GMDC launches new podcast series
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Global Market Development Center and MorningNewsBeat have partnered to launch an “Innovation Conversation” podcast series which will be delivered to the industry on at least a quarterly basis, the organizations announced Wednesday. Beginning this fall, the podcast will feature interviews, insights and education about market disrupters, and spotlight retail innovation and excellence.
“Products that are consumable, high-margin and non-perishable face many challenges in our rapidly changing industry with so many new players entering the race to get the consumers attention across all retail channels,” stated Patrick Spear, president and CEO, GMDC. “The goal of the ‘Innovation Conversation’ is to help companies navigate the evolving ecosystem, inspire them towards change and greater relevancy for continued growth, and create actionable and immediate next-practices. It’s our job as an association to inspire our members to change their in-store experience and innovate.”
Sponsored by ReposiTrak, the podcast will help companies rethink their strategies in a highly disruptive marketplace as the “center of the store” continues to be the most vulnerable during the rise of e-com players.
“When Patrick and I started talking about the ‘Innovation Conversation’ podcast at GMDC’s first Retail Tomorrow conference in San Francisco, one of the things that really grabbed me was how dedicated the organization is to challenging its members – and the broader industry – to innovate more quickly,” noted Kevin Coupe, MorningNewsBeat’s “Content Guy.” “That’s something about which I’ve been writing pretty much since the beginning of MNB, almost 16 years ago. I’m thrilled that we’re partnering with GMDC on the next generation of ‘The Innovation Conversation’ and, in fact, will host a ‘live’ taping in front of a studio audience at the next Retail Tomorrow conference in New York. “
Tom Furphy, the former Amazon executive who now is CEO and managing director of Consumer Equity Partners, a Seattle-based venture capital and venture development firm, said, “one thing that both Kevin and I think is incredibly important – conversation is good, but it only is a starting point, from which action emerges. And not just meetings and more meetings and deliberations, but action that happens fast, takes risks, and challenges every assumption about traditional ways of doing business. And that’s what we’re hoping to continue to generate with this podcast.”