Human Understanding Lab Leaders

"Free from" alternatives have taken the market by storm across many categories. One of the most dear to the British consumer is the alcohol market, and within that there are many players looking to compete for their share of the market. From big players like Budweiser and Heineken, to indie and craft equivalents. But there are many challenges for brands looking to create a standout, tasty product that ticks all the boxes for expectant consumers, especially from a sensory perspective.

Should brands be replicating flavours or carving a whole new space for these products? How do brands create flavours and experiences that meet the expectations products in this industry? Dr. Debbie Parker, Head of Sensory at Walnut Unlimited, shares her thoughts as she joins Faye Hawkins for a taste test of some leading no/lo alcohol beers on the market. We explore the ins and outs of sensory science, the taste and scent blueprints as they emerge in a live tasting from a sensory perspective, whilst also exploring the landscape of no/lo alcohol beers in general.

In this episode of Lab Leaders Faye Hawkins speaks to eminent neuroscientist Dr. Andy Myers, Director at Walnut UNLIMITED, about the power of scent and how smell can make a difference for brands. Andy has a wealth of experience in how we can use our senses to trigger emotions and we often hear about how neuroscience can be applied to marketing from a visual perspective. Rarely do we consider smell and how it can be used in our campaigns. Faye and Andy talk in depth about why scent is so important, how it can be applied to your brand and some of most interesting ways other brands have incorporated it into their marketing.

To get more depth into the power and role of scent for your brands from our neuroscientist, email Dr Andy Myers at Andy.Myers@walnutunlimited.com. As always you can contact our host, Faye Hawkins, Chief Revenue Officer at UNLIMITED at Faye.Hawkins@unlimitedgroup.com.

In this episode, Faye Hawkins is joined by Caroline Coventry, who is a Director at Nelson Bostock, and by Dr. Simon Collister a Director at Human Understanding Lab. Between them they've got 35 years background in everything to do with PR and comms, social creative, and of course the new world of data science, neuroscience, and behavioural science.

Throughout the conversation we discuss where PR meets data science and the world of opportunity that awaits. More specifically, how data-driven ways of informing creative and guiding execution in PR can be the future of effective, disruptive and human-led PR.

To get more insight into the world of neuroscience and how it can help you, contact Dr. Simon Collister at Simon.Collister@unlimitedgroup.com and for all things PR and comms contact Caroline Coventry at Caroline.Coventry@nelsonbostock.com. As always you can contact our host, Faye Hawkins at Faye.Hawkins@unlimitedgroup.com. 

Social media is a powerful tool, and many brands across both B2C and B2B have embraced this modern phenomenon. But not every brand has a solid, future-forward social strategy. This means they risk falling behind the times.

Just like the algorithms that dictate the success of the content that circulates on these channels, the rules of engagement with these platforms are constantly changing: how audiences engage with and share content and how creativity is perceived and appreciated. Not to mention, with new and unique platforms emerging all the time, it has never been more crucial to keep up with social media.

The next guest on our Lab Leaders podcast is Liv Wedderburn, social media lead from TMW UNLIMITED. We discuss the changing landscape of social media, how best to plan ahead and why human understanding can help produce a social strategy that stands the test of time.

Get in touch with Liv to discuss the everchanging landscape of social media and, more importantly, how we can help you futureproof your strategy via owedderburn@tmwunlimited.com. Or reach out to our host, Faye Hawkins, at faye.hawkins@unlimitedgroup.com.

It’s been a year of change for many industries, but none more than health. The roll out of COVID-related apps has come thick and fast, but when dealing with the health of millions there’s pressure to deliver a class-leading experience without any errors.

Our Lab Leader today is Ben Ireland, our Chief Experience Officer, who is responsible for the delivery of digital experiences across our client base. Ben has been doing this for over 30 years, so knows a thing or two about translating human understanding into digital experiences that actually work.

In this episode, we discuss the trends and opportunities for health in digital, how we can improve processes for a better digital experience and how we can approach the human understanding element in all of this.

To get in touch with Ben or Faye about anything discussed in this episode, drop them an email at ben.ireland@unlimitedgroup.com or faye.hawkins@unlimitedgroup.com.

Someone call the 90's and give their clipboard back - shopper research is ready for an overhaul! We talk to Lab Leader, Ivan Browne, Shopper Research Consultant who sets out the blueprint for category growth of up to 10%. With over 20 years in retail, OTC, DTC and shopper, Ivan presents his 'triple win' of retailer category growth, consumer shopper experience and brand advantage.

Get in touch with Ivan for a chat around shopper behaviour and research at Ivan.Browne@walnutunlimited.com or to get in touch about the pod send a line to host Faye.Hawkins@unlimitedgroup.com

In this episode, host Sarah Shilling CMO, UNLIMITED is in conversation with leading Procurement Consultant Tina Fegent. With tech accelerating procurement, the importance of education and communication on the topic is increasingly important for brands and agencies alike. 

With the commercial back-drop being pushed to forefront of strategic decisions, Procurement now has a seat at the top table. They discuss the evolving role, tips for agencies and the rise of the latest craze that is Clubhouse. 

The Unthinkable Marketing series helps CMOs and Comms Leaders to get deeper human understanding, to know consumers better than they know themselves right now - to think the unthinkable, course correct and drive new success for their brand.

Does the unthinkable provide a catalyst for opportunity? Host Sarah Shilling, CMO at UNLIMITED speaks with Duncan McRae, Chief Editor, Marketing Gazette, about how in the face of crisis brands can flourish if they have an acute awareness of their consumer needs, and how is this going to impact the agenda of marketeers throughout 2021?

The Unthinkable Marketing series helps CMOs and Comms Leaders to get deeper human understanding, to know consumers better than they know themselves right now - to think the unthinkable, course correct and drive new success for their brand.

In this episode, host Sarah Shilling, CMO at UNLIMITED is in conversation with Kevin Pratt, Editor, Forbes Advisor UK, around how the unthinkable has affected the economy, how our outlooks have changed and brand reactions forged. Some industries are embracing fluidity, and others are future-proofing their business models. What's the key to success and how will we prepare for unthinkable things like our real estate footprint that we leave behind?

The Unthinkable Marketing series helps CMOs and Comms Leaders to get deeper human understanding, to know consumers better than they know themselves right now - to think the unthinkable, course correct and drive new success for their brand.

We're living in 2021, but as we collectively reset to ‘not take things for granted’, nostalgia becomes more important and meaningful in our lives. With it comes opportunity for brands to win back lost customers, and connect with new ones in a nostalgic way. And for younger brands to create a sense of history that resonates emotionally.

Host Sarah Shilling, CMO at UNLIMITED, looks at the science to explain how brands can use nostalgia and why it works, with expert perspectives from guests Dr Cristina Balanzo and Dr Andy Myers, both consumer neuroscientists from the human-wired agency Walnut UNLIMITED. 

This episode in the Unthinkable Marketing series helps CMOs and Comms Leaders to get deeper human understanding, to know consumers better than they know themselves right now - to think the unthinkable, course correct and drive new success for their brand.