The Insighter's Club Podcast

Someone decided that your coffee tastes the way it does…and it wasn't an accident. Behind every flavor that hits a shelf is a web of consumer research, cultural context and calculated risk that has to drive decisions faster than ever.In this episode, we're joined by Basak Oker, Marketing & CSI Director, Europe at Givaudan Taste & Wellbeing, who has spent 18 years at the intersection of flavor science, consumer behavior and brand innovation. Basak makes a compelling case that the insights function isn't there to validate decisions — it's there to remove randomness from innovation entirely. She breaks down how flavor trends move through the system, from Michelin-starred bar treks to mainstream shelves, and why that cycle has compressed from five years to six months.We also cover:Why a strawberry flavor that signals joy in one market signals medicine in another + what brands must do before assuming anything travels globallyHow faster access to existing research shifts insights teams from reporting functions to genuine growth enablers What GLP-1 medications, Gen Alpha purchasing power, and "fantasy flavors" mean for the next wave of food and beverage innovationJoin The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

Your biggest AI risk in 2026 isn’t model collapse. It’s insight teams still acting like report factories in a market that now runs on intelligence infrastructure.In this episode, Ross sits down with Stravito Founder & CEO Thor Olof Philogène to map where the insight function really stands after a year of AI acceleration, failed pilots, and rising expectations. They unpack why AI is no longer “the strategy” but the infrastructure enabling it and why the true competitive edge now lives in the 3 U’s of data: uniqueness, usability, and utilization.Together, they explore how leading organizations are shifting from static knowledge repositories to living intelligence systems, turning years of “research waste” into reusable capital that compounds over time. They dig into the uncomfortable truth about data quality in a democratized world, the widening gap between access and literacy, and why commercial acumen and storytelling have become non-negotiable power skills for insight leaders who want a real say in growth.If you’re ready to operate in the market as it is (not as you remember it), this conversation is your early field guide to 2026.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

Insight teams are at a crossroads: stay safe and stay small or claim a seat at the growth table. This is the operating playbook to move from “report factory” to strategic co-pilot.In this special live episode of The Insighter's Club Podcast, recorded at Stravito Insights Summit 2025 in Paris, three trailblazing leaders unpack what it really takes to dismantle silos and hard-wire insights into decision-making: Seema Hope (VP of Insight, The Economist), Leo Moore (Senior Director, Category Strategic Insights & Analytics, Europe at Kellanova) and Christopher Rastin (Head of Global Customer Research, E.ON). Together, they reveal tried and tested decisive levers: KPI alignment, process design, internal PR, and finance fluency, that turn insights from a cost center into a value engine.In this conversation, we tackle:Why silos persist (competing KPIs, turf, trust) and a practical path to break them permanently.Why “delivering data” isn’t enough and how to lead with a conclusion, then prove it fast.The secret to embedding insights early (not post-hoc) without losing ownership or control.How to democratize insights so they scale, without diluting standards or rigor.The underrated power move: becoming best friends with finance to show real ROI.If you’re passionate about multiplying your impact as an insights leader, this episode is a call to action to upgrade your operating system, not just your methods.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

You probably don’t need another study. You need to use the ones you already paid for. Every year, good insights get lost in slide decks, folders, and “we’ll come back to this later.”In this episode, Jake Burghardt, former Amazon research leader, now at IntegratingResearch.com shows how to rescue the gold that’s already in your archive. We talk about why teams keep re-asking the same questions, how to turn a 30-page report into a one-page keeper, and simple habits that bring insights into the room when decisions are made. If you lead consumer insights, this is a gentle but firm nudge: less chasing new data, more making your best work usable, visible, and hard to ignore.A quick test for when an “old” insight is still useful and when it’s not.A weekly “rediscovery” habit that surfaces past insights right before planning.Easy ways to show impact (without buying another tool or building a dashboard).Where to plug insights into briefs, roadmaps, and OKRs so they shape decisions.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

Insight teams are at a crossroads: stay safe and stay small, or take bold steps to become strategic growth drivers.In this special live episode of The Insighter’s Club Podcast, we bring together three trailblazing leaders who are shaping the future of consumer insights. Recorded at The Stravito Insight Summit in Austin, Texas, Kristi Brown (Chick-fil-A), Michelle Sullivan (Target, General Mills) and Kristen Oeltjenbruns (Cargill) sit down to explore the path to insight excellence.In this candid conversation, we tackle some pressing industry issues:Why are insights teams still stuck in silos, and how can we break these barriers once and for all?Why delivering data alone is no longer enough and how to transform it into actionable storytelling.What’s the secret to embedding insights throughout your organization without losing ownership or control?Why democratizing insights is the key to the future and how gatekeeping can limit your career growth.If you're passionate about amplifying your impact as an insights professional, this episode is a call-to-action to elevate your approach and make a lasting impact across your business.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

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 insight, depending on how it's used.How to turn one-off findings into long-term strategic assets.The 3 skills insight leaders need to drive change across silos.And more!Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.a

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 that partners across the organization. We also cover:How to balance AI-enabled speed with strategic depthWhy tailoring your message to each stakeholder makes the differenceThe risks of relying too heavily on generative AIHow bold insight leadership can influence commercial outcomesJoin The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox

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:How to scale human stories using video and verbatim.Strategies for connecting insight teams and unifying research outputs.What “intent-first thinking” looks like in practice.The importance of embedding insights into decision-making at every level, including the C-suite.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

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 influence in the insights industry. We also discuss:The importance of tailoring communication for different stakeholder types.Why delivery is just the beginning of the insight lifecycle.What a healthy, high-impact insights culture looks like + how to start building one.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

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 depth.We explore:The biggest challenges in traditional research and how AI addresses them.How AI can screen participants, detect fraud, and improve qualitative depth.The shift from large, static reports to concise, high-impact insights.How outlier perspectives can unlock unexpected breakthroughs.The future of insight professionals in an AI-driven world.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

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 triple win: benefiting brands, retailers, and shoppers alike.We also explore:The risks of siloed insights and how to create a cohesive strategy.Why category-first thinking unlocks growth for brands and retailers alike.How diverse career experiences can help you become a stronger, more adaptive insights leader.Join The Insighter’s Club and get exclusive industry insights, expert analysis, and cutting-edge trends delivered straight to your inbox.

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.

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 discuss: Maryellen’s approach to insights, based on a multi-layered analysis.The importance of clear and attractive visualization of insights to compel diverse audiences.Why insights professionals need to resist the urge to soften findings—and present the full story instead.