This podcast mini-series is brought to you by Smith Hanley & Associates, connecting businesses worldwide through specialized recruitment solutions.

What makes a market research company truly stand out in 2025?

On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney delivers Part 2 of our Quirks Chicago Conference Flyover as she catches up with industry leaders about the evolving landscape of market research. This collection of candid conversations captures the pulse of the industry through unfiltered discussions with executives who are navigating the balance between technology and human connection.

They discuss how specialized recruitment panels are transforming agricultural and veterinary research, why community building is more effective than traditional panel development, and how behavioral data is becoming essential for accurate insights. From the merging of strategic partners and the development of AI-powered DIY tools to the critical importance of understanding emotions in brand perception, these leaders share practical approaches that deliver tangible results for their clients.

"Trust is the biggest factor when it comes to farmers or most folks within the ag industry," Mike Mostransky explains. "We're regularly in touch with those participants within the ag space. If they hear it coming in from us, because we are selective as to who we work with, they trust us."

This flyover features in-depth conversations with research professionals from diverse specialties, each offering unique perspectives on the intersection of technology, human expertise, and industry evolution. Despite technological advances and shifting business models, building genuine relationships with both research participants and clients remains the cornerstone of lasting success in market research.

Want to connect with any of our guests? Featured below are all of their LinkedIn profiles, and if you decide to contact them, make sure to let them know that Little Bird Marketing sent you their way: Mike Mostransky, Insights Director at Qlarity; Pal Afzelius, CEO and Co-founder at Protobrand; Paul Gaudette, CEO and Co-founder at Dig Insights; Pierson Wofford, Executive Recruiter at Smith Hanley Associates; Ray Fischer, CEO of Aha! Insights Technology; Stewart Tippler, European Representative with Quirks Media; Nicole Potter, Field Manager at Insights in Marketing; Sean McKenna, SVP of Business Development at Luth Research.

*This podcast mini-series is brought to you by Gazelle Global, connecting businesses worldwide through expert research services and specialized recruitment solutions.*

How do research pros tackle today's most pressing challenges while preparing for tomorrow's opportunities?

On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney gives you Part 1 of our 2-part Quirks Chicago Conference Flyover as she talks with market research professionals about current trends, challenges, and innovations in the industry. This conference flyover captures candid conversations with leaders from multiple companies, offering an unfiltered look at what's happening in market research right now.

They discuss how companies use AI to speed up processes while maintaining accuracy, why face-to-face research is experiencing a resurgence, and the critical role of connecting insights directly to revenue growth. From strategic pricing decisions and sports fan experience analysis to multilingual research and real-time mobile feedback, these experts share specific practices that create measurable value for their organizations and clients. "Being in the industry as long as we have, we've seen a lot of change over the years, over the decades. The companies that have been stable in their leadership, stable with their teams, tend to be the companies that are going to be sticky," J.R. Venza explains. "They're the companies that are going to be here at this conference or other conferences in 2025, 2026, 2030 and so on."

This conference flyover features rapid-fire interviews with ten different professionals, each contributing their distinct perspective on how technology and human expertise work together to drive business growth. Despite advances in technology, the human element remains irreplaceable in transforming data into decisions that deliver real-world results.

Want to connect with any of our guests? Featured below are all of their LinkedIn profiles, and if you decide to contact them, make sure to let them know that Little Bird Marketing sent you their way: Adam Dietrich, Managing Director at Unlock Surveys, A Stagwell Company Emily Krol, Senior Manager Traveler Research at Expedia Group Jason Deutch, Strategic Account Director at SampleGurus Jonathan Dore, Executive Vice President at Reach3 Insights Jill Kushner Bishop, PhD, CEO at Multilingual Connections J.R. Venza, SVP North America at Torfac Liv Metcalf, Senior Account Director at Relative Insight Matt Worden, AVP Sales & Marketing at Finch BrandsTim Hoskins, President at Quester Tim Lawton, Co-CEO and Co-Founder at SightX

Sponsors:

Little Bird Marketing proudly supports the Marketing Research Education Foundation's 2025 Race Around the World for Education. This virtual event in May 2025 promotes STEAM education in underserved communities. Participants log miles to circle the globe three times and aim to raise $90,000.

Form a company team to compete with other market research firms! Become a sponsor to help provide quality STEAM education to children who need access.

For registration and more information, visit: https://www.mrgivesback.org/

Could your team's hidden challenges be preventing business growth?

On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest and Team Leadership Coach Meghan Opitz about unlocking collective brilliance in organizations. They explore how trust-based team coaching can transform company culture and drive b2b content marketing success.

As an American expat in Berlin with extensive market research experience, Opitz brings a unique perspective on building high-performing teams across US and European markets. As a leadership and team coach and the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Republikka, she works daily with teams laser-focused on revenue generation. Meeting and exceeding goals is her specialty. Having scaled Cint's respondent base from 10 million to 100 million, she provides valuable insights on revenue generation challenges and how understanding your buyer persona can lead to better team alignment. "When you talk about leadership coaching, you get to have a series of conversations with one person. With team coaching, it's several people," Opitz explains. "It's more than the individual topics of each person in that room. It's all of the dynamics at play that create that collective performance."

McKinney and Opitz discuss how empathy emerged as the key benefit in one team coaching experience, enabling members to see each other as humans working toward the same goals. The conversation touches on how building trust within teams enhances social influence and creates lasting business impact. This human-centered approach is especially critical today, as Opitz's recent survey revealed 54% of professionals struggle with balancing workload and burnout. By implementing an effective growth marketing strategy that values both business objectives and team wellbeing, organizations can achieve sustainable growth while supporting personal wellbeing.

Sponsors:

Little Bird Marketing proudly supports the Marketing Research Education Foundation's 2025 Race Around the World for Education. This virtual event in May 2025 promotes STEAM education in underserved communities. Participants log miles to circle the globe three times and aim to raise $90,000.

Form a company team to compete with other market research firms! Become a sponsor to help provide quality STEAM education to children who need access.

For registration and more information, visit: https://www.mrgivesback.org/

Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. “The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went,” she explains.

Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks—it teaches you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise.

Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!

Are you stuck in a content marketing rut, doing the same thing over and over again?

On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney discusses thinking outside the blog for content creation. She explores how a robust content marketing strategy extends beyond blog posts to include various formats that can help brands stand out in an attention economy.

She outlines six creative frameworks that marketers can apply to freshen up their content: the Haiku framework for distilling complex ideas, the Socratic dialogue framework that mirrors natural thought processes, the Recipe framework for making business processes digestible, the Weather Report framework for creating complete situational pictures, the Crime Mystery framework for building engagement through suspense, and the Botanical Growth framework for understanding natural progression. "It's easy to fall into that formulaic routine for the sake of efficiency, but don't do that," McKinney explains. "In an attention economy, that is not great for content marketing."

The goal isn't to force your content into any specific content strategy template but to use them as inspiration to think differently about presentation. These frameworks serve as tools to help your audience connect with your brand in meaningful ways. Priscilla, a respected content marketing consultant, emphasizes that b2b content marketing should drive revenue results while providing value to your audience. By applying these creative approaches, brands can transform their content strategy and stand out from competitors who rely on predictable formats.

Sponsors:

Little Bird Marketing proudly supports the Marketing Research Education Foundation's 2025 Race Around the World for Education. This virtual event in May 2025 promotes STEAM education in underserved communities. Participants log miles to circle the globe three times and aim to raise $90,000.

Form a company team to compete with other market research firms! Become a sponsor to help provide quality STEAM education to children who need access.

For registration and more information, visit: https://www.mrgivesback.org/

Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. “The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went,” she explains.

Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks—it teaches you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise.

Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!

Could the market research industry be entering its golden age?

On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest, CEO and Founder of OpinionRoute, Terence McCarron, about modernizing consumer insights and delivering meaningful competitive insights. They explore the intersection of technology and human expertise in market research, focusing on helping small to mid-sized firms overcome challenges with feasibility, data quality, and disjointed processes.

McCarron shares insights on AI's role in consumer insights, noting it's not about replacing human-derived samples but creating a synthesis. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the needs of research clients rather than complicating their world with industry jargon. "I think we're about to enter what's going to become 20 years of [the industry's] golden age, but I am absolutely bullish about the small to mid-size agency," McCarron explains. "AI is going to be this massive tool that's going to unlock the creativity [necessary], even on the quant side."

The conversation also explores how modernizing a research firm isn't just about implementing new technology – it requires establishing strong process excellence and guiding principles first. McCarron explains that the goal is to move companies from "ad hoc to organized," creating systems that enable researchers to provide better competitive insights and client consultation. They address the future of the market research industry and how, despite current concerns about data quality, companies are better positioned to address these challenges with the right approach.

Sponsors:

Little Bird Marketing proudly supports the Marketing Research Education Foundation's 2025 Race Around the World for Education. This virtual event in May 2025 promotes STEAM education in underserved communities. Participants log miles to circle the globe three times and aim to raise $90,000.

Form a company team to compete with other market research firms! Become a sponsor to help provide quality STEAM education to children who need access.

For registration and more information, visit: https://www.mrgivesback.org/

Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. “The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went,” she explains.

Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks—it teaches you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise.

Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!

Is your LinkedIn profile just a digital resume or a powerful business development tool?

On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest, keynote speaker, and Account Director at Savanta, Jake Pryszlak, about mastering social selling and building influence on LinkedIn. They discuss Jake's journey as "The Research Geek" and how his thought leadership evolved from differentiating himself during a job search to opening doors for new business opportunities.

They tackle the challenges of standing out in the market research industry, where companies offer similar services with nearly identical messaging. Jake shares his unique approach to content creation, which solves real industry problems rather than just sharing news. "I never really found a newsletter that was talking about [how] they've got this problem," Jake explains. "That's why I created the newsletter to talk about problems I've had in the past in the industry and how I've tried to overcome them."

The discussion includes actionable LinkedIn tips, with Pryszlak emphasizing the importance of mobile optimization for posts and Priscilla sharing her alphabet tagging technique. Both agree that investing in personal branding—whether through financial resources or time—delivers measurable ROI for both individuals and their employers. Pryszlak reveals how his personal branding journey faced resistance, sharing a story about being questioned by a former employer about his LinkedIn activity. 

Sponsors:

Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: 

Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind

The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information.

Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went.

Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks – teaching you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise.

Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!

Is your company missing out on the power of bespoke events for business growth?

On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney talks with guest Tara Mackay, Head of Global Events at The Research Club and Founder and CEO of Eventality, about the transformative power of corporate events as essential tools for networking. Mackay shares her expertise in creating meaningful experiences that foster connections and drive business results.

They discuss how face-to-face events have seen increasing demand post-COVID, with more organizations hosting their own gatherings to build relationships and accelerate sales pipelines. Mackay offers valuable networking tips, explaining that successful events begin with understanding a client's core objectives—whether sustainability, brand recognition, or specific business goals—before selecting venues and planning details that align with those priorities. "Face-to-face events are proven great opportunities to speed up your sales pipeline," Mackay explains. "People work with people they like, and it's been proven successful year after year."

Mackay's approach focuses on freeing clients from logistical concerns so they can concentrate entirely on addressing networking questions and building relationships during events. From finding the perfect rooftop terrace to creating "blank canvas" venues where branding can take center stage, she emphasizes how attention to detail and elements of surprise create memorable experiences that deliver a return on investment.

Sponsors:

Priscilla McKinney here! I am very excited to announce the release of my much-anticipated book: 

Collaboration is the New Competition: Why the Future of Work Rewards A Cross Pollinating Hive Mind and How Not to Get Left Behind

The book's chapters are designed to be time-efficient, ensuring busy professionals can easily integrate these transformative ideas into their workflow. From discussing the state of affairs in business to providing fundamental strategies and seven practical anchors for staying on course, this book offers a fresh perspective and a competitive advantage in today's complex business landscape. Visit priscillamckinney.com for more information.

Priscilla McKinney is not just a CEO; she is also a LinkedIn Influencer. The reality is that very few people are using LinkedIn efficiently or effectively, and if you’re not careful, social media can become a black hole. When you emerge, you find you wound up in a place you never intended to go and you’re wondering where all the time went.

Time is precious, and trying to be everything to everyone means becoming nothing to no one. That's why she's developed a transformative 12-week course that goes beyond basic tips and tricks – teaching you how to build a strategic network and create stellar content that cuts through the LinkedIn noise.

Click here to learn more, and sign up for a spot in her social influence course today!

*This podcast mini-series is brought to you by Multilingual Connections, enabling you to connect with your audience in their language. And if you haven’t already, check out Part One and Part Two of the QRCA series!*

On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney presents the final part of a three-part Conference Flyover from QRCA in Philadelphia. Joined by Multilingual Connections’ founder and CEO Jill Kushner Bishop, PhD, and Business Development Director Carlos Hevia, they discuss the power of conducting research in participants' native languages and how this unlocks storytelling that might otherwise remain hidden. 

From coordinating projects across 75+ languages to managing the complexities of cultural context, these conversations show why authentic communication matters in research. "Language doesn't just describe some preexisting reality out there in the world," Bishop explains. "We create that reality through language and we activate different areas of our identity through language. I loved in particular when we talked about being bicultural as a superpower [at the conference]."

Their discussions highlight how qualitative researchers intuitively grasp language's role in revealing cultural truths. Carlos Hevia shares perspectives on what qualities seek when working internationally, while Jill Bishop details how Multilingual Connections has expanded from translation to bilingual moderation services, supporting researchers as they work in an increasingly diverse range of countries and markets.

*This podcast mini-series is brought to you by Multilingual Connections, enabling you to connect with your audience in their language. Click here to listen to Part One, and be on the lookout for Part Three of the QRCA series!*

How do qualitative researchers adapt to rapid industry changes while maintaining personal connections? A look inside Day 2 of QRCA.

On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney, along with co-host and CRO, Stephanie Douglass, present Part Two of a three-part Conference Flyover from QRCA in Philadelphia, featuring conversations about business development strategies, AI integration, and the evolution of qualitative methodologies.

They discuss how QRCA provides unique opportunities for both solopreneurs and corporate researchers to learn and grow through shared experiences. From innovative AI applications to the nuances between online and facility-based focus groups, these conversations reveal how industry professionals are embracing change while preserving essential human connections.

"The truth of the matter is that this has become such a quickly evolving business that there are not only gaps that you may be aware of, but if you're smart, you understand there are gaps that you aren't aware of," Ken Burwitz of Mercury Analytics explains. "AI is obviously one of them. This is something that's changing weekly."

The discussions highlight the dual nature of modern qualitative research. While Brittany Stalsberg emphasizes the value of business development insights for solopreneurs, Carrie Ann Olson-Landis explores AI's potential as a creative partner rather than just an assistant. Michelle LaMire adds perspective on the superiority of in-person networking over LinkedIn for building meaningful professional relationships.

Along with the return of Multilingual Connections’ Carlos Hevia and Jill Kushner Bishop, PHD from Day 1, featured guests in this episode include:

Brittany Stalsberg of ​​BLS Research & Consulting LLC

Carrie Ann Olson-Landis of Nava

Ken Berwitz, Executive at Mercury Analytics

Frank Mellman of Insights in Marketing

Michelle Lemire of Festive Road

Zosia Czerska of Insight2Vision

Pam Goldfarb Liss of LitBrains

Lauren Bergner of Rakuten Insights

Jiten Madia of flowres.io

Meredith Morino of Human Sapiance Inc.

David Kalisher of Jolly Road Productions

Chiara Albanese of Motivo Insights

If you're not already connected with them on LinkedIn, now's the perfect time to reach out and keep this conversation going!

*This podcast mini-series is brought to you by Multilingual Connections, enabling you to connect with your audience in their language. And be on the lookout for Parts Two and Three of the QRCA series!*

How do thought leadership and networking tools shape modern qualitative research? A look inside QRCA.

On this episode of Ponderings from the Perch, the Little Bird Marketing podcast, host and CEO Priscilla McKinney presents Part One of a three-part Conference Flyover from QRCA in Philadelphia, featuring conversations about thought leadership strategy, networking tips, and the future of AI in research.

Multilingual Connections founder and CEO, Jill Kushner Bishop, PhD, joined Business Development director, Carlos Hevia, in Philly for this annual conference. With bilingual moderation, and many other translation, coding and transcription services useful to the market research industry, they enjoyed talking with colleagues and amplifying important voices at QRCA.

Stephanie Douglass, CRO at Little Bird Marketing took to the conference, using the podcast interview as an exceptional networking tool to bring you this show with many voices! From first-time attendees to veteran researchers, these conversations reveal how industry leaders adapt to technological changes while maintaining valuable human connections. "This year is going to be a really exciting year for qualitative research because I think we have gotten over the initial AI hump," Kelli Hammock of L&E Research explains. "Things are getting really exciting in the industry, because people are using it in so many different ways."

Their thought leadership strategies span multiple perspectives on research excellence. Cynthia Harris draws parallels between the mental preparation needed in qualitative research and other disciplines, while Norma Mendez and Lillian Martinez of Fieldwork share networking tips that make QRCA distinctive.

Featured guests in this episode include Cynthia Harris, Principal Researcher at Harris Research; Nicole Potter, Research & Design Leader; Norma Reyes and Lillian Gonzalez of Fieldwork; Justin Bailey, CEO of Bailey Research; Susan Owens, Research Manager; Claire Kuhn, Senior Manager of Client Services; Kelli Hammock, VP of Research Solutions at L&E Research; and Jill Bishop, PhD and Carlos Hevia, CEO & Founder and Business Development director of Multilingual Connections respectively.