Episode Details

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Petfood specialist, Debbie Phillips-Donaldson joins host, Brendan Howard, in this week’s episode of The Veterinary Business Success Show.

Debbie Phillips-Donaldson is editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry, directing all content for the magazine, PetfoodIndustry.com, e-newsletters, Petfood Forum conferences, and related media and publications. She has been in the industry and with Watt Global Media, the parent company of Petfood Industry, since 2006.

Previously she worked for 13 years at pet publisher BowTie Inc. as editor of Cat Fancy magazine, new product manager, and editorial vice president. She also served for five-and-a-half years as editor of Quality Progress magazine with the American Society for Quality. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

In the episode, Debbie discusses all things pet food-related – from sustainability and trends, to the humanization of dog food. What do veterinary clients really think about? Tune in to find out. 

Outline of this episode:

• [01:12] The episode kicks off with Brendan asking Debbie what ‘Petfood Industry’ is. 
• [03:01] Brendan asks about Debbie’s experience joining the pet food world around the same time there was a recall in pet food.
• [06:51] How did the pet food health scare humanize pet food?
• [08:18] Does it cost to be transparent with customers?
• [11:21] What are the new trends in the pet food industry since the pandemic?
• [13:58] Ad break – join our Leaders community. 
• [15:08] The episode resumes with Brendan asking what sustainability looks like in the pet industry. 
• [18:59] Brendan asks Debbie if vegan and vegetarian options will eventually be introduced in the pet food.  
• [20:41] Do pet food manufacturers care about the market for pet food?
• [23:46] Is there an ongoing battle between the manufacturers and distributors?
• [25:45] The episode wraps up to an end. 

To access the extended version of this episode, join our Leaders community. 

Connect with Debbie Phillips-Donaldson:

• LinkedIn