Happy Market Research Podcast

Dan Fleetwood
  • 4.8 (43)
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Your favorite podcast for insights, trends, and expert perspectives, all delivered in a simple and engaging format.

  1. 3D AGO

    Ep. 25 – Live from IIEX: What’s Next for Research After AI Hype

    In this special live episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood records from IIEX and speaks with three guests about the biggest conversations happening across the insights industry. Stan Sthanunathan shares a candid perspective on AI, the urgent need for reskilling, and why data quality must return to the center of the conversation. Brian Madden talks about the continued value of human research, especially ethnography and jobs-to-be-done work, while Jen Plebani reflects on personal mission, extreme ownership, and how researchers can move from simply delivering insights to becoming architects of change. Together, the conversations capture the mood of IIEX: excitement about AI, caution around synthetic data, renewed focus on data quality, and a strong reminder that human judgment still matters.   Guests: Stan Sthanunathan – Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of iGenie. Stan previously served as Global Head of Insights at Unilever and Coca-Cola, bringing decades of leadership experience in insights and consumer understanding. Brian Madden – Research and insights leader at Signature Product Group, a licensing firm that partners with brands such as Carhartt, Hurley, and Fox on category extensions. Brian brings a practical perspective on field research, product testing, and using insights to support business development. Jen Plebani – Principal Researcher at BILL, focused on foundational and strategic research. Jen brings a thoughtful perspective on personal mission, ownership, AI adoption, and how research teams can create more meaningful business impact.   Useful links: Stan Sthanunathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stan-sthanunathan-1ab4035/ Brian Madden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-madden/ Jen Plebani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenplebani/ Dan Fleetwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danfleetwood Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com

    26 min
  2. Ep. 24 – What It Takes to Measure Impact in Modern Advertising with David Iudica, Head of Global Measurement and Insights Analytics at Uber Ads

    APR 15

    Ep. 24 – What It Takes to Measure Impact in Modern Advertising with David Iudica, Head of Global Measurement and Insights Analytics at Uber Ads

    In this episode, Dan Fleetwood speaks with David Iudica, an experienced insights and analytics leader who has worked across major organizations including Meta, Citi, and now Uber Ads. David shares his career journey from agency-side research to leading global measurement and analytics teams. He explains how his team supports advertisers by helping them understand what’s actually driving performance, using tools like incrementality testing, post-campaign analysis, and first-party data. The conversation explores the growing importance of measurement in modern advertising, the evolution of platforms' analytics capabilities, and the challenges of helping clients move beyond surface-level metrics. David also reflects on how insights teams can better partner with marketing and business stakeholders to drive smarter decisions.   Guest: David Iudica  –  Head of Global Measurement and Insights Analytics at Uber Ads, with extensive experience leading insights, marketing, and strategy teams across companies like Meta, Yahoo, MTV Networks, Turner, and Major League Baseball. He specializes in connecting data and strategy to drive measurable business impact and is known for building strong partnerships across organizations.   Useful links: David Iudica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidiudica/ Dan Fleetwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danfleetwood Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com

    29 min
  3. Ep. 23 – When Great Ideas Meet Market Reality with Eric Rasmussen

    MAR 31

    Ep. 23 – When Great Ideas Meet Market Reality with Eric Rasmussen

    In this episode, Dan Fleetwood speaks with Eric Rasmussen, an experienced researcher who has worked across major companies including 23andMe, ebay and Groupon. Eric shares stories from his career working at the intersection of consumer behavior, technology, and product development. He discusses what it takes to turn complex innovation into something people actually adopt, and why many companies struggle to bridge that gap. The conversation explores how insights teams can better align with product and business strategy, the importance of understanding real human behavior beyond the data, and the challenges of operating in fast-moving, high-expectation environments. Eric also reflects on lessons learned from both successes and setbacks, offering a grounded perspective on how research can drive meaningful growth.   Guest: Eric Rasmussen  – Eric builds consumer intelligence systems that translate complex technology into scalable growth. With over 20 years of experience, he has led insights and UX research across companies like 23andMe, Groupon, eBay, and Yahoo. Today, through The Dansian Group, he advises AI and health-tech companies on aligning product innovation with real human adoption and market readiness.   Useful links: Eric Rasmussen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericrasmussen/ Dan Fleetwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danfleetwood Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com

    40 min
  4. Ep. 22 – Why Great Researchers Spend More Time Listening with Janani Venkataraman, Director of Research & Insights at BILL

    MAR 11

    Ep. 22 – Why Great Researchers Spend More Time Listening with Janani Venkataraman, Director of Research & Insights at BILL

    In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood speaks with Janani Venkataraman, Director of Research & Insights at BILL, about how the role of research is evolving inside modern organizations. Janani shares her journey across agency, supplier, and client-side roles, and explains how her team supports go-to-market functions including sales, marketing, and customer experience. The conversation explores why researchers need to spend more time listening to stakeholders, and how AI is beginning to reshape research workflows.   Guest: Janani Venkataraman – Director of Research & Insights at BILL. Janani leads research and insights supporting go-to-market teams including sales, marketing, and customer experience. With more than 15 years of experience across agency, supplier, and client-side roles, she has worked across industries including media, entertainment, SaaS, and fintech.   Useful links: Janani Venkataraman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jananivenkataraman/ Dan Fleetwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danfleetwood Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com

    27 min
  5. Ep. 21 – Leading with Purpose with Kajoli Tankha, Head of Consumer Insights at Microsoft

    FEB 25

    Ep. 21 – Leading with Purpose with Kajoli Tankha, Head of Consumer Insights at Microsoft

    In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood chats with Kajoli Tankha, who leads Microsoft’s consumer insights function. Kajoli shares her personal journey from agency life to leading a global team at Microsoft, discussing the challenges and rewards of guiding insights across AI, gaming, and more. They dive into how her team’s research influences product and marketing decisions, her leadership philosophy, and how she navigates the ever-evolving tech landscape with a focus on people, not just data.   Guest: Kajoli Tankha – Head of Consumer Insights at Microsoft. She oversees research across AI, subscriptions, gaming, search, devices, and OS. Her team produces groundbreaking insights that inform product development and marketing strategies across Microsoft’s diverse portfolio. With both client-side and agency experience, Kajoli has worked with top brands like Revlon, Lipton Teas, Pepsodent, General Motors, Gillette, Coca-Cola, and Bush’s Baked Beans, helping to shape strategies through actionable consumer insights.   Useful links: Kajoli Tankha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kajoli-tankha/ Dan Fleetwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danfleetwood Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com

    32 min
  6. Ep. 20 – Turning Insight Into Strategic Influence with Brianna Sylver, Founder of Sylver Consulting

    FEB 18

    Ep. 20 – Turning Insight Into Strategic Influence with Brianna Sylver, Founder of Sylver Consulting

    In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood talks with Brianna Sylver, author and founder of Sylver Consulting, about the power of qualitative research in shaping brand and business strategy. Brianna shares her journey from researcher to founder, how she approaches deep consumer understanding, and why strong qualitative work goes beyond surface-level insights. The conversation explores brand growth, strategic influence, and the factors that drive the build of a research-led consultancy.   Guest: Brianna Sylver – Nationally recognized innovation strategist and the founder and president of Sylver Consulting, a global research and strategy firm that blends Market Research, UX, and Business Strategy to drive growth and transformation. She works with Fortune 500 companies and city governments to unlock alignment and lead through complexity. Brianna is also the author of Leading Through Free Fall, a practical guide for leaders navigating uncertainty and change. Her insights have been featured in Forbes, Business Week, Fast Company, PDMA, QRCA, and HSM Management.   Useful links: Download your ebook preview here: https://marketing.questionpro.com/free-preview-leading-through-free-fall Brianna Sylver on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/briannasylver/ Dan Fleetwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danfleetwood Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com

    37 min
  7. Ep. 19 – Making Insights Matter in a Digital Marketplace with Nick King, Insight Director at AutoTrader

    JAN 29

    Ep. 19 – Making Insights Matter in a Digital Marketplace with Nick King, Insight Director at AutoTrader

    In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood talks with Nick King, Insight Director at AutoTrader, about what it takes to deliver impactful insights inside a large digital marketplace. Nick shares how his team partners with product, UX, and commercial teams to ensure research informs real decisions. The conversation explores insight prioritization, speed versus depth, and how to make research useful in a fast-moving, always-on business.   Guest: Nick King – Insight Director at AutoTrader and a consumer psychologist with deep experience in digital media and marketing. He has led insight and business intelligence teams at AutoTrader since 2007 and is known for championing the use of data to inform product and business decisions. Nick is also a visiting lecturer in consumer psychology at Anglia Ruskin University and a frequent conference speaker.   Useful links: Nick King on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-king-2125391/ Dan Fleetwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danfleetwood Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com

    37 min
  8. Ep. 18 – Raising the Bar for Qualitative Research with Marilisa Beatty, VP of Qualitative Research at KJT

    JAN 14

    Ep. 18 – Raising the Bar for Qualitative Research with Marilisa Beatty, VP of Qualitative Research at KJT

    In this episode of the Happy Market Research Podcast, Dan Fleetwood talks with Marilisa Beatty, VP of Qualitative Research at KJT, about what it truly takes to deliver strong qualitative research. Marilisa shares her perspective on rigor, thoughtful design, and building meaningful client partnerships. The conversation explores how qualitative researchers can balance structure with flexibility, mentor teams, and ensure insights are both credible and actionable.   Guest: Marilisa Beatty – Vice President of Qualitative Research at KJT with over 15 years of experience in global healthcare research. She has led qualitative research for pharmaceutical and biotech companies and is known for delivering rigorous, patient-centered insights through thoughtful study design and strong rapport with respondents.   Useful links: Marilisa Beatty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilisabeatty/ Dan Fleetwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danfleetwood Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com

    30 min
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4.8
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43 Ratings

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Your favorite podcast for insights, trends, and expert perspectives, all delivered in a simple and engaging format.

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