Maria Vrachnos

Innovation & Insights

Maria is a socio-cultural research and trend expert. She has worked in the innovation and research arena for over two decades and has delivered tailored trend research services for a broad range of Fortune 500 companies including: Reebok, Nissan, Perry Ellis, Harman International, Philips Consumer Lifestyle, Beiersdorf and Coca-Cola.

As a former editor of the L Report, the report immortalized by Malcolm Gladwell’s Tipping Point, Maria directed primary research; identifying influential trend themes and their impact on culture. She came back east to establish consumer insights & experience centres for Philips, where she identified consumer need states to inform product innovation and global marketing activities.

As a newly-wed, constant travel did not suit her, so she co-founded peep insights & revelations in 2006. The Soho based research consultancy, known for cutting edge research methodologies and visually stimulating reporting, helped companies better understand the constantly evolving worlds of consumer behaviour, technology and brand influence.

Maria has lectured at the Institute for International Research and served on industry panels as a cultural expert. She is frequently cited as a trend authority by the media, including: The New York Times, National Public Radio, Brand Week, Sportswear International and WWD. She is a Middlebury College graduate and speaks Greek, Italian and Spanish — evidence of her insatiable curiosity and true desire to understand people.

After selling her shares of peep insights & revelations in 2014, Maria has been consulting independently. Her focus remains innovation, insights and inspirational collaborations she is passionate about.