Rock n' Roll Research Podcast

07/24/2026

“It’s my job to figure out what does the future of research look like and how do I help us get there as Eli Lilly.” – Andrew Embry, Sr. Director Insights Innovation Capabilities at Lilly.

How does one get a really cool role like that?

Andrew shares his unique journey at Eli Lilly and his thoughts on where insights is headed. But also his passion for the spoken word which has included slam poetry open mics, national competitions and corporate performances.

And in a first for this podcast, Andrew shares his art on-the-spot by performing his spoken word piece, “The Making of. Market Researcher.” Prepare to be inspired!

https://youtu.be/jkxa_TmqE5c

Big thanks to InsightSutras for sponsoring this episode!

Watch below or find+sub to the Rock n’ Roll Research Podcast wherever you get your podcasts \m/

“It’s my job to figure out what does the future of research look li...

07/21/2026

Arry Tanusondjaja is currently Sr. Marketing Scientist at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute where he’s been for the past 16 years.

As accomplished as he is in the field of marketing science, it is neither his first career nor the sole area of expertise for which he is currently known.

Arry shares his unique career journey and his take on the future of the Laws of Growth. He also explains his passion for baking and the music he’d choose if stranded on a deserted island.

Watch below or find+sub to the Rock n’ Roll Reserch Podcast wherever you get your podcasts \m/

Arry Tanusondjaja is currently Sr. Marketing Scientist at the Ehren...

07/07/2026

Chad Nicholson is the EVP of Strategic Intelligence at the independent advertising powerhouse, BarkleyOKRP. You’re familiar with their iconic work like the Burger King “You Rule” campaign. They also work with other great brands llke AMC Theatres, Winnebago, Frontier Airlines, Planet Fitness and many others.

I first met Chad while at Anheuser-Busch where he started his career as an intern and climbed the ranks as a Brand Manager on Budweiser and Director of Consumer Strategy & Insights.

And just in time for the WorldCup Round of 16 . . . as a former D1 college soccer player, Chad is watching closely!

Chad shares his career path, his philosophy on insights and the lessons he’s applied from his college days as an athlete with the Marshall University Thundering Herd.

Watch below or find+sub to the Rock n’ Roll Research Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Chad Nicholson is the EVP of Strategic Intelligence at the independ...

06/26/2026

From his home on the Spanish coast, Bernice Klaassen has been a leading thinker and contributor to the global dialogue on the future of insights and analytics. Once you know his journey, it is easy to understand why.

Bernice’s professional journey has taken him all over the world with companies like Kantar, Ipsos, Citibank and now RSB Insights, and it spans several disciplines including design, music, research and sustainability.

Bernice traces his unique path, shares his refreshingly optimistic view of the industry’s future and chooses some surprisingly awesome records to keep him company on a desert island.

Big thanks to our sponsor, InsightSutras, for making this episode possible.

Watch below or find+sub to the Rock n’ Roll Research Podcast wherever you get your podcasts \m/

05/22/2026

Robert Pierson is currently the SVP North America at the UK-based insight firm, Rigour Research, and a member of the board of British American Business Council, Chicago.

Robert has had a fascinating journey from organizing techno raves to relocating to the US through acquisition at 451 Research to leading business development at Kantar Profiles and helping expand the sport of polo in Chicago.

Listen in as Robert traces his unique career path, discusses novel ways to address data quality and chooses three desert island discs that are firsts to the Rock n’ Roll Research Podcast.

Watch below or find+sub to the Rock n’ Roll Research Podcast wherever you get your podcats \m/

Robert Pierson is currently the SVP North America at the UK-based i...

03/09/2026

Bill Salokar is a long-time fixture in the insights community. After starting his career as a state lottery expert, Bill found his way to the agency side where he spent most of his career. He has just recently started at Gazelle Global, one of the most trusted research operations firms in the business.

What is really interesting about Bill is the collection of musical instruments for which he is proficient. It’s not every day you meet a crumhorn player!

Watch below or find+sub to the Rock n’ Roll Research Podcast wherever you get your podcasts \m/

Bill Salokar is a long-time fixture in the insights community. After starting his career as a state lottery expert, Bill found his way to the agency side whe...

10/30/2025

Socratic Technologies was founded in 1994 with a mission to bring pioneering technology to the research profession. Today they are an agile, full-service insights consultancy with blue chip clients across several industry verticals.

Chris Davis is currently EVP at Socratic and has been the driving force behind much of the company’s technological advancements.

Chris shares his journey from writing code at 6 years old to studying computer science at Northwestern University to what he’s learned in over 24 years on the technology side of insights. He also discusses the joys of rediscovering a childhood hobby, this time as a passion he shares with his son.

Watch below or find+sub to the Rock n’ Roll Research Podcast wherever you get your podcasts \m/

Socratic Technologies was founded in 1994 with a mission to bring pioneering technology to the research profession. Today they are an agile, full-service ins...

10/24/2025

Andrea Rowden’s fascination with the human condition has led her to a career in insights. Currently, she is Senior Manager, Consumer and Product Insights at hims & hers which has grown to over $2Bn in revenues in just eight short years.

Outside of work, Andrea is a vocalist for a soul band in Chicago called S.O.U.L. (Spirit of Universal Love).

Andrea discusses how starting her career on the supplier-side prepared her well for her client-side role. She also shares thoughts on cultivating the right environment for music and research; the importance of authentic research voices; and the albums she’d want to keep her company if stranded on a desert island.

Watch below or find+sub to the Rock n’ Roll Research Podcast wherever you get your podcasts \m/

Andrea Rowden’s fascination with the human condition has led her to a career in insights. Currently, she is Senior Manager, Consumer and Product Insights at ...