I am the founder and CEO of Agency 29, an award-winning brand-building firm for food, beverage, and agriculture brands. My experience in brand strategy helps companies scale business growth, define their unique marketing message, and attract their ideal audiences.
My rural roots are the root of my passion for agriculture marketing, food, and craft beverage. An active community member, I proudly hold multiple board seats for local and international organizations and I am a national speaker and workshop facilitator.
Recent Content
Thinking of hitting record on your own podcast? In this episode of Spilled Salt, host Maureen Ballatori chats with editor and producer Jennifer Bosch Gyuricska on the whys and hows of podcasting as a …
Thinking of hitting …
Thinking of hitting record on your own podcast? In this episode of Spilled Salt, host Maureen Ballatori chats with editor and producer Jennifer Bosch Gyuricska on the whys and hows of podcasting as a powerful content marketing tool for food, beverage, and agriculture brands.
In this episode of the Spilled Salt podcast, host Maureen Ballatori chats with Bluewhite CEO Ben Alfi on transforming tractors into autonomous vehicles, enhancing farm efficiency, and safety.
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the Spilled Salt podcast, host Maureen Ballatori chats with Bluewhite CEO Ben Alfi on transforming tractors into autonomous vehicles, enhancing farm efficiency, and safety.
Meet Paul Brock in this episode of Spilled Salt, a champion of sustainable viticulture who alongside wife Shannon is leading Silver Thread Vineyard with innovation and integrity.
Meet Paul Brock in t…
Meet Paul Brock in this episode of Spilled Salt, a champion of sustainable viticulture who alongside wife Shannon is leading Silver Thread Vineyard with innovation and integrity.
Matt Cotton, founder of Rooted Food Sales, shares insights on navigating food service and bringing new brands to the table. From finding operator interest to working with distributors, his journey off…
Matt Cotton, founder…
Matt Cotton, founder of Rooted Food Sales, shares insights on navigating food service and bringing new brands to the table. From finding operator interest to working with distributors, his journey offers valuable lessons for food industry entrepreneurs.
In this episode of the Spilled Salt podcast, Warren Lee and Lachlan Campbell capture the essence of ProAgni's journey, their focus on sustainable farming practices, and the innovative solutions they b…
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the Spilled Salt podcast, Warren Lee and Lachlan Campbell capture the essence of ProAgni's journey, their focus on sustainable farming practices, and the innovative solutions they bring to the agriculture industry.
In this episode of Spilled Salt, Will Blum, the founder of Bluebird Hardwater, shares his journey launching a new brand and scaling their product offerings in the highly regulated alcohol sector. F…
In this episode of S…
In this episode of Spilled Salt, Will Blum, the founder of Bluebird Hardwater, shares his journey launching a new brand and scaling their product offerings in the highly regulated alcohol sector. For a full transcript of this episode, visit https://agency29.com/blog/launching-and-scaling-in-a-competitive-industry-with-bluebird-hardwaters-will-blum.
Meet Omer Davidi, CEO of BeeHero, on this episode of Spilled Salt. He’s revolutionizing precision pollination and empowering farmers with data-driven solutions, reshaping the future of agriculture…
Meet Omer Davidi, CE…
Meet Omer Davidi, CEO of BeeHero, on this episode of Spilled Salt. He’s revolutionizing precision pollination and empowering farmers with data-driven solutions, reshaping the future of agriculture. Read the full transcript at https://agency29.com/blog/driving-data-informed-agriculture-and-precision-pollination-with-beeheros-omer-davidi/.
Listen in to Spilled Salt as Host Maureen Ballatori and guest Monica Watrous explore media coverage, entrepreneurship, and transparency - and building it all under the public eye - in the dynamic CPG …
Listen in to Spilled…
Listen in to Spilled Salt as Host Maureen Ballatori and guest Monica Watrous explore media coverage, entrepreneurship, and transparency - and building it all under the public eye - in the dynamic CPG industry. Read the full transcript at https://agency29.com/blog/a-passion-for-journalism-and-emerging-brands-noshs-monica-watrous/.
Follow along on this episode of Spilled Salt as Maiah Johnson Dunn shares her journey from marketing maven to Finger Lakes-based wine enthusiast. A big part of Maiah’s work is breaking down barriers…
Follow along on this…
Follow along on this episode of Spilled Salt as Maiah Johnson Dunn shares her journey from marketing maven to Finger Lakes-based wine enthusiast. A big part of Maiah’s work is breaking down barriers to inclusivity and demystifying wine. She dreams of someday opening her own winery. For a full episode transcript, visit https://agency29.com/blog/breaking-down-barriers-one-bottle-at-a-time-wine-stories-with-maiah-johnson-dunn/.
From community advocacy to food entrepreneurship, Rhonda Destino is shaping the small business landscape in Rochester, NY. Don’t miss this episode of Spilled Salt as Rhonda and host Maureen Ballator…
From community advoc…
From community advocacy to food entrepreneurship, Rhonda Destino is shaping the small business landscape in Rochester, NY. Don’t miss this episode of Spilled Salt as Rhonda and host Maureen Ballatori discuss navigating local government, fostering collaboration, and overcoming funding challenges for food ventures.
Adie Akuffo-Afful joins Maureen Ballatori on the Spilled Salt podcast to discuss entrepreneurial ventures, including WeFunder, a business concept linking local businesses, and a fractional art investm…
Adie Akuffo-Afful jo…
Adie Akuffo-Afful joins Maureen Ballatori on the Spilled Salt podcast to discuss entrepreneurial ventures, including WeFunder, a business concept linking local businesses, and a fractional art investment platform. Listen in for his insights on innovative projects, stakeholder satisfaction, funding opportunities and business growth strategies.
Meet Kaari Stannard, CEO and Founder of Yes! Apples as she shares her thrills and spills from growing apples to brand creation. Kaari shares insights into family businesses, challenges, and innovati…
Meet Kaari Stannard,…
Meet Kaari Stannard, CEO and Founder of Yes! Apples as she shares her thrills and spills from growing apples to brand creation. Kaari shares insights into family businesses, challenges, and innovative strategies shaping the future of fresh produce.
Join Maureen Ballatori and Matt Schrader in conversation on Spilled Salt as they discuss Matt’s unconventional journey from microbiology to winemaking. Matt shares how he’s strategic in the winema…
Join Maureen Ballato…
Join Maureen Ballatori and Matt Schrader in conversation on Spilled Salt as they discuss Matt’s unconventional journey from microbiology to winemaking. Matt shares how he’s strategic in the winemaking process, the importance of consistency in flavor profiles, and how he’s helping new consumers make friends with wine.
On this episode of Spilled Salt, renowned chef Joel Kraft shares his 30-year culinary journey, from humble beginnings to executive chef at Oak Hill Country Club and later St. John Fisher University. C…
On this episode of S…
On this episode of Spilled Salt, renowned chef Joel Kraft shares his 30-year culinary journey, from humble beginnings to executive chef at Oak Hill Country Club and later St. John Fisher University. Chef Joel offers insights on industry evolution and teamwork strategies.
Kyle Peters knows when to hold ‘em, and when to fold ‘em. Driven by passion and personal experience, Kyle shares his adventures in entrepreneurship on this episode of Spilled Salt with Maureen Bal…
Kyle Peters knows wh…
Kyle Peters knows when to hold ‘em, and when to fold ‘em. Driven by passion and personal experience, Kyle shares his adventures in entrepreneurship on this episode of Spilled Salt with Maureen Ballatori.
In this episode of the Spilled Salt podcast, Warren Zeiser of WeRise Consulting joins host Maureen Ballatori to talk hard lessons in leadership and navigating organizational change.
In this episode of t…
In this episode of the Spilled Salt podcast, Warren Zeiser of WeRise Consulting joins host Maureen Ballatori to talk hard lessons in leadership and navigating organizational change.
Mark Samuel, founder of IWON Organics, joins Spilled Salt host Maureen Ballatori to share insights on entrepreneurship, CPG scaling, mental health, and his passion for his new endeavor, the Feel Good …
Mark Samuel, founder…
Mark Samuel, founder of IWON Organics, joins Spilled Salt host Maureen Ballatori to share insights on entrepreneurship, CPG scaling, mental health, and his passion for his new endeavor, the Feel Good Wellness Program.
Join us in exploring the relentless world of a bicoastal winemaker, Nova Cadamatre, on this episode of Spilled Salt as she orchestrates harvests, reflects on legacies, and contemplates the evolving la…
Join us in exploring…
Join us in exploring the relentless world of a bicoastal winemaker, Nova Cadamatre, on this episode of Spilled Salt as she orchestrates harvests, reflects on legacies, and contemplates the evolving landscape of the New York wine industry.