Thinking-Ahead-Podcast-Overview

Thinking Ahead

Drawing on insights across the globe, this podcast talks about research, innovation, and discovery that will help you understand today's consumer to prepare you for tomorrow's marketplace.
Listen On
Thinking Ahead
email updates
Subscribe

Recent Episodes

85

The rise of the UK’s second-hand mobile phone market

One-quarter of all UK mobile phones sales in 2023 were for second-hand or refurbished handsets
Link to this episode
84

UK Consumer Confidence Uncut February 2024

The Consumer Confidence Index took a knock in February, dropping two points to -21, with all but one of the measures that make up the...
Link to this episode
83

Future of Mobility 2024

Discover the pulse of the automotive industry in our latest podcast episode, where we unpack the Future of Mobility report from GfK...
Link to this episode
82

Living with technology around the world

The Living with Technology report explores how consumer tech sentiment, usage, and adoption have shifted and continue to evolve amid major...
Link to this episode
81

UK Consumer Confidence Uncut January 2024

In this Thinking Ahead podcast, GfK’s Neil Bellamy and our moderator Lucy Green, discuss the January 2024 results of UK Consumer Confidence...
Link to this episode
80

CMO Outlook Series: Sustainability

Our CMO Outlook series does a deep dive on GfK's CMO Outlook report! The series covers several areas including sustainability, technology &...
Link to this episode
79

Exploring Consumer Mindsets, EV Trends, and the Circular Economy

Tune in to this episode as we explore key areas of the latest GfK Green Gauge report by Consumer Life. Understand how environmental...
Link to this episode
78

How digital advertising helps build brand equity with Meta

Tune in to our session from #TMRE23, where Michael and Hillary sit down to talk about how digital advertising helps build brand equity.
Link to this episode
77

UK: Black Friday 2023 results and outlook

In this Thinking Ahead podcast, Kelly Whitwick and Neil Frackiewicz from GfK UK’s retail team discuss the performance of Black Friday in...
Link to this episode
76

UK: Why buy in a cost-of-living crisis?

In this Thinking Ahead podcast, Neil Bellamy our Consumer Insights expert and Helen Collins our Home Appliances Industry expert, discuss...
Link to this episode
75

Breaking out of the (generational) box

How today’s consumers – young and old – are defying expectations, and how brands can capitalize Just when you think you know today’s...
Link to this episode
74

Why aren't we all driving EVs?

In this conversation at IFA 2023, we delved into the world of electric vehicles with Tim Kenyon, Vice President, Consulting, GfK.
Link to this episode
73

Spotlight on UK Smart Home

In this Thinking Ahead podcast, Trevor Godman from GfK UK discusses the latest findings from the annual Smart Home survey. Now in its...
Link to this episode
72

The Rise and Rise of Sustainability in the UK

Sustainability still matters to UK shoppers – despite economic pressures. In fact, the majority of UK consumers in GfK’s Consumer Life...
Link to this episode
71

Connecting with the new experiential consumer

Nearly half of Americans now say that experiences are more important than possessions – and “Enjoying Life” has grown to become a core...
Link to this episode
70

Behind the Scenes: NextGen Hackathon 2023

In our latest episode, we take a peak behind the scenes of the 2023 NextGen Hackathon. We sit down with our winning team from CUNY and talk...
Link to this episode
69

Optimize eCommerce 2023

Take your eCommerce to the next level with cutting-edge content that helps your products stand out. Our expert from GfK Etilize shares the...
Link to this episode
68

From Green to Glam: Where consumers sit on the sustainability spectrum

In this episode, we sit down with GfK Tim Kenyon of GfK Consumer Life (VP, Consulting) to explore the different and sometimes surprising...
Link to this episode
67

Why Data Silos Should Be Marketing’s Public Enemy #1

Sometimes, there is an otherworldly disconnect when marketers talk about data. In a recent GfK/CMO Council study, 80% of global marketing...
Link to this episode
66

Consumer Outlook 2023: Bringing the consumer into focus

For consumers everywhere, inconsistency has become the new normal. The roller coaster ride of COVID, inflation, and more is not ending...
Link to this episode
65

How the generations really think, feel & act around sustainability

The generational stereotypes around sustainability are straight out of central casting – Gen Z’ers protest over climate change, while Baby...
Link to this episode
64

Sustainability at GfK: What You Need to Know

GfK is committed to empower sustainable growth for our people, partners, and the planet. Reducing our environment impact is embedded into...
Link to this episode
63

The new faces of brand purpose: Smart strategies for high-stakes times

In what seems like an instant, the values and social actions of brands have become make-or-break with even mainstream consumers. From...
Link to this episode
62

Leveraging trends to stay ahead of tomorrow’s consumers

The volatility of the past two years has raised the stakes for brands of every kind. How can marketers, brand managers and innovators keep...
Link to this episode
61

Climbing the Consumer Insights Ladder

In this episode, we sit down with GfK’s very own Noah Babbott-Bryan, Megan Szabo and Kiley Rentko to talk about their experiences as...
Link to this episode
60

The Next Opportunity in The Next Generation: Data Insights

The 2022 GfK NextGen Hackathon Competition brought together undergraduate teams from different universities to compete against one another...
Link to this episode
59

American Women: How They Feel & What They Do

American women across the generations often have very different attitudes and values. The pandemic and a variety of other factors have...
Link to this episode
58

Diversity & Inclusion in Research

For thousands of companies around the world, diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) has moved front and center as a business priority. But...
Link to this episode
57

How manufacturers should leverage GSA's newly enhanced platform

There are big changes coming to the GSA (General Services Administration) Advantage marketplace, and manufacturers need to pay close...
Link to this episode
56

How to address supply chain issues this holiday season

Almost every US shopper knows that holiday gifts are harder to come by this year. GfK’s Tatjana Wismeth tells how lockdowns in China and...
Link to this episode
55

Becoming a brand your consumers trust: The DTC Model

Major brands, including Apple, Mercedes, Amazon, and BMW, all use the direct-to-consumer (DTC) model to go straight to their customers for...
Link to this episode
54

Constellations Brands and BeenThereDoneThat talk direct-to-consumer strategies

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) products wrote the playbook for developing and leveraging these closer relationships – bypassing traditional...
Link to this episode
53

The closing gap between the virtual world and reality

On average, people spend 100 days online in a year. With constant connectivity in the palm of our hands and the roll-out of 5G and VR...
Link to this episode
52

The ROI of actionable insights

A panel of global experts discusses dynamic new approaches to data and intelligent automation, and how they empower your business to make...
Link to this episode
51

How to increase your eCommerce traffic (a checklist)

In the past few years, eCommerce listings have become the main window for shoppers, making digital product content a crucial part of the...
Link to this episode
50

A look at the top Latin America economies and their consumers

Latin America is often overlooked compared to other regions when it comes to global media coverage. Still, the reality is that it's a large...
Link to this episode
49

How can brands embrace sustainability in meaningful and believable ways?

4 in 10 Americans said the pandemic has made them more likely to take an active part in environmental causes. Question is, where do brands...
Link to this episode
49

Ideologies, brands & Americans: How polarization is shaking up the consumer landscape

Defining and aligning with their ideological “tribes” is a growing priority for Americans – and this polarization is driving more and more...
Link to this episode
48

Deliver a fresh, compelling shopper experience in 2021

The challenges of the past year have inspired new and innovative ways for brands and retailers to connect with their customers. In this...
Link to this episode
47

A conversation with TerraCycle on sustainability

Are brands really taking on the challenge of sustainability? Could it even be a profit center? In this candid interview, TerraCycle CEO Tom...
Link to this episode
46

How premium brands are leading economic recovery

In a post-pandemic world rocked by disruption, premium brands have proven that they can help a business not only recover from economic...
Link to this episode
45

Building connections beyond pride month

This episode is an audio version of MRI-Simmons' recent panel discussion on a company's responsibility for inclusivity in their business...
Link to this episode
44

The Asian Powerhouses: Their consumers and values

Asia has been the engine of global economic growth for decades. As the world continues to get smaller thanks to technology, their...
Link to this episode
43

The secret to mobile advertising

In the U.S., mobile media now exceeds one-third of all media spending. A 2021 GfK study shows that, among common digital technologies,...
Link to this episode
42

Are we “back”? An update on consumers and COVID-19

As COVID-19 restrictions loosen, over half of Americans say that they will be cautious going back to everyday life, but what does "normal"...
Link to this episode
41

How brands can win consumers' hearts in the new marketplace

The past year has changed consumer experience is changing brand relationships in every category. In this episode, we give you an audio...
Link to this episode
40

The future of cookies: The impact on online marketing and consumers

In January 2020, Google announced that it would phase out third-party cookies by the year 2022. One year away from the official “death to...
Link to this episode
39

The next generation of data scientists

NextGen Hackathon Competition gives undergraduates a chance to develop product and marketing plans using real-world data. In this episode,...
Link to this episode
38

What it means to have a 'healthy' brand

In today's times, brands are expected to be more than a logo. Consumers expect them to take action- to show their authentic worth. While...
Link to this episode
37

Trends to watch: The value of sustainability

The Economist's recent International Sustainability Summit covered environmental issues -and solutions- from brands, consumers, politics,...
Link to this episode
36

A successful product's journey from idea to launch

80% of new products fail, yet innovation is critical to a brand's future. How do you mitigate risk and measure its success? In this...
Link to this episode
35

How data can drive smarter decisions

Data on consumer buying habits may be common these days – but too often it sits in silos. Brands and retailers may see only their own small...
Link to this episode
34

How to optimize eCommerce and boost sales

The average person's attention span is around 8 seconds. How do you make sure consumers stop scrolling long enough to buy your product? In...
Link to this episode
33

What you need to know about B2B influencer marketing

When someone says "influencer marketing," your brain goes straight to consumer products. However, B2B influencer marketing reasons to be...
Link to this episode
32

Using consumer trends for strategic insights

Distinguishing deeper trends versus what is "trending" reveals the forces that drive consumer purchase demands and insight. In this...
Link to this episode
31

Trends to watch: Health & wellness

As the new year begins, the global pandemic has put a new spin on the health and wellness craze we always see. In this episode, Trends...
Link to this episode
29

Emerging shopping trends: What to watch

From click-and-collect to cross-channel buying, eCommerce shopping has hit new levels while traditional methods have evolved. In this...
Link to this episode
28

The future of work and a digital lifestyle

The digital lifestyle has made leaps and bounds this year. In this episode, subject-matter experts Jola Burnett and Stacy Bereck cover the...
Link to this episode
27

"Driving" consumer expectations in 2021

Air travel has hit record lows due to COVID-19, but did the pandemic bring back the classic road trip? In this episode, Julie Kenar...
Link to this episode
26

The world according to Biden and Trump supporters

They are calling it one of the most historic and important elections the country has ever had. In this episode, MRI-Simmons’ Kelly...
Link to this episode
25

A timeline of COVID and its impact on consumers and brands

As we head towards the end of the year, COVID remains the biggest buzzword of 2020. In past episodes, we’ve discussed specific topics about...
Link to this episode
24

The future of the smart home today

Here's an obvious statement- technology surrounds our lives. From security systems and lighting to refrigerators and window shades, the...
Link to this episode
23

The future of sustainability: What brands & marketers need to know

From a presentation to your headphones. In this episode of Thinking Ahead, we give you an audio version of GfK’s recent webinar, where...
Link to this episode
22

Going back to school in the time of COVID-19

In another milestone of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools are in the midst of 'opening' their doors. In this episode, Frank Guagenti takes us...
Link to this episode
21

The changes and challenges of advertising

No matter who you are, you can’t escape ads. As a business, how can your ad speak louder and become more memorable than the rest? In this...
Link to this episode
20

How does Gen Z feel about COVID-19 and the future?

As the youngest generation in the workforce, Generation Z is facing unprecedented challenges as young professionals. In this episode, we...
Link to this episode
19

The Rise of eSports and its Fans

Esports describes the world of competitive, organized video gaming. But who is its audience? And why should brands and marketers pay...
Link to this episode
18

Finding purpose in crisis: Brands, COVID-19, and social responsibility

In today’s world of deadly viruses and impassioned social protests – none of which will be subsiding anytime soon – brands cannot afford to...
Link to this episode
17

Activism, anxiety, and the new consumer marketplace

With devastated economies and the calls for social justice around the world, how to brands move forward? In this episode, we give you an...
Link to this episode
16

Bringing new precision to programmatic targeting

At a time when consumer behavior – and data – is wildly unpredictable, agencies and brands need to bring extra diligence to the process of...
Link to this episode
15

Life Under Crisis: How consumers feel about COVID-19 and protests

Months after lockdowns began, the pandemic landscape continues to evolve. In this episode, we check in with Sarena Gerard, who helps us...
Link to this episode
14

Understand the forces shaping the future of shopping

We know COVID-19 crisis has transformed shopping – but many of those effects may be short term. To plan for tomorrow’s shopping experience,...
Link to this episode
13

Creating Success Through In-Market Testing

In the midst of today’s disruptions, FMCG brands, marketers, and retailers need to Think Ahead. In this episode, we sit down with GfK's...
Link to this episode
12

Rewriting the Influencer Playbook

Join us for a smart, up-to-the-minute discussion of Influencers in the pandemic era – their changing roles, the emergence of a new breed of...
Link to this episode
12

Rewriting the Influencer Playbook

Join us for a smart, up-to-the-minute discussion of Influencers in the pandemic era – their changing roles, the emergence of a new breed of...
Link to this episode
11

The Art of Digital Ad Targeting

In this episode, we sit down for a panel discussion with GfK's Natasha Stevens, MRI-Simmons' Josh Pisano, and Dstillery's Chris Boon about...
Link to this episode
10

How Trends Drive Decisions: Leveraging the Strategic Value of Consumer Trend Insights

While “trending” may have become a buzzword on social media, distinguishing the deeper trends and forces that drive consumer purchase...
Link to this episode
9

Changes in lifestyles & behaviors following COVID-19

Consumers, brands, and retailers are finding themselves in uncharted territory during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Luis Molina...
Link to this episode
8

Is Sustainability still important in uncertain times? | Podcast

This year, Earth Day is celebrating its 50th anniversary. In this episode, GfK Consumer Life’s Tim Kenyon breaks down how far we’ve come...
Link to this episode
7

How American consumers are handling the COVID-19 outbreak

COVID-19 is changing current and future consumer behaviors. In this episode, Karen Ramspacher from MRI-Simmons sits down with us to discuss...
Link to this episode
6

Today's Cannabis Consumers: Understanding their needs, concerns, and purchases

As cannabis increasingly enters the mainstream, many are embracing the possibilities -- while others continue to push back. In this...
Link to this episode
5

Understanding CBD Consumers

CBD – which offers stress and pain relief without a THC “high” – is upending dozens of product categories, from cosmetics to pet food....
Link to this episode
4

Coronavirus: Tracking its impact on brands & consumers

The world is a different place in 2020. COVID-19, or Coronavirus, has consumers staying home and is taking a toll on the economy. In this...
Link to this episode
3

The "dark" side of marketing 

It's unknown and untrackable... or is it? 90% of ads are targeted to only select consumers and impossible to measure, until now. In this...
Link to this episode
2

Future of Retail: The Impact of Technology

The mixture of skyrocketing shopper expectations and exploding technologies is fueling a new era of innovation and transformation for...
Link to this episode
1

Why are we still talking about Millennials?

You've heard it before and you’ll hear it again. Millennials have been a hot topic for years now, but why? In this episode, we look into...
Link to this episode