Latest comment pieces
A small world, and getting smaller
Anna Thomas and Tariq Mirza report on the Swedish Market Research Day 2010.
Mobile research – are we engaged?
It almost felt rude not to be tweeting on your phone at Globalpark’s second annual mobile research conference today. But when will mobile really take off as a research medium?
Facing up to difficult questions about panels
At Casro’s panel conference in New Orleans, researchers shared their efforts to answer some of the tough questions about how panels should and shouldn’t be used in order to get consistent, reliable results.
For your information
The legal framework underpinning data protection laws in Europe is under review. So what does this mean for the research industry? Here, Efamro president Stig Holmer offers his view on current EU thinking, and argues that a new data protection directive is likely.
Interesting times
What are the key trends shaping our lives and businesses in 2010? Scary, that’s what.
Has anyone seen the future of research?
The future of the research industry is still up for grabs, if talk at the Fast Forward London event is anything to go by.
GSMA and ComScore set out to make 2010 the year of mobile
In advertising, money follows eyeballs – but you need metrics that show what people are looking at. Little surprise, then, to see so much enthusiasm greet the launch of the GSMA Mobile Media Metrics product, a move many see as marking the dawn of the era of mobile.
The new order is the old order
According to a new Forrester report it appears that recession-struck research buyers will no longer commission “research for research’s sake”.
Going green
Kadence International was the only research agency to make it on to the Sunday Times ‘best green companies’ list in 2009. The firm’s UK managing director Kieron Mathews offers some tips for agencies looking to go green.
MR must educate the media in the use of research
Liz Nelson, executive chairman of Fly Research, believes research agencies should take more responsibility for making sure that research findings are properly reported in the media.
How research can capture the 'true depth' of digital comms
Online marketing communications are changing, and research needs to change too, writes Tom Woodnutt of Hall & Partners
The visibility factor
When Arbitron’s chief executive officer Michael Skarzynski appeared before the US House ofRepresentativesCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform last month, he faced a formidable opponent
MR and PR – a marriage made in heaven?
Opinium’s Mark Hodson contends that the use of market research in PR is a very good thing – even if it isn’t always as rigorous as we might hope.
A lament for fundraising research
Fundraising bodies have been making clear their frustration at the state of research in the third sector. They’re right, says Peter Maple of London South Bank University – the lack of marketing research into charity fundraising is a disgrace.
From the blogs
Are you what you do?
The days of asking consumers what they buy, which media they consume and where they shop will soon be long gone. This will create a big whole in research industry revenues as marketers revel in rapid, granular data from other sources.
Social Media – An Emotional View
Spotlight on some new social media research
Data deluge and insight
More data does not equal better insight
From Roots to Shoots - Asia's Talent Challenge Third & Final Part
The depth of research talent in Asia is not as deep as the magnitude and complexity of the market warrants. Given recent trends, if things continue as they are, the situation is unlikely to improve and could get worse. Measures are needed to both establish fundamental standards in the industry as well as to ensure ongoing career development is offered to those remaining in the industry. Otherwise, even if entry levels are raised we will still suffer from the problem of the 'missing middle', ...
Manipulative teens
It is taken for granted these days that teenagers sling information around on the internet with complete abandon and disregard. “Look at me!” they cry. “I have 517 Facebook friends!” I contend David Aaronovitch’s most recent view that: “As a teenager I told my parents absolutely nothing ...
RLF is back - Raiders of the Lost Art
Steve has just heard about the latest Research Liberation Front escapade for the MRS Conference
From gatherers to analysts - the new insight value chain?
For the research and insight industry, the implications of an explosion in the amount of data available are profound. In a world of scarce information, those who could somehow gather data and shed light on the truth were valued and feted. In a world of superabundant information, those who offer a teaspoonful of insight are less likely to be noticed. as the real stars will be those who can make sense of, and draw insight from, vast amounts of data quickly and reliably.
Making the first connection
Welcome to this new blog, which intends to raise awareness of, and stimulate debate around, a growing body of new data and insights that is challenging the usefulness of and even the need for many of the staple research approaches that have supported the industry since its inception.
BREAKING NEWS: Researchers caught 'conducting research'
Shock! Horror! The Australian Daily Telegraph reports that “children as young as eight are being paid to test new snacks, fast food, lollies and fizzy drinks”.
The cheapest way to measure ad effectiveness
In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, former Tory MP Edwina Currie suggests that the most cost-efficient way of gauging the effectiveness of public service advertising might be to stop doing any.