In this episode of Signal & Noise, Brian Lamar sits down with Dan Foreman, one of the most influential voices in market research, to reflect on a 30-year career that has shaped the industry’s evolution from clipboards to AI. From launching global operations at FocusVision to investing in next-gen insight startups like Zappi, Dan has always been on the leading edge of innovation.

Dan shares his fascinating career path - starting as a researcher at Research International, then moving through marketing, consulting, and entrepreneurship - culminating in advisory roles across more than a dozen companies. He also dives deep into the founding of the ESOMAR Foundation, created to support researchers in crisis zones, and the impact of building community-driven change in a global industry.

The conversation explores Dan’s investment philosophy, how he evaluates new ventures using a mix of “science and X-factor,” and his latest venture into biotech and longevity through initiatives like The Infinite Games. With stories that span continents, boardrooms, and industries, this episode is a masterclass in staying curious, connected, and committed to meaningful innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• Career Longevity & Reinvention - How Dan’s career evolved through constant curiosity and boundary-pushing.

• ESOMAR Foundation Origins - The moving story behind founding a global nonprofit supporting researchers in need.

• Entrepreneurial Insight - What Dan looks for when investing: purpose, innovation, and a positive impact on the industry.

• M&A and Industry Shifts - His perspective on the Qualtrics-Press Ganey-Forsta merger and what it signals for the future.

• Biotech & Longevity Crossover - How Dan’s new ventures explore the intersection of human health, data, and innovation.

  
  

🔗 Connect with Dan Foreman on LinkedIn: Dan Foreman

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In this episode of Signal & Noise, Andrew and Brian are joined by Alex Millet, CEO of Brandtrust, for a thought-provoking conversation on the intersection of emotion, insight, and innovation. Alex explains how Brandtrust helps companies uncover the deeper psychological and emotional forces that shape consumer behavior, what they call “Human Truth.”

The discussion dives into how brands can balance data-driven decisions with empathy-driven understanding, especially in an era increasingly dominated by automation and AI. Alex shares his perspective on how human-centered storytelling, narrative research, and empathy-based strategy can transform how organizations connect with customers and build loyalty.

From uncovering the subconscious motives behind purchasing behavior to redefining what authentic branding means in a digital-first world, this episode is a reminder that even as AI advances, emotion remains the ultimate differentiator.

Key Takeaways:

• The Role of Emotion in Insight - Why understanding emotional motivation creates stronger, more resonant brand connections.

• Human Truth as a Competitive Edge - How Brandtrust’s approach helps organizations move beyond surface-level data to uncover deeper meaning.

• Empathy in a Digital Age - The importance of integrating humanity into strategy, storytelling, and leadership.

• AI Meets Emotion - How technology can support, but not replace, the human side of research and decision-making.

• Leading Through Story - Alex’s reflections on how great brands leverage emotional truth to inspire change from the inside out.

🔗 Learn more about Brandtrust: https://brandtrust.com/who-we-are/

🔗 Connect with Alex Millet on LinkedIn: Alex Millet

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In this episode of Signal & Noise, Andrew and Brian are joined by pollster Jeremy Zogby for a deep dive into the state of American politics, the growing power of independents, and what the future might hold for voters caught between two increasingly polarized parties.

Jeremy shares his perspective as Managing Partner of John Zogby Strategies, where he has led groundbreaking work on independent voter behavior, including his role as lead pollster for RFK Jr.’s 2024 presidential campaign. With a historian’s lens and decades of polling experience, he unpacks how political violence, economic uncertainty, and global shifts are reshaping the electorate.

Key Takeaways:

• The Rise of Independents - Why unaffiliated voters made up over a third of the electorate in 2024 and how they may shape the next cycle
  

• Polarization & Violence - How rising rhetoric and high-profile acts of violence could impact voter sentiment and long-term party alignment
  

• Third-Party Hurdles - Why structural barriers make it nearly impossible for a viable third-party movement, despite a strong public appetite
  

• Global & Economic Pressures - How shifting power toward the East, BRICS alliances, and U.S. economic instability could influence voter priorities
  

• The Next Generation’s Concerns - Housing affordability, retirement security, and job uncertainty as unifying issues across political lines
  

Jeremy also reflects on lessons from history, generational cycles, and his own family’s legacy in polling to frame today’s turbulence within a broader context.

🔗 Learn more about John Zogby Strategies & The Zogby Report podcast: johnzogbystrategies.com

🔗 Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn: Jeremy Zogby

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