“It’s my job to figure out what does the future of research look like and how do I help us get there as Eli Lilly.”

How does one get a really cool role like that?

Andrew Embry shares his unique journey at Eli Lilly and his thoughts on where insights is headed. But also his passion for the spoken word which has included slam poetry open mics, national competitions and corporate performances.

And in a first for this podcast, Andrew shares his art on-the-spot by performing his spoken word piece, “The Making of a Market Researcher.” Prepare to be inspired!

Arry Tanusondjaja is currently Sr. Marketing Scientist at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute where he’s been for the past 16 years.

As accomplished as he is in the field of marketing science, it is neither his first career nor the sole area of expertise for which he is currently known.

Arry shares his unique career journey and his take on the future of the Laws of Growth. He also explains his passion for baking and the music he’d choose if stranded on a deserted island.

From growing up on a West Texas farm to starting her career in the energy sector, April Bell has had a fascinating path to and through the world of insights.

With her company, Made with Empathy, April has helped spur innovation for a who’s-who of the world’s great consumer brands. Her approach, supported by both personal and client examples, can be found in her book, “Firestarter: Igniting Innovation with Empathy.”

April shares stories from her unique journey, discusses what’s next for her and picks the music she’d want to keep her company on a deserted island.

Chad Nicholson is the EVP of Strategic Intelligence at the independent advertising powerhouse, BarkleyOKRP. You’re familiar with their iconic work like the Burger King “You Rule” campaign. They also work with other great brands llke AMC Theatres, Winnebago, Frontier Airlines, Planet Fitness and many others.

I first met Chad while at Anheuser-Busch where he started his career as an intern and climbed the ranks as a Brand Manager on Budweiser and Director of Consumer Strategy & Insights.

And just in time for the World Cup Round of 16 . . . as a former D1 college soccer player, Chad is watching closely!

Chad shares his career path, his philosophy on insights and the lessons he’s applied from his college days as an athlete with the Marshall Thundering Herd.

From his home on the Spanish coast, Bernice Klaassen has been a leading thinker and contributor to the global dialogue on the future of insights and analytics. Once you know his journey, it is easy to understand why.

Bernice’s professional journey has taken him all over the world with companies like Kantar, Ipsos, Citibank and now RSB Insights, and it spans several disciplines including design, music, research and sustainability.

Bernice traces his unique path, shares his refreshingly optimistic view of the industry’s future and chooses some surprisingly awesome records to keep him company on a desert island.

Gabe McElwaine is currently a Sales Director at the super innovative insights firm, i-Genie, who is meeting the moment and addressing timeless business and marketing questions for brands in new and clever ways.

Gabe’s journey is a really cool one – from working at record labels as an underground DJ in NYC, to encountering Napster and discovering Nielsen Soundscan, he helped build and grow the media and entertainment business at NPD and has been in the insights industry ever since. Bonus points for his involvement in the Insights Career Network.

Gabe shares his unique story, his take on the future of insights and the music that lights his fire.

Big ups to InsightSutras for sponsoring this episode!

After a long run as a consulting and client leader at Ipsos by way of GfK, Tim Spenny is now at Conveo helping to chart the future of qualitative research at scale.

But once upon a time, Tim was fronting original and cover bands all around Chicago playing classic venues like the Double Door, the Subterranean, Big Horse and more.

Tim traces his journeys through both insights and music and shares his optimistic vision for the future of the insights practice.

Robert Pierson is currently the SVP North America at the UK-based insight firm, Rigour Research, and a member of the board of British American Business Council, Chicago.

Robert has had a fascinating journey from organizing techno raves to relocating to the US through acquisition at 451 Research to leading business development at Kantar Profiles and helping expand the sport of polo in Chicago.

Listen in as Robert traces his unique career path, discusses novel ways to address data quality and chooses three desert island discs that are firsts to the Rock n’ Roll Research Podcast.