David Protein Bar Review David Protein Bar Review

CPG Weekly Roundup: May 30 - June 5

This week’s CPG headlines offer a window into how brands are navigating flavor innovation, channel strategy, consumer behavior shifts, and macroeconomic headwinds. From protein-packed breakfasts and repositioned beverages to global spirits brands facing tough calls on tariffs and production, each story reveals something deeper about the choices companies are making to stay competitive—and stay relevant. Whether you’re leading a brand or hiring talent to grow one, these are the signals worth watching.

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BERO Launches Double Tasty IPA

BERO has released a new West Coast-style IPA called Double Tasty, a brew designed to emphasize both hop-forward flavor and lifestyle positioning. The launch is part of the brand’s strategy to marry craft beer quality with messaging around intentional living and “a life enriched.” The packaging, copy, and marketing all reflect this hybrid of flavor-first and values-forward storytelling. BERO says this launch is just the start of a broader portfolio refresh aimed at today’s mindful drinkers.

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Mush Adds Protein Overnight Oats

Refrigerated oats brand Mush has introduced a high-protein version of its single-serve overnight oats, targeting consumers looking to boost satiety and nutrition without sacrificing convenience. The new line features 10–11 grams of protein per cup, keeping its dairy-free and no-added-sugar promises intact. This innovation taps into the functional food trend while reinforcing Mush’s role as a clean-label option in the breakfast set. It’s positioned as a smart grab-and-go option for health-conscious consumers seeking more from their first meal of the day.

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Purely Elizabeth Unveils Protein Oatmeal Line

Purely Elizabeth has expanded into the protein category with a new line of instant oatmeals designed to deliver 9 grams of protein per serving. The product uses superfood ingredients like chia, flax, and quinoa to enhance nutritional value, and it aligns with the brand’s mission of offering elevated pantry staples. Packaged in recyclable cups and appealing to Whole Foods-style shoppers, the line is already rolling out nationally. It’s the latest move from a brand that’s consistently prioritized ingredient integrity and wellness positioning.

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Brown-Forman Forecasts Revenue Decline Amid Tariff Pressure

Brown-Forman—the maker of Jack Daniel’s—announced it expects lower annual revenue and profit as EU tariffs and weak global demand weigh on performance. The company pointed to macroeconomic softness and geopolitical complications as barriers to international growth. Despite stronger U.S. trends, international business, which accounts for a major portion of total revenue, has faced disruptions. The update highlights the vulnerabilities global spirits companies face amid shifting trade dynamics and uneven market recovery.

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Gorgie Launches Pink Lemonade Flavor at Target

Functional energy drink brand Gorgie has dropped a new Pink Lemonade flavor, available exclusively at 1,939 Target stores. The expansion plays into both seasonal flavor trends and the growing overlap between wellness and energy categories. Gorgie’s zero-sugar, vegan formula appeals to the Gen Z consumer looking for better-for-you performance drinks that also deliver fun flavor profiles. The exclusive retail play also reinforces the brand’s strong push toward mass visibility.

Casa Azul Tequila

Casa Azul Relocates to New Distillery

Tequila and ready-to-drink brand Casa Azul has moved production to a new facility in Arandas, Mexico—one that allows the brand to scale operations while maintaining its commitment to craft methods. The new distillery is designed to balance output volume with artisanal integrity, a key challenge for fast-growing spirits brands. Casa Azul’s leadership noted that proximity to raw materials and tight control over the supply chain were core reasons for the relocation. The brand plans to continue innovating across its tequila and sparkling RTD lines.

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Campbell’s Sees Growth from At-Home Eating Trend

Campbell’s exceeded Q3 earnings expectations, driven by continued consumer preference for at-home meals and strategic pricing. Demand for core products like soups and snacks remains strong, particularly among budget-conscious shoppers. While overall grocery inflation is easing, Campbell’s has managed to maintain margins through supply chain efficiency and brand loyalty. The report also hinted at increased marketing spend to reinforce relevance with younger consumers amid shifting eating habits.

David Protein Bar

High-Protein Bar Brand David Raises $7.5M

David, a high-protein bar brand with bold Gen Z branding—closed a $75 million fundraising round to accelerate retail expansion and product development. Known for its clean ingredients, functional macros, and cheeky tone of voice, the brand is targeting health-aware consumers who want performance nutrition without clinical branding. The raise reflects continued investor confidence in protein-based convenience snacks, especially ones that understand how to blend cultural resonance with solid formulations.

What This Means for the CPG Industry

This week’s headlines reflect a CPG sector that’s simultaneously scaling up and niching down. On one side, legacy brands like Campbell’s are thriving by owning familiar habits—meals at home, pantry staples, value-driven choices—while emerging players like David and Gorgie are using bold flavor, design, and retail strategy to speak to a different kind of consumer: younger, values-led, and unwilling to compromise on taste or function.

We’re also seeing the protein trend go mainstream across categories. With Mush and Purely Elizabeth both rolling out protein-enhanced oat products, it’s clear that functional benefits are no longer a differentiator—they’re the baseline. Brands that once competed on purity or simplicity alone are now layering in protein, adaptogens, and other performance ingredients to stay competitive on shelf.

In the beverage space, Casa Azul’s distillery move and BERO's lifestyle-forward IPA launch show how even craft and premium brands are thinking operationally—managing supply chains, refreshing portfolios, and aligning messaging to consumer identity. Meanwhile, Brown-Forman’s forecast reminds us that even iconic brands aren’t immune to trade politics or global softness. As the global landscape remains uneven, domestic strategy, manufacturing proximity, and channel diversification are becoming non-negotiable for growth.

At the heart of it all: execution. The brands making real moves—whether they’re adding protein, shifting facilities, or chasing exclusive shelf space—are doing so with clear alignment between product, purpose, and positioning. That’s not just trend-chasing. That’s brand building.

Conclusion

As May turns to June, this week’s roundup captures the complexity of winning in CPG today. It’s not just about great taste or good branding—it’s about how quickly and thoughtfully companies can respond to both consumer appetite and operational realities. Whether you’re optimizing distribution, upgrading production, or rethinking product architecture, the bar is higher across the board. Smart teams are already adjusting. Are you?

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Colin Nolan

Executive Vice President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc.

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Hilal Tabsh

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“Over the last 10+ years my experience with Michael Bitar and the Protis Global team has been exceptional across multiple industries. Michael and his team work to get to the true needs of my hiring plan and partner with us throughout the process. They understand our business, company culture, what success looks like, and then propose candidates that will produce results while also fitting into our team dynamic. Overall it’s a great team and experience and I would recommend to anyone looking to hire top-notch quality candidates reach out to Protis Global and Michael Bitar.”

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Chief Executive Officer, Bespoken Spirits

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Soley Van Lokeren

SVP, People

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“I have been in the field of human resources for over thirty years, in executive level roles both in-house and in outsourced positions. Michael Bitar is my favorite talent acquisition professional with which I have ever worked. He cares deeply about building a relationship with his clients, learning their business, culture, challenges, and truly understanding the needs of a role requisition. His approach is mirrored by the rest of the Protis team, who are courteous, thorough, and who make you feel like you are their only client. Protis successfully delivered hires for our Chief Commercial Officer role and for three key challenging roles (in both Marketing and Sales). They are simply – the best!”

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“Partnering with Protis Global has been a game-changer for poppi. They understood our vision and the unique challenges we faced as a rapidly growing brand. Their expertise in executive search helped us find the right leaders who not only fit our culture but also brought the skills and passion needed to drive accelerated growth. The Protis Global team actively took our feedback and adapted the search so that we could focus on what we do best – creating innovative, healthy beverages that our customers love. They’ve truly become an extension of our team, and we couldn’t imagine achieving our success without the team members they helped us to bring aboard.”

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Chad Palma

President of Sales, Spindrift

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“Michael Bitar and the Protis team have been such a pleasure to work with over the years. Not only do they do amazing work with recruiting but we have also developed a partnership between our two companies. Michael and his team provide a crucial role in reviewing my hiring needs at the beginning of each year. Once the review is complete, Michael begins searching for quality candidates that fit the role and culture for Spindrift. He and his team do an outstanding job of finding the right candidates for the position in need. I highly recommend Michael and the Protis team for your hiring needs.”

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John Sacksteder

President, Mark Anthony Brewing Inc

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“From the start, the relationship with Protis Global was different than other recruiting firms.  The team had a deeper level of commitment and desire to learn about our business than I had experienced with other firms. Our company was experiencing a time of exponential growth and our staffing needs were complex. We needed very experienced people across every possible function in the Operation and Supply Chain Teams and we needed them in a hurry. The Protis Global Team mobilized quickly and established a methodology to identify strong candidates and work them through the interview process in a professional and timely manner. Their grit, determination, understanding our needs and culture, sense of urgency and drive to exceed our expectations set them apart from the pack.”

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Chief People Officer at IJW Whiskey

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VP of Supply Chain at Lallemand

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Everyone involved was extremely helpful - Gary, Michael, Ben - thank you!! The team didn't only search for candidates based on the job description, but also the qualities that I look for in candidates. 

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VP of Product Technology & Innovation

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CEO, Arla Foods USA

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“We’ve been a Protis Global client for eight years, and during this time have always appreciated the thoroughness of the recruitment process, as the candidates brought to us have been well-vetted, not only from a competency perspective, but more importantly from a [cultural] fit dynamic. Mike and the team have always been highly engaged to ensure they bring us candidates that match our culture. That’s been critical to the success of the candidates that have landed here by way of our relationship with Protis.”

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