Looking Ahead

By the time you read this, academy award nominations have been announced or the announcement is only a few days away. And while our annual Readers' Choice awards, won't garner quite the same attention, we're proud to announce the results.

 

In the latter half of 2006 many consumer goods executives joined our Editorial Advisory Board (EAB). We welcome: Karen Alber, CIO, H.J. Heinz; Marc Brown, Vice President and CIO, Del Monte Foods; Barbara Carlini, VP Mobile Devices, Information Technology, Motorola Inc.; Simon Ellis, Supply Chain Futurist, Unilever NA; Peter Hatch, Sr. Director Trade Marketing Applications & Processes, RJReynolds; Larry Kumor, VP, Enterprise Applications, The Scotts Company; Cheryl Perkins, former SVP & Chief Innovation Officer, Kimberly- Clark Corporation; Anji Reddy, Global Process Lead - Customer to Cash, J&J Consumer; and Douglas E. Smith, IT Business Development Director, Hallmark Cards Inc. We look to the EAB for industry insight, expert commentary and objective voting for our awards. We are excited to have such industry leaders as part of our publication.

 

The 2007 Media Kit, complete for a few months now, outlines themes for each issue. Best Practices start in February with New Product Development and Introduction, continuing through the year with Category Management, Supply Chain Execution, Analytics, Innovation, Demand Planning and Trade Promotion Management. Also look for our special issues and supplements such as the Sales and Marketing Study and Visionaries in June.

 

Our three conferences are set: June 11-13, 2007, Sales & Marketing Conference in NYC; and off its highly successful debut, the Growth & Innovation Forum is September 24-26, 2007, at The Four Seasons Hotel in Miami. Rounding out the year is our ninth annual Consumer Goods Fall Conference, right back at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando from October 21-24, 2007. It's never too early to register for events and/or start thinking about editorial contributions.

 

Finally -- new for 2007 -- CGT created four share groups. Through face-to-face meetings, conference calls, exclusive industry research and proprietary thought-leadership, "CG Shares" will provide the opportunity for CG executives to network with peers and gain insights into best practices across the industry. These groups will be focused on the following areas: TPM, downstream data, innovation and supply chain.

 

It will be a busy year for all and we look forward to working with you!

Lori Castle, Senior Editor