Latest news
2009 was 'dismal' for top 25 with revenue down 3.1%, says Honomichl
US— The research industry’s top 25 agencies saw their 15-year run of growth come to an end last year, with total revenues for the group down 3.1% to $17.4bn.
Casro forms social media research task force
US— The Council of American Survey Research Organisations (Casro) has formed a social media research task force to get to grips with the ethical and methodological issues surrounding the use of social networks and blogs for gaining consumer insight.
Progressive Digital Media buys beverage researcher Canadean
UK— Progressive Digital Media (PDM) has acquired Canadean, a market research business specialising in the beverage industry, for £9m in cash and the issue of 6.9m new PDM shares.
From the magazine – August
The new normal
Robert Bain considers how the financial crisis influenced consumer behaviour, and the challenges this presents for research.
Time to put your foot down
Volkswagen Group’s economic and insight manager Steve Gatt has had enough of market research that’s inadequate and out of touch with business needs, writes Robert Bain.
The etiquette of eavesdropping
What’s the right way to behave when listening in on online conversations? Jeffrey Henning proposes consumer-driven rules for social media monitoring.
Latest video
Ben Page on how the recession has affected consumers
We speak to Ipsos Mori CEO Ben Page on what’s changed in the wake of the recession, and what hasn’t.
Latest features
Will Thumbspeak become a hotspot for wireless access to consumers?
Dean Wiltse is looking to play mobile matchmaker between companies and consumers with his new company Thumbspeak. We take the service for a test drive.
Nielsen's Benezra reflects on a Life360 in South Africa
The final whistle of the 2010 World Cup has blown, but for researchers there is still work to do. Like data analysis. Research spoke to Nielsen’s Karen Benezra about the highs and lows of the firm’s South African campaign.
Audio interviews
Ray Poynter makes the case for new MR
We speak to Ray Poynter about his new book, The Handbook of Online and Social Media Research.
Steven Van Belleghem on the art of conversation
In his new book, Steven Van Belleghem heralds the rise of ‘conversation manager’. But where does that leave research?
Comment
Let's let respondents decide what matters
Roger Sant, vice president at Maritz Research, says we need to start thinking of respondents as customers – and give them a little more respect.
From the blogs
What a to-do about DIY
With everyone talking about clients doing DIY research, Steve is wondering what research agencies will be doing in five years.
Consultation or nonsultation?
In the Daily Telegraph, Andrew Gilligan has been having a go at ‘nonsultations’ – cynical attempts by government to lend legitimacy to pre-determined decisions, masquerading as consultation exercises.
Wedding Fever
A look at how the 'big day' continues to buck the recessionary trends
Upcoming events
Social Media Research - 23 September 2010
Social Media Research will examine how research professionals can use social media to best capture customer insights, engage with customers and improve accuracy of social media research findings. Don’t miss key contributions from O2, Metro, The Guardian, Virgin Media and internet critic Andrew Keen.
