Peer-to-peer interviews have documented the rich heritage of black and Afro women in Ecuador, to recognise and share knowledge as part of an oral history project.
Understanding the emotional impact of child’s play, and what issues such as sustainability mean to kids, are high on the insight agenda for Mattel’s Michael Swaisland. By Katie McQuater
Video calls must be de rigueur for Michael Swaisland. Based in Germany, as head of insights for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at toy company Mattel, his role covers a huge, diverse geographic area.
When we meet virtually, the set-up has become the norm across the board. While video has simplified cross-border communication, however, understanding multiple markets, where tastes, cultures and languages vary, is still a complex job – and, for Swaisland, it’s increasingly about “listening, rather than asking”, particularly this year.