Insights from Elsewhere

Episode 17: Rafael Cespedes, CEO at Provokers – CHILE

Rafael Cespedes from Chile discusses research culture, AI, data quality and the future of insights in Latin America. In this episode of Insights from Elsewhere, Cynthia Portugal speaks with Rafael Cespedes, CEO for Provokers in Santiago, Chile. They talk about the realities of market research across Latin America. and Rafa reflects on how culture, contradictions and local context shape consumer behavior and research practices in the region.  The conversation explores common misunderstandings from global headquarters, the challenges of data quality and panel fraud, and the growing pressure on insights teams to deliver more with fewer resources.  Rafael also shares his perspective on AI, the changing relationship between agencies and clients, the future of research talent, and why understanding the right business question matters more than ever. Episode Highlights: * Why Latin America cannot be treated as a single market and how cultural nuances affect research interpretation  * Common mistakes global teams make when applying global frameworks to local markets  * How AI is changing the role of researchers, agencies and client side insights teams  * The growing importance of integrating research, business context and operational data  * Challenges around fraud, professional respondents and maintaining data quality in online research  * Why ethnography and conversational research remain essential for understanding real human behavior About the Guest Rafael Cespedes is a psychologist and market research leader with more than 30 years of experience in the insights industry across Latin America.  He is the CEO of Provokers in Chile and an active representative within ESOMAR. He is known for his work connecting cultural understanding, qualitative research and innovation in insights, with a strong focus on how local context shapes consumer behavior and business decisions. Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/] is the only AI-native software designed specifically for Market Research Agencies. They pioneered “AIMI” (AI-moderated interviews), a new research method. With Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/], you can design the study, collect data, and analyze everything using the Analysis Suite. The Insights from Elsewhere podcast is supported by: Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/] is the only AI-native software designed specifically for Market Research Agencies. We pioneered “AIMI” (AI-moderated interviews), a new research method. With Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/], you can design the study, collect data, and analyze everything using the Analysis Suite. Find out more about Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/platforms/glaut/].

Episode 16: Jessica Dua, Qualitative Senior Manager at Cultural Traits – INDIA

This episode features Jessica Dua, Senior Qualitative Manager at Cultural Traits in New Delhi, India.  She shares her journey into market research and her experience leadingInsights for Impact Award – Qualitative Research 2025 [https://www.insightplatforms.com/awards/insights-for-impact-award-oct-2025/] award winning project focused on children in underserved communities in New Delhi.  The conversation explores how qualitative methods such as co-creation and ethnography can uncover real behavioral insights, even in complex environments. Jessica also shares the realities of conducting research across India, including regional diversity, digital access gaps, and cultural nuance.  The episode highlights how researchers adapt methodologies, balance technology with traditional approaches, and ensure meaningful outcomes for both participants and clients. Episode Highlights: * Designing a co-creation study with children to develop practical solutions for learning environments * Managing research challenges in low literacy and low trust contexts * Adapting methodologies to digital constraints such as device access and connectivity * Understanding India as a set of diverse markets with linguistic, cultural, and climate differences * Evaluating the role of AI in research, including its strengths in efficiency and limits in cultural interpretation * Balancing technology adoption with traditional qualitative methods across urban and rural contexts About the Guest Jessica Dua is a Senior Qualitative Manager at Cultural Traits based in New Delhi, India. She specializes in qualitative research methods including in-depth interviews, ethnography, and online communities. Her work focuses on understanding human behavior and cultural context in the Indian market. She was recognized with the Insights for Impact Award 2026 for a project using research to support social outcomes through co-creation with children. *The Insights for Impact Award is a initiative sponsored by Insight Platforms and Recollective where winner pitches receive resources to conduct an online qualitative research project for a charity, good cause or non-profit organisation. **More details about the project execution are available in the on-demand webinar From Insight to Impact: Co-Creation with Young Minds from New Delhi [https://www.insightplatforms.com/content/from-insight-to-impact-co-creation-with-young-minds-from-new-delhi/]. Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/] is the only AI-native software designed specifically for Market Research Agencies. They pioneered “AIMI” (AI-moderated interviews), a new research method. With Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/], you can design the study, collect data, and analyze everything using the Analysis Suite. The Insights from Elsewhere podcast is supported by: Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/] is the only AI-native software designed specifically for Market Research Agencies. We pioneered “AIMI” (AI-moderated interviews), a new research method. With Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/], you can design the study, collect data, and analyze everything using the Analysis Suite. Find out more about Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/platforms/glaut/].

Episode 15: Mitali Chowhan, Director General at MRSI (Market Research Society of India) – INDIA

In this episode of Insights from Elsewhere, Cynthia Portugal speaks with Mitali Chowhan, Director General of the Market Research Society of India (MRSI), to explore the realities of market research in India and what global professionals can learn from it. They discuss how India combines rigorous methodological foundations with rapid adoption of new technologies, including AI and mobile-first research. The conversation highlights the importance of demonstrating business impact, navigating client pressures, and maintaining research quality in a fast-changing environment. Mitali also shares practical perspectives on working across cultures, managing complexity in diverse markets, and developing the next generation of researchers—balancing foundational knowledge with modern tools. An experience-driven conversation on where the industry is heading and what must not be lost along the way. Episode Highlights: * Why Indian market research emphasizes strong fundamentals like sampling, heterogeneity, and statistical rigor. * The challenge of proving business impact and how “impact awards” help shift the narrative. * AI in research: where it delivers real efficiency vs. where risks and limitations remain. * Cultural and operational nuances of conducting research in India, including language diversity and scale. * The tension between shrinking budgets, automation, and maintaining research quality. * Talent development: how to attract, train, and retain the next generation of insights professionals. About the Guest Mitali Chowhan is the Director General of the Market Research Society of India, based in Mumbai.  With nearly four decades of experience across both agency and client-side roles—including leadership positions at TNS and major telecom companies such as Vodafone—she brings a deep understanding of global and local research ecosystems. Her work focuses on elevating the visibility, credibility, and impact of market research, while fostering high standards, responsible innovation, and talent development within the industry. Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/] is the only AI-native software designed specifically for Market Research Agencies. They pioneered “AIMI” (AI-moderated interviews), a new research method. With Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/], you can design the study, collect data, and analyze everything using the Analysis Suite. The Insights from Elsewhere podcast is supported by: Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/] is the only AI-native software designed specifically for Market Research Agencies. We pioneered “AIMI” (AI-moderated interviews), a new research method. With Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/], you can design the study, collect data, and analyze everything using the Analysis Suite. Find out more about Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/platforms/glaut/].

Episode 14: Pratik Sharma, Co-Founder of Opsonomy – INDIA/GERMANY

What does it really mean to be a “global citizen” in insights?  In this episode of Insights from Elsewhere, Cynthia Portugal talks with Pratik Sharma, co-founder of Opsonomy. He was born in India and has spent the last 20 years living in Germany while working across Europe, the US, and APAC.  Pratik shares what he learned moving between cultures: how language, punctuality, communication styles, and business norms change from market to market, and why assumptions that “what works in the US will work anywhere” often fail.  They also explore how localization impacts research quality (from survey translation to cultural context), and where AI helps, or misleads, when it’s trained on predominantly Western examples. Episode Highlights: * Why Pratik calls himself a “global citizen” and what moving from India to Germany taught him about culture and work * How small cultural cues (punctuality, directness, formality, “do’s and don’ts”) shape client relationships and project delivery * The myth of “copy-paste research”: why methods, language, and expectations don’t transfer cleanly across markets * Localization in practice: translation vs “tropicalization,” cultural references, and avoiding questions that can derail a study * AI and bias: why large language models can feel “off” outside Western contexts and how that may change as inputs diversify * Advice for newcomers: be bold, experiment, learn globally, and challenge established assumptions About the Guest Pratik Sharma is the co-founder of Opsonomy, a consultancy focused on unlocking growth opportunities and improving efficiency across company ecosystems.  Born in India and based in Germany for the past two decades, Pratik has worked with global research and business teams across Europe, the United States, and APAC.  His experience spans cross-cultural project delivery, client management across markets, and practical guidance on adapting research approaches to local realities. Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/] is the only AI-native software designed specifically for Market Research Agencies. They pioneered “AIMI” (AI-moderated interviews), a new research method. With Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/], you can design the study, collect data, and analyze everything using the Analysis Suite. The Insights from Elsewhere podcast is supported by: Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/] is the only AI-native software designed specifically for Market Research Agencies. We pioneered “AIMI” (AI-moderated interviews), a new research method. With Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/], you can design the study, collect data, and analyze everything using the Analysis Suite. Find out more about Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/platforms/glaut/].

Episode 13: Dave McCaughan, Founder of Bibliosexual - THAILAND

In this episode of Insights from Elsewhere, Cynthia Portugal speaks with Dave McCaughan, Sydney-born and Bangkok-based, about what it really takes to understand Asia beyond stereotypes and surface-level “localisation.”  Drawing on three decades of experience across Asia-Pacific in senior roles at McCann, Dave shares how he became a cultural translator for global brands: helping teams grasp the region’s deep differences in geography, religion, everyday habits, and even the sports preferences. The conversation also explores why marketers should focus on people, not consumers and how AI and large language models could finally help insights teams synthesize knowledge at scale, turning accumulated learning into action instead of letting it sit in silos. Episode Highlights: * Dave’s unconventional route into insights: from children’s librarian to global strategy and research leadership * Translating Asia for western HQs: why “one campaign for the region” often fails (and what to do instead) * The “rice” story: using small cultural details to explain big differences that shape brand decisions * Market research vs. insight: why most “insights” are just interesting findings—and what a real insight feels like * People, not consumers: why the best brands win by understanding human motivations beyond category behavior * AI’s real promise: synthesizing learning across reports, markets, and sources to uncover patterns that move strategy About the Guest Dave McCaughan is a Bangkok-based independent consultant with decades of experience across Asia-Pacific in strategic planning, cultural analysis, and brand research. Dave has also contributed to the insights industry through professional initiatives and speaking, and is known for his provocative, practical take on what “real insight” looks like and how AI can help the industry move beyond repetitive, siloed research. Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/] is the only AI-native software designed specifically for Market Research Agencies. They pioneered “AIMI” (AI-moderated interviews), a new research method. With Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/], you can design the study, collect data, and analyze everything using the Analysis Suite. The Insights from Elsewhere podcast is supported by: Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/] is the only AI-native software designed specifically for Market Research Agencies. We pioneered “AIMI” (AI-moderated interviews), a new research method. With Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/link/glaut/], you can design the study, collect data, and analyze everything using the Analysis Suite. Find out more about Glaut [https://www.insightplatforms.com/platforms/glaut/].