Meet Marc Berg, the CEO of Statista, a leading data and business intelligence platform that empowers individuals and organizations to make informed, fact-based decisions. With a vast repository of statistics, reports, and market insights, Statista has become a go-to destination for data-driven decision-making. Under Berg’s leadership, Statista is poised to further expand its reach and impact, driving innovation and growth in the market research industry. In this insightful interview, Berg shares his vision for Statista’s future growth and expansion in the global market research industry, highlighting the company’s innovative solutions, such as Statista Connect, and its potential to revolutionize data research with generative AI. He discusses the importance of delivering exceptional customer experiences, embracing change, and building resilience in a transforming market. From the rise of AI to emerging trends in the African market, Berg provides valuable insights on the future of market research and Statista’s role in shaping it, offering a glimpse into the company’s strategic priorities and future direction.
Statista is undergoing a significant gen AI industry transformation, presenting challenges and opportunities
What is your vision for Statista’s future growth and expansion in the global market research industry?
At Statista, our mission is to empower people with data. We develop solutions that meet our customers’ needs, focusing on trusted, curated, and reliable data. To expand our reach, we’re exploring new ways to make our data accessible beyond our platform. Our new solution, Statista Connect, enables seamless integration of our data into various systems and applications through an API, driving future growth.
Statista Connect allows businesses to leverage our vast repository of market data, consumer survey results, and industry studies, containing statistics drawn from reputable sources. This solution is designed to provide effortless access to our data, fueling informed decision-making and strategic growth
How do you see Statista evolving to meet the changing needs of the market research industry as a whole?
We’re undergoing a significant gen AI industry transformation, presenting challenges and opportunities. This impacts our platform, requiring an enhanced customer experience with our Research AI service while protecting data from Large Language Models. The gen AI market will likely structure into three layers: data, infrastructure, and access. Statista can become a leading provider of curated, trustworthy, and scalable data, powering the industry.
What strategies do you believe are essential for Statista to maintain its competitive edge in the industry?
As a leading data-as-a-service company, Statista must adapt to thrive. The rise of gen AI and a volatile global market are changing user behavior and increasing economic pressure on customers. To stay ahead, we need to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences and innovative solutions that meet evolving user needs. For Statista, this means embracing constant change and reinventing ourselves to remain competitive. In my view, embracing change is key to building resilience and navigating crises in a transforming market.
What trends do you see shaping the global market research industry in the next 5-10 years?
The rise of generative AI will revolutionize data research, shifting from keyword-based searches to AI-enabled queries. Users will increasingly rely on AI applications, agents, or internal ecosystems that provide direct answers, aggregating data from multiple sources and creating more value. As AI adoption becomes widespread, companies will move from experimentation to accountability, building strategies around AI that rely on trustworthy data.
What insights can you share about the African market that might be valuable to our readers?
Africa is excelling in digital finance, with many adults making digital payments and leading the world in mobile money transfers. This is attracting significant venture capital investments. From a broader economic perspective, Africa is also showing promise in regional trade, renewable energy, and integrating into global value chains, such as the chocolate industry in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
How is Statista leveraging emerging technologies to enhance its services and stay ahead of the competition?
Statista stays customer-focused while keeping reliable data at its core. We’re innovating to meet changing needs and protect data. Key projects include Statista Connect, a generative AI solution for intuitive data discovery, and an adapted SEO strategy to capitalize on the shift to Large Language Models.
What investments is Statista making in research and development to drive innovation in the market research industry?
Two key initiatives are worth highlighting. Firstly, Statista+ offers comprehensive business solutions, driving innovation in market research. A key focus area is ‘synthetic populations’, simulated representations of real-world groups created using data models and survey data. This approach enables quick pattern simulation and target group estimation without using actual people’s private information.
Secondly, Statista Healthcare, our ranking and rating division, is collaborating with the non-profit Future of Health (FOH). Together, we’ll deliver evidence-based recommendations for healthcare organizations through global surveys, expert interviews, and data analysis, focusing on innovation and adoption.
How do you see technology changing the way market research is conducted?
Technology is revolutionizing market research by enabling faster and more efficient data collection.
With the rise of generative AI, customers expect quick and seamless access to information. To meet this demand, we’re innovating with Statista Connect, a service that allows software vendors and companies to access our vast database of over 1 million datasets via API connection. This enables flexible integration into various ecosystems and platforms, making our data accessible exactly where it’s needed.
What partnerships has Statista formed to enhance its services?
Statista has partnered with companies like Canva, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Perplexity to expand its reach. Through Statista Connect, these partners can access over 1 million data points directly and in real-time, enabling seamless analysis and visualization. For Microsoft 365 Copilot, our data integrates into apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, boosting productivity and efficiency. With Perplexity, our information is embedded in the AI search engine’s answers. These integrations set new standards for generative AI, enabling it to drive informed decision-making.
What lessons have you learned from your time as CEO, and how have they influenced your leadership approach?
Two key leadership lessons stand out to me. Firstly, my experience as CEO of FreeNow during the COVID-19 pandemic taught me the importance of transparent and honest communication in times of crisis. This approach reflects my core values: honesty, loyalty, commitment, accuracy, and politeness.
Secondly, I believe in hiring talented individuals and giving them the autonomy to thrive. As a CEO, my role is to set direction, connect the dots, and provide guidance, rather than trying to control or micromanage. By handing over responsibility and holding teams accountable, I empower employees to succeed and drive the company forward.
