Intelligence for brand growth at Esomar Congress 2026

 1-4 September 2026 | Valencia, Spain | Booth 33 

Let's meet!

Check our sessions

 

From AI-powered insights and synthetic data to brand growth and decision-making, the industry is facing new opportunities and new challenges. At the heart of that conversation is a defining question: how do organisations combine human understanding and AI to make better decisions? 

Meet us at Booth 33 and learn how Kantar is combining human understanding, AI and industry-leading innovation to help brands make better decisions. We'll be sharing fresh perspectives, practical case studies and our experts’ latest thinking, exploring how organisations can turn insights into intelligence and intelligence into growth. 

Check out our sessions here:

WEDNESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER
11.25–12.45Impact stage Rewiring GrowthExplore how insight teams are moving from measurement to influence, shaping better decisions and stronger business outcomes.Chaired by Mary Kyriakidi, Kantar
11.50–12.10Core stage Dialogues within: A dialogical self-exploration of men becoming fathersA human-led study revealing how first-time fathers navigate identity, responsibility and decision-making during the transition to parenthood.Paroo Tikoo, Kantar
15.00–15.15Core stage Synthetic augmentation takes centre stage: A new chapter for insightsSee how synthetic sample boosting combines survey data and machine intelligence to deliver sharper insight for smaller cohorts.Sunando Das, UnileverJames Brooks, Kantar
THURSDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
09.45–10.05Emergence stage Beyond defence: How advocacy can build markets, trust, and opportunityExplore how advocacy can move beyond defending against regulatory threats to proactively build trust, support balanced regulation, and create stronger conditions for the research and insights industry to grow.Fireside chat with Ravinder Roopra (Kantar), Rupert van Hüllen (Ipsos) and Kim Smouter (Esomar LAC)
10.00–10.20Core stage Creative consequences: The link between creative quality and brand equityDiscover what global evidence reveals about the relationship between creativity, brand equity and advertising that drives growth.Felipe Thomaz, Said Business School, University of OxfordVera Sidlova, Kantar
10.10–10.30Shift stage Architects of Intelligence: Bridging the Gap Between AI Strategy and Organisational RealityExplore why technology alone rarely transforms organisations. Instead, success depends on reengineering operating models that connect people, intelligence and workflows to decision and action.Marie Van Blaricum, GoogleKimberley Burbidge, Kantar
11.35–11.55Emergence stage How culture-led insight sprints turned mixed creative results into first-time successLearn how culture-led insight sprints help teams build sharper briefs grounded in real consumer tensions and language.Lanny Li, UnileverYeeMei Chan, Kantar

Award-shortlisted work 

We’re bursting with pride! Several Kantar projects are short-listed for the Esomar Awards, showcasing our innovation in AI, brand intelligence and consumer understanding.

From panels to agents 

Shortlisted for Excellence in AI and Automation in Market Research 

Developed with Google, this multi-agent system benchmarks brand performance across the digital consumer journey and explores new approaches to AI-enabled measurement. 

 

From insight to foresight 

Shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution to Consumer Insights 

How Kraft Heinz built a future-facing flavour growth strategy through a combination of innovation, foresight and consumer understanding.

 

Project Athena

Shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution to Consumer Insights 

A study exploring the evolving definitions of success among South African women and the cultural factors shaping aspiration and achievement.
 

Book time with us at ESOMAR

Frequently Asked Questions
What is ESOMAR Congress 2026?
ESOMAR Congress is one of the world's leading events for insights, research, analytics and data professionals. The 2026 edition, themed Metamorphosis, brings together leaders from across the industry to explore the future of human understanding and decision-making.
When and where is ESOMAR Congress 2026 taking place?
ESOMAR Congress 2026 takes place from 1-4 September 2026 in Valencia, Spain. Kantar will be exhibiting at Booth 33 throughout the event.
What is Kantar presenting at ESOMAR Congress 2026?
Kantar's programme explores some of the biggest questions facing the insights industry, including human understanding in the age of AI, synthetic data, creative effectiveness, cultural understanding and the future of decision-making. Through presentations, case studies and new research, Kantar experts will share perspectives on how organisations can turn insights into intelligence and intelligence into growth.

What sessions is Kantar participating in at ESOMAR Congress 2026?
Kantar speakers will present on topics including identity and life transitions, culture-led innovation, synthetic sample boosting, creative effectiveness and the organisational changes needed to succeed in an AI-enabled future. Sessions feature speakers from Kantar alongside partners including Unilever, Google and Saïd Business School.
Where can I meet Kantar at ESOMAR Congress 2026?
You can visit Kantar at Booth 33 throughout the event or request a meeting with our team to discuss brand growth, consumer understanding, creative effectiveness, AI, synthetic data and future-ready insights strategies.
What topics will Kantar discuss at ESOMAR Congress 2026?
Kantar’s programme focuses on: Human understanding and decision-making AI insights, synthetic data and digital twins, creative effectiveness, brand growth, consumer understanding at scale, and future-ready operation models for insights teams