

Future Proof
Kantar & Saïd Business School, Oxford University
Future Proof is the marketing podcast from Said Business School, Oxford University, and Kantar, the world’s leading marketing data and analytics company. In each episode, we’ll have a frank discussion with an expert, to help brands and business leaders navigate the changing landscape of marketing… and hopefully dispel some myths and misconceptions along the way. Looking at big industry question through both a market research and an academic lens, we can help prepare marketers for the future (with proof). All episodes and more info at https://www.kantar.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 8, 2025 • 27min
Reimagining Wellness: Creativity, AI and Trust in Health
In this episode, Jane Ostler speaks with Claudia Calori, Vice President of Global Marketing for Personal Health at Philips, about the shifting paradigm of health and wellness. Claudia shares how health has evolved from being seen as a problem to becoming a space for discovery and self-care, especially among younger generations. She discusses how Philips is inspiring a higher standard of care through creativity rooted in innovation, and how sustainability is central to their marketing strategy.The conversation explores how consumer insights shape product development, and how AI is enhancing personalised self-care experiences. Claudia also reflects on the rapidly evolving future of health technology, the importance of meaningful innovation for brand growth, and how caring technology can help restore trust in the industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 1, 2025 • 26min
Meta: How AI is transforming advertising
Advertising across the Meta portfolio is changing thanks to AI. In this edition of Future Proof, Jane Ostler, EVP, Global Solutions Marketing and Thought Leadership at Kantar, talks to Derya Matras, Vice President of EMEA Global Business Group at Meta, about how the company has been evolving its advertiser tools and how AI is giving advertisers greater control over the ways in which they can invest. Derya also shares the details of her career journey, from management consulting to leading Meta's operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and explains why execution is everything in tech. Meta’s approach of ‘launch first, optimise later’ makes sense as the best pathway to perfection, she says. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 24, 2025 • 25min
From Pause to Play: Mapping Amazon Ads Canvas
Join Chris Mullins, Head of Measurement Product Marketing at Amazon Ads, as he shares insights from his 17-year journey in advertising. He explains how Amazon's native ad experiences across platforms drive consumer preference. Discover the innovative AI pause ads that enhance engagement and the integrated approach of creative and media strategies. Chris delves into the importance of measuring cross-channel impact with Amazon Marketing Cloud and offers marketers valuable tips on testing and balancing performance with brand building.

Sep 17, 2025 • 41min
Beyond the Funnel: Reimagining B2B Marketing
With the global B2B market projected to reach nearly $29 trillion in 2025, digital-first buyers are demanding more personalized, authentic, and human experiences. At the heart of this evolution are creators—marketers, thought leaders, and employees—who are building trust and community in ways traditional brand marketing can’t.In this episode, Nicole Jones is joined by two powerhouse voices from LinkedIn’s B2B Institute, Ty Heath, Director and Founder of the practice, and Caroline Day, Global Director. Together, they unpack:The evolution of B2B marketing and storytellingThe unique role and value of B2B creatorsHow LinkedIn is empowering brands to leverage creator influenceThe intersection of AI, neuroscience, and employee advocacy in modern marketingWhether you're a marketer, brand leader, or aspiring creator, this episode is packed with insights on how to future-proof your strategy—and your skillset—for the next era of B2B. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 10, 2025 • 15min
How does Reckitt harness AI to drive transformation?
In this episode, Jane Ostler interviews Bastien Parizot, SVP of IT and Digital Marketing and Transformation at Reckitt. They discuss the transformative role of AI in marketing, the launch of Reckitt Catalyst, a program aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in health and hygiene, and the importance of creativity tied to purpose. Bastien shares insights on how Gen AI is being utilized to enhance marketing efficiency, the significance of data quality, and the future landscape of marketing where human touch remains vital despite advancements in AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 5, 2025 • 27min
From Rides to Reach: Mobility Media Unlocked
Matt Trandall, Head of West at Lyft Media, shares his insights on transforming life on the road into engaging advertising experiences. He discusses Lyft's shift from rideshare to a mobility media powerhouse, blending data with creativity. The conversation covers the power of personalized, omni-channel campaigns and collaborations, such as those with Paramount for Sonic 3. Trandall also touches on the challenges and innovations in responsible data use, AI technologies, and the future of autonomous advertising, offering a peek into what's next for Lyft Media.

Jul 30, 2025 • 39min
Signals of Impact: Rethinking Creative, Measurement, and Gen Z
With almost 70% of global advertising dollars now being spent on digital channels, maximizing marketing impact in digital environments is critical – especially with Gen-Z's growing influence. According to Kantar normative data, creative quality is the single biggest driver of growth in brand impact, driving 49% of brand impact across ad campaigns. At the same time, research highlights a persistent gap in marketers’ confidence around how to create measurably effective campaigns. And adding to that marketer challenge, creative signaling is changing. In this special edition of Future Proof, Jeff Herrmann Kantar’s guest host and Global Client Director, is joined by guests, Crystal Worthem, Global Director of Audience Marketing, Meta and Sapphire Yi-Dyer, Vice President of Customer Ecosystem, CreativeX. Listen in to better understand how to create effective digital creative, the role of AI in driving creative quality, and the Gen-Z effect on creative signaling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 23, 2025 • 26min
Innovating with creative consistency: Diageo’s design discipline for lasting brand impact
What does it take to build a brand that stays fresh without losing its identity? In this episode, Dr Nicki Morley, Global Innovation Lead at Kantar is joined by Jeremy Lindley, Global Design Director at Diageo to explore how Diageo balances consistency and flexibility to create iconic, recognisable brand experiences across every touchpoint, from packaging to pubs. They unpack the discipline behind creative consistency, the bravery to stay the course, and how design drives both distinctiveness and business growth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 16, 2025 • 15min
Why being Daring with Dairy matters to Arla
In this episode, Natalie Botha, Global Creative and Comms Lead at Arla, talks about her role in supporting marketers to be creative and how it plays a crucial role in brand growth. She talks about their Cannes Lions award-winning campaign, highlights the rapid advancements in AI and the role it plays in assisting marketers, and the need for brands to embrace innovative strategies. The conversation also touches on the need for the C-suite to foster creativity in a business, to find new space through product innovation and communication. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 9, 2025 • 29min
The Future of Advertising in a Retail-Driven AI World
From the rise of agentic AI and retail media networks to the evolving role of conversational commerce, the retail ecosystem has transformed in the last few years, opening new opportunities for brand marketers. In this special edition of Future Proof, Wayne Levings, Kantar’s Global Chief Client Officer sits down with Keith Mercier, Vice President of the Worldwide Retail and Consumer Goods Industry at Microsoft. Microsoft is helping brands and retailers stay resilient, agile, and future-ready, all with the help of AI. Whether you're a CMO, brand strategist, or just curious about the future of retail, this episode is packed with insights on how to lead through change and build what’s next. Listen to get the down low on whether every retailer is becoming a media company and how AI copilots are transforming shopper engagement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.