DVJ Insights shortlisted for Quirk’s Global Marketing Research Project Award for NIVEA CONNECT
London, 24 September 2026 – DVJ Insights has been shortlisted for the Quirk’s Award for Global Marketing Research Project for its work on the NIVEA CONNECT COMPASS, a global research programme developed together with NIVEA to better understand loneliness and human connection.
The nomination follows DVJ’s recent ESOMAR Award for Best Social Impact Research for the same project, marking another major international recognition for the research and the team behind it.
Combining scientific rigour with human understanding
Loneliness and social isolation are increasingly recognised as major societal and wellbeing challenges, yet loneliness often remains invisible. Together with DVJ Insights, NIVEA created the NIVEA CONNECT COMPASS as a long-term social mission focused on better understanding loneliness, reducing stigma and strengthening meaningful human connection.
Conducted among more than 30,000 people across 13 countries, the study was designed to create both global comparability and local emotional understanding. Respondents shared their own stories, emotions and experiences around loneliness and social connection, enabling DVJ to uncover not only broad international patterns, but also the personal and cultural realities behind them.
From research to long-term impact
The findings became the strategic foundation for NIVEA CONNECT and its initiatives across 40 countries, supporting awareness activities, NGO partnerships and local programmes focused on loneliness and human connection.
For DVJ, the project demonstrates how research can move beyond measurement and become a foundation for long-term action. By combining scientific rigour, human storytelling and AI-supported exploration, the team created a research programme that was both methodologically robust and deeply human.
The Quirk’s nomination adds to the project’s recent international recognition and follows DVJ’s win of the ESOMAR Award for Best Social Impact Research.
Lucas Hulsebos, CEO and owner of DVJ Insights, says: “For me, loneliness is a personal topic that has been discussed many times in different situations. That is why receiving another international recognition for this project makes me incredibly proud. NIVEA had the ambition to better understand loneliness and human connection, and our role was to build the research approach that could make that possible at a global scale. Combining scientific rigour with real human stories allowed us to create research that was both robust and meaningful. And it did not stop at understanding the issue; it became the foundation for NIVEA CONNECT and action around the world.”
The Quirk’s Awards recognise the researchers, suppliers and products and services that are adding value and impact to marketing research. Finalists are selected by a panel of judges made up of a combination of end-client researchers, supplier partners and Quirk’s editorial staff.
The award winners will be announced at the Quirk’s Awards Virtual Celebration on November 17, 2026. Please visit quirksawards.com for more details.
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