May 31, 2016
There’s a whole lot of stuff out there to buy. We’re talking about all the things you eat, drink, wear and even smoke. “Material World,” a new Bloomberg podcast announced today, will take a look at one part of the universe of consumable stuff – why we spend on our money on these things, the people behind the products, how consumer trends change business strategies.
“Material World” is hosted by Bloomberg Retail Reporter Lindsey Rupp and Bloomberg Beverage, Tobacco and Cannabis reporter Jennifer Kaplan, and will have a new episode every other week.
The Bloomberg Material World podcast team recorded an in-studio ice cream taste test for Episode 1. Top row, left to right: Bob Ivry, editor; Matt Townsend, reporter; Craig Giammona, reporter; Material World co-host Jenny Kaplan. Bottom row: Alex Barinka, reporter, Material World co-host Lindsey Rupp.
Episode 1, available now, addresses the craft movement of consumable goods including two big favorites…beer and ice cream. “Craft is Dead. Long Live Craft” explores consumer demand for things that are special, one-of-a-kind, and artisanal. The trend is helping small, local businesses and hurting old standbys like MillerCoors and Kellogg. But is “craft” just another meaningless marketing term? Can people even tell the difference?
Guests and highlights from the episode include:
Taylor Hanson, Isaac Hanson, Zac Hanson: The musicians behind the Hanson Brothers Beer Company explain why they believe consumers are just at the start of the craft revolution.
“We don’t see much of a gap between making an amazing beer, launching a festival, writing songs for other people or starting a label. It’s the same desire to build things you’re proud of and make a connection with people through those things.”
Brian Smith: The founder of Brooklyn-based Ample Hills Creamery navigates what it takes to grow into a successful business while staying true to its roots.
“The soul of Ample Hills is brick and mortar shops – we want each one to feel like a unique place with its own signature flavor churned on site.”
Bloomberg Consumer Reporter Craig Giammona reports on what the average shopper really thinks about craft and whether terms like “natural,” “organic,” “non-GMO” are just marketing speak. He discusses Kashi being bought by Kellogg, Annie’s being bought by General Mills and Ben & Jerry’s being bought by Unilever.
“Big food has sort of learned its lesson and the end example is one of a success story at this point.”
The next episode of “Material World” will be available on June 14, 2016. Kaplan and Rupp will delve into how the federally illegal nature of cannabis has impacted the growing pot industry. What are the business and social implications? How will that change if the industry becomes legal nationally? They talk to a ganja-preneur, an activist, a professor and a pot icon, to get the scoop on what’s happening and how the world of weed is changing.
“Material World” is available on iTunes and on Pocketcasts.
That makes six original podcasts launched by Bloomberg Media over the last 18 months, as our digital presence continues to expand.
– Lauren Meller | May 31, 2016
Update, June 7, 2016: Thrilled to report that “Material World” came in #1 in the “Business News” Category and #7 in the the “Business” category according to Podcastchart.com (one of a few sources of podcast tracking).
What’s more, according to their ranking, four other Bloomberg Podcasts ranked in the top 20 for the “Business News” Category:
# 4 – Masters In Business
#10 – Benchmark
#13 – Surveillance
#14 – Taking Stock