Little Conversation Podcast

Host Samantha Dover is joined by packaging and sustainability experts to discuss the role of sustainability in business, including the different sustainability frameworks businesses can utilise, why an investment in sustainability offers brands an insurance policy on future viability and how brands should effectively communicate sustainability missions to consumers. Listen now!

Host Andrew Davidson and his guests discuss the state of cryptocurrency. Bitcoin is down, ‘crypto winter’ is here. The experts dive into what that means for consumers and brands, and debate the industry’s future in such a volatile environment. Listen now to find out what brands need to know now and how they can plan for what’s coming next!

Host Samantha Dover explores the big themes in influencer marketing. What are the factors brands need to consider when developing an influencer strategy? How heavily should authenticity and transparency be weighed? And how is consumer understanding of the role influencers play in their lives evolving? Listen now to find out!

Host Andrew McDougall tracks the trajectory of non-fungible tokens, or NFTs—the latest blockchain technology to capture attention—from both the consumer and brand perspective. This episode explores NFT scams, regulation and sustainability implications, how the concept of ownership is being redefined, as well as how and why brands are entering the space. Listen now!

Host Andrew Davidson and his guests discuss consumers’ attitudes towards sustainability, how they are changing and what brands should do to adapt. Climate change and water and food shortages are rising to the top of global consumers’ priority lists as events like the Ukraine conflict and extreme weather play a greater role in their daily lives. Learn about the brands, products and services that stand out – for better or worse. Listen now!

Host Andrew McDougall and his guests explore themes of pleasure and escapism and the nuanced role brands play in boosting consumer happiness in 2022. The 24-hour news cycle, climate catastrophe and cost of living crisis (among others) make it more important than ever for consumers to find moments of joy, but how do brands strike a balance between instant gratification, anticipation and mental containment? Listen now!

Host Samantha Dover leads a discussion about the multifaceted definition of value. Joined by Rebecca Vella, Director of Food & Drink Insights at Mintel, and Andrea Payne, Head of Marketing at Kraft Heinz, the trio debates what creates brand value for consumers and how perceptions have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen now!

Host Samantha Dover is joined by two retail experts to discuss the direct-to-consumer (DTC) business model. They address the key benefits for brands, how to scale, who the best-in-class disruptors are, and what future opportunities exist in the marketplace. But before brands jump in, consider some of the red flags, including purchase drivers and barriers to entry. Listen now!

Host Elysha Yong welcomes consumer lifestyle and marketing strategy experts to discuss astrology. It’s has been around since the 3rd millennium BC and is experiencing a resurgence today driven by social media. The experts explain why the sudden interest from a consumer perspective, discussing themes like spirituality, the collective, self-expression, decision paralysis and regaining control. Listen now to find out more!

Host Andrew Davidson is joined by category and consumer trend experts to discuss the metaverse. They filter through the hype, break down what it means for consumers, and discuss how brands should think about the metaverse in the medium and long term, including recommendations for how to incorporate the trend into brand innovation and marketing strategy. Listen now!

Host Elysha Young shines a spotlight on the science and art of consumer trend forecasting. She is joined by global consumer trend experts to discuss how trends are defined, how companies like Mintel identify new trends and the value of understanding consumer trends. Listen now to discover why understanding consumer trends is critically important to calculating potential competitive, disruptive implications. Listen now!

Host Andrew Davidson and Toby Clark, Director of EMEA Research at Mintel, discuss the impact of inflation on consumers, specifically, the cost of living and how it will shape consumer behaviour in the coming months. Brand loyalty, value, and conscious consumerism are being tested. What brands are agile enough to make it through? Listen now to find out!

Host Andrew Davidson, Bruce Biegel, Senior Managing Partner at Winterberry Group, and Lierin Ehmke, Insights Manager, Comperemedia Omni, discuss the marketing outlook for 2022, including what marketers need to know, channel spend and the shifting consumer relationship with various marketing channels. Listen now for the full 2022 forecast!

Host Andrew Davidson and Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny discuss the societal shift that’s occurring as consumers shop more consciously and things like the environment and ethics play an increasingly important role in consumer behaviour. Listen now!