The Gig Economy, Affluent Consumers, and What They Mean for Brands

Episode notes

In this episode of The Curiosity Current, hosts Stephanie and Glenn Fleischman talk with Michael Nevski, Director of Global Insights at Visa, about how AI, affluent consumers, and the gig economy are reshaping payment trends and brand strategy. Drawing on his career spanning roles at Danaher, IRI, and Charles Schwab, Michael explains how curiosity guided his path into insights and why blending transactional and behavioral data is essential for building a true 360° view of the consumer. He shares perspectives on affluent households sustaining spend, the diverse motivations of gig workers, and the growing need for brands to address long-term consumer anxieties around trust, security, and opportunity. The discussion also explores how agentic AI enables real-time insights and hyper-personalization, why synthetic data must prove its reliability, and what leaders can do to position insights teams as strategic partners rather than order takers. Michael underscores the value of mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and intellectual curiosity as the foundation for driving foresight and growth.