Beyond LLMs: where AI, Culture and Humans Redefine Innovation

In this Future Proof episode, Dr Nicki Morley, Global Innovation Lead at Kantar and Dr Angad Chowdhry, Co-Founder & CPO at Quilt.AI, unpack why genuine innovation demands more than fast outputs from LLMs.They explore how cultural sensing, behavioural fuels and frictions, and multisource signal intelligence reveal the collision zones where breakthrough opportunities emerge, and why human judgment is still essential to shaping concepts that are meaningfully differentiated and commercially real.They also share how the Kantar × Quilt.AI partnership brings these capabilities together, closing the loop from signal to opportunity spaces to concepts with rigour and transparency.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Nicki Morley, Global Innovation Lead at Kantar, and Little Moons’ Ross Farquhar discuss how Little Moons turns early-stage ideas into high-impact innovation by designing for occasions, not categories, and acting fast in the market to learn and iterate. Ross Farquhar shares how strong brand guardrails make innovation purposeful while the team experiments, tests, and scales new concepts at speed. He also unpacks how AI accelerates trend discovery and early exploration, with human judgment shaping what truly becomes a breakthrough.A sharp look at modern innovation discipline, where agility, insight, and smart tools create genuine competitive advantage.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Kantar's Future Proof podcast, Jane Ostler speaks with Sian Davies, Global Consumer Planning Lead, Ready to Drink at Diageo, and Jauneen Tarin, Head of Shopper UK at Kantar, to discuss the evolving landscape of shopper marketing.  From the evolution of shopper behaviour and the impact of digital channels to the critical role of leadership and culture, this episode is packed with practical examples and forward-looking perspectives on winning in the fast-changing world of ready-to-drink beverages.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travel is emotional, but booking a trip often isn’t. As expectations rise, Booking.com is working to bring emotion to moments that usually feels purely functional. Convenience isn’t the only game in town.In this episode, Jane Ostler talks with Ben Harrel, Managing Director, US at Booking.com. They discuss how the brand blends performance and long‑term storytelling to spark that Booking.yeah feeling, how creators help the brand speak authentically to different travellers, and how Gen AI is enabling more tailored and relevant communication at scale. Ben also shares a practical vision for the connected trip: a future where flights, stays, cars and attractions seamlessly work together, as well as how they can step in proactively when things go wrong, working towards a frictionless experience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Kantar’s Future Proof podcast, Simon Atherley, Head of Marketing Effectiveness at Kantar UK, is joined by Biren Kalaria, Google UK’s Managing Director of Measurement, Analytics & Data, to unpack how marketers can better connect marketing effectiveness to business growth as we head into 2026. Biren shares his perspective on the persistent gap between marketers and the C-suite, the importance of unified KPIs, and why long-term effects remain under-measured.  Tune in for practical guidance on bridging internal divides, strengthening measurement foundations, and using AI and creators to drive stronger, more confident marketing decisions in 2026.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to create advertising that truly stands out? In this episode of Kantar Future Proof, Deepak Varma, Head of Neuroscience Insights at Kantar North America, is joined by Allison Howitt, Global Insights and Analytics Director – Nutrition at Reckitt, to explore how marketers can unlock creative best practices by combining AI analytics, neuroscience, and distinctive brand assets. Allison shares her perspective on the evolving role of creative effectiveness, revealing how Reckitt leverages a hybrid approach, blending human insight, AI-driven meta-analysis, and neuroscience techniques like facial coding and eye tracking, to identify the moments that drive enjoyment, persuasion, and brand salience. Together, they discuss the importance of building a creative excellence playbook, the value of establishing clear research hypotheses, and how marketers can use these tools to deliver actionable insights and measurable business impact. Tune in for practical guidance on measuring creative drivers, building brand rituals, and creating ads that resonate across cultures and categories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the age of AI, trust and human connection are the new foundations of customer experience.The rules are changing: technology is reshaping how brands interact with consumers, but it is human connection, trust, and transparency that will define the winners. In this episode, Jane Ostler talks with Isabelle Zdatny and Amy Cashman. They discuss how organisations must move beyond captive audiences and transactional relationships, earning loyalty through responsible practices and meaningfully different experiences. In an era where everything can be commoditised except the human touch, brands who deliver on their promises and build emotional connections will stand out.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gaming has evolved into a cultural powerhouse and a vital marketing platform, reshaping how brands connect with audiences worldwide. In this episode of Future Proof, host Rachelle Minnis welcomes Adam Bauer, VP of Sales at Discord, to unpack the real-world strategies and lessons behind successful community-driven marketing.Discover how Discord transformed from a gamer-centric chat app into a dynamic space for brand engagement, and learn what sets advertising on Discord apart from traditional social platforms. With gaming now mainstream and communities more engaged than ever, this conversation reveals how brands can successfully activate community-driven marketing—and why the future of advertising might just be on your favorite gaming platform.Listen for an awesome conversation that will leave you inspired and may help you rethink your next campaign—and maybe even pick up a controller. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Dr. Nicki Morley as she sits down with Conny Kalcher, Group Chief Customer Officer at Zurich Insurance, to explore how the company is redefining customer experience through innovation, digital transformation, and the thoughtful use of AI. Discover how empathy, clear communication, and a relentless focus on customer needs are driving their journey, from revitalising the brand and launching service innovations to empowering employees with new tools and training. Tune in for practical examples, lessons learned, and advice for responsibly embracing AI, while keeping the human touch at the heart of insurance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In-scene media is not just another ad format but a complete shift in how advertising interacts with content. With in-scene media, marketers have the ability to integrate their product into creator content and consumers are loving it. The data shows a 60% increase in purchase intent after exposure to in-scene media. Why? In-scene media creates a non-disruptive, engaging experience for viewers and significantly outperforms traditional advertising methods. Backed by fresh research from Rembrand and Kantar, this episode uncovers eye-opening results—think dramatic lifts in brand awareness, recall, and purchase intent when brands show up inside the content people love. Discover why consumers are gravitating toward seamless, in-scene brand integrations and how this approach is rewriting the rules of engagement. Tune into this episode and join Nicole Jones, Kantar's Chief Media Commercial Officer, and Rembrand’s Chief Marketing Officer, Cory Treffiletti, as they dive into what’s working, what’s next, and how marketers can harness the power of authenticity and innovation to stand out in a crowded media landscape. Expect actionable takeaways, bold predictions, and a front-row seat to the future of advertising. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.