The world around us is changing faster than ever before. Automation, articial intelligence, big data, geo-location and advanced technology are reshaping every aspect of the way we work and live—and data is at the center of this transformation. Welcome to the Data Gurus Podcast, a leading market research podcast hosted by Sima Vasa, CEO of Innity Squared Ventures.

5-Star rating on Apple Podcasts
Top 5 Market Research Podcasts by Greenbook, 2022

Browse Episodes

Qualitative Research and Creating Connection with Nikki Lavoie | Ep. 71

CEO and Founder of MindSpark Research International, Nikki Lavoie, joins Sima Vasa today. They discuss the two niches that Nikki has found work really well together for her Paris-based company: 1) international qualitative research and 2) UX research. MindSpark: Born Out of Necessity From a young age, Nikki Lavoie knew she wanted to travel around ... Read more
Detecting Signals in Data w/ Malcolm De Leo

Detecting Signals in Data w/ Malcolm De Leo | Ep. 070

In this episode, Sima Vasa converses with Chief Evangelist for Quantifind, Malcolm De Leo. He shares with us how Quantifind detects signals to help predict outcomes, how he embraces innovation in his career and how he enforced the philosophy of “Corporate accountable, locally responsible.” Chief Evangelist  Malcolm serves as a Chief Evangelist for 20 years now, 5 ... Read more
The Future w/ Merrill Dubrow (Part 2)

The Future w/ Merrill Dubrow (Part 2) | Ep. 69

Today’s episode is our second for our two-part series with guest Merrill Dubrow, the President, and CEO of M/A/R/C Research. He shares with us what gets him excited, especially after serving the industry for 25 years. Merrill Dubrow, a thought leader, also gave some relevant advice for industry professionals that is definitely worth listening to.  ... Read more
The Importance of Relevance w/ Merrill Dubrow (Part 1)

The Importance of Relevance w/ Merrill Dubrow (Part 1) | Ep. 68

Today’s guest is Merrill Dubrow, the President, and CEO of M/A/R/C Research. He shares with us some important industry perspectives on automation and the consultative role of insights companies. This is an episode for industry professionals who wish to stay relevant in this field of work. Six Decades of Excellence Merrill Dubrow has been leading ... Read more
Scaling Up Talent w/ Nicole Patel

Scaling Up Talent w/ Nicole Patel | Ep. 67

Today’s guest, Chief People Officer Nicole Patel joins Sima Vasa to discuss the recruitment process and employee retention at LUCID. Further, she shares the processes they employ within the organization and the culture they promote that is centered on openness and transparency.    Nicole and LUCID Lucid was founded in 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana ... Read more
Unleashing the Power of Analytics w/ Jason Krantz

Unleashing the Power of Analytics w/ Jason Krantz | Ep. 66

Today’s guest entrepreneur Jason Krantz of Strategy Titan joins Sima Vasa to discuss a wealth of information about data analytics and insights in the B2B space. He shares his personal experience in having a balance between technical and business skills. Further, he discusses how these skills helped him navigate the elusive HVAC industry.   The ... Read more
Next Gen Leaders: Fresh

Next Gen Leaders: Fresh Perspectives w/ Katie Sands and Brad Franz | Ep. 65

In today’s episode, Sima Vasa sits with Executive Director of Client Development at Paradigm Sample Katie Sands, together with Sr. Consultant for Sampling at Burke Inc., Brad Franz. Both are considered next-generation of leaders for the market research industry. Together, they discuss perspectives on data collection and shifts in the industry both for clients and ... Read more
Priscilla McKinney

Ponderings about Marketing w/ Priscilla McKinney | Ep. 64

In today’s episode, Sima Vasa sits with Priscilla McKinney, CEO of LiTTLE Bird Marketing. Together, they talk about her company and their edge in content marketing, some tips on personal branding and her struggles and triumph as an entrepreneur.   LiTTLE Bird Marketing Priscilla McKinney has a background in Cultural Anthropology. She finds herself an ... Read more
PlayFULL Insights w/ Karen Lynch

PlayFULL Insights™ w/ Karen Lynch | Ep. 063

Karen Lynch, Senior Director of Qualitative Insights at InsightsNow Inc. joins us today to talk about PlayFULL Insights™, an innovative approach to qualitative research. Karen was granted the Market Research Disruptive Innovator award for her work which benefits consumers, clients, and fellow researchers.   The Rise of Qualitative Data Researchers and marketers want to gain ... Read more
Finn Raben

Shift from Data Collection to Data Curation | Ep. 062

Finn Raben, Director General of ESOMAR, joins us today to confer about how data collection and analysis have shifted to data curation. With huge amounts of data available today, Raben emphasized the importance of providing correct and effective analyses to governments and trade organizations. Commitment To Quality Research ESOMAR is a non-profit organization that was ... Read more
Tania Yuki - Understanding Digital Influence

Tania Yuki – Understanding Digital Influence | Ep. 061

In today’s episode, Sima Vasa sits with Tania Yuki, CEO of Shareablee. Together, they talk about what inspired her to create Shareablee and how it helped advertisers, influencers, publishers and brand owners determine share-worthy content. Lawyer Turned Social Media Analyst Tania Yuki tried her luck as an Internet attorney before finding her way to social ... Read more
Eileen Campbell - Curiosity + Passion + Hard Work = Success

Eileen Campbell – Curiosity + Passion + Hard Work = Success | Ep. 060

Co-founder and executive chair for Reid Campbell Group Eileen Campbell joins Sima Vasa today. Together, they talk about Eileen’s history and her undying curiosity, passion and hard work that ultimately birthed her tremendous career in the industry. “I think if you’re intellectually curious, it’s a completely gratifying way to make a living.” – Eileen Campbell ... Read more
Meet your host

Sima Vasa

Sima Vasa is a growth-focused strategic advisor, investment banker, and entrepreneur with industry-leading expertise in market research and data ecosystems. She is the Founder and CEO of Infinity Squared Ventures, an organization focused on advising middle-market data and analytics companies in business strategy, product innovation, and growth. She is also a Managing Director with Oberon Securities, a New York investment bank. Sima is the host of the weekly Data Gurus podcast, and is a frequent speaker at national conferences on market research, insights and investment banking.

Data Gurus

Each week, we explore market research topics, interview industry leaders, and reveal new insights into the world of data. Our mission is to bring you a real-life perspective on what’s happening in the data industry, and share how successful companies and individuals in this niche are surviving and thriving through the sea of change. We encourage you to be bold, be brave and be fearless. Let’s navigate the data ecosystem together.

Be a Guest

Interested in being a guest on the Data Gurus podcast? We want to hear from you! Please let us know who you are, what company you represent, and what topic you would like to speak about, if interviewed on our show.

Testimonials

Relevant & Instructive “Sima’s podcasts are a great resource for the market research (MR) industry. The discussion with Ravi Parmeswar, Winning the CPG Analytics Race 001, was helpful in understanding what issues clients face, and it also provided some thoughts on how the industry can work through them. Sima has a natural way to engage her guests. For example, Ravi’s thoughts on how artificial intelligence (AI) can be useful for MR were enlightening. Overall, very engaging podcast, great job, Sima!”

Pepi6322
03/06/2018

Entertaining, insightful and actionable! “Whether you’re well established as a data innovator, or just getting started carving out your niche — this is a must-listen podcast for you! Sima does an incredible job leading conversations that cover a huge breadth of topics related to the ins and outs of navigating our shifting technological landscape — with leaders who’ve actually experienced success themselves. Highly recommend listening and subscribing!”

Josh Crist
05/17/2022

Worth The Listen “Really enjoyed listening to each guest and their different perspectives, regarding what they do and how it relates to our ever-changing industry. The host, Sima Vasa, is energetic, enthusiastic, and adds to the whole ‘Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Fearless’ vibe. You can tell she loves what she does and is 100% engaged with her guests. I highly recommend Data Gurus to all, not only for those who are obsessed with data and the industry, but for the life lessons that can be learned as well.”

Data Dork
03/07/2018