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"Insights & Innovators" Podcast

Stay Ahead in Market Research: Real Talk with Industry Experts

Want to know the latest in market research? The Insights and Innovators Podcast brings you genuine thought leader interviews on topics like AI consumer insightspredictive analytics, and research innovation. Learn actionable strategies and stay informed about business analytics trends. Tune in and level up your research game.

Select an Episode to Listen Now

The Role of AI in Market Research with David Boyle at Audience Strategies

Discover how AI is revolutionizing market research in today’s episode of MRII’s Insights and Innovators podcast. Join host Jon Last, President of Sports and Leisure Research Group, as he speaks with David Boyle, Director at Audience Strategies. David shares his journey through various industries, culminating in the integration of AI-driven insights into market research. He discusses the impact of AI on audience segmentation, the importance of strategic thinking in research, and offers advice for future leaders in the field. Learn about the four Ps framework for effective language model usage and how AI can enhance your research capabilities.

May 8, 2025
AI-Powered Insights in Tech with Google’s Marie Van Blaricum

How does AI impact the world of insights? Join us in today’s episode of Insights and Innovators where Stan Sthanunathan, CEO of i-Genie.AI discusses this and more with Marie Van Blaricum, Senior Director of Global Insights at Google Brand Studio. Marie shares key differences between the insights function in CPG and tech industries, her career journey from Unilever to Google, and actionable advice on future-proofing careers in the dynamic tech environment. Learn how AI can empower insights professionals, the importance of being proactive, and the essential shift from delivering data to creating impactful business strategies.

May 1, 2025
Empathetic Leadership in Market Research with Claire Kuhn, OvationMR

In this episode of the Insights and Innovators podcast from MRII, host Jon Last, President of Sports and Leisure Research Group, chats with Claire Kuhn, the SVP of Research & Insights at OvationMR.  Recognized as one of the industry’s 30 under 30, Claire Kuhn, SVP of Research and Insights at OvationMR, reflects on her career path and the hands-on, human aspects of the industry that surprised her. She discusses the ongoing transformation in market research, the balance of AI and human interaction, leadership with authenticity, and the essential skills for emerging professionals. Claire’s insights highlight the importance of curiosity, continuous learning, and cultural fit in driving business impact through market research.

April 17, 2025
AI, Career Evolution, and Leadership in Market Research with Katie Egge, Salesloft

From building connections to staying curious, Katie Egge shares insights from her journey. Host Jon Last, President of Sports and Leisure Research Group, interviews Katie Egge, RVP at Salesloft, recognized as one of the 30 under 30 winners in market research. Discover Katie’s unique career journey from sports and entertainment management to her pivotal role in market research. Learn about her take on AI’s impact on the industry, balancing soft and technical skills, and evolving leadership in a tech-forward, remote world. Katie’s insights into generating actionable strategies and maintaining the researcher’s essential role with AI are not to be missed!

April 10, 2025
A Look at the Next Generation of Insights Professionals with James Endersby, Opinium

Join us in this episode of the Insights Innovators podcast from Market Research Institute International, hosted by Jon Last, President of Sports and Leisure Research Group. Our guest, James Endersby, CEO at Opinium and Chairman of the Market Research Society in the UK, discusses the distinct qualities setting next-gen Insights industry leaders apart. Learn about the 30 Under 30 Awards, the importance of mentorship, networking, and the evolving skill sets required in today’s research landscape. Gain invaluable advice for young professionals aiming to make a mark in the field.

April 3, 2025
How to Be a Pioneer in Market Research with Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient

Join us on this episode of the Insights Innovators podcast from Market Research Institute International, hosted by Katie Gross, President of Suzy. In this insightful discussion, Shelley Zalis, the founder and CEO of The Female Quotient and a pioneer in online market research, shares her journey of disrupting the traditional market research industry by introducing online surveys. She recounts her challenges and triumphs in transitioning from off-line to online research at a time when the internet was in its infancy. Shelley also discusses her efforts to close the gender gap in the workplace through her work with The Female Quotient and provides advice for today’s innovators and trailblazers on how to navigate and transform traditional industries, especially in the age of AI.

March 20, 2025

Curious about what’s new and next in the world of market research? Then join us for the MRII Podcast Show, Insights and Innovators Podcast. Think of it as your go-to audio chat with the folks who are shaping our industry.

Each episode of the Insights and Innovators Podcast brings you thought leader interviews with some of the brightest minds offering genuine industry leaders’ insights. We’re all about exploring what the future of market research holds, and a significant part of that is the role of AI in market research. We chat about how it’s impacting AI consumer insights in practical ways. Discover how smart tech, like AI-powered B2B research, is helping us see things more clearly, and we explore how useful predictive analytics can be for getting a real understanding from your data insights.

We also dive into the nitty-gritty of developing strategic growth insights and how the digital transformation in research is changing the game. Our guests share their real-world experiences with competitive market analysis and using marketing analytics insights to make smart decisions. You’ll hear about the latest next-gen research tools and get a feel for the real buzz around research innovation.

Tune in as we explore how different companies are making their insights teams more effective, emphasizing the importance of bringing different data points together and proactively creating value. We cover AI in consumer insights, B2B research, predictive analytics, digital transformation in research, competitive market analysis, the future of market research, and more. 

We also touch on the evolving skill sets needed in our field, especially in specialized areas like healthcare, consumer products, software and more, where blending technical know-how with solid business understanding is key. We talk openly about how to make sure your insights are truly heard and valued – getting that ‘seat at the table’ by making sure your work is fast, thorough, and relevant to the business.

Whether you’ve been in market research for years or you’re just starting, the Insights and Innovators Podcast offers valuable perspectives and down-to-earth discussions to help you stay informed and connected. Subscribe and join the conversation with fellow professionals who are passionate about the future of market research. We promise, it’s like having a coffee break with the people who are making things happen in market research and insights.

AI in Focus: How Market Researchers are Embracing and Adapting to Generative AI

MRII’s 2nd annual global study of market research professionals’ attitudes, usage, expectations and predictions regarding AI in their jobs and companies


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