The Consumer Insights Revolution

Having worked across four continents during his career in consumer insights, Steve specializes in the use of technology to automate and improve the market research process. Prior to founding Zappi, Steve founded Tonic Insight, Tuned In Research, and Spring Research, where he led research teams to uncover new insights into consumer behavior around the world. His work on consumer purchase journeys has won multiple awards, and he's a regular speaker on the topic at industry events. He's also a published specialist on behavioral economics, and his work on the impact this thinking has on market research won the ESOMAR Best Paper award. In addition, he was the recipient of the Best New Thinking award at the MRS Conference, the ARF Great Minds certificate, and the UK Industries Innovation award. As chair of the MRS Sustainability Council, he's passionate about moving the world of insights onto a fully sustainable pathway. When he's not building the world's leading consumer insights platform, Steve can be found on the cricket pitch or studying history. Having helped to start Zappi's US business in 2014, Ryan is now the company's global president, overseeing its operations across product, go-to-market, and scale. He's worked in the consumer data business for over sixteen years and, having consulted with hundreds of brands over that time, still sees the same mistakes being made. That is why he wants to help market research teams become more consumer centric by making access to consumer opinion easier and more efficient. Ryan is an advisory board member at Michigan State University and is on the Insights Association's IDEAtor program, a fellowship program designed to encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion in market research. Outside of work, he's a family man who loves spending time with his wife and three children-either that or enjoying the great outdoors (preferably with a pair of skis). Born in The Netherlands, Stephan gained a master's degree in econometrics, then joined Unilever as a marketing trainee. After fifteen years in their personal care and foods categories, he left to help build global marketing consultancy EffectiveBrands, which was eventually sold to the consulting division of Kantar. Three years at Interbrand in New York City as Chief Strategy Officer followed before he joined PepsiCo in New York as Chief Consumer Insights Officer, where he's been for the past six years. Married with four children, he and his wife are getting used to being empty nesters now that their youngest child has left home to study abroad. His favorite hobby is rowing, which involves getting up at horrible times like 5am.