Episodes

Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Becoming a brand your consumers trust: The DTC Model
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Major brands, including Apple, Mercedes, Amazon, and BMW, all use the direct-to-consumer (DTC) model to go straight to their customers for a branded experience. In this episode, experts from GeekSpeak Commerce and GfK Etilize give us a rich insight into why DTC is successful. In addition, they cover best practices and provide examples of how traditional brands utilize DTC. Tune in for all of the do's, don'ts, and small details you need to succeed.
Guest:
- Lloyd Wood, Enterprise Sales and Marketing Manager, GfK Etilize
- Isaac Wanzama, Founder and Chief Strategist, GeekSpeak Commerce
Resources: Leveraging the direct-to-consumer playbook
More on this episode:
- Get more details about this episode at www.gfk.com/en-us/thinking-ahead
- Contact the Thinking Ahead Podcast at marketing@gfk.com

Friday Oct 29, 2021
Constellation Brands and BeenThereDoneThat talk DTC strategies
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Friday Oct 29, 2021
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) products wrote the playbook for developing and leveraging these closer relationships – bypassing traditional retail outlets and creating a seamless conversation with consumers. In this episode, we hear from Constellation Brands and BeenThereDoneThat about how US shoppers feel about DTC products and services.
Guest:
- Anim Haroon, Manager, DTC Growth Strategy, Constellation Brands
- Tara Nolan, Chief Global Growth Officer, BeenThereDoneThat
- Joe Beier, VP, Consumer Insights, GfK North America
Resources: Leveraging the direct-to-consumer playbook
More on this episode:
- Get more details about this episode at www.gfk.com/en-us/thinking-ahead
- Contact the Thinking Ahead Podcast at marketing@gfk.com

Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
The closing gap between the virtual world and reality
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
On average, people spend 100 days online in a year. With constant connectivity at the palm of our hands and the roll-out of 5G and VR advancements, online behavior is beginning to blur with real-world engagement. In this episode, trends expert Eric Wagatha explains how we got to today, what consumers want, and how brands should strategically integrate new technologies into their business plans.
Guest: Eric Wagatha, Head of GfK Consumer Life
Resources: How brands can embrace the phygital reality trend
More on this episode:
- Get more details about this episode at www.gfk.com/en-us/thinking-ahead
- Contact the Thinking Ahead Podcast at marketing@gfk.com

Thursday Oct 07, 2021
The ROI of actionable insights
Thursday Oct 07, 2021
Thursday Oct 07, 2021
A panel of global experts discusses dynamic new approaches to data and intelligent automation, and how they empower your business to make better decisions, faster. Our industry experts discussed the data, knowledge, and technology that delivers relevant, actionable insights from data that drive sustained growth and build healthier customer relationships.
Guests:
- Christine Foster, CCO, The Alan Turing Institute
- Christoph Aure-Welsbach, Co-founder and Co-CEO, Kaizo
- Antony Cousins, CEO, Factmata
- Franziska Divis, Director, Go-to-market, Microsoft
- Warren Saunders, President, Global Sales, GfK
Resources:
More on this episode:
- Get more details about this episode at www.gfk.com/en-us/thinking-ahead
- Contact the Thinking Ahead Podcast at marketing@gfk.com

Wednesday Sep 15, 2021
How to increase your eCommerce traffic (a checklist)
Wednesday Sep 15, 2021
Wednesday Sep 15, 2021
In the past few years, eCommerce listings have become the main window for shoppers, making digital product content a crucial part of the buying process. So how can brands become masters of this newly demanding digital content space? In this episode, eCommerce expert Lloyd Wood goes through the "must-haves" and "have-to-haves" to get the consumers' eyes -and wallets- on you.
Guests: Lloyd Wood, Enterprise Sales and Marketing Manager, GfK Etilize
Resources:
More on this episode:
- Get more details about this episode at www.gfk.com/en-us/thinking-ahead
- Contact the Thinking Ahead Podcast at marketing@gfk.com

Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
A look at the top Latin America economies and their consumers
Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
Wednesday Sep 01, 2021
Latin America is often overlooked compared to other regions when it comes to global media coverage. Still, the reality is that it's a large and vibrant region offering an abundance of opportunities for marketers. In this episode, demographics and lifestyles expert Diane Crispell explains the value of LATAM consumers- and how you can grab their attention.
Guests: Diane Crispell, Senior Consultant, GfK Consumer Life
Resources:
More on this episode:
- Get more details about this episode at www.gfk.com/en-us/thinking-ahead
- Contact the Thinking Ahead Podcast at marketing@gfk.com

Thursday Aug 26, 2021
Thursday Aug 26, 2021
Defining and aligning with their ideological “tribes” is a growing priority for Americans – and this polarization is driving more and more brand relationships. In this episode, we take a look at how consumers’ ideologies affect their choices in brands -- and their opinions about each other. Tune in to hear how Americans are most polarized, how we align – and, ultimately, the role of brands in customers’ beliefs and decisions.
Guests: Rachel Bonsignore, VP, and consultant, GfK Consumer Life
Resources:
- Whitepaper: Divided we stand: Decoding the citizen shopper
More on this episode:
- Get more details about this episode at www.gfk.com/en-us/thinking-ahead
- Contact the Thinking Ahead Podcast at marketing@gfk.com

Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
How can brands embrace sustainability in meaningful and believable ways?
Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
4 in 10 Americans said the pandemic has made them more likely to take an active part in environmental causes. Question is, where do brands fit in? In this episode, industry experts from Clorox, Goodyear, and Loftex share how sustainability plays a part in their businesses -- from internal processes to their products on the shelves – and offer advice on putting a long-term environmental commitment into action.
Guests:
- Karen Chen, Director, Research & Insights, Clorox
- Christian Thompson, Director of Insights and Category Management, Goodyear
- Charles Gaenslen, CEO, Loftex
Resources:
- Guidebook: Brands navigating through sustainability
- Video: Rethinking Sustainability: Defining new strategies for brands
More on this episode:
- Get more details about this episode at www.gfk.com/en-us/thinking-ahead
- Contact the Thinking Ahead Podcast at marketing@gfk.com

Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
The future of cookies: The impact on online marketing and consumers
Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
Wednesday Aug 11, 2021
In January 2020, Google announced it would begin to phase out third-party cookies by the year 2022. One year away from the official “death to the cookie,” many digital marketers are looking for new innovations that will replace them. With endless information, the reality is- not everyone understands the true impact this has on brands and consumers alike. How can you prepare? Tune in to find out.
Guest: Rolfe Swinton, Director, Data Assets, GfK North America
Resources:
More on this episode:
- Get more details about this episode at www.gfk.com/en-us/thinking-ahead
- Contact the Thinking Ahead Podcast at marketing@gfk.com

Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Deliver a fresh, compelling shopper experience in 2021
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
Wednesday Aug 04, 2021
The challenges of the past year have inspired new and innovative ways for brands and retailers to connect with their customers. In this episode, Joe Beier joins us to share results from the FutureBuy® 2021 study, covering evolving behaviors & attitudes of shoppers all over the world. From click-and-collect to social media shopping, the retail landscape has never been more exciting – and complex. Is your brand ready for the 'new' shopping experience?
Guest: Joe Beier, EVP, Consulting, Consumer Insights, GfK North America
Resources:
- Video: Winning with today’s super-savvy shopper
- Sample Report: A window into tomorrow's shoppers
More on this episode:
- Get more details about this episode at www.gfk.com/en-us/thinking-ahead
- Contact the Thinking Ahead Podcast at marketing@gfk.com