Consumer Packaged Goods
Inside the Innovation Process at LEGO’s Creative Play Lab
Tom Donaldson, Head of the Creative Play Lab at the LEGO Group, discusses the company’s culture; his belief in the importance of prototyping and “silent demos”; and how the company measures innovation.
SharkNinja CEO on Launching 25 Products a Year, and Avoiding ‘Innovation Mediocrity’
SharkNinja CEO Mark Barrocas explains how he fosters innovation at the company — and how they leverage social media as part of their marketing.
Making the Business Case for Compostable Bioplastics
Tthe shift toward compostable and bio-based solutions is already underway, writes Bob Meers, CEO of Better for All. Those who fail to adapt risk losing relevance and market share in an increasingly eco-conscious world. Read more…
How Nestlé Thinks About New Ventures, from Pizza Vending Machines to Probiotic Bars
We talked with Doug Munk, the Senior Director of New Business Ventures for Nestlé USA, about his insights about his time navigating the complexities of building and sustaining new ventures within large organizations.
How Colgate-Palmolive Got the Industry to Shift to Recyclable Toothpaste Tubes
We talk with Colgate-Palmolive’s Ann Tracy about the making the recyclable tube happen; the company’s three “ambition pillars”; and how the company tracks progress toward its sustinability goals.
Chew Innovation CEO on the Future of Food
Adam Melonas, CEO and Founder of Chew Innovation in Boston, shares his insights on communication around innovation; working with large CPG companies; scalability of products for the largest total addressable market; and more.
Colgate’s Chief Sustainability Officer on the Keys to Driving Progress
Ann Tracy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Colgate-Palmolive, shares her insights on developing a strategic plan; identifying what initiatives an organization should be a leader in; and using external partnerships to bolster R&D efforts in an interview from our recent report, Benchmarking Innovation Impact.
Kimberly-Clark’s Chief R&D Officer on the Biggest Challenge Facing R&D Today
Robert Long, Kimberly-Clark’s first-ever Chief R&D Officer, shared his insights on the importance of diversity of thought; the biggest challenges in R&D today; and external scouting in an interview for our recent benchmarking research.
PepsiCo’s Chief Design Officer on ‘The Age of Startups’ and Why Incremental Innovation Isn’t Enough
Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer of PepsiCo, is releasing a new book, The Human Side of Innovation: The Power of People in Love with People, in October. We caught up with Porcini to talk about the book, what he calls “unicorns,” and the importance of integrating breakthrough innovation into organizations.
Member Spotlight: Jeff George, Hain Celestial Group
Jeff George is the Senior Vice President of Research and Development for Hain Celestial Group, a natural food and personal care company consisting of over fifty brands with worldwide distribution. In his role, George oversees R&D, quality, food safety, and regulation. We spoke with him as part of our IL Member Spotlight Series.
How 3M Reorganized R&D — and How the Company Tracks R&D Impact
In early 2020, 3M decentralized its operating model to give the presidents of its four business groups more autonomy over R&D. We talk to SVP Cordell Hardy about how it started, and how it’s going.
The Revolution in Consumer Products: 5 Lessons from New Brands
Paul Earle, Contributing Columnist As a lifelong student, teacher and practitioner of innovation, I have always been fascinated by the quest to understand how. To find signal through the noise. What does John Lennon have in common with Bach and Banksy? What behaviors do Thomas Edison, Ben Franklin, and Tim Berners-Lee share? What does Magic […]
The Revolution in Consumer Products Continues: 12 Brands You Need to Know
Over the past five years, a full-scale revolution has fomented in the consumer products world. Rules are being rewritten. What up-and-coming brands are changing the game and reinvigorating the shopping experience? Contributing Columnist Paul Earle dives into the 12 brands you need to know for the future.
Busting Myths with the Head of Innovation and Science at Mars
Mars President of Innovation, Science, Technology, and Mars Edge Jean-Christophe Flatin discusses connecting with candy (and pet care!) consumers, and “myth busts” the top misconceptions he sees within innovation teams.
How Consumer Goods Companies Can Turn Everyday Users into Influencers
Jos Harrison, Global Head of Brand Experience and Design at the consumer packaged goods firm Reckitt, outlines how brands can leverage building positive relationships with the everyday consumer to grow a strong brand recognition and experience.
PepsiCo’s Demand Accelerator Takes Consumer Insights to Next Level
The Global SVP and Head of PepsioCo’s Demand Accelerator program discussed the efficacy of the Demand Accelerator, the specific data PepsiCo uses, consumer trends in the food and beverage industry, and more.
Co-Creation Tips from P&G’s 6-Year-Old Venture Program
When Leigh Radford started the venture creation unit inside Proctor & Gamble, she was tasked with creating the next billion-dollar business for the personal care company. “I’m a very big believer…[in] learnings ahead of investment, and that has really treated us well to make sure we’re not over-invested in things where the learnings aren’t solidified.” More insights from Radford inside….
Podcast: P&G on How to Tie Design to Consumer Needs
Bringing designers in early can help companies execute on big ideas and create smoother customer experiences. But how do you get that right, especially if design isn’t baked into the culture, or if other functions tend to dominate the innovation process? This episode of Innovation Answered explores…
Designing for Global Markets at Kimberly-Clark
Diapers, baby wipes, and toilet paper are essential household products that millions of families can’t live without. But how can these products be reimagined after spending decades on store shelves? Justin Sparks, Global Design Director, Kimberly-Clark Design — both of packaging and the products themselves — plays a key role in keeping these decades-old staples fresh, […]





























