030 | The Future of Insights is sitting at the bar | with Paul Thomas, Global Insight Director at Beam Suntory (London, UK).
S1:E30

030 | The Future of Insights is sitting at the bar | with Paul Thomas, Global Insight Director at Beam Suntory (London, UK).

Summary

In episode 030, I had the pleasure of talking to Paul Thomas. He is the Global Head of Shopper Insights at Beam Suntory. He has previously worked for Asahi International, Diageo, Ferrero, and Ipsos. He has an incredible global experience in Drinks Industry Insights. It was a pleasure to discuss it with such pragmatism and common sense. I hope you will enjoy our chat (00:50); Insights in the Field(13:43); Adapting to Market Conditions(19:40); Chasing Trends; A Very Bad Idea(23:30); Why Do We Have To Chase Gen Z?(34:26); What A Bar Tender Needs To Know About Your Brand(36:18); Penetration Vs Spread(42:47); How Much Localization Is Good?(51:25); Bridging Categories(55:47); Insights At The Bar Level About The Host: Chris Maffeo About The Guest: Paul Thomas
Happy 2026. This Episode is hosted by Chris Maffeo and brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS. A Deep-Dive Analysis of This Episode is Available at maffeodrinks.com

Celebrate with us our 3rd anniversary with a special 30% off forever at
maffeodrinks.com/anniversary  

In episode 030, I had the pleasure of talking to Paul Thomas. He is the Global Head of Shopper Insights at Beam Suntory. He has previously worked for Asahi International, Diageo, Ferrero, and Ipsos. He has an incredible global experience in Drinks Industry Insights. It was a pleasure to discuss it with such pragmatism and common sense. I hope you will enjoy our chat

(00:50); Insights in the Field
(13:43); Adapting to Market Conditions
(19:40); Chasing Trends; A Very Bad Idea
(23:30); Why Do We Have To Chase Gen Z?
(34:26); What A Bar Tender Needs To Know About Your Brand
(36:18); Penetration Vs Spread
(42:47); How Much Localization Is Good?
(51:25); Bridging Categories
(55:47); Insights At The Bar Level


About The Host: Chris Maffeo

About The Guest: Paul Thomas


This episode is brought to you by MAFFEO DRINKS, an Advisory helping drinks leaders execute bottom-up growth while managing stakeholder expectations.

Celebrate with us our 3rd anniversary with a special 30% off forever at
maffeodrinks.com/anniversary  

Creators and Guests

Chris Maffeo
Host
Chris Maffeo
Building Bottom-Up Strategies WITH Drinks Leaders Managing Top-Down Expectations | MAFFEO DRINKS Founder & Podcast Host
Paul Thomas
Guest
Paul Thomas
Global Head of Insights | Suntory Global Spirits