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Bernard Brenner
Consumer and Commercial Research & Insights Expert | Leadership Professional | Social Intelligence Innovator | Active Community Volunteer
Bernard Brenner is a prominent figure at Microsoft, currently serving as the Senior Director of Modern Work, Security/Compliance/Identity, and Social Intelligence Research. Based in Redmond, Washington, Brenner has dedicated his career to enhancing technology industry strategies through effective marketing and research methodologies.
Professional Background
Brenner leads efforts within Microsoft's Research + Insights team, focusing on innovative ways to extract customer insights from various data sources, particularly social media. His work emphasizes the social satisfaction methodology, which utilizes social media data to gauge customer sentiment and improve product offerings rapidly. This approach allows Microsoft to make informed decisions quickly, significantly reducing the time and cost typically associated with traditional market research methods.13
Contributions and Expertise
Brenner is recognized for his expertise in leveraging social media analytics to understand customer experiences with Microsoft products. His initiatives have included real-time tracking of user sentiment during significant product launches, such as Windows 11, enabling teams to respond swiftly to customer feedback and prioritize enhancements.1 Additionally, he is involved in educational efforts, serving on the advisory board for a Master's program in Marketing Research, where he contributes insights into industry dynamics.2
Certifications and Education
He holds a certification in Modern Marketing from Kellogg School of Management, issued in November 2020, underscoring his commitment to staying at the forefront of marketing practices within the technology sector.2
Overall, Bernard Brenner's role at Microsoft positions him as a key player in shaping how the company understands and responds to customer needs through innovative research methodologies.
Highlights
Yesterday, I had the privilege to discuss Microsoft's Social Intelligence Practice at the Puget Sound Research Forum. Social Intelligence remains an evolving field within marketing research, and our team has been at the forefront of innovation in this area for years. I am always enthusiastic about sharing how we harness organic social media data to address business questions and impact product and marketing strategies at Microsoft. The forum comprised a fantastic group of individuals who posed insightful and challenging questions. I extend my gratitude to the Puget Sound Research Forum for extending the speaking invitation. Special thanks to Justin Schoen and Kevin Tshilombo for their assistance during the Q&A session. And, of course, immense appreciation to the entire Microsoft SIP team for their dedication to producing world-class, cutting-edge work that is truly remarkable to discuss. (Alexandra Thach-Webster, Jordan Berdovich, Justin Schoen, Kevin Tshilombo, Melissa M., Spencer Rodriguez)
Last Friday was one of my favorite days of the year - I had the honor of guest lecturing at Michigan State University's Master's in Marketing Research program for the sixth year in a row! It's always a pleasure to talk to the students about a variety of topics, including standing out in the industry, the differences between vendor and client side, and why speed is critical in research to influence decisions.
The master's candidates always bring great questions, and I love being able to share my experiences in the industry, layered in with a touch of humor and a lot of stories. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with the next generation of market researchers, and I am grateful for Don DeVeaux's continued partnership.
Looking forward to doing it again next year!
