Happy Market Research Podcast

Dan Fleetwood
  • 4.8 (43)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semimonthly

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

  1. Ep. 28 – How Research Teams Can Become Strategic Consultants with Alex Gardner

    Jun 25

    Ep. 28 – How Research Teams Can Become Strategic Consultants with Alex Gardner

    In this episode, Dan Fleetwood and Alex Gardner explore what it takes for researchers to become more strategic inside complex organizations. Alex explains that while many researchers are pulled across market research, UX, CX, product research, analytics, and data science, the goal should not be to master everything. Instead, researchers need to know their strengths, understand adjacent disciplines, and collaborate well with specialists. A major theme of the episode is the idea of building a strategic consultancy inside an organization. Alex explains how her team at U.S. Bank began supporting vendor-led projects, identifying where internal researchers could deliver similar work, and showing ROI by reducing external research spend. She also talks about the importance of following the money, understanding where research budgets sit, and proving capabilities to teams that may not even know internal research resources exist.   Guest: Alex Gardner  –  Former VP of Research, Payments Insights, CX, and Enterprise Analytics at U.S. Bank, with a background spanning design, UX, market research, product research, and customer experience analytics. She specializes in helping research teams operate more strategically by connecting insights across functions, building internal consulting capabilities, and translating complex research into clear business direction.   Useful links: Alex Gardner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gardneralexandra/ Dan Fleetwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danfleetwood Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com

    39 min
  2. Ep. 27 – Turning Research Into Media-Worthy Stories with Svetlana Gershman, Sr. Vice President at Method Communications

    Jun 11

    Ep. 27 – Turning Research Into Media-Worthy Stories with Svetlana Gershman, Sr. Vice President at Method Communications

    In this episode, Dan Fleetwood talks with Svetlana Gershman about the intersection of market research, PR, media coverage, and thought leadership. Svetlana shares how she entered market research after initially planning to become a lawyer, eventually beginning her career as a data analyst at PSB working on messaging research for Microsoft. She explains how her current role at Method Communications blends research with PR strategy, helping brands create stories when there is no obvious news moment. The conversation explores what makes research valuable for media coverage, including the importance of starting with objectives, thinking about headlines early, designing studies carefully, and collaborating with former journalists and PR strategists. Svetlana also discusses common mistakes brands make, such as rushing into fielding without a strong design or treating thought leadership research as a one-off project.   Guest: Svetlana Gershman  –  Senior Vice President at Method Communications, with over 20 years of experience in insights generation. She specializes in turning broad business questions into research programs that combine primary and syndicated data to guide business growth, marketing strategy, and brand positioning. With deep experience in the technology sector, Svetlana brings a strong understanding of the industry’s nuances and challenges, helping organizations translate complex research into actionable answers.   Useful links: Svetlana Gershman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svetlanagershman/ Dan Fleetwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danfleetwood Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com

    30 min
  3. Ep. 26 – Why Human Facilitation Still Matters in the Age of AI

    May 28

    Ep. 26 – Why Human Facilitation Still Matters in the Age of AI

    In this episode, Dan Fleetwood talks with Andy Garlikov about the changing role of qualitative researchers as AI becomes more common in research workflows. Andy explains how he fell into market research after years in customer and executive engagement, discovering that the facilitation skills he developed in advisory boards and executive programs applied directly to qualitative research. He argues that the word “moderator” often undersells what great researchers actually do: create the conditions for deeper, more open, more useful conversations. The conversation covers the rise of AI-moderated research, synthetic respondents, and democratized research tools. Andy shares where he sees AI adding value, especially as a thought partner, proofreader, summarizer, and red-teaming tool. But he also points out what AI still misses: empathy, nonverbal signals, pauses, tone, rapport, and the ability to notice what is not being said.   Guest: Andy Garlikov  –  Director of Strategic Insights at HowSo. Andy brings a background in customer engagement, executive advisory programs, and qualitative research. His work focuses on helping organizations uncover deeper insights through strong facilitation, human-centered conversations, and thoughtful use of AI in the research process.   Useful links: Andy Garlikov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andygarlikov/ Dan Fleetwood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danfleetwood Learn more about QuestionPro: https://www.questionpro.com

    30 min

  4. May 6

    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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
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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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