Mintel Little Conversation

In today's episode, host Elysha Yong welcomes consumer lifestyle and marketing strategy experts to discuss astrology. It's has been around since the 3rd millennium BC as a way to explain human behaviour (or so some believe). Today, it's experiencing a resurgence—driven by social media—that began with Millennials and has now exploded with Gen Z. The experts explain why the sudden interest from a consumer perspective, discussing themes like spirituality, the collective, self-expression, decision paralysis and regaining control. Curious to understand how and why brands are getting involved, who's doing it well and where the opportunity exists? Listen now to find out what marketers should know before weaving the zodiac into their next brand campaign.

Download Mintel's 2022 Global Consumer Trends for free at mintel.com/global-consumer-trends or watch the video at youtube.com/watch?v=jIePecKGhvw.

Learn more about Mintel Trends at mintel.com/mintel-trends.

Get the latest insights, thinking and perspectives on consumers at mintel.com/blog.

Host: Elysha Young, Trends Manager, APAC.

Guests: Huiqi Ong, Consumer Lifestyle Analyst, Mintel Reports.

Diana Kelter, Associate Director, Mintel Trends, North America.

Nicole Bond, Associate Director, Marketing Strategy, Mintel Comperemedia.

In today's episode, host Andrew Davidson is joined by category and consumer trend experts to discuss the metaverse—the concept of a virtual, 3-D, interactive world that has so many of us intrigued. They filter through the hype, break down what it means for consumers, and discuss how brands should think about the metaverse in the medium and long term, including recommendations for how to incorporate the trend into brand innovation and marketing strategy. From its origin and barriers to entry to the value it offers consumers and brands to watch, let's talk about the metaverse. Listen now!

For more industry-specific explorations of the metaverse, visit the Mintel Blog (mintel.com/blog) and head to the Mintel Store (store.mintel.com/industries/technology-telecoms) to buy a report.

Find out how shifts in consumer behaviour will impact markets and brands now, in the next few years and into the future by downloading the Mintel 2022 Global Consumer Trends (mintel.com/global-consumer-trends) for free.

Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia.

Guests: Joey Khong, Analyst, Mintel Trends, Southeast Asia.

Thomas Slide, Director, Mintel Reports UK.

Fiona O'Donnell, Senior Director, Mintel Reports US.

In today's episode, host Elysha Young shines a spotlight on the science and art of consumer trend forecasting. She is joined by global consumer trend experts to discuss how trends are defined, how companies like Mintel identify new trends and the value of understanding consumer trends. There are a few ways to define a trend - changing collective attitudes, the fluid, forward movement of a landscape, any significant shift in behaviour - but no matter how you describe it, the experts are clear on three things: fads and trends are not the same; the evolution and trajectory of a trend are dependent on demographics; and knowing about consumer trends is critically important for calculating potential competitive, disruptive implications. Find out why by listening now.

Learn more about Mintel Trends at mintel.com/mintel-trends.

Download Mintel's 2022 Global Consumer Trends for free at mintel.com/global-consumer-trends.

Get the latest insights, thinking and perspectives on consumers at mintel.com/blog.

Host: Elysha Young, Trends Manager, APAC.

Guests: Dana Macke, Director of Mintel Trends, Americas.

Simon Moriarty, Director of Mintel Trends, EMEA.

Matthew Crabbe, Director of Mintel Trends, APAC.

In today's episode, host Andrew Davidson and Toby Clark, Director of EMEA Research at Mintel, discuss the impact of inflation on consumers in Europe and North America, specifically the cost of living, how it will shape consumer behaviour in the coming months, and the overall impact on brands. Hear from Mintel category and consumer experts on how inflation is affecting the retail, beauty and personal care, travel, food and drink, and financial services industries worldwide; the parallels that can be drawn between today and the Global Financial Crisis (2008) with regard to wages and economic growth; and the differences between consumer groups. Brand loyalty, savvy shopping behaviours, perceptions of value and transparency, and conscious consumerism are all being tested. What brands are agile enough to make it through? Listen now to find out.

To learn more about Mintel research on the impact of inflation including strategies for brands to help consumers deal with inflation (mintel.com/blog/consumer-market-news/5-key-strategies-for-brands-to-help-consumers-deal-with-inflation) and the cost of living crisis (mintel.com/blog/consumer-market-news/cost-of-living-crisis-3-strategies-for-brands-to-help-consumers-deal-with-the-squeeze-on-incomes), check out the Mintel Blog.

Mintel research on UK (store.mintel.com/report/b2b-economic-outlook-uk-winter-2021) and US (store.mintel.com/report/consumers-and-the-economic-outlook-us-winter-2022) consumers and the economic outlooks are available for purchase in the Mintel Store.

Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia.

Guests: Toby Clark, Director of EMEA Research, Mintel.

Diana Smith, Associate Director, Retail and eCommerce, Mintel Reports US.

Roshida Khanom, Category Director, Mintel Beauty and Personal Care.

Marloes de Vries, Associate Director, Travel, Mintel Reports UK.

Kiti Soininen, Category Director, Food and Drink, Mintel Reports UK.

In today's episode—the official start to Season 4 of Mintel Little Conversation—host Andrew Davidson, Bruce Biegel, Senior Managing Partner at Winterberry Group, and Lierin Ehmke, Insights Manager, Mintel Comperemedia Omni, discuss the marketing and advertising outlook for 2022. In addition to tackling where the industry is headed, what marketers need to pay attention to and what the overall brand implications are, the trio also debates channel spend and the shifting consumer relationship with various marketing channels in the year ahead. Does your TikTok strategy need a second look? How about video? Are you sleeping on out-of-home? Listen now for the full 2022 forecast.

Learn more about Bruce Biegel and Winterberry Group at winterberrygroup.com. Download Comperemedia's 2022 Omnichannel Marketing Trends for free at welcome.comperemedia.com/omnichannel-marketing-trends/. Get the latest insights, thinking and perspectives on consumers at mintel.com/blog and competitive marketing intelligence at welcome.comperemedia.com/blog/.

Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia.

Guests: Bruce Biegel, Senior Managing Partner, Winterberry Group.

Lierin Ehmke, Insights Manager, Mintel Comperemedia Omni.

In today's pre-season special, host Andrew Davidson and Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny discuss the societal shift that's occurring as consumers shop more consciously and things like the environment and ethics play an increasingly important role in consumer behaviour. Cherny has worked for decades to make the financial system more sustainable and fair; with Aspiration, he offers an 'eco-friendly alternative to the big banks' telling consumers to 'leave your bank, save the planet'. Hear Andrei's take on why consumers are caring more, why brands struggle with consumer trust, the sustainability-as-a-service model, and what he says to those who question the impact of planting trees as a credit card reward. In the second half of the episode, Andrew speaks with Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant at Mintel and author of the Mintel Sustainability Barometer, to get his expert opinion on sustainability-as-a-service. Why is eco-banking sexy? What's different now compared to companies that have attempted this in the past? What role does marketing play—specifically, the celebrity influencer? And are consumers ready to buy in? Listen now to find out.

Learn more about Aspiration at aspiration.com. Download the free Mintel Sustainability Barometer at mintel.com/consumer-sustainability-barometer. Learn more about the financial services industry and buy a report today at store.mintel.com/industries/financial-services. Get the latest insights, thinking and perspectives on what consumers want and why at mintel.com/blog.

Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia.

Guests: Andrei Cherny, Aspiration CEO.

Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant, Mintel.

As 2021 comes to a close, so too does season 3 of Mintel Little Conversation. In today's season finale episode, the Little Conversation hosts chat about the most fascinating topics from the year and share their picks for what's set to make an impact in 2022. From 'buy now pay later' and climate change to diversity, inclusion and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), hear what these consumer, brand and marketing experts have to say about the year that was, how consumer behaviour will shift in the months ahead and what brands and marketers should be doing to prepare. And for a bit of fun to end the season, join the hosts for a quiz at the end of the episode to test your knowledge of global consumer behaviour. Listen now!

Host: Andrew McDougall, Associate Director, Global Beauty and Personal Care.

Guests: Elysha Young, Trends Manager, APAC.

Samantha Dover, Global Beauty Analyst, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care.

Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia.

In today's episode, host Sam Dover welcomes Jo-Anne Chidley, Founder of sustainable beauty brand Beauty Kitchen, and Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant at Mintel and author of the 2021 Mintel Sustainability Barometer, to discuss how recent shifts in consumers' sustainability beliefs, behaviours and purchases are impacting brands. Following COP26 - the United Nations climate change conference that came to a close in mid-November - is consumer awareness and education on the rise? What are the implications for brands both inside and outside the sustainability space? Will consumers and brands ever be totally aligned on sustainability? The experts tackle these questions and more, make the case for sustainability as an innovation driver, and offer advice for brands questioning the value of sustainability. Listen now to learn more and check out episode 74 for a discussion about making better sustainability-driven business decisions.

Host: Samantha Dover, Global Beauty Analyst, Mintel Beauty & Personal Care

Guests: Jo-Anne Chidley, Founder of Beauty Kitchen.

Richard Cope, Senior Trends Consultant, Mintel Consulting.

In today's episode, host Elysha Young is joined by retail and marketing experts from the US, Europe and China to discuss the rise of social commerce - what it is, the role of influencers and micro-influencers, how it's disrupting traditional e-commerce, and how technology gives certain markets the advantage. There are critical factors driving consumer engagement and proven tactics delivering success for major social commerce players. But how will those change as brands become less social and social media brands become more commerce-centred? Looking ahead, will social platforms help new businesses and startups grow in the social commerce market and, potentially, democratise the industry? The experts offer their advice for brands considering leveraging a social commerce strategy. Listen now!

Host: Elysha Young, Trends Manager, APAC.

Guests: Lierin Ehmke, Insights Manager, Mintel Comperemedia Omni.

Nick Carroll, Associate Director, European Retail Research.

Samuel Yi, Category Director, Retail, Tech and Media, Mintel Reports China.

In this episode of Mintel Little Conversation, host Andrew Davidson is joined by thought leaders across the telecom and media, insurance and omnichannel marketing industries to discuss Mintel Comperemedia's 2021 trend predictions - what the experts got right or wrong and key lessons for marketers as we emerge from the pandemic. Some industries weathered the storm of 2020 by rising to the occasion, but 2021 meant bracing for resets as consumers settled into their 'next normal'. Others had to double-down on innovation to find success - from multi-dimensional engagement to unexpected collaborations and blurred product offers. In 2021, we saw increased marketing spend in certain channels, a shift in messaging tone to be more 'helpful' and campaigns that focused on credibility, localism, brand awareness and a consumer-first perspective. What were the pressing issues and hot topics for marketers in 2021? How did brands step up and step ahead of the competition? What do marketers need to know with regard to offline experiences, blurring marketing and entertainment, and empowerment when planning their 2022 strategies? Listen now to find out!

Host: Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Mintel Comperemedia.

Guests: Emily Groch, Director of Insights, Telecom, Mintel Comperemedia.

Lierin Ehmke, Omni Insights Manager, Mintel Comperemedia.

Nicole Bond, Senior Research Analyst, Mintel Comperemedia.