DiscoverThe Persuasion GameWinning in a declining category, with Grant McKenzie, Ex-CMO, Asahi
Winning in a declining category, with Grant McKenzie, Ex-CMO, Asahi

Winning in a declining category, with Grant McKenzie, Ex-CMO, Asahi

Update: 2025-07-01
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Operating in a declining category can often feel difficult - where’s the opportunity? What’s the point of investing in a market that’s declining?


But for Grant McKenzie, former-CMO of Asahi, it’s exactly because a category is declining, that brands should be excited.


His view: “It might be easier to make money in a declining market than it is in a growing one.”


Grant has a huge amount of experience working in declining categories, most notably beer, turning brands from regular players to category leaders - and making big profits along the way.


In this episode of The Persuasion Game podcast, he shares his experiences  about the different levers marketers can pull to grow in a category that’s in decline.


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Want to know more about us? Visit our website here: thisistheforge.com


This is an 18Sixty production for The Forge.


CHAPTERS:


(00:00 ) Introduction


(02:51 ) Strategies for growth in declining categories


(04:08 ) How Grant tripled beer sales


(05:54 ) Look for the people who’ve given up


(19:52 ) Innovation and Long-Term Strategies


(22:05 ) Private labels

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Winning in a declining category, with Grant McKenzie, Ex-CMO, Asahi

Winning in a declining category, with Grant McKenzie, Ex-CMO, Asahi

The Forge