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
3 hours ago
3 hours ago
Discover powerful insights on navigating a rapidly changing world in the latest episode of the Insights and Innovators podcast. Join host Stan Sthanunathan, CEO of i-Genie.AI, as he interviews Michelle Froah, Global Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer at ETS. In this episode, Michelle discusses the importance of skills development, credentialing, and adapting to turbocharge your career. Explore the findings from the ETS Human Progress Report, understand the rise of AI literacy, and gain practical advice for young professionals to stay relevant and excel in their fields.
00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:27 Meet the Host and Today's Topic
00:57 Guest Introduction: Michelle Froah
01:37 Michelle's Career Journey: From Engineering to Marketing
08:38 Insights from the ETS Human Progress Report
14:09 The Importance of Durable Skills
19:53 Future Nav: Measuring and Mapping Skills
22:09 AI Literacy and Its Impact on the Workforce
26:00 Tips for Accelerating Skill Development
30:13 Challenges for Insights Professionals
37:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Making the Consumer the Boss via Insights with Nitesh Priyadarshi, Danone
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Discover the transformation of the insights function and how it can become critical for C-suite decision-making in this episode of Insights and Innovators. Host Stan Sthanunathan speaks with Nitesh Priyadarshi, Chief Strategic Insights & Analytics Officer at Danone, about his journey from anthropology to leading insights at global companies. Nitesh shares his strategies for making the insights function indispensable, the importance of empathy, consumer centricity, and leveraging technology to enhance the role. Learn how to bridge the gap between uncovering insights and driving business growth effectively.
00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome
00:31 Guest Introduction: Nitesh Priyadarshi
01:40 Nitesh's Career Journey
05:45 The Importance of Consumer Centricity
14:08 Leadership and Empathy in Insights
19:49 Opportunities and Challenges in the Insights Industry
25:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Thursday May 29, 2025
Built to Predict: Inside the New Data Machine with Michael Ramlet, Morning Consult
Thursday May 29, 2025
Thursday May 29, 2025
What are the unseen trends in modern market research? On this episode of the Insights and Innovators podcast from Market Research Institute International, Jon Last, President of Sports and Leisure Research Group, engages in a compelling discussion with Michael Ramlet, CEO of Morning Consult. Explore how Morning Consult is revolutionizing public opinion research with daily data collection, the integration of AI, and a unique approach to blending syndicated and custom data. Michael shares his vision for the future of the insights industry, focusing on innovation, quality, and the evolving role of researchers in strategic decision-making.
00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:43 Meet the Guest: Michael Ramlet, CEO of Morning Consult
02:20 The Importance of Daily Data in Market Research
03:54 AI and Its Impact on Market Research
05:25 Challenges and Innovations in the Insights Industry
09:19 The Role of Insights in Shaping Public Opinion
14:11 Ensuring Quality in Market Research
21:52 Career Advice for Aspiring Researchers
Thursday May 15, 2025
Thursday May 15, 2025
Discover how to energize the insights function in this episode of 'Insights and Innovators.' Join Stan Sthanunathan, CEO of i-Genie.AI, as he hosts Colleen Fahey Rush, EVP and Chief Research Officer at Paramount. Colleen delves into the evolving role of insights in business decisions, particularly within the rapidly transforming media and entertainment industry. Learn from her experiences at Paramount and hear about her career journey from CBS to her current role. Get practical advice on activating insights, the importance of communication, and leadership in the world of media research. Don't miss this in-depth conversation filled with valuable takeaways!
00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic
00:29 Guest Introduction: Colleen Fahy Rush
01:22 The Role of Insights in Media Transformation
04:57 Challenges and Learnings in Media Research
07:15 Colleen's Career Journey
11:11 Differences Between Media and Consumer Insights
14:23 Impact of AI on Media Insights
16:28 Advice for Aspiring Media Insights Professionals
20:20 Leadership and Influencing Skills
22:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Thursday May 08, 2025
The Role of AI in Market Research with David Boyle at Audience Strategies
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
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.
00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:32 Host Introduction and Episode Overview
01:17 David Boyle's Career Journey
02:55 The Role of AI in Market Research
06:18 AI's Impact on Audience Segmentation
12:55 The Four Ps Framework for Effective AI Use
15:04 Pragmatic Advice for Future Leaders
17:56 Conclusion and Farewell
Thursday May 01, 2025
AI-Powered Insights in Tech with Google's Marie Van Blaricum
Thursday May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
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.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:16 Differences Between CPG and Tech Insights
03:03 Marie's Career Journey
04:43 Consumer Centricity and Strategic Leadership
06:45 Impact of AI on Insights
08:58 Future-Proofing Careers in Insights
10:35 Leadership in Times of Rapid Change
13:05 Personal Career Advice from Marie
15:15 Opportunities and Threats in the Insights Industry
18:55 Conclusion and Final Thought
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Empathetic Leadership in Market Research with Claire Kuhn, OvationMR
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
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!

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!