Insights & Innovators Podcast from MRII

If insights teams don’t become best buddies with data science and AI, they risk getting sidelined. In this episode, host Nick Graham, Founder of Vertemis, is joined by Michelle Gansle, former Chief Data & Analytics Officer, McDonald’s, to talk about why insights needs to partner better with data and analytics instead of competing for control, budget, or credit. They discuss how big data created silos, why teams still rarely col...

Join us as Pavi Gupta, former VP of Insights & Analytics at Chobani, shares his extensive experience in the insights industry with host Stan Sthanunathan, CEO of i-Genie.AI. In this episode, they delve into the evolving role of insights in business, the importance of balancing technological innovation with domain expertise, and the critical difference between collaboration and consensus. Pavi also discusses the importance of cu...

Empowering consumer centricity across all levels is critical in today's rapidly evolving business environment. Join Kalindi Mehta, Global VP, Head of Insights, The Estée Lauder Companies, as she sits down with host Jon Last, President of the Sports and Leisure Research Group, to discuss strategies for embedding consumer insights into decision-making processes. This episode dives deep into the significance of democratizing consumer-...

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of synthetic data and digital twins in marketing research. Host Niels Schillewaert of Conveo.ai is joined by Koen Pauwels, Associate Dean of Research at Northeastern University, who shares key insights from his recent conference at Columbia University. Learn about the practical applications of AI-generated data, why senior executives might over-rely on AI, and how synthetic data s...

Generative AI requires human direction to excel, argues our guest, Tina Tonielli, former US & NA Lead, Consumer & Business Insights, Haleon. Join host Niels Schillewaert, Head of Research at Conveo.ai, as they delve into the concept of 'AI Sameness' and explore how insights professionals can maintain their creative edge in an era dominated by efficiency. Discover why Tina believes the real value of AI lies in augmenting hum...

Join us in this episode of Insights and Innovators as James Cummings, SVP, Global Head of Consumer & Business Intelligence at Kenvue, delves into the evolving role of AI in market research. Cummings discusses the critical transformation needed for insights functions to remain pivotal in business decisions and highlights the importance of balancing data with human empathy. Dissecting the notion that AI can sometimes be misleadin...

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...