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News/Blog

Thought leadership pieces and industry insights from MSource Idea's founder, Lionel Binnie.

A Chicago Sandwich Story: ‘The Bear’ Episode 7

November 12, 2022

Anyone with experience in the food industry, or any small business, will relate to this powerful fictional series on Hulu, released last June.  It’s intense. Scene:  ‘The Original Beef’, a family-owned, Italian beef sandwich shop in gritty downtown Chicago, present day (post Covid). Back-Story: Owner Michael commits suicide before the story begins, leaving his family […]

Filed Under: Food & Beverage, News/Blog

What Type of Marketing Software Do You Really Need?

November 3, 2022

(Sometimes, You Just Need a Shovel) Metaphors can be fun – here is one about marketing software. Read on to find the shovel reference, but you probably already get the idea – don’t be distracted by tools. Focus on the task. All Businesses Need Marketing Which means that all businesses need marketing software, of some […]

Filed Under: B2B Marketing, Marketing Insights, News/Blog

Travel and Lodging Are Booming

November 2, 2022

Everyone’s Going Somewhere According to the Wall Street Journal, American’s post-Covid pent-up demand to get out of their homes is still going strong. This summer’s vacation season has extended way into the fall– more than 25% of Americans were planning on taking a trip in October 2022.  And hotel bookings in Orlando, FL were 14% […]

Filed Under: Marketing Insights, News/Blog

What is the Difference between a Food Broker and a Wholesaler?

October 3, 2022

What does a Food Broker Do? A Food Broker (often also called a ‘Sales and Marketing Agency’, or SMA) is an outsourced sales agency that will help introduce your product to retail buyers at brick-and-mortar retailers or foodservice operators.  Foodservice operators includes places like Restaurants, Universities, Hospitals or other venues that serve food – read […]

Filed Under: B2B Marketing, Food & Beverage, News/Blog, Retail

Should You Hire a Food Broker?

September 25, 2022

Your product is awesome and you want to get on store shelves quickly.  Maybe you’re already selling direct-to-consumers online, but want to get your product in front of the vast majority of shoppers who usually shop in physical stores, rather than online. Note: an omnichannel strategy where you use both – e-commerce plus in-store, often […]

Filed Under: B2B Marketing, Food & Beverage, News/Blog, Omnichannel, Retail

New Food Product Launch Strategy? Start Online

August 16, 2022

Many small start-up food and beverage and consumer products companies contact us looking for ways to get their products into the hands of consumers.  Some hope to see their new food product stocked on shelves of grocery stores; others are seeking ways into the non-commercial foodservice sector, selling in high-traffic, niche channels like airport kiosks […]

Filed Under: Food & Beverage, News/Blog, Omnichannel

Family, Friends and Angels: How to Fund Your Early Stage Business

August 13, 2022

  Businesses in the startup stage may turn to close relationships the founder has, such as family and friends, to bring a product or business idea from the drawing board to create a testable concept. If all goes well, you’ll find yourself needing more funds, to build inventory, do tradeshows, public relations and other marketing […]

Filed Under: Marketing Insights, News/Blog

The 4 Purposes Retailers Must Choose from to Stay Relevant

May 9, 2022

In a recent article, consultant Doug Stephens outlines four purposes for brick-and-mortar retailers in an eCommerce era.  He suggests retailers need to pick at least one of these purposes to remain relevant. Here, I explore the purposes and add a fifth. Stephens explains that retailers have always acted as a conduit to connect brands to […]

Filed Under: News/Blog, Omnichannel, Retail

Foxes, Hen-Houses, and other ECommerce Fables

December 28, 2021

Over 20% of Grocery Retail is likely to move online by 2026 according to a recent Supermarket News article.  That’s big news, but equally big is that the vast majority of online grocery shoppers prefer click-and-collect over home delivery. Seventy-six percent of respondents said they favor in-store (44%) and curbside (31%) pickup, compared with 24% preferring delivery. Consumers don’t like to pay for home delivery, […]

Filed Under: Food & Beverage, Marketing Insights, News/Blog, Omnichannel

The 5 Stages of Growing a Food and Beverage Business

December 28, 2021

The new caramel-pecan brownies are winning raves with their crunchy, moist deliciousness. That chipotle-lime salsa touches taste buds you didn’t even know existed. Congratulations! You have a product that needs, no, demands, a place in every food shopper’s heart and pantry. Read on to learn how to make that happen. Whether you are an established […]

Filed Under: Food & Beverage, News/Blog

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About Us

Lionel Binnie, Founder, M Source Ideas

Over two decades spent solving hard, B2B marketing problems in the food services and consumer products space.

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Featured Client Case Study

foodservice go to market strategy for maury's hive tea

This innovative company developed a proprietary concept that incorporates honey crystals right in the bag along with high-quality, black or green, whole leaf teas.  MSource assisted with Maury’s branding as well as their go-to-market strategy for both foodservice (college and university) and grocery retail. We also helped them with their trade show and conference strategy, B2B […]

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