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Co-op, MDF, scan-back, and a trade calendar tied to your P&L — managed by CPG operators.
trade calendar, P&L-tied
50
states covered
CPG
operators, not generalists
Brief us on a trade marketing project →● Need it fast? Rush queue
● THE TAKE
Most brands spend trade dollars they can't tie to lift and leave co-op funds unclaimed. We run trade like a P&L discipline — planned, deployed, claimed, and measured — so the second-biggest line item finally earns its keep.
// FOUND-YOU MOMENT
✕ Left co-op or MDF funds unclaimed at year-end
✕ Run a promo you couldn't tie to any lift
✕ Re-read the MDF agreement at midnight for the loophole
✕ Submitted a co-op claim with 90% of receipts and prayed
✕ Guessed at scan-back math on a napkin
✕ Found out a retailer placement underperformed too late
✕ Built a trade calendar disconnected from margin
✕ Spent trade dollars to hit a number, not a plan
We run trade as a P&L discipline — planned, claimed, and measured against lift.
Trade is usually a brand's second-biggest line item and its least-managed one. We build and run the trade marketing program — co-op and MDF, scan-backs, coupons, retailer-funded placements — on a calendar tied to your P&L, so every dollar is planned, claimed, and measured against lift.
>> DIFFERENCE ENGINE
// MOST AGENCIES
// IGNITE
Trade spend you can't tie to lift
✓ Every promo modeled and measured
Co-op / MDF left on the table
✓ Funds planned, deployed, and claimed
Scan-back math on a napkin
✓ Modeled programs with real payback
A trade calendar disconnected from P&L
✓ A calendar mapped to margin
Claims filed late and incomplete
✓ Receipts chased, claims filed clean
Promo to hit a number
✓ Promo to a plan with measured lift
// trusted by
Brands Ignite supports across sales and trade.
>> TRADE MARKETING // 06 CAPABILITIES
* 01 →
A real promo calendar mapped to margin — not a guess updated quarterly.
* 02 →
Plan, deploy, and reconcile co-op and MDF so funds get used and claimed.
* 03 →
We model the scan-back and coupon programs that actually drive lift.
* 04 →
Secure and manage retailer ad and display placements that pay back.
* 05 →
Every promo modeled against expected lift, then measured against actual.
* 06 →
We chase the receipts and file the claims so funds don't evaporate.
>> COMPLIANCE · CERTIFICATIONS · SOPS ✓ 4-POINT STANDARD
Co-op / MDF terms
Agreements reviewed; funds tracked, deployed, and claimed.
Scan-back setup
Programs structured with retailers and modeled for payback.
Claim documentation
Receipts and proof of performance assembled for clean claims.
P&L alignment
Trade calendar mapped to margin and reviewed each cycle.
// who runs this // 06 verticals
01 CPG Beverage 02 CPG Food & Snack 03 Alcohol & Spirits 04 Pet 05 Health & Wellness 06 Beauty
>> HOW THIS RUNS
01 1/5
Map current trade spend, co-op/MDF balances, and leaks.
02 2/5
Build a promo calendar tied to P&L and modeled for lift.
03 3/5
Run co-op, MDF, scan-back, and placements with retailers.
04 4/5
Chase receipts and file claims clean and on time.
05 5/5
Promo vs. actual lift, account by account.
>> RECEIPTS
We show the work. Photos, numbers, GPS data, recaps. Real client programs across beverage, spirits, sports, telco, CPG, and retail.
See our work →Start a brief
5K+
ACTIVATIONS / YR
257K+
AMBASSADOR BENCH
STATES
FEATURED CASES
// DEEP DIVE
trade marketing management co-op program management MDF management scan-back programs trade promotion management CPG trade marketing retail trade calendar coupon program management trade spend ROI retailer co-op
Trade marketing management covers co-op and MDF programs, scan-backs, coupons, retailer-funded placements, and the promo calendar that ties them all to your P&L. Done well, it's a growth lever. Done loosely, it's a leak.
Ignite runs trade like the discipline it is. We build a calendar mapped to margin, model each promo against expected lift, deploy co-op and MDF so funds actually get used, and chase the receipts so claims get filed clean and on time.
Then we measure: promo vs. actual lift, account by account, so next quarter's plan is sharper than this one's.
Best for CPG brands leaving co-op funds unclaimed, teams running promos they can't tie to lift, and founders who suspect trade is leaking but can't see where.
// coverage / 50.states / 80+.markets
We don't just say national — we show up in every DMA. One roster. One platform. One PO. Detroit on Tuesday, Tampa on Wednesday, doesn't matter.
80+
MARKETS
48HR
RUSH
// just a few of the major markets we run
● New York, NY ● Los Angeles, CA ● Chicago, IL ● Houston, TX ● Dallas–Fort Worth, TX ● Austin, TX ● San Antonio, TX ● Phoenix, AZ ● Philadelphia, PA ● Boston, MA ● Washington, DC ● Atlanta, GA ● Miami, FL ● Orlando, FL ● Tampa, FL ● Jacksonville, FL ● Charlotte, NC ● Raleigh–Durham, NC ● Nashville, TN ● Memphis, TN ● New Orleans, LA ● Birmingham, AL ● Louisville, KY ● Indianapolis, IN ● Columbus, OH ● Cleveland, OH ● Cincinnati, OH ● Detroit, MI ● Pittsburgh, PA ● Buffalo, NY ● Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN ● Milwaukee, WI ● Madison, WI ● St. Louis, MO ● Kansas City, MO ● Omaha, NE ● Des Moines, IA ● Oklahoma City, OK ● Tulsa, OK ● Little Rock, AR ● Denver, CO ● Colorado Springs, CO ● Salt Lake City, UT ● Boise, ID ● Albuquerque, NM ● Las Vegas, NV ● Reno, NV ● Tucson, AZ ● San Diego, CA ● Orange County, CA ● Riverside–San Bernardino, CA ● Sacramento, CA ● San Francisco, CA ● San Jose, CA ● Fresno, CA ● Portland, OR ● Seattle, WA ● Spokane, WA ● Anchorage, AK ● Honolulu, HI ● Hartford, CT ● Providence, RI ● Burlington, VT ● Portland, ME ● Manchester, NH ● Albany, NY ● Rochester, NY ● Syracuse, NY ● Richmond, VA ● Norfolk–Virginia Beach, VA ● Greensboro, NC ● Greenville, SC ● Columbia, SC ● Charleston, SC ● Savannah, GA ● Jackson, MS ● Baton Rouge, LA ● El Paso, TX ● McAllen, TX ● Corpus Christi, TX
// available in major markets
Including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Miami, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, and Seattle — plus 190+ surge metros.
New York/ NYLos Angeles/ CAChicago/ ILDallas-Fort Worth/ TXAtlanta/ GAMiami/ FLLas Vegas/ NVPhoenix/ AZDenver/ COSeattle/ WA
● LIVE · TRADE MARKETING
Tie trade dollars to the field execution and sell-through they're meant to drive — in one view.
Tour Spark →Get a staffing quote
spark.ignite / trade-marketing
LIVE
>> TRADE MARKETING · LIVE OPS LAST 30 MIN
Promo execution verified in the field tracking
Demo + scan-back activity by account ready
Lift visibility by market and SKU ready
Claim-ready proof of performance ready
>> TODAY · BY HOUR ↑ +14%
// faq
What's the difference between co-op and MDF? +
Co-op funds are typically accrued and shared for advertising/promotion; MDF (market development funds) are discretionary funds for growth activities. We plan, deploy, and reconcile both.
Can you tie trade spend to actual lift? +
Yes. We model each promo against expected lift, then measure against actual sell-through, account by account.
Do you file the claims? +
Yes. We chase receipts and file co-op/MDF claims clean and on time so funds don't evaporate.
Do you build the trade calendar? +
Yes — a promo calendar mapped to your margin and P&L, not a disconnected spreadsheet.
Do you work with our broker and distributor? +
Yes. Trade execution is coordinated with brokers and distributors so the plan is consistent across the channel.
>> OFTEN PAIRED WITH
>> Receipts
Torch THC National retail program, planning to field execution. 2,500+ Activations / yr →Brew Dr. Kombucha Retail sampling run end to end for distributors. ~150 Demos / month →Drekker Brewing Total Wine tastings scheduled and run in store. Total Wine Tastings →
>> READY WHEN YOU ARE
Send the brief. We'll come back with crew, compliance, and a line-item quote inside 48 hours.
Request a quote →● Request staff now
rush turnaround
states staffed
ambassador bench
VETERAN
owned
// QUICK BRIEF WHAT WE NEED
01 Goal of the program
02 Markets in scope
03 Window + lead time
04 Budget range
05 Distributor / retailer notes (if any)
QUOTE BACK IN 48 HOURS
// FREQUENTLY PAIRED WITH
Broker Management ↗Buyer Pitch & Line Reviews ↗Distribution Expansion ↗Fractional Sales Team ↗Shopper Marketing ↗Fractional ↗Contact ↗
Co-op funds are typically accrued and shared for advertising/promotion; MDF (market development funds) are discretionary funds for growth activities. We plan, deploy, and reconcile both.
Yes. We model each promo against expected lift, then measure against actual sell-through, account by account.
Yes. We chase receipts and file co-op/MDF claims clean and on time so funds don't evaporate.
Yes — a promo calendar mapped to your margin and P&L, not a disconnected spreadsheet.
Yes. Trade execution is coordinated with brokers and distributors so the plan is consistent across the channel.