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McKinsey & Co X PBSN Case Competition

1st place2026

Competition Context

PBSN's Connect Conference is Western's premiere consulting conference sponsored by top management consulting firms McKinsey, Bain, and BCG.

1st - McKinsey & Co X PBSN Case Competition

Project Overview

VitalRise, currently a yogurt brand with $1 billion revenue in the space, is pivoting to capture 3% of the $7 billion U.S. protein drink market. Given the different branding methods, how should the company market and distribute the product to reach their target?

Problem Analysis - Competitive Analysis and Key Takeaways

Problem Analysis

Weak Positioning: Without a clear visual distinction, the product risks being viewed as interchangeable with competitors rather than a unique solution.

Stagnant Market Attraction: A lack of identity leaves consumers with no compelling reason to break existing from brand loyalties, trapping VitalRise in between premium and value options.

Scaling Constraints: initial launch of the product was through five states, making expanded distribution a primary hurdle for future growth.

Recommendations - Distribution through Costco and Trickle Down Effect

Proposed Solution