In this special episode, Thor Olof Philogène , Founder & CEO of Stravito , returns to the show to explore the biggest shifts reshaping the insights function in 2025. He and Ross take stock of a turbulent and transformative first half of the year, digging into what it really takes to move from one-off reports to insight systems that inform, influence, and endure. They discuss: The difference between insight that explains and insight that transforms. How AI can either flatten or enhance insigh...
Jul 03, 2025•35 min•Ep. 77
Even the smartest insight is useless if it can’t cut through, move people, or drive action. In this episode, Evan Williams , Founder at Perennial Mind and former insights leader at Uber, Mondelēz, and General Mills, breaks down what most insight teams get wrong when trying to make their work stick. Ross and Evan talk about why simplifying insights doesn’t mean watering them down, how AI can help but not replace human thinking, and why great storytelling is often more powerful than another dashbo...
Jun 19, 2025•45 min•Ep. 76
As AI becomes more embedded in decision-making, insight teams face the quiet but urgent challenge of keeping up with tech while proving their strategic value across the business. In this episode, Febronia Ruocco, Global Strategic Insights & Analytics Director, returns to the show to share how the role of insight is evolving in the current AI era. She makes the case for decoupling insight from its traditional marketing home and positioning it as an independent, commercially focused function t...
Jun 05, 2025•34 min
What if the voice of the customer mindset is holding you back? In this episode, Nick Graham , Founder of Vertemis , and former senior insights leader at companies like PepsiCo and Mondelēz, draws on his 20+ years of experience turning insights into business impact. He breaks down why research often fails to land and what shifts you can make to more effectively drive influence. We also discuss: Why great research doesn’t always equal impactful research The importance of starting with the business...
May 22, 2025•50 min•Ep. 74
The most valuable research doesn’t always come from large sample sizes, but from the ability to surface patterns, stories, and moments of clarity. In this episode, Lisa Payne , Global Director of UX Research at Condé Nast , explores how qualitative insights, often overlooked or undervalued, can serve as a critical driver of strategic clarity. She shares how human stories, when surfaced and scaled effectively, can move beyond anecdote to influence decisions at the highest levels. We also discuss:...
May 08, 2025•34 min•Ep. 73
Sound hits the brain faster than sight. Yet most brands focus almost exclusively on their visual identity, neglecting their sonic identity and all its growth potential. In this episode, we are joined by George Holliday and Luke Moseley , founders of Hear Me Out. Together, they explore why sound is one of the most overlooked (and powerful) tools in brand strategy despite being one of the fastest ways to create emotional connections and boost ROI. We also discuss: How brands boost their ROI by 24%...
Apr 24, 2025•44 min•Ep. 72
How much of your time goes into doing the research, and how much into communicating it? If driving impact is the goal, the communication side might deserve more of the spotlight. In this episode, Matt Roberts , VP of Business Intelligence at Formula E , shares lessons from 25 years of leading insights at organizations like Formula 1, Sky Sports, and ESPN. He explores why the real work begins after the research itself has ended, and why communication, not complexity, is the key to lasting influen...
Apr 10, 2025•34 min•Ep. 71
People remember stories. They share stories. They act on stories. But no one remembers 120 slides of data. In this special unscripted episode, journalist-turned-consultant and Founder at EveryRung , Grant Feller joins Ross to explore how insights teams can adopt a newsroom mindset, build narratives that stick, and make their work not just memorable, but actionable. We also cover: The #1 reason insights fail to influence decisions (hint: it’s not the quality of the data). Why shrinking attention ...
Mar 27, 2025•41 min•Ep. 70
AI is transforming how insights are gathered and applied, allowing researchers to scale qualitative research, detect fraud, and deliver high-impact findings faster than ever. But what does this mean for the future of insight professionals? In this episode, Alfred Wahlforss , CEO & Co-founder at Listen Labs , explores how AI-powered qualitative research enhances traditional methods by improving scale, reducing fraudulent responses, and delivering more actionable insights without sacrificing d...
Mar 13, 2025•27 min•Ep. 69
Insights are only as powerful as the action they inspire. In this episode, we are joined by Will Osborn , Service and Org Design Director & Head of Service Design at frog , part of Capgemini Invent, as he discusses why insights fail and what the industry needs to do differently. Will shares candid takes on blind spots in insights, why context is more critical than data, and why waiting for the perfect tech solution is a mistake. We also discuss: The evergreen challenge of silo syndrome. How ...
Feb 27, 2025•29 min•Ep. 68
Insights are no longer just about analyzing data and observations in isolation; they need to be framed within a broader narrative that aligns sales, marketing, and other stakeholders with a truly shared strategic agenda. In this episode, Cristina Marinucci , Global VP, Growth & Omni Commercial Insights at Mondelēz International , explains why it’s essential to take a more holistic approach to insights in today’s market. She advocates for a unified, category-first strategy that drives the tri...
Feb 13, 2025•30 min•Ep. 67
The future may be uncertain, but your business strategy doesn’t have to be. The secret? Stop predicting and start preparing. In this episode, Jennifer Brace , Chief Futurist at Ford Motor Company , challenges the way insight professionals think about data, foresights, and the future. She explains the importance of broadening the scope of long-term planning to include external signals, consumer reactions, and macro factors like climate change. We also discuss: Why consumers struggle to predict th...
Jan 30, 2025•28 min•Ep. 66
Welcome to the Insighter’s Club. In this new chapter of the Consumer Insights Podcast, we’ll be digging even deeper into the big questions on the minds of insights leaders today. Join host Ross Dempsey as he speaks with a wide range of leaders, innovators and disruptors from across the insights space. Tune in for a sneak peek of what’s ahead, and be sure to subscribe to the Insighter’s Club newsletter for exclusive content you won’t want to miss....
Jan 16, 2025•2 min
In this special episode, Thor is joined by Ross Dempsey , Director of Insight Engagement Services at Stravito and former head of Burberry’s award-winning insights engagement program. They explore the year’s standout themes, tapping into the lessons that shaped 2024, as well as the priorities insights professionals need to focus on for the year to come. Listen to the end for an exciting announcement about what the podcast has in-store for 2025....
Dec 19, 2024•45 min•Ep. 64
It’s well-known that insights can offer companies competitive advantage – but what about collaborative advantage? In this episode, Maryellen Mantyla , Consumer Insights Manager at Eastman , explores the business potential of sharing insights externally. She offers strategies for presenting them effectively to partners, customers, and stakeholders across the value chain, demonstrating how open, well-communicated insights can elevate a company’s impact and relevance in the industry. We also discus...
Dec 05, 2024•33 min•Ep. 63
Insights are nuggets of truth about the world or ourselves. But truth alone doesn’t drive change. The real challenge is communicating how and why things can improve based on those findings. In this episode, we’re joined by Patrick Alcantara , Strategic Customer Insights Lead (UK & Ireland) at AXA , one of the world’s largest insurers. Patrick talks about the importance of communicating insights effectively to influence minds at all levels of business and inspire meaningful change. We also co...
Nov 21, 2024•28 min•Ep. 62
Is data the new oil? In this episode, we welcome Dan Foreman , insights entrepreneur and former president of ESOMAR , who shares his thoughts on what makes data, and by extension insights professionals, so important in today’s world. We also discuss: How the insights industry would look if it were built today Why data is so valuable The importance of spending time outside the insights space How to use a data curation approach to build customer affinity...
Nov 07, 2024•29 min•Ep. 61
As AI advances, critical questions around ethics, limitations, and capabilities emerge. Can it ever truly replicate human insight? How is it reshaping business cost structures? Who really owns the data? To tackle these pressing issues—and raise even more—we’re joined by Febronia Ruocco , Global Strategic Insights & Analytics Director and Executive Coach. Febronia discusses AI’s potential, dispels common myths, and reveals how insights professionals can leverage AI to become strategic commerc...
Oct 24, 2024•24 min•Ep. 60
The secret to leveraging real value from AI in qualitative research is thinking like a user, not an investor—and discerning the data. In this episode, we’re joined by Aaron Cannon , CEO & Co-Founder at Outset , as he explores how AI can eliminate the trade-offs between depth and speed in qualitative research to gather richer, more actionable insights at scale—without the traditional time and cost limitations. We also discuss: How to avoid common pitfalls in AI adoption by focusing on user ne...
Oct 10, 2024•26 min•Ep. 59
By next year, 70 to 80% of all the data we receive will be unstructured. Is your organization prepared? In this episode, we are joined by Victoria Gnatoka , Customer Experience Product Manager at Expedia . Drawing on over 10 years of experience, she digs into how adopting an omnichannel approach can help obtain unstructured data that can be turned into quality, actionable insights through AI, data engineering and other technologies. We also discuss: Strategies to unlock the full potential of uns...
Sep 26, 2024•30 min•Ep. 58
The world of insights is continuously expanding. But what does that mean for insights professionals? And what skills do you need to stay ahead as the industry evolves? In this episode, we dive deep into these topics with Bipul Markan , Head of Research and Insights MENA at Assembly Global . He encourages insights leaders to broaden their capabilities, embrace new tools, and foster a culture of learning within their teams to navigate the shifts in consumer behavior and the world of insights. We a...
Sep 12, 2024•29 min•Ep. 57
Want to elevate your career in insights? Start thinking like a toddler. In this episode, we're joined by Sean McCullough , Sr. Brand Insights Manager for Coors Family of Brands, Imports, Economy, Non-Alc, & Whiskey at Molson Coors . Sean discusses how he takes inspiration from the world of insights and beyond to continuously cultivate his sense of curiosity. We also cover: The critical role of understanding human behavior in extracting meaningful insights from data for smarter business decis...
Aug 29, 2024•41 min•Ep. 56
Insights isn’t a standalone discipline. The more you work in concert with other areas of the business, the more likely you are to deliver on consumers wants and needs. In this episode, we’re joined by Tara Kenneway , Senior Brand Strategist and Insights Manager at T-Mobile , as she explores how to build insightful brands through an interdisciplinary approach. She discusses the intersection of insights, brand strategy, and product development, leading to a comprehensive understanding of consumers...
Aug 15, 2024•29 min•Ep. 55
Join us for this Quarterly Review episode as host Thor Olof Philogène revisits some of the highlights from recent episodes, exploring the varied and rich perspectives of the brilliant insights leaders who’ve joined the podcast this quarter. Stay tuned for the next season of the Consumer Insights Podcast coming in August.
Jul 04, 2024•29 min•Ep. 54
“Are we asking the right questions? Are we asking the right people? Are we asking in the right context and at the right time?” In this episode, we are joined by Global Head of Consumer Insights and Customer Experience Jascina Simeon who firmly believes that consumers do know what they want, as long as insights professionals are asking the right questions and using the precise methodologies. We also discuss: How context and external factors are crucial to understanding changes in consumer behavio...
Jun 20, 2024•31 min•Ep. 53
How can you maximize the impact of your insights while working in an imperfect world? Bonnie Chiurazzi , Director of Market Insights at Glassdoor , joins us to share how her transition from CPG to tech has shaped her rigorous approach to market research. She also explores the best practices for leveraging research methodologies in real-world contexts and how this yields deeper insights. We also discuss: The risks of democratizing the research process The pros and cons of pairing Category Entry P...
Jun 06, 2024•26 min•Ep. 52
“Insights aren’t just for marketing. They’re for the whole business”. And that’s precisely why it’s essential to be a business intelligence expert. In this episode, Nick Rich , Group VP Insights & Analytics, ex- InterContinental Hotels Group /Carlsberg, shares the importance of building capabilities and competencies around problem-solving, developing business talent, and achieving growth. We also discuss: Why it’s essential to tailor innovation to brands and portfolios The importance of leve...
May 23, 2024•34 min•Ep. 51
Uncertainty or opportunity? It’s only a matter of perspective. Drawing upon a wealth of experience in leveraging secondary research foresights, Stephanie Hutchison , Principal Divisional Strategy Consultant at Health Care Service Corporation , joins us to explore the opportunities in the future of the insights industry and share how insights professionals can prepare today to exploit these opportunities and reach their full potential within their businesses. We also discuss: Stephanie’s step-by-...
May 09, 2024•26 min•Ep. 50
In a world where change is the only constant, adapting to a new normal falls short. Companies must anticipate the next normal to thrive, and insights are essential to achieve this. In this episode, Michael Nevski , Director, Global Insights at Visa , offers tangible strategies for insights leaders to help consumers navigate through economic stressors stemming from our dynamic world. He emphasizes the importance of communication, trust, community, and adaptation in facing next-normal scenarios fr...
Apr 25, 2024•32 min•Ep. 49
To work with insights is to drive change. And while driving change is always easier said than done, it’s far from impossible. In this episode, Deepa Iyer , Sr. Director of Market Research and Data Science at Fossil Group , shares how her rich career working both agency-side and brand-side has taught her how to drive insightful action through empathy, humility, and technical expertise. Join us as we also discuss: How brand-side insights leaders can adopt a consultant mindset Best practices + what...
Apr 11, 2024•33 min•Ep. 48
