Market Performance Group launches Diverse Supplier Development Program
Market Performance Group is launching its first-ever Diverse Supplier Development Program.
MPG is a leading provider of consulting, sales strategy and account management, e-commerce, business analytics, marketing and communications and distribution/order to cash services to consumer health, personal care, food and other CPG brands across brick-and-mortar and e-commerce retail channels.
The newly created accelerator program is designed to provide pro-bono support for selected diverse suppliers and entrepreneurs as they prepare to engage and sell their products in digital and traditional retail channels.
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This event comes on the heels of a successful virtual presentation hosted by Jason Reiser, MPG’s president of sales strategy and services, entitled “Winning at the Speed of Retail” delivered on April 6 during ECRM’s Supplier Diversity Week. Reiser's presentation focused on the importance of a diverse and inclusive supplier network and outlined five fundamentals for winning at retail.
“Shifting demographics have prompted widespread retailer engagements, commitments and accountabilities to create a more diverse supplier base for their shoppers,” Reiser said. “This program allows us to extend our own DEI&B efforts to our client base to do good by doing well. We look forward to leveraging our robust industry experience and expertise to facilitate a more successful outcome for the selected diverse suppliers.”
In collaboration with ECRM, MPG’s Diverse Supplier Development Program’s “Shark Tank”-like event will take place virtually on July 14 and will award two diverse suppliers MPG services valued at $100,000. These services will be tailored to each recipient’s need, determined collaboratively through the MPG onboarding process. Potential services for suppliers could include strategy and business consulting, sales services representation at retail, business analytics and insights, consumer marketing, and retail activation or 3PL and order-to-cash services.
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A distinguished panel of industry veterans has come together to judge applicants, including:
• Michael Byron, senior director of supplier inclusion at Walmart;
• Kate Weaver, manager of supplier diversity at Peapod Digital Labs a company of Ahold Delhaize USA;
• Christina Fallon, vice president of Retail Sales - Health & Beauty at ECRM;
• Anthony Eagelton, vice president of eCommerce at MPG; and
• Carla Hendon, director, supplier diversity and indirect procurement at Meijer.
Submissions for MPG’s Diverse Supplier Development program will be accepted through May 19, 2022. Companies represented across the following categories/industries are welcome to submit, including food and beverage, consumables, general merchandise, beauty, personal care, OTC, and health and wellness.
The two winners will be announced on July 21 and the partnership with MPG will begin in fall 2022. ECRM’s RangeMe platform will be used to send and accept applications. A submission link was sent to the participants of the ECRM Diversity Programs on May 3. Interested suppliers that do not already have a RangeMe account can create one at no cost using this link.