Merlien Institute Advisory Board

Iva Kralj-Taylor is an Insight and Research professional with a focus on Broadcast, Technology and Online industry. Iva has extensive experience gained within large corporates where she had a key role in shaping launches of digital products such as BBC iPlayer, Virgin Media Tivo, YouView, DisneyLife and Disney+ influencing acquisition, retention, pricing, UI and marketing strategies. She thrives in using and pioneering new various complex research methods across multiple global markets. In her current role as Director, Consumer Insights for Warner Bros. Discovery, she and her team provide audience, market and performance-based insights for WBD Corporate Strategy teams. Iva received BS from the University of Rijeka, Croatia and MBA from CASS Business School in London.

Ashish currently serves as Global Director of Strategy and Consumer Insights at RBI for FireHouseSubs, Popeyes and TimHortons. He is a passionate & visionary insights entrepreneur with broad international experience and projects done in Europe and Asia, across multiple FMCG industries and client /agency/consultancy side. Credited with over one-and-a-half decade of rich, substantive and dynamic experience in the Analytics and Consumers Insights. During these years, he found innovative solutions to esoteric problems, thus creating a formidable impact in the industry. Widely travelled and learnt the ropes of consumer insights by working across geographies such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Switzerland where he was physically stationed.

Today, Liubov Ruchinskaya is a seasoned innovation leader with 19 years of international experience in insights-driven innovation and commercial data management. She is Head of Strategy, Analytics & Consumer Planning NE at Diageo. Previously, she had a role of the Global Consumer Insight Director Care for Electrolux Group, the world’s second-largest appliance maker. Prior to joining Electrolux, she spent almost 15 years with the multinational consumer products company Colgate-Palmolive, working in various roles and living in different geographies such as Istanbul, New York, Lagos, and Switzerland. These experiences have given her a unique perspective on ethics, cultural differences, and the power of diversity. Behind her success is a family that taught her values, resilience, and a positive mindset. She started working at the age of 19, and her first project was for the Lufthansa company, which defined her entire career as a business advisor. After this project, she was hired by the world’s leading data, insights, and consulting company, Kantar, and unlocked her international career. She has a Ph.D. in Data Science and an MBA from California State University-Hayward. Outside of the corporate world, she is a serial entrepreneur and consultant. She plays the role of startup coach, collaborating closely with EPFL University in Lausanne. She is a co-founder and sponsor of several unicorns, including Toysforplanet, a guest lecturer at the Geneva Business School, a council member in ESOMAR and the board chair at the Merlien Institute.

17+ years of experience in tech and telecom sectors with expertise in product marketing and management in addition to driving strategic partnerships and business development. For the past few years focussing on research on new and emerging technology especially 5G, XR and Metaverse Conceptualized the Ericsson Startup5G program, the first 5G consumer market development and startup accelerator program together with global 5G startups and telcos collaborating around XR and Metaverse development. An advisor to C-suite of leading global telcos on go-to-market strategy, products and propositions, strategy development and monetization approaches for new and emerging tech. 15+ years of experience in consumer and market insights with exceptional big data analytics, statistics and communication skills. Leading and managing a global team of researchers, data scientists and analytics professionals at Ericsson. Winner of Researcher of the Year award 2015 recognized for innovation and excellence in the market research industry through significant breakthroughs in mobile market research. Lead and manage both qualitative and quantitative survey methodologies and hands-on management of research vendors. Responsible for first ever mobile behavioral data analytics, consumer perception and network analytics correlation study at Ericsson. Experience in delivering results and insights to leadership/company executives, anticipating the market and offering strategic counsel based on consumer feedback and insights. Leading research projects both in high growth markets and internationally; these may be either Primary research or Secondary data projects. Highly knowledgeable on usage and application of various quantitative statistical analysis and tools. International speaker at various market research, telecom and technology insight events.

Massimo is an Insights expert with 30 years practice in consumer research, market data analysis and forecasting and sensory.
Currently he is Founding Partner at Altitude C a research consultancy specialized in research innovation, A.I. and sensory techniques.
His specialization areas are include:

• fostering innovation in data collection with “in context” real life interviewing and agile techniques
• using Supervised Machine Learning applied to consumer segmentations, NLP and product forecast analytics
• spurring growth by bringing the consumer voice to clients’ decision making and measuring research R.O.I..

Particularly in food, beverages, personal and home care products.
He is member of the French Society for Sensory Science (Methods Committee), ESOMAR and part of the Advisory Board of Merlien.
Massimo has held leadership roles in Consumer and Market Insights for Symrise (Flavours and Fragrances) and Food and Beverage companies such as the Coca-Cola Company, Nestlé, McDonald’s.
10 years tenure in leading research agencies (IPSOS, Research International) Massimo holds an M.S. summa cum laude in Business Management with major in Statistics from Luigi Bocconi University in Milan.

Dan Foreman is an experienced entrepreneur and leader.

Dan brings over 20 years of business experience. He specializes in emerging technologies and developing markets, having helped organizations grow from incubation to multi-million dollar revenues (and exits).

Dan began his career at WPP before progressing to senior client, advertising and consulting roles. These days Dan operates in investment, advisory and entrepreneurial positions, currently chairing or advising the boards of several data, technology, marketing, social media and research. He also personally invests in many early-stage businesses.

Dan is the current Past President for ESOMAR (holding elected position of 100,000 professionals 2013-14, the first President under the age of 40), Founder of TEDxRoyalTunbridgeWells, winner of the prestigious AMA “4 under 40” award, holder of the Disruptive Innovator MR Change Agent of the Year and a frequent guest lecturer at a number of business schools. He holds a BSc in Psychology and Mathematics from University of Leicester, UK.

Dan is able to tap into a wide network of people to help with different projects and ideas.