Mintel Little Conversation

Marketers have more consumer data than ever before but are they losing sight of the people behind it? In this episode, Andrew Davidson speaks with Paul Jankowski, Founder and CEO of New Heartland Group, about why brands have become over-reliant on data and under-invested in understanding consumers' lived experiences. They explore the New Heartland—a cultural segment representing 60% of Americans a...

In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Brian Jones, President of Merrick Bank, about how to grow a business while staying true to its mission. Brian shares his career journey, with over three decades of experience at the intersection of law and banking. The conversation looks at how the bank's sub-prime customers are navigating economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and what that means...

In this episode, Mintel explores the 2026 Global Beauty and Personal Care Predictions, unpacking how the industry is evolving beyond traditional definitions of beauty into a space where health, emotion, and authenticity take center stage. We dive into three key trends shaping the future: Metabolic Beauty: where beauty meets health at a cellular level, and products evolve into personalized, prevent...

In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Melissa Stevens, Chief Marketing Officer at Fifth Third Bank, about the strategic acquisition of Comerica and what it means for brand integration in today’s competitive banking landscape. Melissa shares how the bank is balancing scale with authenticity—leveraging customer experience, community engagement, and AI-driven insights to build trust and d...

Host Andrew Davidson, Mintel expert Kendall Gadie and industry veteran Marty Ellingsworth delve into the current insurance affordability crisis, exploring the factors driving rising premiums and the resulting shifts in consumer behavior. They discuss the impact of post-COVID changes, the role of agents and the strategies insurers are employing to navigate these challenges. Listen to find out more...

Host Andrew Davidson welcomes Krista Phillips, M&T Bank's first Chief Customer Officer, back to the podcast. Krista shares her journey and insights into the evolving role of customer experience in banking. With a career spanning major financial institutions, Krista discusses how customer insights can be leveraged to drive innovation and improve service delivery, highlighting specific examples...

Host Andrew Davidson and Doug Villone, Head of US Cards & Partnerships at Barclays discuss the evolving landscape of credit card usage and the potential future partnerships that may shape commerce. Listen to learn more about the importance of understanding consumer behavior and the role of non-traditional retailers in the credit card ecosystem. Get in touch with  Mintel Consulting  t...

Go inside United Airlines’ co-brand strategy with host Andrew Davidson and Bob Daly, Managing Director of Global Co-Brand Cards. In this episode, we break down United’s recent card relaunch with Chase, the airline’s bold move into debit, and how a 360° career across consulting, banking, and airlines shaped Bob’s view of what truly drives loyalty. Listen to find out where co-brand programs are head...

Notes: What does it really take to turn information into insight — and insight into impact? Host Andrew Davidson is joined by David Faulkner, Senior Director at Mintel, as he reflects on a remarkable career championing the art of insight across some of the world’s leading food and beverage brands. Together they explore why bold thinking matters, how to move beyond data to meaning, and what the ris...

Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Pam Habner, Head of US Branded Cards and Lending at Citi, about the launch of the Strata Elite Card and its strategic positioning in the competitive credit card market. Pam shares insights on consumer preferences, marketing strategies, and the importance of flexibility in rewards. Listen to the conversation about the evolving landscape of premium credit cards, the...

Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Jacob Zachs, founder and CEO of Fasten Rewards, about the innovative Fasten Rewards Visa credit card, which uniquely offers points on auto-related expenses such as loans, leases, insurance, and maintenance. Jacob discusses the card's target market, early adoption insights and the challenges of launching a new financial product. Listen to the conversation and find o...

Host Andrew Davidson is joined by David Johnson, CEO of Vervent, to explore the company’s journey from a specialist provider to a global force in financial services. They unpack how economic uncertainty is reshaping consumer needs — particularly among subprime audiences — and how Vervent is responding with innovation, agility and a consumer-first mindset. David shares his perspective on building t...

Mintel experts speak with Tati Lindenberg, Chief Brand Officer of Unilever's Dirt is Good brand, about leadership, consumer trends & purpose-driven branding in FMCG. Tati shares insights on adapting to local markets while maintaining a global brand identity and the future of fabric care in a technology-driven world. Listen to the conversation to find out more about consumer trends in...

Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Sumit Agarwal, Head of Cards at Upgrade, about the innovative financial products offered by Upgrade, including the unique Upgrade Card and the new OneCard. They discuss the company's mission to provide responsible credit solutions and the challenges of marketing these products. Listen to find out more about the future of financial services, particularly the ro...

Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Adam Boyd, Head of Consumer Lending at Citizens, about the bank's strategic shift in its credit card offerings. The discussion covers the rationale behind the overhaul and the bank's approach to marketing and customer engagement. Listen to find out more about the importance of understanding customer needs and why it's crucial to remain committed to maintaining a re...

Host Andrew Davidson speaks with CJ MacDonald, Founder and CEO of Step, a fintech company focused on providing financial services tailored for Gen Z. They discuss the inspiration behind Step, the challenges faced in the highly regulated financial services space, and the innovative products offered. Listen to find out more about the importance of building credit for young consumers and how Step aim...

Mintel Little Conversation's new mini-series explores the impact of tariffs worldwide. In this series’ third episode, our experts explore consumer sentiment surrounding US brands, and how they may need to rethink their marketing strategies. Are brands going to cut back on marketing spend? Listen to find out more! Get in touch with our  Consultants  to l...

Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Meera Iyer, CMO of SoFi Lending, about the innovative strategies and products that SoFi is implementing to disrupt the financial services industry. Listen to find out more about how SoFi is helping members achieve financial independence, and the role of education and trust in marketing disruptive financial products.  Download Comperemedia’s FREE  2025 Glo...

Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Nate Bacon, head of consumer and small business credit cards at PNC, about the bank's evolution from a regional player to a national competitor, particularly in the credit card space. They discuss PNC's new card launch which rewards responsible financial behavior, and the strategic focus on building customer relationships and trust. Listen to find out more about PN...

Mintel Little Conversation's new mini-series explores the impact of tariffs worldwide. In the second episode of this series, our experts explore consumer sentiment surrounding US brands in Canada and the EU, discussing how localism is influencing consumer behavior, the complexities of brand perception, and strategies for US brands to navigate the l...

Mintel Little Conversation's new mini-series explore the impact of tariffs worldwide. The first episode explores the impact of tariffs on consumer sentiment and behavior in both the U.S. and European markets. Mintel consumer experts highlight the differences in consumer attitudes towards tariffs, the economic indicators affecting spending, and the strategies brands can adopt to navigate these...

Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Julie Szudarek, CEO of Self Financial, about accessible credit solutions for consumers facing financial challenges. Listen to the discussion about innovative credit builder products, customer success stories, and how Self adapts to economic changes.  Download Comperemedia’s FREE  2025 Global Financial Services Trends  and get in touch with our ...

Food and drink experts at Mintel discuss key innovative products and trends observed at the Natural Products Expo West. They explore the rise of hydration-focused products, the impact of upcycled ingredients, and the evolving snacking landscape. Listen to find out more about innovative cooking solutions, emerging flavors, and the importance of community and provenance in food products. Download Mi...

Host Andrew Davidson interviews Kelley Halpin, co-founder and CEO of Mesa, about the innovative Mesa Homeowners Card, which rewards homeowners for their mortgage payments and other home-related expenses. Listen to the discussion about the value proposition of the card, the challenges of launching a fintech product, and the importance of consumer insights in shaping the product's features. Download...

Food and drink experts at Mintel explore key trends in 2025, focusing on the importance of nutrition, supply chain challenges, and the integration of technology in agriculture. Listen to find out how consumers are navigating contradictory desires for health and indulgence, the impact of global events on food sourcing, and the role of innovation in meeting evolving consumer expectations. Download M...