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
7 days ago
7 days ago
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.
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
AI, Career Evolution, and Leadership in Market Research with Katie Egge, Salesloft
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
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!
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
A Look at the Next Generation of Insights Professionals with James Endersby, Opinium
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
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.
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
How to Be a Pioneer in Market Research with Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
Wednesday Mar 19, 2025
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.
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Cultivating a Culture of Service in Research Insights with Steve Schlesinger, Sago
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
In this episode, we dive deep with Steve Schlesinger, Executive Chairman at Sago, hosted by Jon Last, President at Sports and Leisure Research Group. Steve shares his valuable insights on the latest industry trends, leadership strategies, and the evolving landscape of market research. Tune in to discover how Steve's experience and vision continue to shape the sector and get a firsthand look at the discussions that influence the future of market research.
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
From Researcher to Investment Banker with Kristin Luck, Oberon Securities
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
On this episode, host Katie Gross, CEO at Suzy, speaks with Kristin Luck, Managing Director of Oberon Securities. Kristin shares her unique career trajectory from a research assistant at Lieberman Research Worldwide to becoming an influential entrepreneur, investor, and banker. Learn how her passion for online research led her to build AC Nielsen's first online research platform, co-found OTX, and start a data visualization platform. She offers insights on financial literacy, business growth, and the importance of marketing. Also, discover how Women in Research (WIRe) is empowering women in the industry.
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Transforming Insights: Colgate's Journey with Christian Niederauer at Colgate-Palmolive
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Discover how Colgate has transformed its insights function to be future-proof, the biggest challenges facing insight professionals today, and the critical components of their Insights Competence Framework.Join Stan Sthanunathan, CEO of i-Genie.AI, as he hosts Christian Niederauer, Vice President of Global Insights & Consumer Affairs at Colgate-Palmolive, in this engaging episode of Insights Innovators. Gain invaluable perspectives on the role of AI, the importance of proactive value creation, and how to ensure your insights are impactful and actionable. Don't miss out on this comprehensive journey into the evolving landscape of consumer insights!
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:27 Guest Introduction: Christian Hederault
01:13 Industry Challenges and Insights
02:18 Career Journey and Role at Colgate
04:09 Proactive Value Creation in Insights
05:48 Colgate's Insights Transformation Journey
07:49 Insights Competency Framework
10:12 Evolution and Future of Insights Function
14:04 Leveraging Technology in Insights
17:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
Wednesday Feb 05, 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.

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