Booking the Feeling: Emotion, Brand & the Connected Trip at Booking.com

Booking the Feeling: Emotion, Brand & the Connected Trip at Booking.com

Author: Kantar & Saïd Business School, Oxford University February 4, 2026 Duration: 17:00

Travel is emotional, but booking a trip often isn’t. As expectations rise, Booking.com is working to bring emotion to moments that usually feels purely functional. Convenience isn’t the only game in town.


In this episode, Jane Ostler talks with Ben Harrel, Managing Director, US at Booking.com. They discuss how the brand blends performance and long‑term storytelling to spark that Booking.yeah feeling, how creators help the brand speak authentically to different travellers, and how Gen AI is enabling more tailored and relevant communication at scale. Ben also shares a practical vision for the connected trip: a future where flights, stays, cars and attractions seamlessly work together, as well as how they can step in proactively when things go wrong, working towards a frictionless experience.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


How do you separate the fleeting trends from the fundamental shifts that will reshape business? Future Proof is a conversation built on that very question, born from a unique partnership between the rigorous academic world of Oxford University's Saïd Business School and the ground-level market intelligence of Kantar. This isn't about quick tips; it's about deeper understanding. Each episode sits down with a leading thinker or practitioner for an honest, nuanced exploration of the forces changing how brands connect with people. You'll hear discussions that cut through the noise, challenging popular assumptions with data and scholarly insight. We examine everything from the practical implications of new technology to evolving consumer behaviors, always with an eye on what it means for long-term strategy. The goal is to provide a clearer, more evidence-based perspective for leaders who want to make decisions that last. Tune in for a podcast that values substance over hype, offering a rare blend of intellectual depth and real-world application to help you think differently about marketing's future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Future Proof
Podcast Episodes
From Pause to Play: Mapping Amazon Ads Canvas with Chris Mullins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:35
Kantar’s Media Reactions 2025 study found that consumers rank Amazon the #1 global media brand for ad preference. In fact, Amazon, Twitch, and Prime Video—all Amazon brands—appear in three of the top five most preferred…
How does Reckitt harness AI to drive transformation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:40
In this episode, Jane Ostler interviews Bastien Parizot, SVP of IT and Digital Marketing and Transformation at Reckitt. They discuss the transformative role of AI in marketing, the launch of Reckitt Catalyst, a program a…
From Rides to Reach: Mobility Media Unlocked with Matt Trandall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:48
Mobility media is turning everyday rides into powerful brand moments—blending digital precision with real-world presence to deliver contextual, location-aware ad experiences. While these new ad formats drive a lot of val…
Why being Daring with Dairy matters to Arla [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:12
In this episode, Natalie Botha, Global Creative and Comms Lead at Arla, talks about her role in supporting marketers to be creative and how it plays a crucial role in brand growth. She talks about their Cannes Lions awar…
The Future of Advertising in a Retail-Driven AI World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:32
From the rise of agentic AI and retail media networks to the evolving role of conversational commerce, the retail ecosystem has transformed in the last few years, opening new opportunities for brand marketers. In this sp…
From launch to impact: insights for innovation success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:25
In this episode, Nicki Morley, Global Innovation Lead at Kantar speaks with Deirdre van Zyl, Head of Innovation Planning – Africa and Salome Njomo – Innovations Planning Manager – Africa about the importance of creating…