Intelligence for brand growth at Esomar Congress 2026

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

Let's talk Brand Growth

Check our sessions

 

This September, Kantar will be alongside the global insights community at Esomar Congress 2026, joining leaders from across research, analytics, technology and brand strategy to discuss the future of consumer understanding. 

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:

Dialogues within: a dialogical self-exploration of men becoming fathers 

Sandeep Dutta and Paroo Tikoo, Kantar 
2 September | 11:50-12:10 | Core Stage 

An exploration of identity, life transitions and human understanding through the experience of becoming a father. 

 

Metamorphosis in practice: culture-led insights sprints that land creatives 

Yee Mei Chan, Kantar and Unilever 
2 September | Time TBC | Core Stage 

Discover how cultural understanding can help brands create stronger, more effective creative work and turn insight into action. 

 

Synthetic augmentation takes centre stage: a new chapter for insights 

James Brooks, Kantar and Sunando Das, Unilever 
2 September | 15:00-15:15 | Impact Stage 

Learn how synthetic sample boosting can improve statistical precision, overcome small-sample limitations and help insights teams make faster, more confident decisions. 

 

Creative consequences: why the world's strongest brands create the world's best advertising 

Vera Sidlova, Kantar and Felipe Thomaz, Saïd Business School 
3 September | 10:05-10:25 | Core Stage 

New analysis combining LINK+ and BrandZ demonstrates how creative quality predicts future brand equity, pricing power and sustainable brand growth. 

 

Bridging the gap: why operating models, not technology, will determine the success of Human + AI organisations 

Kimberley Burbridge, Kantar and Marie Van Blaricum, Google 
3 September | 10:15-10:35 | Impact Stage 

New global research reveals why operating models, workflows and decision architecture will determine whether organisations succeed in a Human + AI future. 
 

 

Award-shortlisted work 

We’re so proud that several Kantar projects have been recognised at the Esomar Awards, showcasing 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 Artificial intelligence in insights Synthetic data and digital twins Creative effectiveness Brand growth Consumer understanding at scale Future-ready operating models for insights teams