POI brings together manufacturers, retailers, solution providers, analysts, academics, and other industry leaders with the specific objective of collaboratively improving enterprise planning, trade management, RGM, pricing, advanced analytics & optimization, data management, retail execution, digital transformation, omnichannel strategy, eCommerce and digital shelf, marketing and retail media investment strategy and performance, omnichannel measurement, and the distribution of consumer goods.
Members of POI share cross-functional best practices in both structured and informal settings. Additionally, members benefit through our industry alliances, the Certified Collaborative Marketer (CCM) program, share groups, and industry-leading summits around the globe. POI aims to instill a financial and metrics-based discipline not typically found in other trade groups. We encourage and enable breaking down organizational siloes to ensure collaborative, holistic full enterprise planning. The focus is on the consumer/shopper through sales, marketing, and merchandising strategies while leveraging advances in technology. Our POI executive advisory board keeps us apprised of industry needs and helps us provide desired outcomes for members, sponsors, and academia.
What We Do
Summits: Industry-leading events covering RGM, Trade Promotion Planning and Optimization, Data and Analytics, AI/ML, Retail Execution, Omnichannel, eCommerce, Marketing, and Customer Experience.
Research: In-depth reports on industry trends, technologies, and vendor capabilities.
Advisory: Expert guidance for optimizing the consumer goods industry.
Resources: Webinars and whitepapers on the latest industry innovations.
Community: A dynamic network where professionals connect, collaborate, and grow through shared insights and experiences.
For More Information About How POI Can Serve Your Specific Needs, Access the Below Brochures
POI Leadership
Michael Kantor
CEO and founder of the Promotion Optimization Institute, LLC.
Michael Kantor is the visionary for Collaborative Marketing, who has created and is executing with a brilliant, committed group of retail, CPG, and academic leaders the Certified Collaborative Marketer (CCM)™ curriculum and certification for how to collaborate with trading partners. As CEO and founder of POI, Michael and his team continuously produce the best industry events on marketing effectiveness and collaborative price/promotion optimization around the globe.
Mr. Kantor has spent his career creating retail and brand price/promotion optimization programs, and analytics that drive improved loyalty and profits. Mike co-chaired and developed with Gartner, Inc. and leading CPG executives the industry’s first standard set of trade promotion definitions/metrics; and pioneered efforts to define and document trade promotion management in food service.
Mike began his career in retail advertising and operations as senior vice president, Drug World Pharmacies. He has written for numerous industry publications, executed primary research defining trade promotion optimization, redesigned the NYC Hospice delivery model, guest lectures at Saint Joseph’s University, and speaks at industry events. He holds an undergraduate degree from Western Connecticut State University, and an MBA from the Saint Thomas Aquinas College.
Pam Brown
Chief Commercial Officer Promotion Optimization Institute, LLC.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Pam creates and executes POI strategy, research, advisory, plus elevates practices and CPG and Retailer relationships.
Prior to joining POI, Pam was the Director of IT Governance for Del Monte Foods. In her role she led IT Governance and the PMO. In her previous role as the Director of Sales Operations, she led: Sales Strategy & Operations, Sales Systems and BI Analytics. She drove collaborative solutions and change across the organization based on corporate strategy and with the support of cross functional partnerships.
Prior to joining Del Monte, Pam worked for Unilever and quickly progressed through numerous sales positions of increasing responsibility. She then joined Kayser-Roth and became the Western Division Sales Director for all Retail CPG business west of the Mississippi. Pam has 30+ years of Sales & Systems experience and CPG leadership. She demonstrates a passion for creating a competitive advantage through high-performing teams. Pam earned her BA in Business Administration from the University of California at Riverside.
Jack Harnedy
Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations and Industry Research
Jack Harnedy is the Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations and Industry Research at the Promotion Optimization Institute, where he helps CPG leaders, manufacturers, retailers, and solution partners translate commercial strategy into measurable growth.
Jack brings more than 25 years of experience across the fast-paced consumer packaged goods industry, with leadership roles spanning revenue growth management, sales strategy, customer finance, commercial operations, and customer team leadership. He has worked with some of the world’s most recognized brands and companies, including Nutrabolt, Hostess Brands, JM Smucker, Colgate-Palmolive, Kimberly-Clark, and Newell Rubbermaid.
Known for his practical, operator-led approach to RGM, Jack has built a reputation for connecting strategy to execution – helping organizations improve pricing, promotion, trade investment, customer profitability, and commercial decision-making. In his role at POI, he brings a manufacturer’s perspective, a growth operator’s mindset, and a passion for helping companies build stronger commercial capabilities.
Jack earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Northwestern University, where he was a four-year football letterwinner and member of two Big Ten Championship teams.
He is also the author of Snap & Go, where he shares his perspective on positivity, leadership, growth, and building great teams.