Welcome to Dig In, the podcast brought to you by the minds at Dig. We spotlight marketing and insight leaders doing something different within their space. We'll feature interviews with inspiring business leaders, discuss trends in research and technology, and generally keep you up-to-speed on the wild world of innovation.
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, Jess reflects on her conversation with Brodie Dunn, Brodie Dunn, Director of Strategic Insights at PepsiCo Foods North America, on how the iconic Cheetle (Cheeto dust) taps into deep-seated brand associations, why true incrementality starts with a human perspective, and how brand experiences will need to evolve in a GLP-1 world.
On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Brodie Dunn, Director of Strategic Insights at PepsiCo Foods North America, to explore how empathy earns you a seat at the table (and keeps it), why embracing the mess made Cheetos a cultural icon, and what it really takes to turn Super Bowl ads into long-term brand platforms.
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Jo Lepore, EVP of Global Market Expansion & Foresight at Dig Insights, on how understanding market nuances is critical for global expansion, how foresight requires embracing uncertainty and multiple possible futures, and how diverse leadership perspectives drive stronger business decision-making.
On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Jo Lepore, Dig Insights new EVP of Global Market Expansion & Foresight, to explore how foresight fuels smarter strategy, why market expansion is more than just “lift and shift,” and how the insights function must evolve to stay human and stay relevant.
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Ronda Slaven, VP of Market Insights & Competitive Intelligence at Synchrony, on how a long-running shopper study turned into a revenue-driving program, the need for industry-wide accountability on data quality, and the power of insights that truly add value.
On this week's episode, Jess Gaedeke is joined by Ronda Slaven, VP of Market Insights & Competitive Intelligence at Synchrony, to explore how a one-off research study turned into a 13-year insights program that now fuels brand trust, sales conversations, and long-term strategy. Plus what it takes to make research truly stick, how AI is changing the shopper journey, and why the insights industry is facing a pivotal moment.
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Khary Campbell, VP of Consumer Research & Insights at Comcast, on how creating in-context learning capabilities like virtual reality shelf sets can streamline innovation, how embedding empathy into research through real-life consumer interactions creates business value, and why asking “how might we?” is the mindset shift every insights leader needs to drive transformation.
On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Khary Campbell, VP of Consumer Research & Insights at Comcast, to explore how immersive, in-context learning unlocked innovation at General Mills, why true empathy starts with stepping outside the office and into people's homes, and how frameworks like “How might we…” can reshape the future of research, tech, and leadership.
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Nick Graham, former Head of Insights & Analytics at Mondelēz and PepsiCo, on how defining equity with conviction laid the groundwork for global alignment, why clarity means marinating in the problem—not jumping to solutions, and how empowering local ownership led to greater adoption and advocacy for PepsiCo's equity program.
On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Nick Graham, former Head of Insights & Analytics at PepsiCo and Mondelēz, to explore how truly lasting transformation begins with understanding human behavior, the importance of building co-ownership across global and local teams, and why defining the why before the how is the secret weapon of any successful change initiative.
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Anna Estlund, Senior Director of Insights & Strategy at Pernod Ricard, on how building empathy in context can align global stakeholders to local market dynamics, how in-store immersion helps cross-cultural teams see the shopper reality firsthand, and why Shopper Insights deserves to be seen as the sexy, career-making discipline it truly is.
On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Anna Estlund, Senior Director of Insights & Strategy at Pernod Ricard, to explore how the team navigated the canned cocktail boom by rooting strategy in consumer behavior, the importance of cultivating empathy across global stakeholders, and why Shopper Insights is the most underrated (and sexiest) area in the insights world.
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, host Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Ron Burrage—former head of design at PepsiCo, Hershey, and P&G—on the creative power of design in brand revitalization. Jess highlights how small but iconic visual elements, like the Hershey's Kiss plume, can unlock big storytelling moments, how packaging innovation can shift category dynamics, and how Ron's experience at Disney proves that even the most iconic IP needs reinvention to stay culturally relevant.
On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Ron Burrage, design industry veteran and strategist at goDutch to explore the lessons learn from the Hershey's Kisses brand refresh, how cross-functional collaboration fuels innovation, and how design is a strategic tool that connects brands with consumers in meaningful ways.
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, host Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Jorge Calvachi, Director of Insights at La-Z-Boy, on the power of emotional connection in brand building—how tapping into emotional and social dimensions of comfort helps craft more meaningful campaigns, how a deep understanding of the consumer drives agility and innovation, and why even heritage brands need to continuously evolve to stay relevant in a changing world.
On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Jorge Calvachi, Director of Insights at La-Z-Boy, to discuss how building a consumer-first insights function transformed the iconic brand. They explore how understanding the emotional meaning of comfort reshaped La-Z-Boy's marketing and why insights leaders must proactively uncover growth opportunities.
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, host Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Paul de Larzac, President of Nestlé Ice Cream Canada, about the realities of product innovation—why failure is one of the best teachers, how the pressure to move fast can lead to critical missteps, and why taking smart, calculated risks is key to long-term success.
On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Paul de Larzac, President, Ice Cream at Nestlé, to discuss the power of risk-taking in innovation and leadership. They explore the lessons learned from launching F'Real in Canada, how empowering teams to experiment drives business growth, and why the future of food will be shaped by evolving consumer preferences and new industry dynamics.
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, host Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Elizabeth Oates, former VP of Consumer Insights & Guest Services at Ulta Beauty and author of More Than Just Interesting. Jess highlights Elizabeth's approach to building an impactful insights function, the essential skills every insights pro needs, and why AI is a game-changer for staying ahead in today's market.
On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Elizabeth Oates, former VP of Consumer Insights at Ulta Beauty and author of More Than Just Interesting: How to Build an Insights Function for Impact. They discuss how insights teams can move beyond being “interesting” to truly driving business impact, the critical skills every insights professional needs to succeed, and why AI won't replace researchers—but will make them even more essential.Check out the book here: https://www.paramountbooks.com/more-just-interesting-elizabeth?manufacturer_id=101
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, host Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Denise Siebert, Design Officer at 3M, on the cultural impact of the Like a Girl campaign—how it went beyond advertising to reshape social narratives, how working under pressure led to a more powerful, intuitive creative process, and why diverse representation in design is essential for meaningful consumer connections.
On this week's episode host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Denise Siebert, Design Officer at 3M, and a driving force behind the iconic “Like a Girl” campaign. They discuss how insights uncovered the confidence gap and inspired the "Like a Girl" movement, why diversity in design teams leads to better, more impactful campaigns, and how embracing AI will shape the future of creative industries.
In this week's Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Kajoli Tankha, Senior Director, Consumer and Brand Insights at Microsoft on how Kajoli's deep-rooted curiosity drives her success as a leader and researcher, why understanding the underlying drivers of consumer behavior is critical for building stronger brand connections, and how embracing both optimism and skepticism can lead to smarter, more responsible AI adoption.
In this week's episode Jess is joined by Kajoli Tankha, Senior Director of Consumer Marketing Insights at Microsoft and they discuss how storytelling can unlock deeper consumer connections, why balancing AI optimism with skepticism is essential for transformative insights, and the secrets behind collaborative problem-solving in global organizations.
On this week's Dig Inspiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Anish Raul, Senior Marketing Lead at Sling TV, on Anish's initiative to use AI creatively to innovate in marketing, how brands are leveraging Gen AI to provide personalized experiences at scale, and the importance of seamless, platform-agnostic customer experiences to build loyalty.
On this week's episode host Jess Gaedeke is speaking with Anish Raul, Senior Marketing Lead at Sling TV, a part of Dish Network on how Sling TV his revolutionizing their digital marketing with Gen AI, how AI is feeling hyper-personalized content reshaping consumer experience, and how Ai is empowering marketers to bring ideas to life quickly and without large budgets.
On this week's Dig Inspiration, host Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Nikkia Reveillac, former insights leader at Netflix, Twitter, and Colgate Palmolive, on how Nikkia's “hunch” about Netflix's brand problem shaped her insights approach, why crafting a “sexy memo” is a game-changer for driving executive alignment, and the role of curiosity and human connection in making insights a core organizational partner.
On this week's episode host Jess Gaedeke is speaking to Nikkia Reveillac, former insights leader at Netflix, Twitter, Colgate Palmolive, keynote speaker, and podcast host. They discuss how she spearheaded a shift in brand strategy at Netflix during a pivotal time, the importance of brand value, and her approach to the art of storytelling. Check out Nikkia's podcast: https://www.thesignificanceofothers.com/
In this week's Dig Inspiration, Jess reflects on her conversation with Christina Le, about the authentic power of influencers (think Gordon Ramsay and Hex Clad), the importance of mastering your messaging, and the changing landscape of marketing in the industry.
In this week's episode host Jess Gaedeke speaks with Christina Le, Head of Marketing, at Plot, the super cool new software company solely for social media managers. They discuss the value of social media as a strategic marketing tool, how community-led growth can amplify your product launch, and the challenges of B2B social media marketing.
In this week's episode of Dig (In)spiration, Jess reflects on her conversation with Claire Ferrari of Verizon to explore the industry's journey toward more inclusive and accessible research practices, why accessibility matters, not only for brand resonance but also for meaningful consumer connections, and how Verizon's Accessibility Consortium is driving change across the industry.
In this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Claire Ferrari, Principal Accessible UX Researcher at Verizon, where they discuss the importance of accessible UX in modern design, the formation of the Accessible Insights Consortium at Verizon, and how they're providing research teams with the tools to make their practices more accessible.
In this week's mini-episode, Jess is reflecting on her conversation with Danielle Coopersmith aka. the Gen-Z Whisperer (or officially the Associate Director of Taste Elevation Porfolio's at The Kraft Heinz Company). She reflects on the holistic strategies Kraft Heinz employs to connect with this influential cohort, the need for fresh go-to-market approaches, and the ongoing evolution of legacy brands like Lea & Perrins and A1. Want to join the conversation? Let us know your thoughts on modernizing brands here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7254909778768904192
On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined once again by Danielle Coopersmith, Associate Director, Taste Elevation Portfolio Brands at The Kraft Heinz Company to discuss how brands can stay relevant and engage with Gen Z, the ongoing success of Kraft Heinz's innovative retail partnership with Taco Bell, and the strategies behind modernizing legacy brands to keep them fresh and appealing.
On our first episode of Dig In(spiration), we're expanding on last weeks episode with Katie Marston, CMO of Once Upon a Farm. Jess discusses what it really means to create effective innovation in the snacking industry and the instant success the company saw with their latest product launch. Want to join the conversation? Let us know your thoughts on innovation in your industry here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dig-insights_introducing-dig-inspiration-a-bite-sized-activity-7249804981761937410-dN9O?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Find a way or make one. That's the motto of today's guest Katie Marston, CMO of Once Upon a Farm, the baby and kids snacking company. In today's conversation with host Jess Gaedeke, they discuss the launch of the innovative new refrigerated snack bars from Once Upon a Farm, the importance of research at every stage of product development, and how to embrace discomfort as a path to grow.
On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Rob Wengel, President and CCO of Woxi to discuss how Woxi has revolutionized the innovation process, the journey to founding Woxi, and valuable lessons learned from working with high-profile clients like PepsiCo.
It's our season 2 finale and we've got a special episode of Dig In. Join our very own Frank Serpico and Patricia King in their conversation with Risa Duesing, VP, Global Head of Consumer Insights at Kraft Heinz all about the pros and cons of tech-enabled and online qualitative research, examples of how Kraft and Dig are marrying qual and quant to achieve better insights, and the multiple ways that qual can be used to push business decisions.
On this week's episode, Jess chats with David Isaac, VP of creative production at Chobani. They dive into the innovation around the Chobani Flip Halloween season packs, how they used AR to stand out in the category, and how authenticity is essential for building trust both with consumers and employees.
On this week's episode of the podcast, host Jess Gaedeke is speaking with Karen Kraft, Associate Director of Consumer Insights & Analytics at Johnsonville. They discuss Johnsonville's new Keep It Juicy campaign, how marketing campaigns can be used to promote more than just products, and women's experiences in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
This week host Jess Gaedeke has an amazing conversation with Jordan Cusner, Head of Guest Insights at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. They dive into the creation process behind their Super Bowl ad starring Ken Jeong, how insights plays an integral role in marketing and storytelling, and where the future of the QSR industry is heading.
This week host Jess Gaedeke unravels to innovation, insights, and execution of Google Pay with Rushit Mashru, Senior Director - Product Marketing, AI Safety, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy at Google.
This week host Jess Gaedeke sits down with Elizabeth Nowicki, former Dig employee and currently Senior Manager of Customer Insights at Home Depot. They chat about through navigating career transitions, how important it is to have a connected omnichannel retail experience, and how attention spans are influencing data collection and analytics.
Culturally relevant branding might be one of the coolest things you'll learn about this week. This week Jess is joined by to Patrick Douville, Senior Global Manager of Lifestyle & Luxury, at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Dig into the world of hospitality innovation as they explore the groundbreaking “Culture Lives Here” program for the Thompson brand, where diverse culture shifters collaborate across cities, creating unique live experiences. Tune in to learn: All about the “Culture Lives Here” program and how they've creating Thompson hotels a cultural home base for creativesNavigating the challenges of content creation and how to convey authentic stories in the current content-saturated environmentThe future of travel and marketing --------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Emma, Content Marketer at Dig Insights, on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite
This week Jess is speaking to Lucienne Castillo, Senior Director of Consumer Insights and Strategy at Pabst Brewing Company. Blending nostalgia with cutting edge concepts, Pabst is bringing back to life Not Your Father's Soda Pop. From the initial spark of inspiration to navigating the dynamic landscape of the beverage industry, Lucienne takes us through the journey of how Not Your Father's is inserting itself back into the world of hard sodas better than ever. Tune in to hear: How Pabst is revitalizing an existing brand and the importance of learning from past experiences in bringing the product to market Lucienne's insights on the balance between innovation and staying true to the core of the business through thoughtful and strategic innovation How consumer feedback, preferences, and the process of ideation and testing underscores the consumer-centric approach in developing and launching a product --------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Emma, Content Marketer at Dig Insights, on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite
Who doesn't need to hear a fresh perspective on leadership and customer experience? Join Jess as she delves into the dynamic world of digital transformation and customer-centricity with Betsey Chung, a seasoned leader in global marketing and digital strategy. In this episode, Jess uncovers Betsey's unique journey from CFO to CMO and her insights gained from diverse experiences at top organizations like TD Bank, American Express, and BMO. Together, they explore the importance of vision in driving customer experience, the power of personalized solutions, and the key milestones in measuring success. Tune in to uncover:* Betsey's personal journey and lessons learned in leading brands with customer experience at the core* Innovative approaches to understanding and optimizing customer experience* The intersection of financial education and customer advocacy in a changing economic landscape* Inspiring leadership principles and the importance of advocating for teams--------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Emma, Content Marketer at Dig Insights, on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite
Did anyone say rebrand? Allow us to reintroduce you to Swanson Health, a 50-year-old brand pillar in the vitamin, minerals, and supplements industry.On today's episode, Jess digs deep into the rebrand of Swanson Health with their Senior Vice President of Marketing, Erin Del Ponte. When does a brand know it's time for a rebrand? What are the different components to tackle? And how do you know that a rebrand is successful? These are all questions we're going to tackle in today's episode.Tune in to learn: The full Swanson Health brand refresh journey and what made it a successWhat transparency in leadership can do to foster a collaborative environmentThe future of the Vitamin, Mineral, and Supplements industry Check out Swanson Health's new brand video, “You Be Well, Now” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtAXlEpYOj8--------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, VP Marketing at Dig Insights, on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite
On this week's episode of the podcast, Jess sits down with Michael Nevski, Director of Global Insights at Visa. Learn all about Michael's background in marketing, client insights, and product management. We dig into the creation and impact of Visa's Spending Momentum Index (SMI), a new way to learn and understand the health of consumer spending and their impact in driving economic trends. Tune in to learn: How SMI was created from start to finish, from a concept to launch How collaboration and education were key in overcoming barriers and gaining stakeholder support The impact of uncertainty, inflation, and global events on the insights industryFind us wherever you listen to your podcasts. --------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, VP Marketing at Dig Insights, on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite
First episode of the new year! Happy 2024 everyone. In today's episode, Jess speaks with Jill Boyce, a seasoned insights expert and former Head of Insights at Campbell's and J.M. Smucker. Jill takes us through the journey from start to finish, of the innovative and strategic creation and launch of Folgers 1850. Tune in to learn: How their smart strategy of incorporating insights from brand, portfolio, and category led to the creation of Folgers 1850 The importance behind carving out a new brand identity for Folgers 1850 separate from the parent brand of FolgersThe successes and setbacks that happened during the launch showcasing the importance of adaptability and team agility in switching strategies for market success --------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, VP Marketing at Dig Insights, on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite
What does Wrexham AFC (British Football Team) and Ryan Reynolds have to do with STōK Cold Brew? On today's episode of the podcast, our host Jess is joined by Brittney Polka, Vice President of Beverages at Danone, who speaks in depth about the power of earned media and brand building. Taking on one of the most unique partnerships, Danone's brand STōK Cold Brew, have partnered with Wrexham AFC to skyrocket their brand to the limelight, emphasizing the importance of aligning with cultural movements and storytelling that resonates beyond conventional advertising. Tune in to learn: - How STōK is breaking away from traditional marketing approaches with earned media and sponsorships- The significance of storytelling and attaching brands to ongoing cultural narratives- The evolution of coffee consumption and the innovation happening in the cold brew market --------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Amazon Music Other platforms Have ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, our Senior Marketing Director on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here: LinkedIn Website
If we're going to sum up this episode in a couple of words it would be: taste elevation. On today's podcast episode, Jess has an incredibly insightful conversation with Danielle Coopersmith, Associate Director, Developing and Established Brands (AKA Taste Elevation) at The Kraft Heinz Company. They explore the secrets behind taste elevation by blending various brands, crafting strategies that connect with today's consumers, and discover how brands make everyday products relevant in a rapidly evolving market.Tune in to learn: - The new Taco Bell and Kraft Heinz growing retail partnership (keep your eyes peeled at your local grocery store)- How to make marketing ideas come to life without spending big- How companies are evolving to Gen-Z consumers--------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Amazon Music Other platforms Have ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, our Senior Marketing Director on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here: LinkedIn Website