Dig In

Joel Anderson, EVP and AI expert, discusses the definition and potential of AI, its applications in market research, idea generation and natural language processing. He also shares insights on the future of AI and ethical questions it raises.

“Remember, our respondents are human.” Anne Brown founded Gazelle Global in the early 90s, focusing on research operations. Today she leads an entirely remote-first team, all based in the US, to help the research community connect with people all over the world. In today’s episode, Anne discusses why you shouldn’t look for a bargain basement solution, the importance of understanding what’s feasible from a research perspective, why respondents are not a renewable resource, and the importance of mentorship and collaboration for entrepreneurs. Tune in to learn: • Mistakes people make with research operations • How to mitigate against respondent fatigue • Advice for women entrepreneurs (and how valuable WIRe is for those in research) Thanks to Anne for sitting down with us. Plus, don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications wherever you get your podcasts.--------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, our Senior Marketing Director on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite

Mike Stevens, Founder and Editor of Insights Platforms, discusses the need to blend self-service with human expertise, choosing the right research platform, what a good agency partnership looks like, the challenge of future-proofing, and emerging trends in the research space.

“Don't think way too big. Just start small.”This week’s guest started her career as a nurse before transitioning to full-time entrepreneur. Alice Benedetto is the founder of Raw Rev, a plant-based protein bar company that strives to make a difference for consumers and the planet, one bar at a time.In this episode, Alice discusses her journey into healthy eating and transitioning from nurse to entrepreneur, how she approaches choosing new flavors, and why it’s important to keep asking questions.Tune in to learn more about:• How she validated the concept and decided to scale the business• Raw Rev’s approach to product innovation• Setting up distribution• Alice’s advice for upcoming/new entrepreneursThanks a ton to Alice for taking the time to speak with us this week. --------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, our Senior Marketing Director on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite

This week's guest is an astute observer of life and a master storyteller who brings empathy and compassion to the human experience. Rob Volpe is CEO of Ignite 360, an empathy activist, and author of Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time.We were lucky enough to experience one of Rob's workplace empathy sessions and couldn't resist an opportunity to see if he'd share some of those teachings on the podcast.Tune in to learn:What exactly is an empathy activistHow to practice empathyWhy it's important to practice empathy at work and in your workThe importance of being an empathetic leaderSome good examples (and some that miss the mark) of empathy in marketingThanks so much to Rob for speaking to us about empathy. Hopefully, you'll join the empathy activist journey along with us. You don't want to miss this conversation - especially the part when we get into how Ted Lasso is the best example of a leader practicing empathy.--------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, our Senior Marketing Director on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite

Wild Orchard is a regenerative tea company focused on elevating flavor, bettering your health, and doing something to improve the climate. Since establishing the Wild Orchard brand in 2019, Wild Orchard has won 10 medals at prestigious international tea competitions.In today’s episode, Michael D. Ham, Co-founder and President of Wild Orchard, sits down with Meagan to discuss how working in tech helped him in the CPG space and how Wild Orchard is attempting to redefine the competitive tea industry. Plus, he shares the story of getting their teas featured in the best restaurant in the world, Noma.Tune in to learn:Why having experience in multiple industries is an advantageHow to partner with nonprofits to educate people on incorporating better nutritional options into their daily routineThe balancing act of making high-end products more accessibleInnovative ways to upcycle your productThanks to Michael for chatting with us. Michael wanted to give a special shout-out to Jake Karls at Mid-Day Squares and Alec Jaffe at Alec’s Ice Cream. They are top people and brands in the regenerative food industry and are great resources if you need additional inspiration for starting your regenerative CPG brand.--------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, our Senior Marketing Director on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite

“Business can be a force of positive change.” Today’s guest, Cattie Khoury, is the founder of Toodaloo, an adaptogenic trail mix focused on healing the body and planet with every bite. In this episode, Cattie talks about how she fell in love with the healing properties of plant-based nutrition on the body and the planet, why it’s important to talk about being a female-led founder, and her journey into CPG. Tune in to learn more about: • Working with the right agency to perfect your new brand’s image and packaging • The healing modality of regenerative agriculture • How you can make your dreams for a better world a reality through entrepreneurship Thanks to Cattie for this fun and fantastic chat. Toodaloo's branding is amazing, so please do yourself a favor and check out Toodaloo’s website to get inspired for your brand.--------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, our Senior Marketing Director on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite

In his 15 years of work experience, Fernando Arendar has put his hands on almost every category there is. But throughout his time working with brands Unilever, Pepsi and Clorox, he’s carried a strong passion for branding and packaging design. In this episode: Fernando debunks top packaging myths using his research and experience in the field The main reason why Fernando loves the US market and consumers Looking at design from a scientific lens: unpacking neuropackaing Examples of brands that do great packaging If you’re someone who loves learning about branding or packaging in the CMG/FMCG space, this episode is for you.

What happens when you combine an entrepreneurial spirit with nostalgia, accounting, community building, cryptocurrency/NFTs, plant-based diets, and a self-proclaimed naiveté and curiosity?Hank Hummii and the Hummiiverse.Tyler Phillips, founder of Hummii Snacks, joins Dig In this week to discuss blending nostalgia with new marketing tactics, his transition from accounting to becoming a founder of a plant-based CPG, and how his brand lives through storytelling and the Hummiiverse characters.Tune in to learn: • Why naiveté can be beneficial for starting a company • Tyler’s exploration of crypto and NFTs and how NFTs might work for the Hummiiverse and other CPG brands • The importance of building a community around your brand • When it’s ok to bend or break some of your company rules • About creating an entire snack universeThanks to Tyler for sharing his story and teaching a few newbies about NFTs’ possibilities within the CPG space. We look forward to seeing where Tyler takes the Hummiiverse.--------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, our Senior Marketing Director on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite

Today’s guest, Lisa Virgini, has more than 15 years of experience in consumer insights, strategy, and senior brand marketing at places like Coca-Cola, Ipsos, and Mondelēz. And soon, she is stepping out on her own.Lisa talked with Meagan about the power of leveraging experts, why there is no turnkey solution, and her journey into starting her own consultancy.Tune in to learn:• What makes a great generalist• Why business acumen makes you a high-quality asset• How connecting the dots can lead to understanding the whitespace in the market and truly enable you to find the “So what?”Thanks again to Lisa for taking the time to speak with us for this episode. We wish her all the luck as she ventures into her new journey.--------------Subscribe to our podcast on your favourite platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platformsHave ideas for our next episodes? Connect with Meagan, our Senior Marketing Director on LinkedIn.Enjoying our podcast? Leave us a review!Connect with us here:LinkedInWebsite