# #130 What is a CMO? With Erin Fasano (Core Foods)

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2024-02-27
- Length: 51m
- Episode: 19
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-02-27-130-what-is-a-cmo-with-erin-fasano-core-foods
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/183b2ce0

## Summary

Erin Fasano, CMO at Core Foods and founder of Starryside, discusses her career path from classic CPG companies like Dole to emerging brands, emphasizing the importance of aligning marketing with sales and retail strategies. She details how to build effective marketing plans for early-stage companies, prioritizing owned channels like email and social media while leveraging retailer programs to drive velocity. Fasano also shares practical advice on conducting scrappy consumer research, managing packaging feedback, and balancing DTC with retail distribution for perishable goods.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Erin Fasano and Core Foods
2. Career Journey: From Dole to Emerging Brands
3. Building Marketing Plans and Processes for Startups
4. Starryside: Lessons from Founding a Beverage Brand
5. Core Foods: Innovation, DTC, and Retail Strategy
6. Creating Effective Marketing Calendars and Budgets
7. Consumer Research and Focus Groups for Early Brands
8. Packaging Feedback and Retailer Relationships
9. Driving Retail Velocity and Regional Marketing
10. DTC vs. Retail Priorities and Final Advice

## Topics

- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Core Foods (company)
- Dole Foods (company)
- Sagely Naturals (company)
- Starryside (product)
- Midday Squares (company)
- Kroger (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Target (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Stanley (product)
- Klaviyo (tool)
- SurveyMonkey (tool)
- IRI (other)
- Spins (other)

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## Citing this page

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