"Insights & Innovators" Podcast

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.

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How Can Market Research Founders Succeed with Mark Simon, Partner at Traction Advising M&A

Feb 6, 2025

How do investors see market research companies? Is it all about SaaS models, or can service companies scale in ways that attract investors? Mark Simon, Partner at Traction Advising M&A talks about retention as a KPI for growth and value. Consider net revenue retention or how a company grows outside of new customer acquisition. Go inside an M&A mind and hear insights like how the market research industry may not lend itself easily to SaaS models.

Earning a Seat at the Strategy Table with Diane Hessan at C-Space

Jan 23, 2025

In this episode of ‘Insights and Innovators,’ hosted by Stan Sthanunathan, special guest Diane Hessan, Chairman of C-Space, discusses her transformative journey as an entrepreneur in the insights industry. Diane shares her thoughts on balancing speed, depth, and relevance in market research and provides valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. She recounts her early career experiences, the foundation and success of Communispace, and offers practical tips for business success and common pitfalls to avoid.

Creating an Exciting Market Research Tech Company with Andrew Reid, Founder & CEO of Rival Technologies

Jan 16, 2025

The path to creating an exciting startup can be a circuitous route. Andrew Reid, Founder & CEO of Rival Technologies may have started in film, taken a right turn in advertising, to end up building technology companies that solved research problems. And sometimes, it’s a family affair. Andrew’s father and sister both played key roles in influencing his path. Hear about his journey and excitement about the future of tech-enabled market research solutions. 

Transforming the Insights Function in Large Corporations with Elaine Rodrigo at Reckitt

Jan 9, 2025

Dive into an engaging conversation between Elaine Rodrigo, Chief Insights & Analytics Officer at Reckitt, and Stan Sthanunathan, CEO of i-Genie.AI, as they explore the evolving landscape of consumer insights, data-driven decision-making, and embracing AI. Elaine shares her nearly 30-year journey in research, her dream role realization, and the transformative power of AI in harnessing data for business growth. From her career milestones to the significance of consistency, focus, and creating proprietary capabilities, Elaine offers invaluable advice for the industry while highlighting the promise of synthetic data and the essential role of innovation.

The Evolution of Market Research to Today with Dr. Marcus Cunha, University of Georgia

Dec 19, 2024

In this episode of the MRII’s Insights and Innovators podcast, host Jon Last, President at Sports and Leisure Research Group, speaks with Dr. Marcus Cunha Jr., Director of the University of Georgia’s Masters of Marketing Research Program. They discuss the transformative changes in the market research industry over the past few decades, including the democratization of research tools, the shift from statistical analysis to business insights, and the evolving skill sets required for success. They also explore the impact of AI on the industry and the importance of linking research to ROI to avoid becoming a cost center. Marcus emphasizes the need for practical, hands-on education and the future role of AI as a productivity tool rather than a replacement for human insight.

From Capital Raising to Integration: A Deep Dive into M&A with Jeff Krentz

Dec 12, 2024

Join us for an enlightening episode of MRII’s Insights and Innovators podcast, featuring a conversation with Jeff Krentz, a seasoned expert in mergers and acquisitions within the market research industry. Hosted by Katie Gross, the discussion delves into the nuances of raising capital, the importance of product-market fit, and strategic decisions companies must make between organic growth and acquisitions.

Krentz shares valuable insights on the essential factors that drive successful investments, how to attract the right investors, and the dynamic balance required during company growth and integration. Learn about the transformative impact of the acquisition of TNS by Kantar, and the critical elements that contribute to successful mergers.

Whether you’re involved in leadership, analysis, or just entering the industry, this episode provides key takeaways on facing mergers with optimism and adaptability, ensuring you seize opportunities presented by industry changes. Dive into the future of market research and what trends lie ahead.

From Market Researcher to Investment Banker with Sima Vasa, Managing Director at Oberon Securities 

Dec 5, 2024

The market research industry is far from homogenous. There are many different business models within it. Sima Vasa, Managing Director at Oberon Securities began as a market research analyst and became an investment banker. That switch means she looks at business models, leadership, and the fundamentals of market research firms through a new lens. Learn how to think like an investment banker. 

The Entrepreneurship Journey in Market Research with Vivek Bhaskaran, Founder & CEO QuestionPro

Nov 20, 2024

How do we get customers? How do we lean into our strengths? These are some of the questions that Vivek Bhaskaran, Founder & CEO QuestionPro talks about in his journey to building his own company and business. Is building great software and launching globally still possible versus in a specific market? Learn lessons in entrepreneurship in the market research industry. 

What Does Leadership Look Like Today and Tomorrow with Crispin Beale, Insight250

Nov 13, 2024

How can we celebrate the innovators and leaders in Market Research? Crispin Beale, CEO of Insight250 and Group President of Behaviorally, has created the main platform for identifying these leaders. Jon Last, President at Sports and Leisure Research Group, talks with Crispin to understand how Insight250 works and how important it is for driving innovation and leadership in the industry. 

Research at the Strategy Table with Brett Townsend, Quester

Nov 07, 2024

Is Research on the Brink? That’s the title of the new book from Brett Townsend, SVP of Strategy at Quester. Jon Last, President at Sports and Leisure Research Group, talks with Brett about how the industry has changed or needs to change from its academic roots to a discipline that drives business impact. 

Transforming Market Research in Big Companies with Stephan Gans, Pepsico

Oct 28, 2024

Is there a consumer insights revolution, and will that change how multinational corporations do research? Stephan Gans, SVP, Chief Consumer Insights and Analytics Officer at Pepsico, wrote the book, The Consumer Insights Revolution. Stan Sthanunathan, CEO i-Genie.AI talks with Stephan about future-proofing your business through the control of data and tools. 

Five Lessons from a Market Research Entrepreneur with Dan Coates, YPulse

Oct 21, 2024

A veteran entrepreneur of five startups, Dan Coates, CEO of YPulse, shares the rollercoaster ride of starting research businesses. Join Katie Gross, Chief Customer Officer at Suzy as she talks with Dan about the skills needed to start and run a business. Dan shares about adapting to cultural and market changes, including the shortening attention span for young people, the sweet spot of his current business, YPulse.

Staying Ahead of the Curve in Research with Simon Chadwick, Cambiar

Oct 14, 2024

What’s hype and what’s real? Jon Last, President at Sports and Leisure Research Group, talks with industry legend Simon Chadwick, Managing Partner at Cambiar, about what changes and innovations—including AI—are likely to change the insights industry. The reintegration of data and insights across functions (CX, Sales, marketing) is hot now and will be in the foreseeable future.

Finding Your Seat at the Strategy Table with Pam Forbus, Mondelez International

Oct 07, 2024

Join Stan Sthanunathan, CEO of i-Genie.AI, as he talks with Pam Forbus, Global Chief of Insights & Analytics at Mondelēz International, about how to earn a strategic business role by sharing relevant insights that drive business decisions. Knowing the question the CEO needs to answer is the start to pursuing insights that matter. To be a growth leader, the researcher must know what grows the business. Pam shares what it means to speak the language of the CFO, the office where decisions are often made. 

Making Research Talent More Agile with Ryan Barry, Zappi

Sep 30, 2024

For research companies to succeed, they need to be willing and able to disrupt themselves. That’s where more agile talent comes in. They are willing to learn, experiment and go beyond what’s working today. Join Katie Gross, Chief Customer Officer at Suzy, as she talks with Ryan Barry, President of Zappi, to discover what he looks for in new talent and how he supports his team. 

Effective Qualities of Market Research Leadership with Ben Page at Ipsos​


Sep 23, 2024

‘Intelligence is not enough. Self awareness, being able to read a room and resilience are all key.’ Join Stan Sthanunathan, CEO i-Genie.AI as he talks with Ben Page, CEO of Ipsos about the qualities for talent and leadership in the insights business. Ben shares about the importance of integrity, especially in relation to data quality, and a willingness or hunger to learn and innovate. And don’t forget about luck and our ability to take advantage of it when it presents itself. 

The Essential Skills of the Market Researcher in Healthcare with Lisa Courtade, Organon​


Aug 26, 2024

How can researchers bridge the gap between technical expertise and business impact? Our host, Jon Last, Sports and Leisure Research Group, talks with Lisa Courtade, a veteran researcher with top healthcare companies including Merck, Sanofi Pasteur, and, now, Organon, as she shares insights from her wild ride career, including lessons learned like “Perfect data only exists in the classroom.”  Hear her POV on the skills researchers need to succeed in the healthcare industry.

What are the top skills, behaviors and strategies for tomorrow’s market research professional? What  are the research innovations business leaders wish they had? How does the research professional earn and keep a seat at the strategic leadership table? The Insights & Innovators podcast from Market Research Institute International dives into these topics and more.

Listen on: 

PodBean | iHeartRadio | PlayerFM | Samsung App | Podchaser

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