Rock n' Roll Research Podcast

Susan Griffin knows the intersection of marketing and research better than anyone. She was previously CMO at System1 (formerly BrainJuicer) and today puts her hard-won experience to work for her clients as Principal at Griffin + Skeggs Collaborative. Susan shares her journey including why research firms should “think like a baker,” why she took a late-career internship and details of her side gig...

Ivan Rocabado’s insights career started in Santiago, Chile with Nielsen. Five more cities later, he’s the SVP, North America for RepTrak, a world leader in corporate reputation management. Ivan discusses the gutsy risks he took on himself and his convictions that led to launching a modern Nielsen HomeScan panel in Chile. His resourcefulness, determination and belief in innovation have served him w...

A trained chemist, Charlie Rader has spent over 26 years in Products Research at Procter & Gamble bringing new and improved products to consumers all over the world.  In recent years, Charlie has played a leading industry role uncovering and developing digital capabilities that increase the quality, efficiency and scalability of research. But alongside corporate and industry roles, you can fin...

Alisa Ben has spent a lot of time in the driver’s seat - from a tour van back in the day to leading the analytics function at the world’s second largest independent media agency. In college, she managed and mentored a band of ambitious high-schoolers, The All-American Rejects, who went on to write four top-20 hits and sell over 10 million records.  That experience launched a brilliant career in th...

As a Research Associate at the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management, Patrick Adler studies the geography and curation of the music festival economy - where festivals are staged, where the acts come from and what that means for regional economies and urbanization. For example,  just 4-5 cities account for 40% of the acts that play large festivals like Coachella, SXSW and Lollapalooza....

“I’m essentially a historian and researcher.” Whitney Dunlap-Fowler is the brilliant and indefatigable founder of Touch of Whit Creative, providing expert brand strategy consulting rooted in cultural insight. In this episode, Whitney traces her circuitous route to a career in insights. From a child artist in South Carolina, to Chicago to pursue a career in advertising, to joining Kantar Added Valu...

Brian Hughes has spent most of his career at IPG amassing expertise in media research culminating in his current position as EVP, GM Audience Intelligence & Strategy at MAGNA.  In parallel, he has spent much of his spare time playing guitar, bass and drums in bands that have taken him from a gig at the iconic CBGB on the eve of 9/11 to the present day. Brian shares how he found his way into re...

Ukuleles and Canadian folk music!  Annie Pettit works tirelessly to make the market research industry better in so many ways but there is much more that makes her tick. In today’s episode of the Rock n’ Roll Research podcast, Annie cuts to the chase about her market research origin story, her hopes for biometrics and neuroscience, her passion for the uke and the musicians that make her happy.

Paul Smith is a sought-after business storytelling coach and bestselling author of five books, including Lead With a Story. Paul talks about his career at P&G and the journey from finance to insights; how he discovered and acted upon his passion; and what he learned from insights that helped make his business a success. He also shares insightful tips on how to recognize and elicit stories in i...

From his base in India, Winfred Samson went from playing keyboards at Diwali celebrations in front of thousands to building a distinguished career in the market research industry. In this episode, Winfred shares the value of his upbringing, his experience in music, and the growth of his career from a young professional to an operations leader at MarketTools / MetrixLab and founder at InsightSutras...

Starting with a part-time job while at university in the UK, Charlene Adamah has built a very successful and rewarding career in the market research industry. Along the way, she realized she had another talent . . . baking. In addition to her day job, nine years ago she founded Char's Cakery, making eye-popping confections of exquisite detail for a loyal and growing customer base. If that wer...

Scott Aaron has had a fascinating journey through insights. Starting on the agency side helping P&G develop Swiffer, he spent years at Luxottica, P&G Gillette and now he heads up insights at the innovative furniture company, Lovesac. What people don't know about Scott is that he has a passion for the guitar, and he even performed on two records for a band called Lazy Old Son.

A research psychologist, a jazz musician and a Zen monk walk into a bar and say, “Hi, I’m Dr. Douglas Gentile.” As one of the most oft-cited researchers in the space, Doug shares fascinating insight into the links between violent video games and child aggression.  With his signature dry humor, Doug also tells the tale of how he ended up performing the bumper music for the Dee Snider radio show (ac...

Jim Sharples really knows  the business of healthcare where he is a noted expert on strategy, trends and stakeholder insights. His clients at KS&R benefit from his deep experience as a leader and practitioner in product development and marketing. Beyond his expertise, Jim is known as an excellent storyteller. But it is no accident. Acting and the stage lit an early spark in Jim, and he has bee...

Dane Mitchell, also known as DJ Marvel, is someone of many talents. More than that, he has always mustered the courage to confront the obstacles that stand in the way of pursuing his passions. Dane and I talk about the bumpy yet conquered road to becoming a mobile phone expert, the official DJ for a Power Rangers-themed convention called RangerStop and the investment he has made into his own menta...

Bill Trovinger has a passion for consumer insights which he has put to good use at some of the world's greatest companies - P&G, General Mills, Microsoft and now Amazon.com.  He was part of the team that helped transform Old Spice from your dad's brand to your son's. He is now helping develop Amazon's private label strategy for their Amazon Fresh stores. Yet, Bill's fi...

Mark Loughney is a well-known name in media research circles. Mark has led world-class teams who have pioneered media and ad sales research since the earliest days of video streaming, notably with ABC TV and, most recently, WarnerMedia. All the while, Mark has never missed a gig. He has played guitar in some 10 bands over the years, including his band, 3rd Gear, for almost 20 years now.  The lockd...

Randy Hill has had three careers. First in the Air Force. Second as a professional drummer in LA, the center of the 80s music universe. Third as a market researcher, currently in a global role with Cargill. Randy discusses his fascination with science that informed each step of the way and his unique perspective on insights and storytelling borne from his experiences. He also makes a compelling ca...

MIke has spent over 20 years at IPSOS in myriad senior management and client roles. But in college, Mike did much more than study. He was a goalie for the University of St. Thomas hockey team, and he spent his nights rockin' St. Paul in his band, Empty Attic, culminating in a highly anticipated 2019 reunion gig. With humility and a dose of dry humor, Mike shares observations from his career i...

AJ Keirans is a recognizable face in the market research industry.  Beyond his role as VP, Client Development at DISQO and as President-Elect of the Insights Association of Greater NY, AJ was recently named to the Remesh Top 50 Research & Equitable Leadership List. But before a career in research, AJ was a popular radio DJ in Connecticut and manager for the band, Scarecrow Collection, which le...

Rene Huey-Lipton's career has taken her through advertising, planning, strategy, culture and insights. She has lived and witnessed the barriers that women and others face in the workplace and is tirelessly working to make change through her DAME Collective, speaking engagements and an upcoming book. Rene is an incisive observer of people and culture. She is also fun, thoughtful, brutally hone...

Bob Lederer is a Market Research industry institution. He began publishing the Research Business Report and related titles in 1995 and currently publishes a daily podcast, The Research Business Daily Report (RBDR). Bob also published a very successful book, "Beyond Broadway Joe," profiling the players - beyond Joe Namath - who were part of the 1969 Super Bowl championship. This interview...

"Never be boring" is a mantra Rick Garlick takes to heart.  He puts that mantra to use as a highly sought-after consultant in the Travel & Tourism industry. Rick has made countless conference presentations and TV segment appearances in his career spanning Magid, JD Power, Maritz and Gallup.  He got his start as a wee lad doing his best to sound like The King, Elvis Presley, which tur...

A chance meeting with Nirvana's Krist Novoselic propelled Paul's band, Read Yellow, to a successful 5-year run of records, tours and movie soundtracks. His music career laid a strong foundation to a successful career in consumer insights at C Space. Read Yellow, 'The Association:' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2iIqkok-JM C Space 'Outside In' podcast: https://cspace...

Through the Arc of San Francisco, Jorge Reyes has been taking care of the Upwave (Survata) office for the past 3 years, making employees and guests feel welcome and comfortable. Jorge recently received an award for Employee of Year. What many people don't know about Jorge is that he is a talented artist. He reveals a few pieces here destined to a few of his coworkers. Enjoy!