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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In this episode of Signal & Noise, Howard Fienberg, Senior VP, Advocacy at Insights Association, returns for a wide-ranging conversation on the policies shaping the insights industry. With over 25 years of government affairs experience, Howard has been named a Top Lobbyist by the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics and continues to be one of the strongest voices advocating for research professionals in Washington, D.C.

In this episode:

• The Privacy Patchwork - Why 20 states now have their own privacy laws, how California and Washington are setting the pace, and why a federal standard remains critical

• What Counts in Census 2030 - How upcoming tests, government shutdown risks, and funding gaps could impact the next decennial count and why it matters for research professionals

• AI in the Crosshairs - The latest on state and federal AI regulations, transparency requirements, and how the Insights Association’s Code of Standards is evolving to cover new technologies

• Independent Contractors & Incentives - The ripple effects of state-level attempts to redefine independent contractors and even mandate minimum payments for research participants

• Practical Takeaways for Researchers - Why compliance depends on where respondents live, the risks of pseudonymous data, and how companies can prepare for shifting definitions of privacy

Learn more about us, the Insights Association, and Howard down below!

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In this episode of Signal & Noise, Andrew and Brian take you behind the curtain again on one of the most buzzworthy topics in market research: synthetic panels. After meeting with four different providers in a single day, they share candid reactions, surprising truths, and why the future may not be what you think.

But first, Brian gives a quick recap of his trip to CrimeCon in Denver, a subculture of true crime enthusiasts that had eerie parallels to how niche communities form in market research.

This episode is part myth-busting, part roadmap, and part rallying cry for researchers curious (and cautious) about synthetic data. Tune in now to filter out the noise!

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In this episode of Signal & Noise, Andrew and Brian sit down with David Butler, President of PureSpectrum, to unpack the company’s newly expanded partnership with Qualtrics and what it means for the future of synthetic data in market research.

David shares insights on:

• His journey at PureSpectrum and transition into the role of President.

• The collaboration with Qualtrics to enhance synthetic respondent capabilities.

• How PureSpectrum is leveraging micro-surveys and longitudinal data to fine-tune synthetic models.

• Opportunities and challenges in using synthetic panels for sensitive research, difficult-to-reach populations, and faster iteration.

• The ongoing importance of human data in grounding AI-driven insights.

The conversation also covers broader industry themes like data quality, the shift toward shorter, more engaging surveys, and how synthetic insights could reshape research practices in the years ahead.

To lighten things up, the episode ends with a round of rants from the headaches of time zones to the value (or lack thereof) of conferences.

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In this fiery episode, hosts Brian and Andrew tackle one of the most pressing and frustrating issues in market research: data quality. After weeks (more like years) of conversations with clients, researchers, and suppliers, the hosts dive deep into why data quality feels like it’s getting worse, why the industry keeps masking the problem, and whether brands should even care.

From the massive waste caused by fraud prevention and data cleaning to the commoditization of sample providers, Brian and Andrew don’t hold back in asking the hard questions. Does a poor-quality sample matter if agencies clean it all up before it reaches brands? And if not, what’s the long-term cost to the industry?

If you have thoughts on Data Quality (rants or solutions), or are interested in being a guest on the show, Brian and Andrew want to hear from you!

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In this episode of Signal and Noise, hosts Brian and Andrew are back with a fresh dose of industry insights, hot takes, and personal stories, diving into three major topics shaking up the research world. They kick things off with the Qualtrics and Pure Spectrum partnership, exploring whether this could be the turning point for synthetic data in market research, the strengths and weaknesses of the approach, and the likely future of hybrid panels. Next, they spotlight the rebrand of Azure Knowledge to Mavericks, debating why the change was made and whether it works, while having some fun with its pronunciation and branding implications. Finally, they break down the recent IRS decision to raise the 1099-K reporting threshold from $600 to $2,000, discussing what it means for research participants, particularly those in healthcare and qualitative studies.

If you have thoughts on synthetic data, rebranding in the insights space, or want to join the conversation, Brian and Andrew want to hear from you!

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