable of delivering results for clients is a strong partner network with providers (like Flywheel, for instance) to support them along the way – tell us a little bit about your partner strategy and why that’s a priority for you right now.
8. You touched on how AI is transforming how consumers browse and buy. Let’s turn to the tactical side, where is it coming up in PXM in a tactical, practical way?
9. For companies that are hesitant about AI-driven solutions for product content management, what’s your advice? How do they start without feeling overwhelmed?
10. What do you see as the next phase for PXM—and what should we be watching for in 2026?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
SheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by John frost, Chief Customer Officer at Chobani,

Find John Frost on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-frost-20963155/
Find Chobani on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chobani/
Find Chobani online at: https://www.chobani.com/

Here's what we asked John:

1. John, let’s start with your journey. What path led you to Chobani, and how has your experience at Frito-Lay and PepsiCo shaped your perspective as Chief Customer Officer?
2. The Chief Customer Officer role is all about building deep partnerships. How do you define retail customer centricity at Chobani, and how does it show up in your day-to-day?
3. Chobani has grown from disrupting yogurt to becoming a modern food and beverage company. How do you balance staying true to the brand’s roots while expanding into new categories?
4. Innovation is at the heart of Chobani’s DNA. How do you align with retail partners to ensure that innovation lands successfully with shoppers?
5. Chobani has always led with purpose, from food made better to community impact. How does that purpose translate into customer partnership and retail collaboration?
6. Consumer today demand more authenticity & transparency from brands. How is Chobani meeting those expectations in ways that build both brand equity and customer trust?
7. Looking out to 2026, what excites you most about the future of food, beverage, and retail partnerships?
8. For emerging leaders in CPG, what advice would you give on building trust, driving results, and being an effective customer-first leader?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
SheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.