Future Proof

In this Future Proof episode, Dr Nicki Morley, Global Innovation Lead at Kantar and Dr Angad Chowdhury, Co-CEO & CPO at Quilt.AI, unpack why genuine innovation demands more than fast outputs from LLMs. They explore how cultural sensing, behavioural fuels and frictions, and multisource signal intelligence reveal the collision zones where breakthrough opportunities emerge, and why human judgment is still essential to shaping concepts that are meaningfully differentiated and commercially real. They also share how the Kantar × Quilt.AI partnership brings these capabilities together, closing the loop from signal to opportunity spaces to concepts with rigour a...

In this episode, Nicki Morley, Global Innovation Lead at Kantar, and Little Moons’ Ross Farquhar discuss how Little Moons turns early-stage ideas into high-impact innovation by designing for occasions, not categories, and acting fast in the market to learn and iterate. Ross Farquhar shares how strong brand guardrails make innovation purposeful while the team experiments, tests, and scales new concepts at speed. He also unpacks how AI accelerates trend discovery and early exploration, with human judgment shaping what truly becomes a breakthrough.A sharp look at modern innovation discipline, where agility, insight, and smart tools create genuine compe...

In this episode of Kantar's Future Proof podcast, Jane Ostler speaks with Sian Davies, Global Consumer Planning Lead, Ready to Drink at Diageo, and Jauneen Tarin, Head of Shopper UK at Kantar, to discuss the evolving landscape of shopper marketing.  From the evolution of shopper behaviour and the impact of digital channels to the critical role of leadership and culture, this episode is packed with practical examples and forward-looking perspectives on winning in the fast-changing world of ready-to-drink beverages.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travel is emotional, but booking a trip often isn’t. As expectations rise, Booking.com is working to bring emotion to moments that usually feels purely functional. Convenience isn’t the only game in town.In this episode, Jane Ostler talks with Ben Harrel, Managing Director, US at Booking.com. They discuss how the brand blends performance and long‑term storytelling to spark that Booking.yeah feeling, how creators help the brand speak authentically to different travellers, and how Gen AI is enabling more tailored and relevant communication at scale. Ben also shares a practical vision for th...

In this episode of Kantar’s Future Proof podcast, Simon Atherley, Head of Marketing Effectiveness at Kantar UK, is joined by Biren Kalaria, Google UK’s Managing Director of Measurement, Analytics & Data, to unpack how marketers can better connect marketing effectiveness to business growth as we head into 2026. Biren shares his perspective on the persistent gap between marketers and the C-suite, the importance of unified KPIs, and why long-term effects remain under-measured.  Tune in for practical guidance on bridging internal divides, strengthening measurement foundations, and using AI and creators to drive stronger, more confident marketing deci...

What does it take to create advertising that truly stands out? In this episode of Kantar Future Proof, Deepak Varma, Head of Neuroscience Insights at Kantar North America, is joined by Allison Howitt, Global Insights and Analytics Director – Nutrition at Reckitt, to explore how marketers can unlock creative best practices by combining AI analytics, neuroscience, and distinctive brand assets. Allison shares her perspective on the evolving role of creative effectiveness, revealing how Reckitt leverages a hybrid approach, blending human insight, AI-driven meta-analysis, and neuroscience techniques like facial coding and eye tracking, to identify the moments tha...

In the age of AI, trust and human connection are the new foundations of customer experience.The rules are changing: technology is reshaping how brands interact with consumers, but it is human connection, trust, and transparency that will define the winners. In this episode, Jane Ostler talks with Isabelle Zdatny and Amy Cashman. They discuss how organisations must move beyond captive audiences and transactional relationships, earning loyalty through responsible practices and meaningfully different experiences. In an era where everything can be commoditised except the human touch, brands who deliver on their promises and build emotional connections will s...

Gaming has evolved into a cultural powerhouse and a vital marketing platform, reshaping how brands connect with audiences worldwide. In this episode of Future Proof, host Rachelle Minnis welcomes Adam Bauer, VP of Sales at Discord, to unpack the real-world strategies and lessons behind successful community-driven marketing.Discover how Discord transformed from a gamer-centric chat app into a dynamic space for brand engagement, and learn what sets advertising on Discord apart from traditional social platforms. With gaming now mainstream and communities more engaged than ever, this conversation reveals how brands can successfully activate community-driven marketing—and why th...

Join Dr. Nicki Morley as she sits down with Conny Kalcher, Group Chief Customer Officer at Zurich Insurance, to explore how the company is redefining customer experience through innovation, digital transformation, and the thoughtful use of AI. Discover how empathy, clear communication, and a relentless focus on customer needs are driving their journey, from revitalising the brand and launching service innovations to empowering employees with new tools and training. Tune in for practical examples, lessons learned, and advice for responsibly embracing AI, while keeping the human touch at the heart of insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...

In-scene media is not just another ad format but a complete shift in how advertising interacts with content. With in-scene media, marketers have the ability to integrate their product into creator content and consumers are loving it. The data shows a 60% increase in purchase intent after exposure to in-scene media. Why? In-scene media creates a non-disruptive, engaging experience for viewers and significantly outperforms traditional advertising methods. Backed by fresh research from Rembrand and Kantar, this episode uncovers eye-opening results—think dramatic lifts in brand awareness, recall, and purchase intent when brands show up inside the content peo...

Join Dani Ruggles, Marketing Manager at KFC, and Lynne Deason, Head of Creative Excellence at Kantar, as they explore how bold choices and an unwavering commitment to your brand's magnetic north can drive extraordinary results.When you know competitors will outspend you, creative quality isn’t just important, it’s essential. Great advertising amplifies your media investment, making it feel like you’ve spent more than you have.In this episode, Dani shares how KFC’s success at Christmas and beyond came from breaking traditions, ignoring the temptation to follow customer feedback, and staying true to what...

Join host Rachelle Minnis, Chief Media Solutions Officer at Kantar, as she welcomes Michael Nevski, Director of Global Insights at Visa, for a deep dive into the future of consumer insights and brand strategy. Discover how Visa blends economic forecasting with real-world consumer behavior to drive innovation, build trust, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Explore the impact of AI on actionable insights, the emotional drivers behind today’s spending decisions, and the strategies that help brands navigate economic uncertainty. Whether you’re a marketer, strategist, or simply curious about the future of payments, this episode offers a be...

As audiences increasingly turn to ad-free streaming and marketers grapple with a fragmented media landscape, OOH stands out as a channel where consumer receptivity is on the rise. From dynamic formats to real-time interactivity, OOH offers brands unique opportunities to connect with consumers in public spaces—where they shop, search, and engage with products and services.With the global OOH market projected to hit $50.52 billion by 2025 and U.S. revenues reaching record highs, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Nicole Jones, Chief Media Commercial Officer at Kantar, dives into the growing influence of O...

Kantar’s Media Reactions 2025 study revealed TikTok’s enduring appeal to consumers as a global advertising platform. Five years after its explosive rise, TikTok continues to set the standard for authentic and engaging content. What’s behind this sustained success?  On this special episode of Kantar’s Future Proof Podcast, Gonca Bubani, Global Media Director at Kantar, is joined by Esteban Ribero, Global Research Leader, Marketing Science at TikTok. Together, they explore how TikTok’s approach to authenticity, creators, and advertising has evolved, and what it means for brands aiming to capture quality attention in a fragmented media landsc...

In this episode, Dr. Nicki Morley speaks with Dr. Caroline Withers, Head of R&D Consumer Sensory Science at Carlsberg Britvic, to explore how innovation is shaped by deeply human experiences. From the aroma of coffee to the emotional boost of a mid-afternoon drink, Caroline shares how sensory science and consumer insights shape the development of innovative products. They discuss the power of curiosity, the role of AI in R&D, and the importance of early collaboration between marketing, R&D, and product teams to create innovations that truly resonate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

In this edition of Future Proof, Jane Ostler, Chief Insights Officer at Kantar, sits down with Anastasia Leng, founder and CEO of Creative X, and Duncan Southgate, Global Creative and Media Lead at Kantar, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way brands measure and optimise creative content.Anastasia shares her journey from Google to launching Creative X, revealing how a personal challenge led to the creation of a platform now used by some of the world’s biggest brands. She discusses the new partnership between Kantar and Creative X, and how integrating AI-powered insights is...

In this episode, Jane Ostler speaks with Claudia Calori, Vice President of Global Marketing for Personal Health at Philips, about the shifting paradigm of health and wellness. Claudia shares how health has evolved from being seen as a problem to becoming a space for discovery and self-care, especially among younger generations. She discusses how Philips is inspiring a higher standard of care through creativity rooted in innovation, and how sustainability is central to their marketing strategy.The conversation explores how consumer insights shape product development, and how AI is enhancing personalised self-care experiences. Claudia also reflects...

Advertising across the Meta portfolio is changing thanks to AI. In this edition of Future Proof, Jane Ostler, EVP, Global Solutions Marketing and Thought Leadership at Kantar, talks to Derya Matras, Vice President of EMEA Global Business Group at Meta, about how the company has been evolving its advertiser tools and how AI is giving advertisers greater control over the ways in which they can invest.  Derya also shares the details of her career journey, from management consulting to leading Meta's operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and explains why execution is everything in...

Kantar’s Media Reactions 2025 study found that consumers rank Amazon the #1 global media brand for ad preference. In fact, Amazon, Twitch, and Prime Video—all Amazon brands—appear in three of the top five most preferred ad platforms for consumers worldwide. Why? Amazon’s approach to creating native, non-intrusive experiences across all Amazon environments including shopping, streaming, and live content.  On this special episode of Kantar's Future Proof Podcast, Nicole Jones is joined by Chris Mullins, Head of Measurement Product Marketing at Amazon Ads to uncover why consumers gravitate toward Amazon’s ad platforms. Chris shares his journey...

With the global B2B market projected to reach nearly $29 trillion in 2025, digital-first buyers are demanding more personalized, authentic, and human experiences. At the heart of this evolution are creators—marketers, thought leaders, and employees—who are building trust and community in ways traditional brand marketing can’t.In this episode, Nicole Jones is joined by two powerhouse voices from LinkedIn’s B2B Institute, Ty Heath, Director and Founder of the practice, and Caroline Day, Global Director. Together, they unpack:The evolution of B2B marketing and storytellingThe unique role and value of B2B c...