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  • Over the past years, technology has grown from simple spreadsheets to precision surgeries. What’s next? Should we be fearful or hopeful about the future of AI? 

    In this episode, global foresight leader Sandeep Das dives into the current and future developments of AI. Joining him are experts in the technology industry: Global Chief Digital Officer at Mars Inc., Sandeep Dadlani, and Partner at Bain & Company, Rahul Shah. 

    Together, they give their insights into the future of AI and how it can change the world. They discuss the differences between AI applications, particularly in the East and West. According to Rahul, data regulation and privacy still need to grow. A global guideline won't be present soon, as all governments have different concerns and cultures. They also address digital detox and how to think about technology. Sandeep shares that every new technology will compete for our time and focus. It is important to retain what makes you human. 

    Remember, AI is ultimately a tool. Human experience and values are far more important than technology. 

    Want to know how AI will shape our future? And how we can be aware of exciting breakthroughs? Tune in to find out why we’re barely scratching the surface of AI and how much more it can change. Learn how we can harness AI to create better products and experiences for everyone. 

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    Read more from Sandeep Das on LinkedIn

    Read more from Sandeep Dadlani on LinkedIn

    Read more from Rahul Shah on LinkedIn

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • As ever, we’re looking at tomorrow — the future of human interaction.

    Join our host, global foresight leader Lianne Kwan as she delves into the nature of a burgeoning online space: the metaverse.

    With her today is the CEO of Naver Z USA (Zepeto) Jungsuk Jay Lee, Managing Director Caroline So of Elmwood China, and the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer Christopher Travers of the Offbeat Media Group.

    Together, we’ll look into the nature of virtual reality and online spaces. As our digital avatars increasingly become our primary representations, we must consider how this affects our interactions both online and in real life. What opportunities or threats might this bring? Do we know who is really behind an avatar — and, furthermore, does that even matter?

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    Read more from Lianne on LinkedIn

    Read more from Jay on LinkedIn

    Read more from Caroline on LinkedIn

    Read more from Christopher on LinkedIn

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

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  • As a treats and snack company, our team at Mars Wrigley is obsessed with thinking about how consumer preferences and cultural values will impact the future of food. We’ve seen how brands act as cultural change agents, taking a stand on issues like climate change and other sustainable practices, while the ebb and flow of consumer adoption is not always consistent.

    In this episode, our host, global foresight leader Jo Lepore, dives into current developments being made within the food industry to create more sustainable, healthier, and delicious food. Joining her are three powerhouse experts and leaders within the food and health industry:

    Seth Goldman, Chief Change Agent at Eat the Change, Co-Founder at PLNT Burger, and Chair of the Board at Beyond Meat.

    Andrew Loader, Founder & CEO at Openway Food Co. and former Mars Wrigley General Manager.

    Kaitlin Mogentale, Founder and CEO at Pulp Pantry, an emerging upcycled food brand and Shark Tank alumni.

    Together, they give their insights into the future of food, health and opportunities for change. They also discuss the struggles and challenges in this movement, and how collaboration and conscious effort can address the prevalent issues within the food and health space.

    Want to know more about how food will become more sustainable in the future and what role consumers will play in this change? Tune in to find out how food brands and organizations can adapt their products to make them more planet-friendly and sustainable. Learn how consumers can help create better products that suit our individual, collective, and environmental needs.

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    Read more from Seth on LinkedIn

    Read more from Andrew on LinkedIn

    Read more from Kaitlin on LinkedIn

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • In an unpredictable world, the demand for strategic foresight is greater than ever. In a special live episode, recorded at IIEX (Insight and Innovation Exchange) in Austin, Texas in front of a live audience, we dive into the importance of practicing foresight to future-proof organizations. But how do you keep foresight fresh?

    Join our host, global foresight leader Jo Lepore as she explores how to deploy foresight business-wide and sustain that future-led momentum.  She is joined by a fellow foresight practitioner Adam Walker, Executive Director of Consumer Foresight & Market Exploration at The Walt Disney Company. Adam shares Disney’s journey in implementing and applying foresight over the past five years, and how the company leveraged foresight to navigate the pandemic.

    Together, Adam and Jo dig deep into practical ways of applying foresight to business plans, fuelling the foresight momentum once it’s no longer the “exciting new thing” in the business, and how to leverage foresight to amplify timeless stories into relevant new world contexts.

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    Read more from Adam Walker on Linkedin

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • In an unpredictable world, the demand for strategic foresight is greater than ever. In a special live episode, recorded at IIEX (Insight and Innovation Exchange) in Austin, Texas in front of a live audience, we dive into the importance of practicing foresight to future-proof organizations. But how do you get started?

    Learn from our host, global foresight leader Jo Lepore as she explores introducing and applying foresight to businesses not used to futures thinking. To discuss making the case for foresight, Jo is joined by fellow industry foresight advocate Michelle Gansle, Vice President of Global Strategic Insights at McDonald's. Michelle shares her experience in making a proposal to employ foresight in Mars and McDonald’s, and shares why futures thinking is critical to complement insight and marketing strategic planning.

    Learn why foresight is different from trend watching, when to effectively move from building foresight capability to a foresight culture, and the benefits of futures thinking in anticipating problems before they happen.

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    Read more from Michelle Gansle on Linkedin

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • This week, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes from Season 2 of the show, in which Jo Lepore, Global Foresight Lead for North America, helps us explore youth values, behaviors, and tensions that will likely shape our future. What are the challenges and drivers of Gen Z, and how do they differ from previous generations?

    Climate change, social issues, mental health, and real action to create change are common themes that are important to today’s youth. In this episode, Mark Adams (SVP, VICE) talks about the impact-driven optimism, or “willfulness” of Gen Z. MaryLeigh Bliss (VP Content, YPulse) shares research on a new kind of activism of our youth, and Katy Guan (Group Planning Director, BBDO Shanghai) tells us how youth in China engage in online movements to support or boycott brands due to their increasing social responsibility to support local and rural areas.

    So how should brands weigh in on social issues that Gen Z cares about? Join us as we look past the hype to get closer to understanding what’s truly motivating this impactful generation.

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • The consumer experience has been described in many different ways in the past. But in general, it's all about the interaction between the brand and consumers across the world and cultures. It's the journey towards seeking a great experience with the brand in question.

    In this episode, our host, global foresight leader Sandeep Das invites exotic science experts Zoe Chance, Melina Palmer, and Marian St. Laurent into the discussion. They will explore key terms and concepts that will drive the future of consumer experience. They will also give insight into the opportunities and risks for companies with consumer experience moving forward with advanced technological innovation.

    Want to know more about how the consumer experience will evolve in the near future? Tune in to discover how brands and platforms can adapt to significant industrial changes. Learn how you can transform your approach and emerge at the top of the consumer experience battle.

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    Read more from Zoe on LinkedIn

    Read more from Melina Palmer on LinkedIn

    Read more from Marian St. Laurent on LinkedIn

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • The COVID pandemic’s destructive nature has spared no one; nothing is for certain anymore. The world is fast-changing, and so are the attitudes, needs, and relationships we have with our jobs. We’ve been launched about five years into the future, work-wise — how do we keep up?

    Join our host, global foresight leader Sophie Briercliffe, as she poses answers to the questions on everyone’s mind regarding remote work and emotional health, poly-work, and more. She is joined by two experts in the world of work: Senior Editor for Consumer Lifestyle at Stylus + Advisory, Estella Shardlow, and Director at YSC Consulting, Susannah Yule.

    Where do you see yourself in another five years? Curious about the future of employment? Tune in, we’re headed for the new normal!

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    Read more from Susannah on LinkedIn

    Read more from Estella on LinkedIn

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • Technology is constantly evolving — the anomalous sci-fi scenes we used to witness in movies are slowly emerging in the real world.

    One innovation that has recently dominated the global conversation is the growth and potential of the metaverse. But while the term has strongly made its way into the mainstream media, there is still a general confusion and hesitation surrounding it. What is the metaverse, really? And how can we as business leaders and brand owners adapt to this new marketplace?

    In this episode, our host, global foresight leader Jo Lepore is joined by two experts in digital experiences and mega cultural movements: VP Consumer Marketing at Fandom, Nic Brandenberger, and Founder and Principal at PINE, Raj B. Shroff. They explore what this digital realm has in store for the future of consumer journeys and business expansion opportunities. 

    Tune in to explore the disruption that lies ahead for the future of your business as the metaverse’s virtual reality becomes a business reality. 

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    Read more from Nic on LinkedIn

    Read more from Raj on LinkedIn

    Check out PINE

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • It’s our last episode of 2021 and we are ending with a bang; confronting the reality and exploring the future of our very own Insights industry. Often viewed as working in a silo, drowning in data and at risk of being superseded by AI, always the groupie and never the rockstar … what role can and should Insights and Human Intelligence play in the business of the future? 

    Our host, global foresight leader Jo Lepore, invites three industry-recognized and respected Insights leaders to cover a topic that hits close to home: Nigel Hollis, renowned author and speaker and Brand Marketing Consultant at Ask Nigel, Jorge Ruiz, Global Head of Marketing Science at Tik Tok, and Mars’  own Sorin Patilinet, Global Marketing Insights Director. 

    Want to know how the Insights industry is changing in the future business landscape? Tune in as we discuss how Insights can help turn evidence into a platform to unlock new possibilities, can turn human-centric curiosity into a culture of experimentation and can help your brand venture (measurably) into new territory ... learn how Insights leaders can transform themselves, in order to transform their business.

    And stick around to the end when we bring back the full global foresight team for a wrap-up and reflection of Future Imagined in 2021!

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    Read more from Nigel on Amazon

    Read more from Sorin's Blog

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    Listen to the team's favorite episodes from 2021:

    Future of Emerging Markets

    East & West Futures

    Macro Futures

    Mind Body Mood

    The Joy of Misbehaving

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • Imagination can be so much more than just fantasizing and daydreaming. It’s a powerful tool to bring something tangible and positive into the world, and it can be an enabler of business transformation.

    Join our host, global foresight leader, Jo Lepore, as she explores the potential for imaginative thinking to generate new possibilities for business growth.

    Two imaginative and strategic minds join the conversation: Sarah Stringer, Executive Vice President of U.S. Media Partnerships at Dentsu Media US, and Chairman of Boston Consulting Group Henderson Institute and author of The Imagination Machine, Martin Reeves.

    Ready to let your imagination run wild (with structure)? Tune in as we venture past the fear of failure and beyond the tried and true models of business into new realms for imaginative ideas.

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    Hear more from Martin Reeves on his podcast, Thinkers & Ideas

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • Today, we’re taking you on a trip around the world.

    Join our hosts, global foresight leaders Jo Lepore, based in the US, and Lianne Kwan, based in China, as they explore the differences and similarities between East and West markets, and how key factors influence the growth, innovation and culture within them.

    Joining the global conversation are two highly respected experts in the world of consumer behavior and marketing: Jidi Guo, Managing Partner at Inner Chapter from Shanghai; and Martin Schiere, Principal and Marketing Strategy lead at Glocalities from Amsterdam.

    Together, they break down some of the biggest myths surrounding East vs West cultures and discuss the dichotomies and commonalities likely to be most influential in this decade. Wherever you are around the world, this is one to tune into!

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • As a collection of sovereign nations, the future of Europe depends on a complex balance of priorities across countries and collaboration on big socio-political issues. However, two areas where Europe comes together to drive the agenda Globally is on the subjects of sustainability and wellbeing.

    Join our host, global foresight leader Sophie Briercliffe, as she explores the different factors and possible barriers that may make or break health, wellness and sustainability and how they will affect the future of Europe. She is joined by two renowned experts in the world of food, drinks, and consumerism: food-and-drinks industry expert Cathryn Sleight, the Global Chief Growth Officer at Mars Wrigley, and consumer-goods industry expert and futurist, Trevor Davis, a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts.

    Want to get a glimpse of how European businesses will respond to the sustainability demands of consumers? Tune in and get curious about how Europe is navigating the quest towards a more sustainable world!

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • Today, we’re taking you higher, up to the macro themes influencing our world.

    Join our host, global foresight leader Jo Lepore as she explores higher-level contextual themes through the cultural, technological and political macro forces.

    Joining her are two respected experts in futurism: renowned futurist for the Fortune 200 and highly regarded original thinker Faith Popcorn – founder and CEO of BrainReserve. Alongside history, geo-politics and disruptive technology thought leader Jake Sotiriadis – CEO at Global Futures Advisory Group and Director of Operations and Engagement for the National Intelligence University.

    Together, they take us from history to parallel universes, and everything in between that’s going to disrupt modern-day businesses. In better understanding the macro futures likely to play out in all our futures, we must make room to think critically, to consider uncomfortable alternatives and to embrace complexity.

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • With more than half of the world’s population living in cities like New Delhi, Mexico City, Beijing, São Paulo, and Kuala Lumpur, we’re taking a look at what’s driving the future of food in emerging markets.

    Taking us on a journey of future food trends is our host, Sandeep Das, Global Foresight Lead, Emerging Markets at Mars Wrigley. Joining him are Blas Maquivar, President, Global Emerging Markets at Mars Wrigley, Food Futurist Tony Hunter, and Alki Manias, Executive Vice President of the VR simulations provider StoreLab.

    In this episode, we discuss how emerging markets will explode in the next few decades and what that means for FMCG. To do that, we explore current consumer behaviors, the recent growth in e-commerce, and issues like sustainability that are increasingly important to younger generations.

    What will the food industry look like in 2050? How will retailers provide a more experiential approach to the shopping experience as economies begin to boom and technology advances? Join us as we get curious about the future nuances and opportunities for this massive area of the world.

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • When you’re bored or frustrated, do you grab a snack? Scroll through your phone? In this episode, we discuss the foundational drivers of our human needs, the digital retail evolution, and how both of those things are changing our impulse behavior.

    Co-hosts Jo Lepore and Sophie Briercliffe, Global Foresight Leads for North America and Europe, explore the future of impulse purchases and consumption with two experts on the topic - Hunter Thurman, President of neuroscience led research firm Alpha-Diver, and James Mills, Global VP of Sales for impulse leaders Mars Wrigley.

    As change in our world accelerates, how can we better understand those core human motivations around immediate satisfaction that remain the same? Join us as we get curious about how retailers, brands and researchers are adapting to new impulse opportunities.

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • Welcome to the “Future of” series, our third season of the Future Imagined podcast where we focus on big strategic topics of future influence. We kick off by examining the motivation and meaning shaping America’s individual and shared societal values.

    Our host, Jo Lepore, Global Foresight Lead for North America, explores what being happy, healthy, and heard means to Americans. And how consumer’s choices are influencing large-scale change.

    Joining her is Anton Vincent, President of Mars Wrigley North America, and Ujwal Arkalgud, Co-founder and CEO of MotivBase. Together, they bring a heart-centered, anthropological perspective on how diversity, empathy and truth-seeking are transforming American culture.

    As a primary influencer of the world, what are the small steps America can take to make life more meaningful for all of us? Get curious with us about how America can transform through disruption and how consumers can use their power to drive change.

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • As we close out Season 2 of the podcast, we’re diving into how technology has shaped the way brands acknowledge and cater to the uniqueness of each customer journey through immersive experiences.

    Join our host Jo Lepore, Global Foresight Lead for North America, as she explores how brands might be telling stories in the future while connecting with our imaginations at the same time.

    She’s invited top experts Adam Walker, Executive Director, Consumer Foresight & Market Exploration at The Walt Disney Company, Will Hall, Chief Creative Officer at RAIN, and Matt Klein, Director of Strategy at sparks & honey to discuss trends, challenges and possibilities for brands to emotionally connect with consumers.

    How do brands create what people can only imagine? Get curious with us about the uses of tech to enhance, detract or motivate our experiences in the future.

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • If there is one thing we’ve all felt in 2020 it’s the passionate lean in to support small business, locally made products and close to home communities. But how much of this is likely to stick through to the next decade, and what macro geopolitical and environmental macro forces will influence how it plays out?

    Join our host Jo Lepore, Global Foresight Lead for North America, as she explores a not-so-subtle change taking place in the world – action taken at the local level, impacting the global world at scale.

    Jo is joined by a guest panel offering their unique perspective on the topic: Rose Herceg, Chief Strategy Officer at WPP (AUNZ), Quinault Childs, Institute of the Future’s Research Director, Lauren Kemp, Marketing and Insights Manager at McDonald’s, and Alan Reed, Executive Director at Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network and Bigger Table - inspirational leaders helping to drive understanding and impact on both the local and international stages.

    Together they discuss the demand of organizations to take accountability, to adapt to environmental structural changes, to take ethical action transparently (but not boastfully) and other critical themes.

    What does this mean for YOU as an individual and for our globally connected world? Tune in and get curious.

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).

  • What is the future of wellness? Are consumers ready to adopt a holistic view of health and well-being? Today’s episode is hosted by Sophie Briercliffe, Global Associate Director of Foresight Europe.

    Rod Falcon, research director for Institute for the Future opens up about the new transparency around health and mental health. Sarah Coghlan, of the Movember Foundation, shares what marketing and communications are most effective for wellness-specific messaging. Maneesh Kaushik of PepsiCo’s Global Insights team explains the rise of preventative health becoming a habit in the future, and the shift brands are making to focus on consumer well-being. They are joined by leading expert of physical intelligence, Claire Dale, who describes the links between neural activity in the gut, the heart and the head. Movement is key for our mood and health.

    Will the intersection of emotional and mental wellness become the norm in the future? Join us as we explore the myths, misconceptions, and predictions around the mind body mood connection.

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    All views are those of the podcast hosts and guests only and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employer(s).