Bazooka produces, markets, and distributes a range of iconic confectionary brands, including Ring Pop®, Push Pop®, Baby Bottle Pop®, Juicy Drop®, and Bazooka Bubble Gum®.
Apax Funds has acquired Bazooka Candy Brands from Tornante and Madison Dearborn Partners for an undisclosed amount. The company will focus on distribution growth, product innovation, geographic expansion, and the strategic acquisition of brands in complementary categories.
Rick Watson founded RMW Commerce Consulting after spending 20+ years as a technology entrepreneur and operator exclusively in the eCommerce industry with companies like ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, Merchantry, and Pitney Bowes.
Watson’s work today is centered on supporting investors and management teams incubating and growing direct-to-consumer businesses. Most recently, in partnership with WHP Global, Rick was a critical resource in architecting the WHP+ platform, a new turnkey direct to consumer digital e-commerce platform that powers AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com.
Watson also hosts a weekly podcast, Watson Weekly, where he shares an unbiased, unfiltered expert take on the retail sector’s biggest players.
In the past year alone, Rick has spoken at many in-person and virtual events as well as podcasts on topics ranging from retail/ecom to supply chain/logistics and even digital grocery including CommerceNext IRL, ASCM Connect, and Retail Innovation Conference.
