Mintel Little Conversation

Latest Episodes:

Episode 16: Digital detox: What's all the fuss about? Sep 24, 2019

Show notes

If 'comparison is the thief of joy', social media provides fertile ground for the crime. The addictive nature of social media platforms, combined with 24/7 access to people's (seemingly) perfect lives, creates a perfect storm of self-doubt, anxiety, FOMO and loneliness. From Instagram's trial of removing likes, to Pinterest suggesting wellbeing exercises, social media brands are starting to look after their community. At the same time, the concept of digital detox has emerged as a way for consumers to take a break from their smartphones. In this episode, we discuss if this presents a threat to social media and tech companies and why different generations may be more or less likely to digital detox.

Host: Dana Macke (Associate Director, US Lifestyles & Leisure Reports)

Guest: Diana Kelter (Senior Trend Analyst, Americas)

Sara Nettesheim (Social Media Analyst, US)

Helen Fricker (Trends Manager, EMEA)

Episode 15: Senior scenarios: What ageing might look like in 2030 Sep 17, 2019

Show notes

Seniors want to be active, independent and live in their homes for as long as possible. However, household chores present a major challenge, especially to those living alone and without help. As the demographic imbalance of fewer younger people and the lack of elder care professionals creates a void, the emergence of home automation and household robots present an opportunity for brands. Here, Mintel experts discuss three fascinating scenarios about ageing in 2030 and how a tool like scenario planning can help marketers envision the future.

Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer)

Guest: Jamie Rosenberg (Senior Global Analyst)

Richard Hopping (Senior Brand and Household Analyst, UK)

Behice Ilhan (Senior Trend Strategist)

Episode 14: Generation sober: Why Gen Z is breaking up with alcohol Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

They hate hangovers; they'd rather hit the gym than go to the pub; they choose quality over quantity. Sometimes they drink alcohol; sometimes they don't. Ladies and gentlemen, meet 'the sober generation'. In 2019, being healthy is cool and underage drinking has hit its lowest point ever in the US. In this episode, Mintel experts discuss what's behind Gen Z's sober attitudes toward alcohol and identify unexplored ways for beverage brands and bars to convince young people to leave Netflix at home and go out for a drink.

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food & Drink Analyst)

Guest: Jonny Forsyth (Associate Director, Mintel Food & Drink)

Caleb Bryant (Senior Beverage Analyst, US)

Laura Bru (Innovation and Insights Manager)

Episode 13: Battle of the foodies: What's the next untapped cuisine? Sep 02, 2019

Show notes

Disclaimer: This episode will make you hungry! Today on Little Conversation, Mintel food analysts from the US, UK and Brazil discuss cuisines that are currently unexplored in their regions and determine what's set to take off next! Will it be Korea's sweet and spicy, gut-friendly flavours? The diverse and nuanced flavour of the Caribbean islands? Or will regional Indian cuisine be crowned as the next big thing?

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food & Drink Analyst)

Guest: Melanie Zanoza Bartelme (Global Food Analyst, US),

Ana Paula Gilsogamo (Food & Drink Analyst, Brazil),

Ayisha Koyenikan (Global Food & Drink Analyst, UK)

Episode 12: Predicting the future of (fake) news Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

TV may still be the main news provider for consumers across the world, but issues of trust and credibility are undermining the institutional role of traditional media outlets. As cynical and critical audiences increasingly question the medis, what does the future of news look like? Are subscription-based models the answer to fake news? Can readers' loyalty save struggling media outlets? And how can news platforms gain younger consumers?

Host: Dana Macke (Associate Director of US Lifestyles & Leisure Reports),

Guest: Rebecca McGrath (Senior Media Analyst, UK),

John Poelking (Leisure & Media Analyst, US),

Scott Stewart (Senior Technology and Media Analyst, Canada)

Episode 11: Veganism: the good, the bad and the ugly Aug 19, 2019

Show notes

Veganism has taken the world by storm. We've watched the trend explode in front of our eyes and don't expect it to end anytime soon. In this episode, Mintel experts discuss how veganism has changed the rules across food, beauty and fashion. They address the good, the bad and the questionable issues around this complex topic: Does vegan equal healthy? How do we deal with the environmental impact of animal-free products? Can vegan claims be trusted? Which brands are getting it right?

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food & Drink Analyst)

Guest: Sarah Jindal (Senior Global Analyst, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care)

Samantha Dover (Senior Retail Analyst)

Episode 10: #FollowMe: The unstoppable rise of influencers Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

From the clothes we buy to the politicians we vote for, our opinions, decisions and tastes are constantly being influenced. With the help of social media, people have made a career from their ability to set trends and inspire action, a power that was once only reserved for celebrities and the elite. But who are these 'influencers' and do people still trust them?

Host: Edward Bergen (Global Food & Drink Analyst)

Guest: Simon Moriarty (EMEA Director of Mintel Trends), Jack Duckett (Associate Director, Consumer Lifestyles Research)

Production/ Sound Engineer: Alex Diaz - th3cult.co.uk

(Recorded in early 2019)

Episode 9: Defining 'clean': Why is clean living so popular? Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, we look at the 'clean' movement in Beauty, Food & Drink and Household. Clean living is about what you put in and on your body. Interest in natural ingredients is based on the idea that for something to be healthy, it needs to be simple, unprocessed and as close to the real thing as possible. This is not a fad and clean formulations will continue to grow across categories. But given an absence of official regulations, how should brands talk to their customers about the clean movement?

Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer)

Guest: Jamie Rosenberg (Global Household & Personal Care Analyst), Alison Gaither (Beauty & Personal Care Analyst), Hannah Spencer (Foodservice Analyst)

Episode 8: Work-life balance: A pipe dream for Millennials? Jul 30, 2019

Show notes

While finding a healthy work-life balance often looks like an impossible feat, it seems to be even harder for Millennials. This is the 'work hard, play hard' generation that can do it all: get promoted, party, travel, meditate, socialise, work out, raise children - all while working afterhours and checking their email on evenings, weekends and holidays! And with social media adding an extra layer of pressure to look like they are 'living their best life', the question arises: at what cost?

Host: Dana Macke (Associate Director of US Lifestyles & Leisure Reports)

Guest: Carol Wong-Li (Associate Director of Canada Lifestyles & Leisure Reports)

Jack Duckett (Associate Director of UK Consumer Lifestyles Research)

Kristen Boesel (Senior US Lifestyles & Leisure Analyst)

Episode 7: Navigating Facebook advertising in 2019 Jul 22, 2019

Show notes

It may be losing its grip on young people, but Facebook remains, by far, the most influencial social media platform on the planet. In 2018, US companies allocated around 22% of their advertising budgets on Facebook. Despite scandals, fines and controversies, the business is thriving. But how is the tech giant going to shape its future? In this episode, we discuss how the recent debate around discriminatory ads has shed new light on privacy issues, with the positive result of the advertising industry pushing for better regulation. So, how can advertisers strike a balance between privacy and personalisation?

Host: Andrew Davidson (SVP/Chief Insights Officer)

Guests: Laura Ziemer (Director of Insights, Digital Media)

Jeannette Ornelas (Senior Digital Marketing Analyst)

Rebecca McGrath (Senior Media Analyst)

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