KDP Snags Ghost & Olipop Plays Ball

In this episode: On CPG Week, the podcast team talks about Keurig Dr Pepper's (KDP) acquisition of GHOST Energy, Olipop's sports sponsorship ambitions and a look at Whole Foods Market's Trend Forecast. After briefly discussing Thanksgiving side dishes, the CPG Week team unpacks KDP's nearly $1 billion deal to acquire GHOST. Nosh managing editor Monica Watrous and senior reporters Brad Avery and Lukas Southard discuss how this deal could change the energy drink category and distribution partnerships. The team moves on to Olipop's growing portfolio of sports team partnerships and how it is becoming a formula for disrupting a category. Monica wraps up the show with a brief explanation of the Whole Foods 2025 trends list. Show Highlights: 0:30 - Is lighting a candle scented as green bean casserole the best way to usher in the holiday season? The team debates Thanksgiving dishes and whether they should be part of Campbell's new holiday-themed candle campaign. 1:45 - Brad explains why the news of KDP acquiring GHOST was somewhat surprising and how this fits into the beverage maker's aim to build a suite of energy drinks and supplements. 4:45 - What does this deal mean for distribution in the energy category and the current appetite for bigger M&A deals?  7:30 - Prebiotic soda brand Olipop has lined up a series of sports partnerships with professional teams and in arenas and stadiums. The group discusses why these deals are becoming a common avenue for emerging brands to gain awareness while also testing the waters by going head-to-head with Big Soda strategics. 14:00 - What trends will shape 2025? Monica runs through Whole Foods Market's list of predictions. About the CPG Week CPG Week is the podcast that explores the latest happenings in the consumer packaged goods industry. Join our seasoned reporting team as they dish out the week's stories in quick, easy-to-digest episodes. Catch up on the top headlines of the week, dive into exclusive insights with the BevNET and Nosh teams, and set yourself up to make more informed business decisions. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the dynamic world of packaged food and beverage. New episodes are released every week. Send us comments and suggestions anytime to [email protected]. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts