# 318 - What every beverage brand needs to know about packaging with Fred Hart

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2025-07-22
- Length: 31m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-07-22-318-what-every-beverage-brand-needs-to-know-about-packaging-with-fred-hart
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/318-what-every-beverage-brand-needs

## Summary

Fred Hart, owner of Hart Brands and strategic advisor for Drum Roll Snacks, discusses branding trends in the food and beverage industry with host Adam Peek. They analyze the 'arms race' of protein marketing in beverages, the rise of direct-to-can printing, and the strategic use of multiple fonts and vibrant colors to disrupt traditional CPG norms. The conversation highlights specific brands like HiQ, Graza, and Midday Squares, emphasizing how influencer-led brands and community building are reshaping consumer packaged goods.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-07-22-318-what-every-beverage-brand-needs-to-know-about-packaging-with-fred-hart#t=1) Introduction and Sonic Branding Advice
- [6:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-07-22-318-what-every-beverage-brand-needs-to-know-about-packaging-with-fred-hart#t=389) The Protein Arms Race and Commodity Risk
- [8:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-07-22-318-what-every-beverage-brand-needs-to-know-about-packaging-with-fred-hart#t=497) Packaging Innovation: Shrink Sleeves vs. Direct Printing
- [11:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-07-22-318-what-every-beverage-brand-needs-to-know-about-packaging-with-fred-hart#t=704) HiQ Brand Strategy and Disrupting Sports Hydration
- [13:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-07-22-318-what-every-beverage-brand-needs-to-know-about-packaging-with-fred-hart#t=789) Design Rules: Multiple Fonts and Color Disruption
- [17:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-07-22-318-what-every-beverage-brand-needs-to-know-about-packaging-with-fred-hart#t=1022) Influencer Brands and Community Building
- [20:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-07-22-318-what-every-beverage-brand-needs-to-know-about-packaging-with-fred-hart#t=1210) Food Trends: Freeze-Dried Candy and Smart Sweets
- [24:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-07-22-318-what-every-beverage-brand-needs-to-know-about-packaging-with-fred-hart#t=1485) The Rise of Influencer-Led CPG Brands

## Topics

- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Hart Brands (company)
- Drum Roll Snacks (company)
- The Dieline (company)
- Fuzzy (product)
- Limo (product)
- HiQ (product)
- Feastables (product)
- Graza (product)
- Midday Squares (product)
- Liquid Death (product)
- Smart Sweets (product)
- SMOOD (product)
- Be Happy (product)
- Cloud K (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#246 - BevNET 101 with John Craven](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-28-246-bevnet-101-with-john-craven) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#232 - 2026 Brand Resolutions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-01-20-232-2026-brand-resolutions) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [What It Really Takes To Build a Food Business: Part 2](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-10-25-what-it-really-takes-to-build-a-food-business-part-2) (How I Built This)
- [#200 - Buyer Spotlight: The FruitGuys with Erik Muller and Daria Jackson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-06-10-200-buyer-spotlight-the-fruitguys-with-erik-muller-and-daria-jackson) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#166 - CPG Trade Media: Elizabeth Crawford, Brooke Just, and Adrianne DeLuca](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-10-22-166-cpg-trade-media-elizabeth-crawford-brooke-just-and-adrianne-deluca) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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