Most brands think promotions equal growth—but what if they’re actually scaling a problem? In this episode of the CPG Trade Spend Podcast, Kyle Barnholt breaks down one of the most costly mistakes in CPG: not measuring ROI the right way. Learn how to calculate true promotional ROI using real data, avoid common traps like deep discounts with no lift, and shift from gut decisions to profit-driving strategy. Kyle also shares a real-world cautionary tale and outlines 10 key metrics every brand should be tracking to optimize trade spend. If you're still copying last year's promo calendar, this one’s for you.

To learn more and download our FREE True ROI Calculator, head to this blog post. [https://www.trewup.com/resources/the-one-question-every-brand-needs-to-ask-after-a-promotion-did-it-work]

Why Your Promotions Aren’t Working (And What to Do About It)

“You can’t manage what you can’t see.” When it comes to deductions, that lack of visibility is quietly draining margin from CPG brands every single day. In this episode, Kyle Barnholt—longtime CPG operator and co-founder of TrewUp—dives deep into the broken processes behind deductions management and why they’re costing more than you think.

We’ll walk through:

 * Why manual deductions processes are still the norm—and the hidden cost of sticking with them
 * The 10 signs your process needs a serious upgrade
 * A step-by-step playbook to streamline deductions without needing a full ERP overhaul
 * How to introduce automation gradually (and painlessly)
 * Real-world margin impact from better deductions management

If your team is still chasing PDFs, stuck in inbox chaos, or just trying to “clear the books,” this episode is your wake-up call. Get the tools, mindset, and tactics to stop reacting—and start reclaiming margin.

🔍 Want more?
Check out the free Trade Spend Health Check [https://www.trewup.com/trade-spend-health-check] at trewup.com [https://trewup.com/] or connect with Kyle on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebarnholt/] to keep the conversation going.

Inefficient Deductions Management: The Silent Margin Killer

Did you know that up to 25% of trade spend gets wasted every year due to poor visibility? In this episode of The CPG Trade Spend Podcast, host Kyle Barnholt uncovers the hidden costs of staying in the dark and how you can take control of your trade spend strategy. Learn why trade spend visibility is the key to unlocking better promotions, higher profits, and fewer financial headaches. Kyle shares real-world case studies, the 10 warning signs your organization is flying blind, and one game-changing tip you can apply today to start making every trade dollar count. Tune in now to maximize your trade spend and drive sustainable growth!

Learn more about the Trade Spend Maximizer here [https://www.trewup.com/resources/taking-a-deep-dive-into-trade-spend-all-about-sales-data].

Unlocking Trade Spend Visibility: Stoping Missing Budget & Start Driving Growth

In this debut episode of The CPG Trade Spend Podcast, host Kyle Barnholt is joined by his good friend and TrewUp’s Head of Customer Success, Chris Ondrus. Together, they take a deep dive into the world of trade spend, deductions, and promotions—shedding light on the challenges brands face and the innovative solutions that are changing the game.

Kyle shares his journey from Hain Celestial to Manuka Health, where he saw firsthand the inefficiencies in trade spend management, leading him to co-found TrewUp. Chris and Kyle discuss the hidden costs of deductions, the impact on sales teams, and how data-driven insights can help brands not only recover lost dollars but also optimize their overall trade strategy.

Tune in for real-world experiences, expert insights, and actionable strategies to help your brand spend smarter and drive profitability.

Learn more at TrewUp.com [https://www.trewup.com/].

🔗 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/CPGTradeSpendPodcast/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573007104355], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thecpgtradespendpodcast?_t=ZT-8uP3GbERtgx&_r=1] @CPGTradeSpendPodcast for more insights!

Interview with Kyle Barnholt the Podcast Host and Founder of TrewUp

The CPG Trade Spend Podcast is your go-to source for uncovering the best strategies, techniques, and insights in the world of consumer packaged goods. Hosted by Kyle Barnholt, founder and CEO of TrewUp, this podcast sheds light on the "black hole" of trade spend. Kyle brings in top minds from the CPG industry to share their expertise, along with exclusive data-driven insights from TrewUp—powered by billions of dollars in processed trade spend data. Tune in to stay ahead of the latest trends and learn how to optimize trade spend for your business.

Kyle Barnholt

Shows