In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Brian Jones, President of Merrick Bank, about how to grow a business while staying true to its mission. Brian shares his career journey, with over three decades of experience at the intersection of law and banking. The conversation looks at how the bank's sub-prime customers are navigating economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and what that means for financial services today.

They also discuss key moments in the bank’s growth, including acquisitions and rebrands, and how Merrick is thinking about its future. Brian also offers his perspective on what’s ahead for financial services, and the critical shifts he believes will define the next five years.

Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to share your thoughts on the conversation, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.

Host:

Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.

Guest:

Brian Jones, President, Merrick Bank .

In this episode, Mintel explores the 2026 Global Beauty and Personal Care Predictions, unpacking how the industry is evolving beyond traditional definitions of beauty into a space where health, emotion, and authenticity take center stage. We dive into three key trends shaping the future:

• Metabolic Beauty: where beauty meets health at a cellular level, and products evolve into personalized, preventative tools powered by biomarker testing and bio-intelligent technology.
• Sensorial Synergy: where beauty shifts from results-driven to experience-led, using sensory innovation to influence mood, emotional wellbeing, and daily rituals.
• Beyond the Algorithm: The Human Touch Revolution: where consumers move away from hyper-polished perfection and toward beauty that feels real, expressive, and authentically human.

Together, these trends highlight a fundamental change: beauty is no longer just about appearance; it's becoming a tool for wellness, emotional connection, and self-expression. From diagnostic skincare to immersive sensory experiences and a renewed focus on human creativity, brands will need to rethink how they deliver value and connect with consumers.

Download the 2026 Global Beauty and Personal Care Predictions and get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply these predictive insights to your specific growth goals.

Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of the future of beauty, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.

Host:

Andrew McDougall, Director of Insights, Beauty & Personal Care.

Guests:

Clare Hennigan, Principal Analyst, Beauty & Personal Care, Mintel.

Rosalia Di Gesu, Associate Principal Analyst, Beauty & Personal Care, Mintel.

In this episode, host Andrew Davidson speaks with Melissa Stevens, Chief Marketing Officer at Fifth Third Bank, about the strategic acquisition of Comerica and what it means for brand integration in today’s competitive banking landscape. Melissa shares how the bank is balancing scale with authenticity—leveraging customer experience, community engagement, and AI-driven insights to build trust and drive growth. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of merging brands, and how a clear, customer-centric strategy can turn acquisition into long-term value.

Get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply predictive insights to your specific growth goals.

Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about Fifth Third Bank's acquisition of Comerica, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.

Host:

Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.

Guests:

Melissa Stephens, Chief Marketing Officer, Fifth Third Bank.

Host Andrew Davidson, Mintel expert Kendall Gadie and industry veteran Marty Ellingsworth delve into the current insurance affordability crisis, exploring the factors driving rising premiums and the resulting shifts in consumer behavior. They discuss the impact of post-COVID changes, the role of agents and the strategies insurers are employing to navigate these challenges. Listen to find out more about the importance of AI and technology in shaping the future of insurance, as well as the need for effective communication of value to consumers who are increasingly price-sensitive.

Get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply predictive insights to your specific growth goals.

Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about the insurance affordability crisis, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.

Host:

Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.

Guests:

Kendall Gadie, Associate Director, Comperemedia.

Marty Ellingsworth, President, Salt Creek Analytics.

Host Andrew Davidson welcomes Krista Phillips, M&T Bank's first Chief Customer Officer, back to the podcast. Krista shares her journey and insights into the evolving role of customer experience in banking. With a career spanning major financial institutions, Krista discusses how customer insights can be leveraged to drive innovation and improve service delivery, highlighting specific examples of changes made based on customer feedback, such as streamlining onboarding processes and enhancing fraud detection communication.

Get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply predictive insights to your specific growth goals.

Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about driving changes based on customer feedback, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.

Host:

Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.

Guests:

Krista Phillips, Chief Customer Officer, M&T Bank.

Host Andrew Davidson and Doug Villone, Head of US Cards & Partnerships at Barclays discuss the evolving landscape of credit card usage and the potential future partnerships that may shape commerce. Listen to learn more about the importance of understanding consumer behavior and the role of non-traditional retailers in the credit card ecosystem.

Get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply predictive insights to your specific growth goals.

Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about non-traditional retailers in the credit card industry, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.

Host:

Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.

Guests:

Doug Villone, Head of US Cards & Partnerships, Barclays.

Go inside United Airlines’ co-brand strategy with host Andrew Davidson and Bob Daly, Managing Director of Global Co-Brand Cards. In this episode, we break down United’s recent card relaunch with Chase, the airline’s bold move into debit, and how a 360° career across consulting, banking, and airlines shaped Bob’s view of what truly drives loyalty. Listen to find out where co-brand programs are heading next and how leading brands are reimagining value for travelers.

Get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply predictive insights to your specific growth goals.

Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about bold co-branding strategies, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.

Host:

Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.

Guests:

Bob Daly, Managing Director, Global Co-Brand Cards, United Airlines.

Notes: What does it really take to turn information into insight — and insight into impact? Host Andrew Davidson is joined by David Faulkner, Senior Director at Mintel, as he reflects on a remarkable career championing the art of insight across some of the world’s leading food and beverage brands. Together they explore why bold thinking matters, how to move beyond data to meaning, and what the rise of AI means for the future of insight and creativity.

Get in touch with Mintel Consulting to apply predictive insights to your specific growth goals.

Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about bold thinking and the future of insights, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.

Host:

Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.

Guests:

David Faulkner, Senior Director, Food and Drink Insights.

Additional links:

Video: “FAGE: Wherever You Want It” by FAGE Source: YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNLhysjTVgE

Video: “Meet Lazlo: The Most Boring Pet in the World” by Catherine McEver Source: YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7ai7MQgmSw

Video: “The Remote Work Revolution | The Prof G Show” by The Prof G Pod – Scott Galloway Source: YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkWFeSmfAnA

Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Pam Habner, Head of US Branded Cards and Lending at Citi, about the launch of the Strata Elite Card and its strategic positioning in the competitive credit card market. Pam shares insights on consumer preferences, marketing strategies, and the importance of flexibility in rewards. Listen to the conversation about the evolving landscape of premium credit cards, the impact of AI on financial services, and leadership lessons from Pam's extensive experience in the industry.

Download Comperemedia’s FREE 2025 Global Financial Services Trends and get in touch with our consultants to learn more about how the trends apply to your brand.

Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about the state of premium cards, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.

Host:

Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.

Guest:

Pam Habner, Head of US Branded Cards and Lending, Citi.

Host Andrew Davidson speaks with Jacob Zachs, founder and CEO of Fasten Rewards, about the innovative Fasten Rewards Visa credit card, which uniquely offers points on auto-related expenses such as loans, leases, insurance, and maintenance. Jacob discusses the card's target market, early adoption insights and the challenges of launching a new financial product. Listen to the conversation and find out more about marketing strategies, dealer partnerships, and the competitive landscape, highlighting Fasten's unique value proposition in the auto financing space.

Download Comperemedia’s FREE 2025 Global Financial Services Trends and get in touch with our consultants to learn more about how the trends apply to your brand.

Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about rewarding car payments, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.

Host:

Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.

Guest:

Jacob Zachs, Founder and CEO, Fasten Rewards

Host Andrew Davidson is joined by David Johnson, CEO of Vervent, to explore the company’s journey from a specialist provider to a global force in financial services. They unpack how economic uncertainty is reshaping consumer needs — particularly among subprime audiences — and how Vervent is responding with innovation, agility and a consumer-first mindset. David shares his perspective on building trust in financial services, the evolving role of brand strategy, and how AI is shaping the future of the industry.

Download Comperemedia’s FREE 2025 Global Financial Services Trends and get in touch with our consultants to learn more about how the trends apply to your brand.

Head over to Mintel’s LinkedIn to let us know what you think of this discussion about subprime credit, and visit mintel.com to become a member of our free Spotlight community.

Host:

Andrew Davidson, SVP/Chief Insights Officer, Comperemedia.

Guest:

David Johnson, CEO & Founder, Vervent.