Dig In

Bonjour! On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Julien Naggar, SVP of Client Partnerships at Dig Insights, to explore why ethnographic research surfaces the consumer truths that surveys will never capture, how the insights function is evolving from data aggregator to strategic decision influencer, and what French consumer culture can teach global brands about empathy, sustainability, and human connection. Aurevoir! 

On this week’s episode, Jess Gaedeke is joined by Amy Baer, Head of Strategic Insights North America at Bel Group, to explore why getting marketers into consumers’ homes still unlocks the most powerful insights, how ethnographic research is shaping a more consumer-first culture at Bel, and why human connection remains essential in the age of AI.

We’re doing a throwback episode this week! In the episode Jess was joined by Anna Estlund, Vice President 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. 

On this week’s episode, Jess Gaedeke is joined by Betsy Pendergast, VP, Future Strategy & Innovation at Dig, to explore how community is reshaping the future of entertainment, why fragmentation is driving a renewed need for connection, and how insights teams can move beyond reporting to create real organizational impact.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Vera Chien, Executive Director of Global Corporate Strategy and Insights at Warner Bros. Discovery, to explore how rethinking segmentation can turn insights into real business impact, why “knowing is only half the battle” when it comes to research, and how stronger stakeholder collaboration makes insights actually stick.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Kelly Nielsen, SVP of Global Client Development at Dig Insights, to explore why great campaigns often fail in execution rather than strategy, how brands can better connect insight to shelf and win key consumer occasions, and what it takes to stay relevant with evolving audiences in a rapidly changing landscape.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Katie Curler, National Account Manager at Campari Group, to explore how insights and creativity come together to win the “first drink” at retail, what it takes to turn campaigns into in-store experiences that actually convert, and why brands must continuously engage consumers or risk losing them altogether.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Shelby Walsh, VP of Future Strategy & Innovation at Dig Insights, to explore how shifting consumer expectations—from instant gratification to AI-shaped education—are redefining wellness, and why brands must bridge immediate benefits with long-term value, show up in new ecosystems of influence, and build rituals to earn lasting loyalty.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Tracey Halama, CEO of Supergut and former CEO of Vital Proteins, to explore how a sales-driven mindset shapes CPG leadership, why aligning messaging to channel is critical for growth, and how personal consumer insight is fueling the next wave of “food as medicine” innovation.

On this week’s episode, Jess is joined by Paul Gaudette, CEO here at Dig Insights, to unpack the evolving role of the insights function, exploring why insights must move beyond being misframed as a data factory to become a true growth driver, how to balance speed with substance and rigor in an era of overpromised technology, and what it takes to translate “the what” into the “so what” that fuels smarter business decisions.

On this week’s episode, Jess Gaedeke is joined by Douglas Healy, Head of Consumer Insights — North America at Kraft Heinz, to unpack why heritage brands like Quaker win when they embrace their origins, how insights teams must evolve from data providers to true growth drivers, and why a learning mindset (not faster tools) is the real competitive advantage in today’s AI-fueled landscape.

On this week’s episode, Jess is joined by Patricia King, EVP Global Client Partner at Dig Insights, to unpack the tension between speed and substance in the age of AI, the difference between fast answers and confident decisions, and why strategic clarity, human judgment, and true partnership are what ultimately turn outputs into meaningful outcomes.

On this week’s episode, Jess Gaedeke is joined by Kendra Speed, Founder & Principal at Klarion Group and former Director of Consumer Market Insights and Marketing Strategy at LinkedIn, to unpack how she rebuilt LinkedIn’s brand tracking program to drive real strategic action, what it takes to lead insights through organizational change, and why human curiosity—not just AI—is the key to the future of the insights function.

On this week’s episode, Jess Gaedeke is joined by Marcie Connan, EVP of Delivery Excellence & Client Experience at Dig Insights, to unpack why global insights only work when paired with local context, how scaling without flattening markets leads to better decisions, and what human-centered leadership looks like in complex, global organizations.

On this week’s episode, Jess is joined by Cristina Marinucci, VP Global Growth & Omni Commercial Insights at Mondelez, to unpack how starting with real snacking moments helps close the say–do gap, why system-led innovation beats one-off launches, and what it takes to build scalable growth platforms that actually show up on shelf.

On this week’s episode, Jess is joined by DIG’s VP of Marketing and Brand Strategy Meagan Healey to unpack how AI is reshaping agency discovery and marketing decision-making, why human judgment and trust still matter most, and what it means to be a modern marketer in an AI-accelerated world.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Saverio Spontella, (newly appointed!) Chief Commercial Officer, at Land O’Frost, to discuss how marketing leaders can practically embed AI into everyday decision-making, use it to accelerate insight-to-action workflows, and why embracing AI is quickly becoming table stakes for modern marketing and insights teams.

On this week’s episode, Jess is joined by Kevin Hare, EVP here at Dig, to unpack how agile iteration, predictive insights, and social context are transforming innovation from early signals to validated concepts. 

On this week’s episode, Jess is joined by Jenna Levine, Senior Manager, Agile Strategic Priorities at Danone, to explore how consumer empathy fuels breakthrough innovation, why nuanced understanding maters when  designing for complex needs, and how agile, insight-led ways of working help teams move faster without sacrificing rigor. 

On this week’s episode, Jess is joined by Frank Serpico, EVP at Dig, to unpack how true conviction (without ego) helps overcome pushback, why the real power of segmentation lies in activation and stakeholder alignment, and what Gen Z’s BS radar means for brands trying to earn authentic credibility.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Amir Jamil, Associate Director of Analytics, Insights and Capabilities at Barilla, to discuss how he navigated stakeholder pushback to rebuild Barilla’s consumer segmentation, why trust and empathy are the real drivers of insights impact, and how Gen Z, AI, and shifting food trends are reshaping the future of the category.

On this week’s episode, Jess is joined by Erin Mays, EVP of Trends & Innovation at Dig Insights, to unpack how protein evolved from a niche fitness ingredient into a powerful cultural and brand signal, what its rise reveals about the shift from diet culture to resilience-driven wellness, and the lessons brand leaders can take from protein’s inclusive, insight-led path to mainstream relevance.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Brian Lechner, Senior Director of Category Leadership at Premier Nutrition, to unpack how the protein category defied traditional CPG rules to become a mass-market force, why retailers who “build it” are winning big, how innovation is shifting toward new formats and demand moments, and what GLP-1–driven behavior changes mean for the future of nutrition.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke chats with Dig’s very own SVP, Lesley Sloggett, to unpack how real customer stories fueled an empathy-rich financial campaign, why seamless collaboration between insights and marketing creates game-changing work, and how Gen Z’s nonlinear approach to money and life is reshaping the future of financial brands.

Insights and marketing is really a match made in heaven. On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Erin Cohen, Senior Director of Consumer Insights and Intelligence, and Rachel Vares, Director of Brand Marketing, Advertising and Content at CIBC, to discuss how deep consumer insights and seamless collaboration between insights and marketing fueled the bank’s latest brand campaign, helping transform financial uncertainty into trust, authenticity, and brand confidence.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Dig Insights Co-Founder and CEO Paul Gaudette to discuss why true innovation requires focus, how “killing the middle” frees teams to pursue ideas that matter, the dangers of chasing shiny objects without consumer purpose, and how building a culture of shared accountability, not isolated teams, fuels sustainable innovation.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Tina Lambert, former Chief Marketing Officer at Tropicana and author of Innovation Is Ugly, to unpack why the traditional innovation funnel is broken, how leaders can balance creativity with disciplined execution, and the lessons she’s learned from both billion-dollar brand successes and spectacular failures. Check out Tina's book, Innovation is Ugly, here: https://innovationisugly.com/

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Rob Volpe, founder of Ignite360 (acquired by Dig Insights) and empathy activist, to explore how understanding irrational fears can unlock brand growth, the power of storytelling to inspire action, and why human connection is the most valuable insight of all.

On our very first episode of season 4 (!!) host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Pavi Gupta, VP of Insights & Analytics at Chobani, to explore how curiosity and unconventional thinking can spark breakthrough insights, the story behind how J&J turned an irrational fear into innovation, and why today’s insights leaders must champion the “power of and” to drive true business impact. 

In our final episode of season 3 of Dig In, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Marat Fleytlikh, Director of Consumer Insights at Perdue Farms, on why you shouldn't fix what isn't broken when it comes to brand redesigns, why insights professionals should own their seat at the table as strategic partners—not just data interpreters—and how smart use of AI can help teams reduce redundant research and unlock time-to-insight.

On this week’s episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Marat Fleytlikh, Director of Consumer Insights at Perdue Farms, to explore how to strike the right balance between refreshing design without losing what makes a brand iconic, the transformative impact of knowledge management and AI on the insights function, and why empathy and curiosity are the ultimate tools for modern insights leaders.

In this week’s Dig (In)spiration, Jess Gaedeke reflects on her conversation with Liz Ackerley, Senior Director of Strategic Insights & Analytics at Danone, on how real consumer stories can shift mindsets across departments, how branding and gamification helped scale Danone’s Consumer Love program, and why mentoring isn’t just about fixing problems, it’s about unlocking potential.

On this week’s episode, Jess Gaedeke is joined by Elizabeth Ackerley, Senior Director of Strategic Insights & Analytics at Danone, to talk about how her team sparked a global empathy movement through the “Consumer Love” program, why mentorship and coaching are essential tools for leadership growth, and how Danone is staying head of the curve in a food industry transformed by GLP-1, protein trends, and women’s health 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.