In today’s rapidly shifting retail landscape, where data and artificial intelligence power the future of marketing, one guiding principle stands out: “Feeding the Human Spirit.” That’s the guiding principle of Kroger Precision Marketing Powered by 84.51° (KPM), the data sciences and insights arm of Kroger, and it sets the tone for a deeper conversation between host Jack Myers and Senior Vice President of Kroger Precision Marketing, Christine Foster. In their 25-minute “Profiles in Leadership” interview, Foster lays out how data science, clean-room technology, and human-centered marketing are converging in the business of retail media and loyalty marketing.
From the very start of the conversation, Foster emphasizes that for KPM, the highest priority is not simply “getting data right,” but using it to deliver meaningful, emotionally resonant experiences for customers. In her words: “the purpose of marketing is emotional connections, assuring that marketing disrupts the customer experience in a way that adds value to them.” This viewpoint signals that the advanced technologies at KPM, including its new clean-room capabilities and self-serve platform, are never ends in themselves but tools to better serve the human on the other side of the screen.
Data & AI Meet Humanity
Foster explains how the role of data science is evolving from “what happened” to “what happens next, and how do we create value for the customer.” With an ecosystem anchored in Kroger’s massive first-party data, KPM has long been trusted by brands to help turn insights into actionable media programs. Now, with clean rooms, AI, and insights, the company is empowering its media partners to safely combine their own data with Kroger’s, enabling richer, bespoke campaigns while preserving customer privacy.
For marketers seeking optimization, Foster highlights: “We treat data science, clean-room tech, retail media data as part of the tool kit of our media partners.” Whether measuring incremental lift, segmenting audiences or building predictive models, KPM is showing how media optimization in retail is increasingly driven by analytics as much as creative. The interview dives deeper into how this is opening new doors for both large advertisers and faster-growing mid-sized brands.
Unlocking the Mid-Market
One of the standout announcements in the discussion is the launch of a self-serve platform tailored for mid-sized brands. Foster explains that KPM recognized the need to democratize access to retail media and insight -- so that even brands without large media budgets can tap into Kroger’s data rich environment. She says the platform is designed to bring “brand clarity” and agility, allowing smaller advertisers to engage consumers via precision media with the same underlying intelligence used by larger players.
Insight-Driven Storytelling
Another major topic is the introduction of the new “Agent Monday” feature into KPM’s analytics platform, Stratum. Foster describes Agent Monday as a weekly consumer-insights briefing that distills shifting shopper behaviors, cultural signals, and trendspotting into bite-sized guidance for brands and media teams. It’s not just raw analytics; it’s framing the human story behind the numbers. As Foster notes: “We’re giving marketers a perspective on how customers are evolving so messaging stays relevant and respectful of their lives.”
Human-First Marketing
Across the conversation, Foster returns to the theme of relevance and respect. She emphasizes that every message should be “recognizing and valuing every customer as relevant to us.” That means no more one-size-fits-all campaigns and no more irrelevant noise. When asked how KPM ensures emotional connection, she replies: “At the heart, we view media as a conversation, not an interruption. Marketing that disrupts the customer experience needs to add value to them, not merely be seen by them.”
Why You Should Watch
If you’re a marketer, brand leader, or media strategist curious about the future of retail media, this interview is a must-watch. You’ll hear how Kroger Precision Marketing is:
- Translating Kroger’s first-party data and clean-room tools into measurable media advantage.
- Rolling out new platforms that open retail media to mid-size brands.
- Embedding weekly insight tools like Agent Monday to keep creative and optimization tied to human behavior.
- Anchoring it all in a human-centered philosophy of “Feeding the Human Spirit.”
Foster’s reflections make it clear that the future of retail media is not just algorithmic. It’s human. It’s emotional. It’s grounded in relevance. Her mantra looms large: “Recognizing and valuing every message as relevant to customers.” If you’re ready to learn how data, AI and human insight come together at KPM, don’t miss this conversation.
Watch the full interview now and discover how one of retail’s leading insight partners is reshaping loyalty marketing, retail media, and brand storytelling in the age of data-driven humanity.