Welcome back to one of our favorite blog series In the Greenlight, where you can get an inside glimpse into the Koupon team! We’ve never been much to brag, but we think our team is pretty incredible and they deserve their time in the spotlight. This week we sat down with Gregg Augustine, our EVP of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development.
Meet Gregg! He's quickly become a dedicated leader at Koupon, helping us dive even deeper into the age-restricted category. Gregg is a true family man, an avid reader and an active philanthropist. We are so excited to help you get to know this incredible Kouponeer!
EVP, Strategic Partnerships and Business Development is a new title at Koupon, can you explain what you do on a day-to-day basis?
No one has more experience providing digital offers for Tobacco and Vapor products in C-stores than Koupon. Right now, I am very focused on building awareness about Koupon’s age restricted solutions for both brands and retailers. I’m working with Koupon’s sales teams to better align Koupon’s products and services with the needs of our clients. Finally, I am working to create new partnerships to expand the Koupon Network, enhance Koupon’s analytical abilities and create new win-win-win scenarios for retailers, CPG brands and Consumers.
There are a lot of exciting things coming down the pipeline for the age-restricted category, can you give readers a preview of what to expect?
Retailers can expect 75+ brand-funded, age restricted offers (Tobacco, Vapor, Tobacco Alternatives, Alcohol, CBD) to help drive in-store trips and grow basket sizes. CPG Brands can expect new digital solutions to build loyalty with age verified consumers. Koupon’s age restricted solutions work for the largest c-store chains in the US, but also work for independent retailers. These age restricted solutions will help brands understand and reach age verified consumers inside c-stores and other retail formats.
What are common challenges working in the age-restricted category?
The regulations concerning age restricted products are complex and ever changing, which makes marketing and selling age restricted products in a compliant and responsible way very difficult. Finding trusted partners that understand these regulations and support a brand’s or retailer’s specific needs is challenging, but very important.
What surprised you most when you first started at Koupon?
Koupon is innovating remarkably fast to meet the needs of CPG brands and retailers by being super focused on the consumer. Koupon is a very different company than the one I first met 5+ years ago. If you haven’t spoken to Koupon in more than a year, you should. I think you will be impressed by the changes and its solutions.
We have to ask—as an expert in all things age-restricted, do you have a favorite product or brand?
Even though I have spent my whole career working with CPG brands, I am not particularly brand loyal. I get excited about trying new products, unique flavors and innovative services. There is so much innovation happening in the market and that’s what really excites me. Trying to connect these innovative brands with consumers is really fun and why I like working with CPG brands, retailers and their distributors.
Ok, I know, I didn’t answer the question with a specific brand. I will always have a special place in my heart for Parliament, which was the first brand I was a marketer for.
Alright, enough about work. What little luxuries, hobbies or rituals are keeping you sane these days?
Family time with my wife and two daughters always keeps me sane and laughing. In the last year, my oldest daughter has become quite the baker, so eating her chocolate chip cookies has been a luxury. As hobbies go, I like to read, primarily about the economy, industry/consumer trends, real estate and my faith.
We saved the best for last—do you have any passion projects that keep you busy outside of work?
I strongly believe that children need access to programs, resources and people that will help them build self-confidence, resilience, a thirst for knowledge and respect for their neighbors. So outside of work, I serve on the Board of Directors for two exceptional non-profits. The First Tee Metro Atlanta is creating Game Changers by teaching children life skills through the game of golf. While I am a terrible golfer, the game is having a powerful effect on kids. GRACEPOINT School uses a multi-sensory, individualistic teaching approach to unleash the brilliance of dyslexic learners. These two organizations are making an unbelievable impact on youth in the metropolitan Atlanta today and creating strong leaders for the future and I am proud to serve in support of their missions.
Check back next month for another glimpse into the Koupon team!
