Insights & Innovators Podcast from MRII
Data and insights have become the required superpowers of growth companies. No matter what peak or trough the economy is in, business leaders need actionable insights to grow markets, engage customers, and make smart strategic decisions. And research professionals need skills and insights to grow their strategic seat at the table. MRII’s Insights & Innovators talks to today’s top experts and innovators to chart a path for the role, the research methods of tomorrow, and the growing importance of the researcher to business success.
Episodes
When insights partnerships fall short, what can be done? Join Nick Graham, Founder of Vertemis and former global insights leader at Mondelez and PepsiCo, as he discusses the challenges and solutions in the world of market research and insights partnerships. In this episode of MRII’s Insights and Innovators podcast, Nick reveals where the disconnect happens between agencies and clients, shares real-life examples, and offers a strate...
Success hinges on finding the right balance between humans and AI. In this episode of MRII's Insights and Innovators podcast, host Z Johnson is joined by Simon Glass, CEO of Discuss. Together, they delve into the impact of AI on the workplace, examining how it redefines roles, the importance of critical thinking, and effective change management strategies. With AI automating various tasks, discover how organizational dynamics and l...
“AI helps you understand what keeps people awake at night without human bias.” In this episode of MRII's Insights and Innovators podcast, host Niels Schillewaert, Head of Research at Conveo.ai, speaks with Stan Sthanunathan, CEO of i-Genie.AI. Stan shares his journey from corporate roles at Unilever and Coca-Cola to co-founding his AI-driven insights company. The discussion covers reinventing oneself, the evolving role of AI in the...
“Stop trying to pretend that everything is smooth.”
In this episode of Insights and Innovators, host Jon Last sits down with Brianna Sylver, President of Sylver Consulting and author of 'Leading Through Free Fall'. They discuss how researchers and innovators can navigate project turbulence, reframe resistance, and create safe landings for their ideas. Brianna delves into understanding emotional intelligence, creating actionable insi...
Discover how Robinhood's research team navigates the rapidly changing financial landscape to democratize finance for all. In this episode of MRII's Insights and Innovators podcast, Katie Gross speaks with Celeste Ridlen, Head of Research at Robinhood. They discuss the crucial role of research in shaping Robinhood's product and marketing strategies, the evolving responsibilities of insights leaders, and how Robinhood leverages AI to...
Senior leaders don't want the data, they want the answer. In this episode of 'Insights and Innovators' hosted by Zontziry “Z” Johnson, Founder of MRXplorer, J. Walker Smith, Chief Knowledge Officer at Kantar, discusses the vital importance of presentation delivery. He shares how to effectively connect data with people, tackle common delivery mistakes, and why eye contact and hand movements matter. Smith also covers strategies for e...
Want your audience to remember your big idea? Join Zontziry 'Z' Johnson as she speaks with J. Walker Smith, Chief Knowledge Officer at Kantar, on the 'Insights and Innovators' podcast. Smith shares his expertise on the art and science of storytelling with data, including why many research presentations are forgettable and how to ensure your key point sticks. Get tips on creating impactful headlines, structuring your story, and unde...
Discover why John Dick, Founder and CEO of CivicScience, believes that paying survey respondents introduces bias and why shorter surveys offer better data. In this episode of Insights and Innovators by MRII, host Jon Last explores CivicScience's innovative micro-survey method that scales to over a million responses daily without financial incentives. Learn about the evolution of syndicated data, the impact of AI, and the importance...
Discover what separates a 'wow' insight from a great insight, and why commercial acumen is key. Join Stan Sthanunathan, CEO of i-Genie.AI, as he chats with Vijay Raj, EVP of Consumer and Market Insights at Unilever. Learn how insights can drive business decisions at the C-suite level, shape your career, and transform the trajectory of a brand. Vijay shares valuable perspectives on the future of the insights industry, the role of AI...
Mark Hardy, Head of Walmart Data Ventures, joins Katie Gross, host of the Insights and Innovators Podcast, to discuss how Walmart leverages data to drive business decisions and create value. They explore the principles behind Walmart's data strategy, the role of AI in accelerating insights, and the unique aspects of their data integration. Mark shares his insights on innovation, team building, and what it takes to succeed in a fast...
Navigating nothing to lose moments and beyond. Join us in this episode of MRII's Insights and Innovators podcast as Stan Sthanunathan, CEO of i-Genie.AI and former insights leader at Unilever and Coca-Cola, shares his invaluable experiences and lessons from his 40-year career in consumer insights. Hosted by Zontziry “Z” Johnson, Founder of MRXplorer, this episode delves into Stan's unique approaches to leveraging 'nothing to lose' ...
On this episode, Jon Last, President of Sports and Leisure Research Group, is joined by Nancy Smith, President & CEO of Analytic Partners. Dive into the evolution of analytics and how companies can make smarter, quicker decisions in a competitive landscape. Discover the concept of 'commercial analytics', the impact of rapid technological advancements, and how to effectively apply data in today's business environment. Gain insig...
Unlock the secrets of the evolving media landscape! Join our host, Jon Last, President of Sports and Leisure Research Group, and his guest, Helen Katz, EVP of Research at Publicis Media, as she delves into transformative changes in media and advertising. Discover how identity solutions and first-party data drive more effective targeting, understand the complexity of modern media planning and buying, and get insights into navigating...
Discover the transformative power of behavioral data and customer centricity in this episode of MRII's Insights and Innovators podcast, hosted by Jon Last, President of Sports and Leisure Research Group. Join a thought-provoking conversation with Pete Fader, a pioneer in customer lifetime value analytics and Professor of Marketing at The Wharton School. Explore what drives business impact, the integration of predictive analytics in...
Discover how insights and analytics shape decision-making at the C-suite level in this episode of MRII's Insights and Innovators podcast. Katie Gross, president of Suzy, hosts Chris Chesebro, Global Chief Digital Officer at Wella Company. They explore how data-driven strategies impact big-picture brand strategy and day-to-day operations in a fast-changing digital world. Learn about Wella's digital pillars, the balance between data ...
How are industry icons like Tod Johnson and Karyn Schoenbart paving the way for the next generation of research tech? As Co-Founders of Duo Partners Consulting, they share their perspectives on innovation in the research space, the challenges of data quality and fraud, and the exciting developments they foresee. Discover the types of disruptive data companies they are investing in and the qualities they look for in successful ventu...
Explore the transformation of market research techniques and the role of AI in the latest episode of MRII’s Insights and Innovators podcast. Join Jon Last, President of Sports and Leisure Research Group, as he talks with Bryan Orme, CEO of Sawtooth Software. Bryan shares his journey in data collection and analytics, the technological evolution in market research, and essential skills for future researchers. From the days of phone s...
Discover the steadfast skills and perspectives that make an insights professional truly effective with Ravi Parmaswar, President at Kastu Analytics, and host Jon Last, President at Sports and Leisure Research Group. In this episode, Ravi reflects on his varied career at global Fortune 100 organizations and shares key highlights, including the importance of taking career risks and fostering future-proofing strategies. Ravi delves in...
Is there a disconnect between research suppliers and clients in today's market research landscape? In this episode of MRII's Insights and Innovators podcast, Jon Last, President of Sports and Leisure Research Group, interviews Steve Quirk, President of Quirk’s Media. They discuss the challenges brands face with the proliferation of research platforms, the importance of articulating a clear value proposition, and the impact of priva...
Can synthetic audiences reshape market research? Find out as Katie Gross, President of Suzy, speaks with Patrick Comer, Group CEO at Cint & Founder at Lucid. They discuss the innovative shifts in the industry, including the rise of AI, the importance of data quality, and the future of synthetic data. Comer shares how companies can stay ahead with AI advancements, the significance of trust and transparency in data handling, and ...
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