Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency?

??? "Most CPG / natural products brands ignore their most powerful assets: Their leaders' voices." Honored to share this perspective on Executive Thought Leadership with a bunch of CPG marketing executives at Forum for Naturals last week. (And thank you Ted Ning for fostering these crucial conversations.) After 24 years in journalism and 8 years running a PR / marketing agency, I've learned: Product marketing drives sales. #ExecutiveThoughtLeadership drives trust. Four truths I shared last week: ? Trade media wants your expertise (if you package it right) ? Speaking opportunities create lasting relationships ? LinkedIn isn't optional anymore (sorry not sorry) ? Awards = credibility and ethos to consumers (including B2B) The data proves it. Companies with #VisibleLeadership are: ? more likely to be considered for partnerships ? way more trusted by customers ? and waaaaaay more likely to attract top talent But here's what matters most: Your story isn't just about you. It's about elevating the entire industry. To the marketing leaders who joined us: Thanks for your time, and I've appreciated your questions and challenges these last few days. Let's keep pushing this industry forward. Ready to amplify your leadership's voice? Let's talk. ?? #NaturalProducts #CPG #Leadership #Marketing #PR #ThoughtLeadership #GrasslandsAF

Supporting Colorado businesses isn’t just a one-day event—it’s what we do every day as Colorado's agency of record. ????? We’re expanding our commitment to Colorado’s thriving business ecosystem with the launch of our Colorado Public Relations practice area—crafted specifically to serve brands and organizations shaping the Centennial State’s future. ??? From homegrown startups to legacy companies, our Colorado PR team delivers strategic communications that amplify impact, build community, and drive meaningful conversations where they matter most. Fresh off the momentum of Buy Colorado Day, which launched just two weeks ago, we’re reminded just how vital it is to champion Colorado businesses year-round. Our team of PR and marketing experts is here to amplify homegrown brands, legacy companies and mission-driven organizations on a global scale—helping you build community, spark meaningful conversations and make a lasting impact not just in the Centennial State, but around the world. #GrasslandsAF #ColoradoBusiness #BuyColorado #PR #Marketing https://lnkd.in/g6GVxUdy

Talking about the future of journalism with 50+ Colorado journos felt like group therapy. Thanks for the opportunity, Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency?.

Yesterday evening, we hosted dozens of Colorado journalists at Grasslands HQ last night for drinks, Steuben's / Ace Eat Serve wings and a conversation between Grasslands founder and CEO Ricardo Baca and the one, the only Kyle Clark on the state of journalism in 2025. In a post-COVID world when many journalists work remotely, newsrooms aren't quite as bustling as they once were. That's why we try to show our appreciation for journalists throughout the year. There's something to be said for getting reporters together face to face, and ace to ace. ?? Thanks to Alyson McClaran for the photos! https://lnkd.in/gGkWbv9Q

Thanks to Shannon Donnelly for having my Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency? colleague Erin Curry and me in the studio at Metropolitan State University of Denver yesterday to guest lecture on cannabis marketing and PR for the next generation of entrepreneurs and storytellers shaping this industry. Sometimes it's easy being green ??

Put that Lou Reed album on the turntable, because Grasslands Founder & CEO Ricardo Baca will be speaking at Europe's largest cannabis industry B2B tradeshow, the International Cannabis Business Conference (InternationalCBC) in Berlin this April 29-30, 2025! Ricardo will take the stage on Day 1 at 15:00 to present "Establishing International Brands," sharing strategic insights from his extensive experience in cannabis marketing, journalism and brand development across global markets. At Grasslands, we understand the importance of international perspective in this rapidly evolving industry. ICBC Berlin represents a crucial gathering of the minds that are shaping cannabis policy, business, and culture throughout Europe and beyond. The prestigious Hotel Estrel will once again serve as the hub for these important conversations. Will we see you in Berlin next month? ??? Use discount code ICBCBerlinS for 25% off your tickets https://lnkd.in/gG7qT6Ds ?? Note: Ticket prices increase after April 2nd, so secure your spot today! We look forward to connecting with fellow industry professionals and thought leaders in Berlin! #ICBCBerlin2025 #CannabisIndustry #InternationalBrands #CannabisMarketing #PublicRelations

ICYMI: Naropa University announced a $1.5 million grant in partnership with?Unlikely Collaborators. The scholarship provides financial support for undergraduate students interested in pursuing the Psychedelic Studies Minor. “At Naropa, we’re committed to preparing students to be thoughtful, informed, and responsible stewards in the rapidly evolving field of psychedelic studies. Since our founding, psychedelic visionaries like Ram Dass (Richard Alpert) and Dr. Stanislav Grof have helped shape a learning environment rooted in exploration, transformation, and the study of consciousness,” Naropa University President Charles Lief told?Forbes. Love to see psychedelics education grow more accessible! ????

Earth Day isn't a big gift-giving holiday like Mother's Day, Father's Day, 420 or 710. But it is a crucial moment for any business that's invested in sustainability messaging, or that wants to build a reputation as a purpose-driven brand. Are you currently taking the proactive approach to Earth Day messaging in your PR and marketing strategy, or does the thought of taking a strong stance make you feel a little green? ?? Here's some food for thought: ?? Even with inflation and cost of living exerting downward pressure on consumers, shoppers are willing to spend almost 10% more on average for sustainably produced or sourced products. ?? Consumers are four to six times more likely to buy from, trust, champion and defend companies with a strong purpose.?Gen X and Millennials are some of the biggest cohorts that prioritize purpose-driven brands. ?? One-third (33%) of Gen Zers and 32% of millennials say that Earth Day campaigns have led them to make more environmentally conscious decisions. ?? Although instances of "greenwashing"—aka inauthentically mischaracterizing a brand's environmental efforts—have decreased in recent years, increase consumer awareness of the trend has made shoppers more cynical and skeptical of sustainability claims than ever What those statistics suggest is that consumers have a genuine hunger for sustainable brands that reflect their values, but are also educated enough to sniff out, and even expect, inauthenticity. When so much depends on walking the walk and effectively communicating a brand's commitments, don't you think you should give the messaging around your brand's environmental differentiators and initiatives another look? https://lnkd.in/gd-ZVZKX

Yesterday, we launched a brand new state holiday. Today and tomorrow, we're building Colorado's future through intentional commerce. We're honored to have brought Buy Colorado Day to life with our bold launch partners, including the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and Colorado brands PopSockets, Icelantic Skis, Westbound & Down Brewing Company, Never Summer Mountain Products, Stranahans Colorado Whiskey, Topo Designs and Outside to champion our state's economic future. #BuyColorado Photography credit goes to John Leyba https://lnkd.in/gWDTAdRc

LIVE from the Colorado State Capitol! ??? "Buy Colorado Day isn't just about shopping—it’s about investing in the trend-setting businesses that make our state such a brilliant place to live and work," said Buy Colorado Day Founder Ricardo Baca, who also founded Colorado businesses including PR and marketing agency Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency, Denver music festival the The Underground Music Showcase, Colorado fine art biennial Biome and is also a lifelong Coloradan. "By making intentional choices to support Colorado businesses, we’re keeping money in our communities, creating jobs, and ensuring that Colorado brands continue to thrive—both here at home and on a global scale." We are proud to stand alongside our official Buy Colorado Day launch partners: the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, PopSockets @Icelantic Skis, Westbound & Down Brewing Company, Never Summer Mountain Products, and Grasslands—Colorado's agency of record—as we build toward our formal launch in 2026. #BuyColorado #303Day #ColoradoProud