Employee Resource Groups: An Important “Ingredient” to Brewing New Creations
At Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), employees are encouraged to bring their unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to our business. We continually embrace the ways our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) help inspire innovation that will create stronger connections with our diverse consumers.
Recently, our coffee brand team collaborated with KDP’s Hispanic & Allies ERG to develop key elements of a new series of Latin-inspired specialty coffee beverages for our licensed brand McCafé® At Home. During a company-wide entrepreneurial competition akin to the popular network TV program “Shark Tank” in the Fall of 2021, a new K-Cup pod and beverage flavor, Café de Olla, was pitched by the Hispanic & Allies ERG and rose to the top as a winning new product idea. Since then, ERG members collaborated directly with the coffee team throughout product development, from flavor testing and product packaging design to brand communications and more.
“Throughout the entire creative process, we relied heavily on the Hispanic & Allies ERG as trusted researchers and subject experts to ensure authenticity across the board for McCafé Styles of Latin America,” said Senior Director of Marketing, Christine van den Broeck. “Having nearly 100 Latin voices taking part in the development of this product – all with the shared KDP vision at heart – was vital to our success.”
Launched in spring 2023, McCafé® Café Styles of Latin America, including Café de Olla, Café Con Leche, and Horchata Latte K-Cup pods, are available on Keurig.com and at select retail outlets.
