Why your AI strategy shouldn’t start with AI: Steve King, Dragonfly AI Co-Founder and CEO

Artificial intelligence can help businesses work faster, understand more and make better decisions, but only when it is applied to the right problems. So, rather than asking, “What should our AI strategy be?”, should businesses start by asking what they are actually trying to achieve?Host Andrew McDougall is joined by Steve King, Co-founder and CEO of Dragonfly AI, to explore why successful AI adoption begins with business strategy, not technology. Drawing on Steve’s experience building Black Swan Data and Dragonfly AI, they discuss the different forms of artificial intelligence, why adoption remains harder than invention and how predictive technology can help brands understand what consumers will notice.The conversation also considers where human judgement must remain in control, how businesses can use AI without diminishing creativity and why its long-term value should be measured through better products and decisions, not simply short-term cost savings.Listen to find out:Why businesses should define the problem before choosing the AIWhat makes predictive AI different from generative AIHow Dragonfly AI helps brands understand visual attentionWhy adoption (not technology) is often the greatest barrierWhere human judgement and creativity remain essentialWhat established CPG companies and startups can learn from one anotherWhat did you think of the conversation? Join us on Mintel’s LinkedIn to continue the discussion about where AI adds real value and where human judgement and creativity remain essential.Learn more about how Black Swan Data, now part of Mintel, uses AI-powered social prediction to identify emerging consumer needs, and how Mintel and Dragonfly AI are helping brands make smarter packaging decisions by understanding what consumers notice.Visit Mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community, and follow Mintel Little Conversation wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.Host:Andrew McDougall, Principal Strategist, MintelGuest:Steve King, Co-founder and CEO, Dragonfly AI

In this episode, Andrew McDougall sits down with Tati Lindenberg, who at the time was Chief Brand Officer for Unilever's Dirt Is Good brand. Since this conversation was first aired, Tati has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer for Unilever Home Care, further underscoring the strategic leadership and brand-building expertise she shares throughout this discussion.Together with Mintel Consultant, David Jago, Tati explores what it takes to build brands that endure—from balancing global brand consistency with local consumer needs to navigating changing expectations around purpose, sustainability and growth. The conversation also examines the future of fabric care, the role of innovation in driving relevance and why storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools in a marketer's arsenal.Whether you're listening for the first time or revisiting this conversation, Tati's perspectives offer valuable guidance for CPG decision-makers seeking to build brands that drive growth, relevance and long-term consumer trust.Join the conversation on Mintel's LinkedIn and share your perspective.HostAndrew McDougall, Principal Strategist, MintelGuestsTati Lindenberg, Chief Marketing Officer, Unilever Home Care (Chief Brand Officer, Dirt Is Good, Unilever at the time of recording)David Jago, Principal Consultant, Mintel

Marketers have more consumer data than ever before but are they losing sight of the people behind it? In this episode, Andrew Davidson speaks with Paul Jankowski, Founder and CEO of New Heartland Group, about why brands have become over-reliant on data and under-invested in understanding consumers' lived experiences. They explore the New Heartland—a cultural segment representing 60% of Americans and $7–8 trillion in buying power—and discuss why values like family, community and faith often shape purchasing decisions more than traditional demographics. The conversation also examines how brands can move beyond targeting to build genuine cultural relevance in an increasingly AI-driven world.What did you think of the conversation? Join us on Mintel's LinkedIn to continue the discussion about understanding what data misses, and visit Mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.To gain a clearer view of how trust, community, relationships, and lived experience shape brand perception, shopper behavior, and customer loyalty among this consumer group, download the free The Visibility Gap™ report from Mintel today.Don't forget to follow Mintel Little Conversation wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.Host:Andrew Davidson, Principal Strategist, ComperemediaGuest:Paul Jankowski, CEO and Founder of New Heartland Group

In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Brian Jones, President of Merrick Bank, about how to grow a business while staying true to its mission. Brian shares his career journey, with over three decades of experience at the intersection of law and banking. The conversation looks at how the bank's sub-prime customers are navigating economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and what that means for financial services today.They also discuss key moments in the bank’s growth, including acquisitions and rebrands, and how Merrick is thinking about its future. Brian also offers his perspective on what’s ahead for financial services, and the critical shifts he believes will define the next five years.Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to share your thoughts on the conversation, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.Guest: Brian Jones, President, Merrick Bank .

In this episode, Mintel explores the 2026 Global Beauty and Personal Care Predictions, unpacking how the industry is evolving beyond traditional definitions of beauty into a space where health, emotion, and authenticity take center stage. We dive into three key trends shaping the future:Metabolic Beauty: where beauty meets health at a cellular level, and products evolve into personalized, preventative tools powered by biomarker testing and bio-intelligent technology.Sensorial Synergy: where beauty shifts from results-driven to experience-led, using sensory innovation to influence mood, emotional wellbeing, and daily rituals.Beyond the Algorithm: The Human Touch Revolution: where consumers move away from hyper-polished perfection and toward beauty that feels real, expressive, and authentically human.Together, these trends highlight a fundamental change: beauty is no longer just about appearance; it's becoming a tool for wellness, emotional connection, and self-expression. From diagnostic skincare to immersive sensory experiences and a renewed focus on human creativity, brands will need to rethink how they deliver value and connect with consumers.Download the 2026 Global Beauty and Personal Care Predictions and get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply these predictive insights to your specific growth goals.Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of the future of beauty, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.Host: Andrew McDougall, Director of Insights, Beauty & Personal Care.Guests: Clare Hennigan, Principal Analyst, Beauty & Personal Care, Mintel.Rosalia Di Gesu, Associate Principal Analyst, Beauty & Personal Care, Mintel.

In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Melissa Stevens, Chief Marketing Officer at Fifth Third Bank, about the strategic acquisition of Comerica and what it means for brand integration in today’s competitive banking landscape. Melissa shares how the bank is balancing scale with authenticity—leveraging customer experience, community engagement, and AI-driven insights to build trust and drive growth. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of merging brands, and how a clear, customer-centric strategy can turn acquisition into long-term value.Get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply predictive insights to your specific growth goals.Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about Fifth Third Bank's acquisition of Comerica, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.Guests:Melissa Stephens, Chief Marketing Officer, Fifth Third Bank.

Host Andrew Davidson, Mintel expert Kendall Gadie and industry veteran Marty Ellingsworth delve into the current insurance affordability crisis, exploring the factors driving rising premiums and the resulting shifts in consumer behavior. They discuss the impact of post-COVID changes, the role of agents and the strategies insurers are employing to navigate these challenges. Listen to find out more about the importance of AI and technology in shaping the future of insurance, as well as the need for effective communication of value to consumers who are increasingly price-sensitive.Get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply predictive insights to your specific growth goals.Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about the insurance affordability crisis, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.Guests:Kendall Gadie, Associate Director, Comperemedia.Marty Ellingsworth, President, Salt Creek Analytics.

Host Andrew Davidson welcomes Krista Phillips, M&T Bank's first Chief Customer Officer, back to the podcast. Krista shares her journey and insights into the evolving role of customer experience in banking. With a career spanning major financial institutions, Krista discusses how customer insights can be leveraged to drive innovation and improve service delivery, highlighting specific examples of changes made based on customer feedback, such as streamlining onboarding processes and enhancing fraud detection communication.Get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply predictive insights to your specific growth goals.Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about driving changes based on customer feedback, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.Guests:Krista Phillips, Chief Customer Officer, M&T Bank.

Host Andrew Davidson and Doug Villone, Head of US Cards & Partnerships at Barclays discuss the evolving landscape of credit card usage and the potential future partnerships that may shape commerce. Listen to learn more about the importance of understanding consumer behavior and the role of non-traditional retailers in the credit card ecosystem.Get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply predictive insights to your specific growth goals.Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about non-traditional retailers in the credit card industry, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.Guests: Doug Villone, Head of US Cards & Partnerships, Barclays.

Go inside United Airlines’ co-brand strategy with host Andrew Davidson and Bob Daly, Managing Director of Global Co-Brand Cards. In this episode, we break down United’s recent card relaunch with Chase, the airline’s bold move into debit, and how a 360° career across consulting, banking, and airlines shaped Bob’s view of what truly drives loyalty. Listen to find out where co-brand programs are heading next and how leading brands are reimagining value for travelers.Get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply predictive insights to your specific growth goals.Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about bold co-branding strategies, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.Guests: Bob Daly, Managing Director, Global Co-Brand Cards, United Airlines.