Better Cooked Food On-The-Go with Red's All Natural's Ben Johnson

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Ben Johnson, SVP of Marketing at Red’s All Natural. Red’s is on a mission to cook food better for people with big things to do. They know they are a good small part of consumers’ great big lives, and they take that seriously. 

Follow Ben Johnson on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-w-johnson-/
Follow Red’s on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/red's-all-natural-llc/
Follow Red’s online at: https://www.redsallnatural.com/

Here's what we asked him : 

1. Red’s positions itself as an authentic, premium foods brand with a strong emphasis on ingredient integrity and product innovation. How do you keep that authenticity alive in marketing while still scaling the brand?
2. In the competitive grocery segment, how do you approach balancing spending between in-store and digital channels to both delight consumers and drive awareness?
3. What strategies is Red’s using to build deeper, more personalized consumer relationships—whether that’s through loyalty programs, social media storytelling, or in-market experiences?
4. With big players leading the pack, what creative plays or differentiators has Red’s leaned into to stand out in a category so saturated with competitors?
5. Have you experimented with newer forms like influencer activations, experiential pop-ups, or TikTok campaigns? If so, which ones are resonating most with Red’s audience right now?
6. Sustainability is often top of mind for natural-focused brands. How do you communicate Red’s environmental or wellness commitments transparently—but without coming across as “preachy” or performative?
7. How are you collaborating with retail partners—whether getting shelf innovation, exclusive SKUs, or co-promotions—to drive both trial and repeat purchase?
8. What marketing metrics (e.g., repeat rate, social engagement, retail velocity) are giving you clear signals on whether your campaigns are advancing the brand’s long-term health?
9. Looking into the future: What CPG and food trends are you most excited (or concerned) about? Are there new innovation territories Red’s is exploring?
10. As a senior marketer, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to emerging marketers looking to lead marketing in the CPG grocery food space today?

CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.com
FMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.com
Rhea Raj’s Website: http://rhearaj.com
Lara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/

DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.