Research
James Verrinder Editorial

James is a reporter for Research Magazine and www.research-live.com. He also manages the popular 60 Second Soapbox feature in the magazine, and the new Spotlight series of video interviews on the website.

Stories by this contributor.

The Online Circle launches social media monitoring tool

11-Mar-2010

AUSTRALIA— Internet marketing agency The Online Circle has launched a new online tracking tool to monitor conversations across blogs, social media networks and forums.
Millward Brown unveils viral ad potential metric

11-Mar-2010

UK— Millward Brown has developed a metric to help marketers predict the viral potential of video adverts.
Sunrise signs up for Nielsen radio ratings

11-Mar-2010

US— New York-based radio station owner Sunrise Broadcasting has become the latest company to sign up to Nielsen’s radio ratings service.
Quantcast to offer country-specific online audience data

11-Mar-2010

US— Web measurement firm Quantcast has announced the launch of a localised audience data service for every country.
Private equity firm pumps $35m into 1010data

11-Mar-2010

US— Data analytics firm 1010data has secured a $35m minority investment from Norwest Venture Partners.
YouGov Siraj and Analyseize strike partnership

10-Mar-2010

JORDAN— YouGov Siraj has signed an agreement with Jordanian market research agency Analyseize to work together to provide research services in Jordan.
'Very disappointing' research performance mars Chime results

10-Mar-2010

UK— Chime Communications’ “best results ever” have been marred by the performance of the group’s research division, which includes agencies Opinion Leader, Brand Democracy, and Facts International.
Millward Brown to open Vietnamese office

10-Mar-2010

VIETNAM— Millward Brown is to open a new office in Vietnam in the second half of this year.
GfK names innovation manager for custom research arm

10-Mar-2010

UK— Norbert Wirth has been appointed global innovation manager of GfK’s custom research business.
ComScore spells out TV audience measurement plan

9-Mar-2010

The news that web audience measurement agency ComScore was embarking into TV audience measurement may have come as a surprise to some, but the firm says the move has always been on the cards.
New executive director joins Web Analytics Association

9-Mar-2010

US— The Web Analytics Association has appointed Mike Levin as its new executive director.
'Too early' to comment on potential sell-offs, says InfoGroup CEO

9-Mar-2010

US— InfoGroup CEO Bill Fairfield has said it is too soon to tell whether potential new owner CCMP Capital will sell off any of the database marketing firm’s business units, such as Opinion Research Corporation.
Clarins smells promise in launch of co-creation community Womanity

9-Mar-2010

FRANCE— Designer Thierry Mugler and the Clarins Fragrance Group have launched a new online co-creation community, Womanity.com.
IFF scoops double European Social Fund contract

9-Mar-2010

UK— IFF Research has been appointed to assess the impact of two European Social Fund programmes in Wales.
ORC owner InfoGroup agrees $635m private equity takeover

8-Mar-2010

US— InfoGroup, the database marketing firm and owner of research agency Opinion Research Corporation, has entered into an agreement to be bought by private equity house CCMP Capital in a $635m deal.
Court denies Nielsen's third motion to dismiss Sunbeam case

8-Mar-2010

US— Third time unlucky for Nielsen. A district court judge has refused the TV ratings firm’s latest attempt to dismiss an antitrust case brought against it by Florida broadcaster Sunbeam Television.
Springboard Research snaps up IT analyst Hydrasight

8-Mar-2010

AUSTRALIA— IT research agency Springboard Research has acquired independent IT analyst firm Hydrasight for an undisclosed amount.
Babble viewing centre opens for business

5-Mar-2010

UK— A new viewing facility and discussion gallery has opened its doors in Solihull. The new facility, called Babble, is fitted with the same camera system as TV’s Big Brother, a triple-glazed mirror between the viewing suite and discussion gallery and “state of the art” soundproofing.
ComScore eyes up television measurement forays, and hires former Arbitron exec

5-Mar-2010

US— Web measurement firm ComScore looks poised to make a push into the TV audience measurement business and has hired former Arbitron executive Joan Fitzgerald to lead the foray.
Mobile marketing and analytics firm Adenyo scoops $27m funding

5-Mar-2010

US— Mobile marketing software firm Adenyo has secured $26.9m in private equity funding which it says it will use to accelerate international growth.
Hewlett Packard insights manager takes up ORC technology role

4-Mar-2010

US— Former Hewlett Packard insights manager Nancy Bray has been appointed research director in the technology practice at InfoGroup-owned ORC.
B2B International sees revenue rise and industry optimism return

4-Mar-2010

UK— Specialist business-to-business research agency B2B International has reported nearly 10% rise in revenue for 2009.
Anheuser-Busch insights and strategy VP to leave in reshuffle

4-Mar-2010

US— Brewer Anheuser-Busch’s vice president of consumer strategy, insights and innovations will leave the company at the end of March, according to reports.
People on the move

4-Mar-2010

The latest appointments and promotions from the global market research and consumer insight industry. This week: QA Research, ORC, Globalpark, ViziSense, MRops, Market Probe and more.
Royal Mail taps eBay data for direct marketing targeting tool

4-Mar-2010

UK— The Royal Mail has teamed up with eBay data analysis firm Advanced Ecommerce Research Systems (AERS) to launch a new service to help direct marketers target the households likeliest to buy their products.
Initiative Australia hires research manager

3-Mar-2010

AUSTRALIA— Damian Vanderwolf has been appointed to the newly created role of research manager at media agency Initiative Australia.
BBM Analytics and Nielsen strike data integration deal

3-Mar-2010

CANADA— BBM Analytics has struck a deal to tie radio ratings data with music airplay information from Nielsen’s Broadcast Data Systems to show how individual songs are rated on a minute-by-minute basis and how listeners react over a longer period of time.
MarketTools adds trio of TrueSample customers

3-Mar-2010

US— Panel suppliers McMillion Research, uSamp and Western Wats have signed up to use MarketTool’s TrueSample panel cleaning software.
Private equity firms finalise IMS Health acquisition

3-Mar-2010

US— Investment groups TPG Capital and the CPP Investment Board have completed their $5bn takeover of healthcare researcher IMS Health.
MDLinx and DXY strike China healthcare panel deal

2-Mar-2010

US— Healthcare panel firm MDLinx has struck a deal with Chinese portal DXY that will give it exclusive access to the latter’s panel of 350,000 China-based physicians.
NeuroFocus appoints new advisory board members

2-Mar-2010

US— Neuromarketing agency NeuroFocus has added two new members to its advisory board – Barry Herstein and Dr Adam Gazzaley.
MS Research International founder Seth Micah Bonnie dead at 65

2-Mar-2010

GHANA— Seth Micah Bonnie, the founding managing director of Marketing and Social Research International Ghana, has died aged 65.
Omniture adds two new analytics customers

2-Mar-2010

UK— Omniture is celebrating a double contract win after CareerBuilder.com and Forbes.com signed up to use its online analytics software.
Simpson Carpenter names ex-TNS RI division head as TMT leader

2-Mar-2010

UK— Simpson Carpenter has appointed Mike Stevens, a former divisional head within TNS Research International, as its new director of telecommunications research.
Private equity house linked with InfoGroup bid

1-Mar-2010

US— Database marketing firm InfoGroup, the owner of research agency Opinion Research Corporation, could be the target of a bid from a New York-based private equity house, according to press reports.
Ex-Dexterity KPO boss launches Indian panel firm Krea

1-Mar-2010

INDIA— The former CEO of Dexterity KPO Services has launched a new company to provide clients with online and offline panels made up entirely of Indian consumers.
Synovate appoints MD for UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iran

1-Mar-2010

UAE— Synovate has appointed Clayton Buckley as its new managing director for the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
OTX promotes Bruzzese to head of Motion Picture Group

1-Mar-2010

US— OTX has promoted Vincent Bruzzese to lead its Motion Picture Group in the US following the departure of president Kevin Goetz.
Opinion Leader tends to nurse and midwives survey task

19-Feb-2010

UK— Health advisory body the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS) has contracted Opinion Leader to carry out a quantitative survey of concerns around nursing and midwifery.
SPSS adds three new analytics software clients

19-Feb-2010

US— Tesco Mobile heads a trio of firms who have signed up to use SPSS’s predictive analytics software to gain insights into customer behaviours and help improve retention rates.
Actis takes $50m stake in outsourcing firm Integreon

19-Feb-2010

US/INDIA— Private equity investment house Actis has acquired a “substantial minority stake” in research and business services outsourcing firm Integreon.
Nielsen to measure Samsung out-of-home signage

19-Feb-2010

US— Samsung Electronics America has signed Nielsen to provide ongoing audience measurement for its digital out-of-home signage networks, PROM.
YouGov and News International team up for daily polls

18-Feb-2010

UK— YouGov has launched a new daily polling service in partnership with News International to track voting intentions and gauge public opinion on topical issues ahead of the upcoming general election.
Arbitron says it's poised for 2010 growth with '09 revenue up 4%

18-Feb-2010

US— Radio ratings firm Arbitron predicted modest growth for 2010 as it reported an 8.5% rise in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2009 and a 4.4% increase for the full 12 months.
SBS not cowed by PPM encoding order

18-Feb-2010

US— Radio station owner Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) appears uncowed by a court order earlier this week forcing it to resume encoding its broadcasts for measurement by Arbitron’s portable people meter-based (PPM) ratings system.
Venture capitalists pump $4m into Effective Measure

18-Feb-2010

AUSTRALIA— Online audience measurement firm Effective Measure has secured $4m in private equity funding. The cash will be used to support “growing demand” for its services, the firm said.
ORC taps Mzinga for community-building software

17-Feb-2010

US— Infogroup-owned research agency ORC has struck a deal with online social software provider Mzinga to offer clients online market research community services.
Court sides with Arbitron against SBS

17-Feb-2010

US— A New York court has ordered radio station owner Spanish Broadcasting System to keep encoding its broadcasts so they can continue to be measured by Arbitron’s portable people meter-based ratings service.
MediaVest appoints analytics guru

17-Feb-2010

US— Pathikrit SenGupta has been appointed senior vice president and analytics director at Publicis-owned media agency MediaVest.
JD Power and Better Business Bureau strike content sharing deal

17-Feb-2010

US— The Better Business Bureau and JD Power & Associates have formed an online content sharing agreement to help consumers research and identify trustworthy businesses.
MTV partners with Quantcast for online ad targeting

17-Feb-2010

US— MTV Networks has signed up to web measurement firm Quantcast’s Media Program to help online video advertisers target specific audiences.
Scarborough adds cell-only households to more local market samples

17-Feb-2010

US— Media and consumer research agency Scarborough is adding cellphone-only (CPO) households to the sample for its Top-Tier Local Market studies in an additional 20 local markets.
People on the move

16-Feb-2010

The latest appointments and promotions from the global marketing research industry, including Australia Online Research, Kadence International and Gongos Research.
New research director joins Leapfrog

16-Feb-2010

UK— Leapfrog Research & Planning has hired Amanda Souter as a research director to work across the brand, communications and media and health and wellbeing divisions.
Radio stations attack Indian ratings system

16-Feb-2010

INDIA— Radio station owner Reliance Media World has accused the Media Research User Council’s ratings system of undercounting the number of listeners in smaller towns.
PPM Coalition calls for FCC probe in light of Arbitron's legal dispute with SBS

15-Feb-2010

US— Customers of Arbitron’s PPM radio ratings system have called on the Federal Communications Commission to investigate the system, after the research firm took action to force a broadcaster to continue encoding its signals.
STRC Research unveils millionaire panel

15-Feb-2010

UK— STRC Research has launched a new panel of Middle East-based millionaires which it plans to offer as a research resource to luxury goods brands.
PAC ups Media Square ownership to 28.5%

15-Feb-2010

UK— Investment house Prime Active Capital has upped its stake in marketing communications group Media Square from 21% to 28.5% after buying 3,350,000 shares at 15 pence each.
Youth researcher Dubit hits back at press criticism

15-Feb-2010

UK— Youth research and marketing agency Dubit has gone on the offensive after several newspaper reports over the weekend accused the firm of paying children to “plug junk food”.
Tribal DDB taps Visible Technologies for social media launch

12-Feb-2010

US— Digital marketing agency Tribal DDB Worldwide has struck a deal with Visible Technologies to give its clients access to the latter’s TruCast social media analysis products.
GfK's mobile sales tracking service unveiled in Ireland

12-Feb-2010

IRELAND— GfK has launched its Mobile Telecom retail panel in the Republic of Ireland, which collates electronic point-of-sale data to report on the best selling handsets and tariffs in the market.
Court orders Spanish radio broadcaster to resume PPM encoding

12-Feb-2010

US— Arbitron has been granted a temporary restraining order to force a radio broadcaster to resume encoding its broadcasts so that they can be detected by the firm’s portable people meter (PPM) technology.
Agency wanted for Sport England survey

12-Feb-2010

UK— Sport England, the government agency responsible for encouraging people to take part in sporting activities, is looking for a research agency to carry out The Active People Survey.
Nielsen moves to dismiss latest Sunbeam antitrust complaint

11-Feb-2010

US— Nielsen has made a third bid to dismiss allegations of antitrust violations brought by Sunbeam Television, arguing that the broadcaster has failed to present a substantive claim for monopolistic abuse.
Metrics Marketing opens eye-tracking lab

11-Feb-2010

US— Interactive marketing agency Metrics Marketing has opened a research lab in Westlake, Ohio, to carry out a range of eye-tracking projects for clients.
NeuroFocus in Australian joint venture with Nielsen

11-Feb-2010

AUSTRALIA— NeuroFocus is set to launch its services in Australia through a joint venture with Nielsen, which bought a stake in the neuromarketing firm in 2008.
ComScore in deal to buy ad researcher ARSGroup

11-Feb-2010

US— ComScore has move to bulk up its ad measurement capabilities with an all-cash deal to acquire advertising research agency ARSGroup.
Ex-1HQ executives launch Brand Potential

10-Feb-2010

UK— A trio of former colleagues at brand agency 1HQ have launched a new consultancy that sets out to work with companies to help “accelerate” brand growth.
Forrester plans investment after 'beating plan' for 2009

10-Feb-2010

US— Forrester Research has reported revenue drops in the fourth quarter and for 2009 as a whole, but chairman and CEO George Colony said the firm was moving into 2010 with a view to investing for growth.
Gartner chief expects 'double-digit revenue growth' in 2010

10-Feb-2010

US— Gene Hall, CEO of IT industry analyst Gartner, predicts that the firm will see double-digit revenue growth this year after posting a 11% decline in sales for 2009.
Cambiar and Gordon & McCallum partner for client service

10-Feb-2010

US— MR consulting agency Cambiar has formed a strategic partnership with Gordon & McCallum, a research consulting business based in Australia and New Zealand.
Compete and 24/7 Real Media team up for targeted advertising

9-Feb-2010

US— Kantar-owned web measurement firm Compete has joined forces with WPP’s 24/7 Real Media digital marketing agency to help clients ensure that their online ads are seen by specific consumer segments
Bark to take 10% stake in neuromarketing agency Mindmetic

9-Feb-2010

DENMARK— Advertising agency Bark Group has signed a letter of intent to acquire a 10% stake in UK-based neuromarketing agency Mindmetic.
Hitwise internet measurement debuts in France

9-Feb-2010

FRANCE— Experian has launched its Hitwise internet measurement service in France. The service will report the internet habits of around 90,000 internet users across 75,000 websites.
Brett Marchand named new Cossette president and COO

9-Feb-2010

CANADA— Marketing services group Cossette has appointed Brett Marchand as president and chief operating officer of the company’s global operations.
Shareholders give thumbs-up to IMS Health takeover

9-Feb-2010

US— IMS Health shareholders have voted to approve the healthcare researcher’s $5bn takeover by investment groups TPG Capital and the CCP Investment Board.
Rentrak adds Dish Network data to TV Essentials

8-Feb-2010

US— Rentrak has struck a deal with satellite TV broadcaster Dish Network to integrate the latter’s set-top box data into its TV Essentials audience measurement service.
Book researcher BML acquired by Bowker

8-Feb-2010

US— Publishing services firm Bowker has acquired UK-based book researcher BML for an undisclosed amount. BML, which runs the Books & Consumers survey and the BookZone research panel, will be integrated into Bowkers business intelligence division.
Nielsen promotes Mathur to South Asia MD

8-Feb-2010

INDIA— Piyush Mathur has been promoted to managing director of Nielsen’s South Asia business, replacing Partha Rakshit who is retiring after 28 years with the company.
ComScore appoints former AOL man to CTO role

5-Feb-2010

US— ComScore has appointed Chris Nicotra as chief technology officer, replacing Greg Dale who was promoted to chief operating officer.
Initiative Australia hires research and consumer insights chief

5-Feb-2010

AUSTRALIA— Philip Booth has been appointed strategic research and consumer insights manager at media agency Initiative Australia. He joins the firm from communication research group Pollinate, where he was head of the qual team.
Future Foundation founder joins The Communications Agency

4-Feb-2010

UK— Melanie Howard has been appointed to the newly created role of director of insight at branding consultancy The Communications Agency.
Digital Research launches Waggle Omnibus

4-Feb-2010

US— Digital Research has launched a new community-based online qual service, the Waggle Omnibus.
Market Probe Europe adds new faces

4-Feb-2010

US— Full service research agency Market Probe Europe has announced four new hires, starting with the appointment of Nanno Palte as vice president.
Genpact to acquire Symphony Marketing Solutions

4-Feb-2010

US— Outsourced business services firm Genpact has acquired data analytics agency Symphony Marketing Solutions for an undisclosed amount.
MMA launches digital media effectiveness tool

3-Feb-2010

US— Marketing Management Analytics (MMA) has launched a new tool to help clients measure the effectiveness of digital media alongside other elements of the marketing mix.
Idaho research call centre axes jobs

3-Feb-2010

US— Data collection firm Mountain West Research Center has cut an unspecified amount of jobs at its Pocatello call centre in Idaho.
Cint appoints global panels vice president

3-Feb-2010

US— Research software and services firm Cint has appointed Sandy Casey as vice president of global panel operations.
Harris Interactive wins double cinema contract

3-Feb-2010

UK— The Cinema Advertising Association has appointed Harris Interactive to conduct its ongoing Film Audience Measurement and Evaluation (Fame) and Film Monitor research studies.
BlueKai scoops $21m in private equity funding

2-Feb-2010

US— Online data provider BlueKai has secured $21m in series C fundraising led by GGV Capital and existing investors Redpoint Ventures and Battery Ventures.
E-Tabs to open New Zealand office

2-Feb-2010

UK— Report automation software and services firm E-Tabs is set to open an office in New Zealand in June.
Harris and Rentrak to measure mobile digital TV viewing

2-Feb-2010

US— Harris Interactive and Rentrak have been hired by the Open Mobile Video Coalition to study consumer habits during the coalition’s Mobile DTV Consumer Showcase event.
Sands Research and Market Watch team for neuromarketing in Israel

2-Feb-2010

ISRAEL— US-based neuromarketing agency Sands Research has partnered with Israeli market research and polling firm Market Watch to introduce neuromarketing services in the country.
Gelia snaps up media research specialist NorthEast Media

1-Feb-2010

US— New York-based marketing communications agency Gelia has acquired media research, planning and buying firm NorthEast Media for an undisclosed amount.
Synovate appoints healthcare chief for Thailand

1-Feb-2010

THAILAND— Jocelyn Phinijarom has been appointed head of healthcare research at Synovate in Thailand, with a focus on developing the firm’s ethical and consumer healthcare business.
Toluna says 2009 sales to top £49m after 'strong' year

1-Feb-2010

UK— Online panel provider Toluna has boasted of a “strong” financial performance in 2009 with reported revenues set to top £49m for the year, according to a trading update.
That's a wrap! Rentrak completes takeover of box office data firm

1-Feb-2010

US— Rentrak has completed the $15m acquisition of Nielsen EDI, the ratings firm’s film industry research business.
Simon Bolus becomes research director at Barb

1-Feb-2010

UK— The Broadcaster’s Audience Research Board (Barb) has appointed Simon Bolus to the post of research director from April 2010.
TNS integrates Foresight Group into stakeholder management arm

28-Jan-2010

US— TNS has integrated its employee research firm The Foresight Group into its stakeholder management division.
Ipsos to acquire OTX

28-Jan-2010

FRANCE— Ipsos has agreed a deal to acquire US-based online research group OTX for an undisclosed amount.
Twitter rolls out Local Trends tool

28-Jan-2010

US— Twitter has launched a new service that allows users to see what the most popular conversation topics are at state and city levels.
Ipsos and Telemundo partner for Hispanic polls

28-Jan-2010

US— Ipsos and Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo have teamed up to launch a polling service that will keep track of the attitudes and opinions of Hispanic people.
Progressive names Fraser as managing director

27-Jan-2010

UK— Louise Fraser has been appointed managing director at Scottish independent research agency Progressive, replacing Mark Cuthbert after 10 years in the role.
Peanut Labs Media platform wins ten gaming clients

27-Jan-2010

US— Ten social gaming publishers have signed up to use Peanut Labs Media’s monetisation platform, which rewards gamers with virtual goods and game credits in return for taking part in surveys.
Ex-Nielsen VP Marc Ryan takes InsightExpress role

27-Jan-2010

US— Marc Ryan has been appointed senior vice president and chief research officer at digital research agency InsightExpress.
UK launch for Nielsen and Facebook's online ad testing tool

27-Jan-2010

UK— Facebook and Nielsen are rolling out their BrandLift online ad testing tool in the UK, following its launch in the US last September.
Leapfrog Research toasts new wine contract

26-Jan-2010

UK— Laithwaites Wine has appointed Leapfrog Research to evaluate how customers and prospects perceive the wine merchant.
Experian Simmons launches syndicated ad evaluation tool

26-Jan-2010

US— Experian Simmons has launched a new weekly syndicated service to provide clients with insights into consumer trends and evaluate ad effectiveness.
Millward Brown, Cymfony and Dynamic Logic partner for social media tracking

26-Jan-2010

US— Millward Brown and its digital agency Dynamic Logic have joined forces with Kantar-owned sister company Cymfony in an effort to produce a more complete view of brand health through social media insights.
CIMM plans development of set-top box measurement 'language'

26-Jan-2010

US— The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement has announced the next stage of its set-top box audience measurement initiative – the development of an industry-wide language for analysing and processing data.
Comcon takes tough stance over TGI trademark in Russia

25-Jan-2010

RUSSIA— Research agency Comcon has vowed to continue using the TGI survey brand in Russia following Kantar’s decision to make a TNS survey the official TGI partner in the country.
ORC hitches cell phone users to Caravan omnibus sample

25-Jan-2010

US— ORC is adding 250 cell phone users to the sample of its Caravan Telephone Omnibus – reflecting “the growing importance of cell phone usage nationwide”.
Nielsen announces schedule for online/offline TV metric

25-Jan-2010

US— Nielsen will introduce internet meters to households in its National People Meter sample by the end of August, and before the end of the year it will produce the first set of TV ratings to combine figures for shows viewed on televisions and computers.
People on the move

22-Jan-2010

The latest promotions and appointments from around the global research and insight industry, including news from MSR Consulting, Burke, Synovate France and more.
Round three under way in Sunbeam vs Nielsen TV ratings dispute

22-Jan-2010

US— Sunbeam Television has filed a second amended anti-trust complaint against Nielsen, following the part-dismissal of its previous complaint earlier this month.
Ipsos completes takeover and integration of Ireland's MRBI

22-Jan-2010

IRELAND— The Market Research Bureau of Ireland has been renamed Ipsos MRBI on the completion of its acquisition by Ipsos.
ViziSense tests ad monitoring tool for India

22-Jan-2010

INDIA— Web audience analytics firm ViziSense has launched a beta version of new tool to provide users with information about online advertising trends.
Brazil's Ibope takes majority stake in Zogby International

21-Jan-2010

US— Brazilian research group Ibope has bought a 51% stake in pollster Zogby International. Terms have not been disclosed, however a Zogby spokesman told Research the size of the investment “was in the millions”.
Nielsen bags Black Crow Media as radio ratings client

21-Jan-2010

US— TV measurement giant Nielsen has bagged another customer for its radio ratings service, with which it is challenging Arbitron’s dominance in 51 small and medium-sized markets.
KDA Insights launched by ex-RI and Carphone Warehouse execs

21-Jan-2010

UK— The former head of product insight at The Carphone Warehouse and two ex-Research International executives have joined forces to launch a new agency, KDA Insights.
Harris names EVP for brand and comms consulting

21-Jan-2010

US— Jeni Lee Chapman has been appointed executive vice president of global brand and communication consulting at Harris Interactive where she will be responsible for working to refine a product portfolio in brand strategy, communication development/testing and tracking.
Nulink Analysis launched in Australia

21-Jan-2010

AUSTRALIA— Former Research International marketing science director Scott MacLean has launched a new firm that specialises in providing clients with consultation on research design and interpretation, Nulink Analytics.
Latitude Insights plans iPhone community research test

20-Jan-2010

AUSTRALIA— Online research community builder Latitude Insights is planning a test community of iPhone users to see how the smartphones can be used for community-based research purposes.
Alterian sees strong Q3, but warns full-year might miss targets

20-Jan-2010

UK— Marketing analytics software firm Alterian has reported strong revenue growth for the third quarter of 2009 but warned that its US business may have to achieve higher than anticipated revenue to meet market expectations for the full year, owing to a weak performance in Europe.
Rebrands for United Sample and Data Development Worldwide

20-Jan-2010

US— Online panel provider United Sample and research agency Data Development Worldwide have rebranded.
AdBrite picks WebTrends for ad network analytics

20-Jan-2010

US— Online ad marketplace AdBrite has signed up to use WebTrends’ Analytics 9 tool to provide insight into visitor behaviour across its advertising networks.
Retail Eyes scoops Subway customer experience task

20-Jan-2010

UK— Fast food chain Subway has re-appointed mystery shopping firm Retail Eyes to run its Customer Experience Improvement Programme.
Environics partners with Exvisu to form Nexalogy Environics

20-Jan-2010

CANADA— Research and analytics group Environics has partnered with the founders of social media monitoring agency Exvisu to create a new social media insight and analysis firm called Nexalogy Environics.
Nielsen backs postgraduate MR course in India

19-Jan-2010

INDIA— Nielsen and the Northpoint Centre of Learning business school have joined forces to launch a fast-track postgraduate course in market research.
Ex-Arbitron and Nielsen CEOs join Innerscope

19-Jan-2010

US— Former Nielsen Media Research and Arbitron CEOs John Dimling and Steve Morris have joined the board at Innerscope, which uses biometrics and neuroscience in media research.
Dmrkynetec integrated into GfK and rebranded

19-Jan-2010

UK— Agricultural and animal health market research specialist Dmrkynetec has been integrated into the GfK Global Network and rebranded as GfK Kynetec.
DIY online survey tool goes live

19-Jan-2010

US— AskYourTargetMarket, an online, on-demand survey and panel service that offers research for under $30, has gone live.
Failure rate in business services sector remains below average

19-Jan-2010

UK— The rate of insolvencies in the business services sector held below average in December, with the number of firms failing down 4% from the same period in 2008.
Making PPM pay is 'front and centre' of new Arbitron CEO's plans

18-Jan-2010

US— William Kerr says the commercialisation of the firm’s portable people meter (PPM) radio audience measurement technology is his top priority.
Omniture tool picked for Toyota analytics task

18-Jan-2010

JAPAN— Toyota Motor Corporation has signed up to use Omniture’s SiteCatalyst online analytics platform to analyse and optimise its marketing campaigns.
Esomar publishes draft mobile research guidelines

18-Jan-2010

NETHERLANDS— Esomar has released a set of draft guidelines that aim to address legal, ethical and practical questions about research conducted via mobile phones.
People on the move

15-Jan-2010

The latest appointments and promotions in the global research and insight industry. This week: Sands Research, ComScore, Market Fusion Analytics, Kadence International, Getmemedia, Synovate, Evolution Market Research, eBureau, Zimmerman Advertising, Silver Fern Research, Decision Resources and ICM.
Mediacom hires consumer insights director

15-Jan-2010

US— Jennifer Marino has been appointed senior partner and director of consumer insights at marketing and media communications agency Mediacom.
IFM bowled over by West Indian cricket contract

15-Jan-2010

UK— The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has appointed IFM Sports Marketing Surveys as its research consultant, tasked with carrying out a range of projects.
P&G plans new online store as 'research lab'

15-Jan-2010

US— Proctor & Gamble is to launch a new website to study how people shop and buy online – while selling some of its most popular products direct to consumers.
IFF wins Guernsey childcare study

15-Jan-2010

UK— The States of Guernsey Government has contracted IFF Research to conduct a survey into attitudes to childcare.
$22m funding for blog-watcher Visible Technologies

14-Jan-2010

US— Social media monitoring agency Visible Technologies has been awarded $22m in private equity funding to help it develop its technology and expand its international operations.
Ratings rift rocks Turkish television industry

14-Jan-2010

TURKEY— The Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) has thrown the Turkish TV industry into turmoil with plans to withdraw its channels from the ratings system run by AGB Nielsen, which is commissioned by joint industry committee TIAK.
PSB co-founder Matt Carter takes Burson-Marsteller role

14-Jan-2010

UK— The UK co-founder and joint EMEA managing director of strategic research agency Penn Schoen & Berland Associates, Matt Carter, has been appointed CEO of UK operations at PR and communications firm Burson-Marsteller.
Market Strategies transfers audience data collection arm to Dialsmith

14-Jan-2010

US— Market Strategies International has sold its MSInteractive audience data collection division to a start-up firm, Dialsmith, run by former MSInteractive vice president David Paull.
The Research Partnership appoints new US president

13-Jan-2010

US— Harriet Kozak has been appointed US president at pharmaceutical research agency The Research Partnership.
Tasty new research agency opens doors

13-Jan-2010

UK— An award-winning chef and a former Ogilvy marketer have teamed up to launch The Food Nursery, a new company that offers research and NPD services to the food industry.
Ex-Nokia analysis chief takes Semphonic role

13-Jan-2010

US— Nokia’s former head of analysis Greg Dowling has been appointed vice president at web analytics consultancy Semphonic.
R/GA appoints chief strategy officer to lead research efforts

13-Jan-2010

US— William Charnock has been appointed chief strategy officer at digital advertising agency R/GA, where he will take charge of the firm’s research, planning and strategy teams.
Cicero Group buys Utah pollster Dan Jones & Associates

13-Jan-2010

US— Research and strategy agency Cicero Group has acquired polling and data collection firm Dan Jones & Associates for an undisclosed amount.
Powered ups the ante with three social media acquisitions

12-Jan-2010

US— Brand community builder Powered has reinvented itself as a social media marketing agency after completing a trio of acquisitions – Crayon, Drillteam and StepChange.
VBSI picks Confirmit for survey software deal

12-Jan-2010

US— Viacom Brand Solutions International has contracted with research software firm Confirmit to provide new survey software for its My MTV consumer research panel.
Burrell puts 'multi-ethnic urban males' under the spotlight

12-Jan-2010

US— Marketing communications agency Burrell Communications has launched a new subsidiary, Threshold Nation, which aims to provide clients with information about the multi-ethnic urban male consumer.
Skarzynski quits Arbitron for giving false information to Congress

12-Jan-2010

US— Arbitron president and CEO Michael Skarzynski has resigned from his position at the radio ratings firm with immediate effect for giving false information at a hearing of the US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Sunbeam's antitrust claims against Nielsen dismissed

11-Jan-2010

US— A Florida court has for a second time dismissed antitrust claims brought by Sunbeam Television against TV ratings firm Nielsen – but the broadcaster has again been given leave to amend its complaint.
Age Concern Liverpool opens up over-50s database for MR

11-Jan-2010

UK— Age Concern Liverpool is letting market research agencies use its database of 20,000 over-50s to survey the ‘grey pound’.
Surveying the changing political and social landscape

11-Jan-2010

2010 promises much to excite UK psephologists: a general election and the chance of a change in government after 13 years of Labour rule. But are the electorate enthused by the upcoming political bun fight? TNS-BMRB’s new unit aims to find out.
MR to help curries spice up healthy eating credentials

8-Jan-2010

UK— DJS Research has been commissioned by the East Midlands Beacon Partnership Project to look into ways to make Indian takeaway food more healthy.
PPM scoops TV measurement Emmy

8-Jan-2010

US— Arbitron has won an Emmy Award for Broadcast Audience Measurement Technology for its portable people meter technology.
TNS-BMRB launces Social & Political Attitudes Unit

8-Jan-2010

UK— TNS-BMRB will launch a new division this month to monitor voting intentions and keep track of social and political trends.
Jive Software makes social media monitoring buy

7-Jan-2010

US— Social business software developer Jive Software has acquired social media monitoring technology firm Filtrbox for an undisclosed amount.
Ad agency Bark gets emotional with neuromarketing technology

7-Jan-2010

DENMARK — Advertising and marketing agency Bark Group is working with neuromarketing agency MindMetic to help it produce ad campaigns that bring out a stronger emotional response among consumers.
People on the move

7-Jan-2010

The latest appointments and promotions in the global research industry. This week: Synovate, MMR Research Worldwide, Response Mine Interactive, [x+1], HCD Research and the Marketing Research Association.
ForeSee Results nabs gaming site satisfaction deal

7-Jan-2010

US — Online video game rental firm GameFly has contracted ForeSee Results to gauge customer opinion about its website.
Two more sign up for Rentrak’s local TV ratings service

6-Jan-2010

US— Sinclair Broadcast Group and Lin TV have signed up to Rentrak’s local TV ratings service, StationView Essentials.
Arbitron delays PPM switch in New Orleans indefinitely

6-Jan-2010

US— Arbitron has delayed introducing its portable people meter (PPM) radio ratings service in the New Orleans market “until further notice”.
Vovici scoops BlogHer engagement and panel contract

6-Jan-2010

US— Womens blogging network BlogHer has tapped Vovici technology to gather feedback from members and measure engagement levels across its various campaigns and programmes.
ING Direct re-hires Virtual Surveys for c-sat task

6-Jan-2010

UK — Savings and mortgages firm ING Direct has re-commissioned Virtual Surveys to run its customer satisfaction research activities in 2010.
Gartner snaps up IT specialist Burton Group

6-Jan-2010

US — IT industry researcher Gartner has acquired Burton Group, which specialises in research and advisory services for front-line IT workers, for $56m. The deal follows Gartner’s $64m acquisition of AMR Research in early December.
Vision Critical hires corporate development MD

6-Jan-2010

CANADA — Andrew Iain Reid has been appointed managing director of corporate development at online research agency Vision Critical.
US cell-only households hit 23%

22-Dec-2009

US— The proportion of cell-only households in the US rose to 22.7% in the first half of this year, according to the latest figures from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), which tracks landline and cellphone usage every six months.
Synovate strengthens China qual team

22-Dec-2009

CHINA— Synovate has appointed Sareem Chen as associate director in the qualitative division at its Beijing office, where she will focus on developing proprietary qual tools for local clients.
Bloomberg Television signs up for Rentrak ratings

21-Dec-2009

US— Financial news provider Bloomberg has signed up Rentrak to provide audience measurement services for its TV channel, Bloomberg Television.
E-Rewards completes Research Now acquisition

21-Dec-2009

UK— E-Rewards has completed its £85m takeover of rival online panel provider Research Now.
SIS and Brandtology partner for online buzz tracking

21-Dec-2009

US— SIS International Research and online buzz tracking agency Brandtology have joined forces to track sentiment and conversations on social networking websites and blogs.
Business services sector sees highest closures in November

21-Dec-2009

UK— The business services sector has once again seen the highest amount of insolvencies according to Experian’s latest monthly Insolvency Index.
TNS-BMRB opens public sector comms research centre

18-Dec-2009

UK— TNS-BMRB has launched a communications research centre to help public sector clients improve the delivery of their communications and campaigns.
iPowow hires for US expansion

18-Dec-2009

US— Australian research agency iPowow has beefed up its management team as part of its expansion into the US.
Skim to open London office

17-Dec-2009

UK— Research agency Skim is to open a new office in London in mid-January.
Nielsen changes stance on 'live' TV metric

17-Dec-2009

US— Nielsen has told clients that it will be keeping the ‘live only’ TV metric as currency in local markets after coming under pressure from customers.
Peanut Labs unveils gamer panel

17-Dec-2009

US— Peanut Labs has launched a new panel of more than 194,000 gamers recruited through social media sites such as Facebook and MySpace.
Aviva appoints UK marketing chief

17-Dec-2009

UK— Insurance group Aviva has appointed Gary Price to the newly created role of marketing director for its UK businesses.
Nurago appoints former TNS man Hummerston as MD

16-Dec-2009

UK— Research technology agency Nurago International has appointed Arno Hummerston to the newly created role of managing director.
Dell debuts feedback sessions on insight community

16-Dec-2009

US— Dell has added a new feature to its IdeaStorm customer insight community allowing it to run feedback sessions, seeking input from targeted community members within an allocated time frame.
Rentrak to buy Nielsen movie measurement arm in $15m deal

16-Dec-2009

US— Media measurement firm Rentrak has agreed a $15m deal to acquire Nielsen EDI, a division of the ratings giant focused on measurement and research solutions for the film industry.
MRI aims to improve marketing mix models for mags

15-Dec-2009

US— Market Research & Intelligence is beta testing a new syndicated software tool that it claims will improve the quality of marketing mix models for magazines.
Synovate appoints UK commercial director

15-Dec-2009

UK— Neil Davy has been appointed to the newly created role of commercial director at Synovate.
Compete and WPP's MIG to evolve B3 ad service

15-Dec-2009

US— Kantar-owned web measurement firm Compete has joined forces with WPP’s Media Innovation Group (MIG) to upgrade the latter’s B3 online advertising service.
Guardian axes customer insight jobs

14-Dec-2009

UK— The owner of the Guardian newspaper has cut five jobs in its customer insight and data marketing departments, as part of a wider restructuring.
Nielsen and Catalina form marketing ROI joint venture

14-Dec-2009

US— Nielsen and Catalina Marketing have formed a joint venture to provide consumer packaged goods and media companies with measurement tools to link consumers’ buying behaviour with their exposure to marketing materials.
Terapeak launches eBay research iPhone app

14-Dec-2009

CANADA— Analytics firm Terapeak has launched an iPhone application that allows users to conduct market research before selling products on eBay.
Aura reaches for the Sky with new chairman

11-Dec-2009

UK— Danny Russell, the marketing strategy director at broadcaster BSkyB, has been appointed the new chair of the Association of Users of Research Agencies (Aura).
MacroSolve serves up iPhone app for restaurant feedback

11-Dec-2009

US— Mobile technology firm MacroSolve has developed an iPhone app for restaurants to gather feedback and gain insight from their customers.
Arbitron works with agencies to determine impact of radio ads

11-Dec-2009

US— Arbitron and a trio of radio broadcasters have launched an initiative to improve the analytics that advertisers use to measure the impact of radio advertising on sales.
MTV appoints research and insights SVP

10-Dec-2009

US— Nick Shore has been appointed SVP of strategic insights and research at broadcaster MTV, where he will lead research efforts across all brands.
Connect Insight wins Newspaper Society contract

10-Dec-2009

UK— The Newspaper Society has appointed Connect Insight to conduct a qualitative survey into how people engage with online local news services.
MDC Group to acquire analytics agency Communifx

10-Dec-2009

US— Marcomms group MDC Partners has agreed to buy data analytics and database marketing firm Communifx for an undisclosed amount.
NBC awards Olympic WOM task to Keller Fay

10-Dec-2009

US— Broadcaster NBC Universal has contracted the Keller Fay Group to monitor and analyse brand-related conversations during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Nielsen promotes Leung to director of HK retail arm

10-Dec-2009

HONG KONG— Nielsen has promoted Eva Leung to executive director of retail measurement, replacing Angel Young who has moved to a regional role.
OTX launches film and TV critics panel

9-Dec-2009

US— OTX and MPRM Public Relations have launched a panel made up of film and television critics to provide feedback on the latest movie and TV productions.
Robert Hart lands innovation role at OTX

9-Dec-2009

US— Robert Hart has been appointed senior vice president and team leader of the marketing science and innovation group at OTX.
Aussie newspaper body reveals readership survey shortlist

9-Dec-2009

AUSTRALIA— Print industry body The Newspaper Works has announced the shortlist of companies that it will invite to tender for the country’s new magazine and newspaper readership survey.
Tweetminster unveils Twitter sentiment search tool

9-Dec-2009

UK— Broadcaster Sky News has signed up to use a new “sentiment search engine” from Tweetminster, which allows Twitter users to follow MPs and keep track of political issues.
BlueKai launches audience analytics service

9-Dec-2009

US— Online data provider BlueKai has launched a new service that profiles online shoppers by the market segments they are interested in.
Institute of Fundraising to form charity research body

9-Dec-2009

UK— The Institute of Fundraising is to form a new think tank to focus on the research needs of charities, such as examining donor behaviour, which it says is “desperately needed” to improve the success of fundraising activities.
Media measurement coalition appoints managing director

8-Dec-2009

US— Time Warner’s Jane Clarke has been appointed MD of the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement, the body set up by broadcasters, media agencies and advertisers to develop new audience measurement techniques.
Evoc Insights signs up for Omniture analytics

8-Dec-2009

US— Customer experience consulting agency Evoc Insights has struck a deal with Omniture to use its web analytics software to track consumers’ online behaviour.
ComScore expands Asia Pacific reporting services

8-Dec-2009

INDONESIA— ComScore has launched internet measurement services in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Ipsos integrates gaming services into new practice

8-Dec-2009

US— Ipsos has set up a new practice to serve video game developers, marketers and console manufacturers.
Balloon hunt shows research power of social networks

7-Dec-2009

US— A team of students from MIT’s Media Lab has won a competition to see how long it would take people using social networking sites to determine the locations of 10 weather balloons released around the country.
Tulsa call centre closes its doors

7-Dec-2009

US— More than 100 employees have been left without wages after Automated Research & Marketing closed its Tulsa call centre.
Few companies using social media for insight, survey says

7-Dec-2009

UK— Only a quarter of companies using social media are tapping its potential for customer feedback, according to Econsultancy’s latest report on customer engagement.
Vision Critical names new MD for Australia and New Zealand

7-Dec-2009

AUSTRALIA— Peter Harris has been appointed managing director for Australia and New Zealand at online research agency Vision Critical.
Nielsen scoops Puerto Rico TV contract

7-Dec-2009

PUERTO RICO— Nielsen has been awarded a contract to measure TV usage in Puerto Rico, and will deliver the first set of ratings in the first quarter of 2010.
NBC signs Arbitron, ComScore and Omniture for Winter Olympics

4-Dec-2009

US— Arbitron, ComScore and Omniture have been signed up by NBC to provide cross-platform audience measurement for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Chartwell forms research council for energy firms

4-Dec-2009

US— Utilities industry information provider Chartwell has launched a research council to help companies in the sector better understand their customers.
Investors pump $5.8m into OwnerIQ

4-Dec-2009

US— Behavioural targeting firm OwnerIQ has been awarded $5.8m in growth financing from a group of private equity houses.
People on the move

4-Dec-2009

The latest appointments and promotions from around the industry, including news from GfK Custom Research North America, TNS Media Intelligence, The Modellers and more.
Arbitron boss defends PPM technology at House hearing

3-Dec-2009

US— Arbitron chief executive Michael Skarzynski defended his firm’s portable people meter (PPM) technology at the US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government reform yesterday.
Mob4Hire and InfoStretch team up to test mobile apps

3-Dec-2009

The two firms will offer clients the opportunity to trial their new apps “on real people, on real phones” around the world through a joint marketing platform.
Vizu scoops $6.75m private equity funding

3-Dec-2009

The funding was co-led by iNova Capital and Greycroft Partners with participation from existing investors Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Esther Dyson.
Market Rates Insight launches financial services tracking report

3-Dec-2009

US— Market Rates Insight has launched a report that allows consumers to compare products in the financial services sector.
CIM survey finds marketers 'quietly confident'

3-Dec-2009

UK— Marketers are “quietly confident” about the UK economy and their companies’ prospects over the next year, according to the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s latest trends survey.
Itracks upgrades Populis community tool

2-Dec-2009

CANADA— Itracks has released an updated version of its Populis online research community tool.
MBO at the Future Foundation

2-Dec-2009

UK— The management team at consumer insight agency the Future Foundation has completed a buy-out of the firm from parent company Experian.
QualVu launches QuickVu webcam service

2-Dec-2009

US— Video research technology firm QualVu has unveiled a new tool that gives clients access to online panels equipped with webcams.
Gartner agrees AMR Research acquisition

2-Dec-2009

US— IT analyst Gartner has agreed a $64m deal to acquire AMR Research, which specialises in research services for the supply chain and IT sectors.
Techneos adds location and photo functions to mobile surveys

2-Dec-2009

CANADA— Mobile survey software provider Techneos has added location capture and photographic capabilities to the latest version of its survey tool.
Harris Interactive regains Nasdaq compliance

1-Dec-2009

US— Nasdaq has told online researcher Harris Interactive that it has regained compliance with its listing standards.
New consulting arm at Cadient Interactive

1-Dec-2009

US— Cadient Interactive has launched a new division, Hatch Consulting, to offer clients a range of research, insight and CRM services.
Webtrends unveils social media tracking service

1-Dec-2009

AUSTRALIA—Webtrends has launched a new tool that tracks conversations across social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook.
New radio ratings client on the Radar for Arbitron

1-Dec-2009

US— Marketing and ad agency Burrell Advertising has agreed a multi-year deal to use Arbitron’s Radar network radio rating service.
Former Hilton International director joins BDRC

1-Dec-2009

UK— Jude Bissert, the former director of global business products and promotions at hotel chain Hilton International, has joined research firm BDRC as a client services director in its hotels and hospitality team.
Experian compiles picture of German consumers

30-Nov-2009

GERMANY— Data firm Experian has introduced a German version of its Mosaic consumer segmentation system.
Creston posts insight revenue drop, but CEO upbeat

30-Nov-2009

UK— Research and marketing services group Creston has reported an 8% decline in revenue to £7.8m in its research business for the six months ending 30 September.
TNS Media Research wins new five-year BSkyB deal

30-Nov-2009

UK— Broadcaster BSkyB has awarded TNS Media Research a new five-year contract to run its SkyView audience measurement panel.
Intermarketing launches Intervue insight arm

27-Nov-2009

UK— Peter Simpson, a co-founder of First Direct Bank, has joined forces with full-service creative agency Intermarketing Group to launch a new consumer insight and planning consultancy, Intervue.
Portrait Software celebrates revenue rise

27-Nov-2009

UK— Portrait Software, a developer of customer interaction technologies, has reported a 9% rise in revenue for the six months ending 30 September.
Tangent reports first-half revenue drop

27-Nov-2009

UK— Marketing strategy group Tangent Communications has reported a slight drop in revenue for the half year ending 31 August.
KeyQuest Health appoints project director

27-Nov-2009

UK— Healthcare research fieldwork agency KeyQuest Health has appointed Leticia Del Gaudio as a project director.
Site Intelligence named Thomas Cook analytics supplier

26-Nov-2009

UK— Travel agent Thomas Cook Group has contracted Site Intelligence to supply e-commerce analytics and business intelligence services.
Non-exec chairman David Marshall to step down at Creston

26-Nov-2009

UK— David Marshall is to step down next year from his position as non-executive chairman at research and marketing services group Creston.
Newspaper Society launches integrated print and online currency

26-Nov-2009

UK— The Newspaper Society has launched a new currency, “Locally Connected”, which combines print and online readership data for local papers.
Attentio wins funding for global expansion

26-Nov-2009

BELGIUM— Social media analytics agency Attentio has been awarded €525,000 in funding from the Brussels Regional Investment Company (SRIB/GIMB).
Bloosky Interactive acquires Tracking202

25-Nov-2009

US— Online advertising and direct marketing agency Bloosky Interactive has acquired pay-per-click analytics business Tracking202 for an undisclosed amount.
People on the move

25-Nov-2009

The latest appointments and promotions in global market research and consumer insight industry. This week: Ipsos, Comscore, Opinion Leader, Purdie Pascoe, Biz360, Ace Metrix and GMI.
Shareholders approve e-Rewards acquisition of Research Now

25-Nov-2009

UK— Research Now investors today overwhelmingly approved e-Rewards’ takeover bid for the online fieldwork provider at a general meeting in London.
TNS Telegal renews Israeli TAM contract

25-Nov-2009

ISRAEL— The Israeli Audience Research Board (IARB) has renewed TNS Telegal’s contract to run the country’s television audience measurement service.
Barb says all systems go for new TV ratings in January 2010

25-Nov-2009

UK— The Broadcaster’s Audience Research Board (Barb) today confirmed 1 January 2010 as the go-live data for its new TV audience measurement service.
DVR metric row heats up as Nielsen hits back at AAAA

24-Nov-2009

US— Nielsen has hit back at the the American Association of Advertising Agencies over criticism of its plan to introduce a new ‘live plus same day’ audience measurement metric next year for local TV markets.
Former BBC insight and strategy manager joins Kadence

24-Nov-2009

UK— Kadence International has appointed former BBC researcher Marie Laver as insight director, with responsibility for delivering projects across the agency’s client base.
Nielsen names financial services head for South Asia

24-Nov-2009

INDIA— Nielsen has appointed Shubhranshu Das as regional head for the South Asian arm of its new global financial services practice. Das joined the firm in 2008 and has served as director of client solutions, based in Mumbai.
Half-year revenue down at Media Square but Illuminas 'optimistic'

24-Nov-2009

UK— Media Square has reported an £8.3m drop in revenue for the six-month period ending 31 August but its Illuminas research business is “on course to have a good year”, according to group director Mike Roderick.
ESPN Sports Poll kicks off in Europe

23-Nov-2009

UK— TNS and sports broadcaster ESPN have launched a European version of the Sports Poll, a joint venture that measures the attitudes and behaviours of sports fans.
Nielsen Online promotes Matt Bruce to Australian MD

23-Nov-2009

AUSTRALIA— Nielsen Online has promoted Matt Bruce to managing director for Australia from his previous role as sales director.
Business services tops Insolvency Index again

23-Nov-2009

UK— The business services sector has once again seen the highest number of company failures, according to Experian’s latest Insolvency Index.
Cespedes named MD for Synovate Chile

23-Nov-2009

CHILE— Rafael Cespedes has been appointed managing director at Synovate in Chile, having previously headed the agency’s operations in Peru and Ecuador.
Merkle names Hennessy and Berry co-presidents

20-Nov-2009

US— Database marketing and analytics firm Merkle has promoted executive vice presidents Patrick Hennessy and Tim Berry to co-presidents.
US launch for Toluna's QuickSurveys

20-Nov-2009

US— Toluna has launched its on-demand survey platform QuickSurveys in the US. The tool, which was launched in Europe in late 2008, allows users to create surveys of up to five questions in length.
Investors pump $15m into Manthan Systems

20-Nov-2009

INDIA— Retail analytics and intelligence firm Manthan Systems has scooped $15m in Series B funding from a group of private equity investors.
AAAA attacks Nielsen over new DVR metric

20-Nov-2009

US— Nielsen is facing a protest over plans to replace its ‘live’ viewing metric as the main ratings currency in local people meter markets with a new ‘live plus same day’ metric.
Former Harris CFO takes new role

20-Nov-2009

US— Robert Cox has been appointed chief financial officer at credit card payment services firm Planet Payment following his resignation from Harris Interactive.
Conquest unveils viral ad testing tool

20-Nov-2009

UK— Conquest has launched AdSpark, an online tool to test the viral potential of new adverts, which is based on the firm’s Metaphorix system of using avatars to measure how respondents feel about brands.
Amex launches business insights division

19-Nov-2009

US— American Express has launched a new analytics and consulting business that will identify strategic opportunities based on credit card sales data from 90 million cards.
Experian rolls out marketing concept testing tool

19-Nov-2009

HONG KONG— Experian has launched a new technology service to test proofs of concepts for data-driven marketing initiatives, called the Customer Lab.
GuestTek latest: GuestMetrics sold for $5m

19-Nov-2009

UK— GuestTek has sold its consumer insight technology subsidiary GuestMetrics to drinks company Shot Spirits in a share deal worth $5m, a week after it took control of the firm.
Synovate sees positive signs amid Q3 revenue decline

19-Nov-2009

UK— Synovate’s organic revenue fell 11.5% during the first nine months of the year, its parent company Aegis said in an interim management statement today.
Phorm's UK managing director departs

18-Nov-2009

UK— Nick Barnett has left his position as managing director of targeted advertising technology company Phorm.
MMA and Kinesis launch mobile marketers panel

18-Nov-2009

US— The Mobile Marketing Association and Kinesis Survey Technologies have formed a panel of mobile marketers who have agreed to take part in mobile surveys.
iPerceptions unveils integrated web data dashboard

18-Nov-2009

CANADA— IPerceptions is claiming a ‘first ever’ with the launch of a dashboard that allows website owners to match attitudinal data with behavioural data on the same site visitors.
In-Touch Survey Systems reports Q3 revenue drop

18-Nov-2009

CANADA— Data collection agency In-Touch Survey Systems has reported a 22% drop in revenue for the third quarter of 2009, but the firm still managed to achieve a modest profit.
Harris Interactive parts company with CFO after five months

18-Nov-2009

US— Robert Cox has resigned from his position as chief financial officer at Harris Interactive after only five months.
MBO at Research and Marketing Plus in Cardiff

18-Nov-2009

UK— Chief executive Phil Evans has led a management buy-out at Cardiff-based full-service agency Research and Marketing Plus.
Roger Green & Associates hires client strategies EVP

17-Nov-2009

US— Healthcare market research agency Roger Green & Associates has appointed Ajit Baid as executive vice president of client strategies.
GuestTek acquires Enable Software in $1m share deal

17-Nov-2009

US— GuestTek, the owner of hospitality industry insight solutions provider GuestMetrics, has acquired email management firm Enable Software in a $1m all-share deal.
Blurring the boundaries between MR and consulting

17-Nov-2009

Earlier this month Nunwood CEO Clare Bruce hailed a “major coup” as her firm appointed former Accenture Marketing Sciences global president James Walker as its new chief strategy and development officer.
Nunwood plans new offices in Asia Pacific, Europe and the US

17-Nov-2009

UK— Nunwood is opening four new international offices during the first quarter of next year as part of its global expansion plans.
Millennial Media awarded $16m funding

16-Nov-2009

US— Mobile advertising agency Millennial Media has scooped $16m in a Series C round of funding from private equity investors.
Market Probe appoints three to pharma division

16-Nov-2009

US— Research agency Market Probe has strengthened its pharma division with a trio of senior appointments.
Simpio Marketing acquires keyword researcher Wordze

16-Nov-2009

US— Keyword research technology provider Wordze has been acquired by Texas-based Simpio Marketing for an undisclosed amount.
Harris strikes South Korea partnership

16-Nov-2009

KOREA— Consumer and political research agency GH Korea has become the thirteenth company to sign up to Harris Interactive’s global partner network scheme.
'Satisfactory' performance at GfK as sales stabilise in Q3

16-Nov-2009

GERMANY— GfK has reported slight sales declines for both the third quarter and first nine months of the year but said its performance had been “robust”. Q3 sales were down 3.9% to €282.7m, while nine-month sales were €840.2m, down 4.9%.
Mob4Hire and Flurry team up for mobile app tracking

13-Nov-2009

CANADA— Crowd-sourced mobile application testing agency Mob4Hire has struck a deal with Flurry Analytics to analyse the behaviour of people using mobile apps.
GuestMetrics now says management to stay in place

13-Nov-2009

US— CEO Brian Barrett and COO Tammy Posten have not left GuestMetrics, despite a statement issued by the company earlier this week in which they were said to have resigned.
MRA chief executive Larry Brownell resigns

13-Nov-2009

US— The Marketing Research Association is preparing a search for a new CEO to replace Larry Brownell, who has resigned from the position.
People on the move

13-Nov-2009

A roundup of the latest appointments and promotions in the global market research and consumer insight business. This week: Market Force Information, Voxco, Targetbase Claydon Heeley, Toluna, iPerceptions, RDSi, Insitas, I-Level, MarketShare Partners, Peer Group Media, Double Helix, The Optimization Group and Flow.
Opinionpanel scoops LSC panel contract

13-Nov-2009

UK— Student-focused research agency Opinionpanel has been commissioned by the Learning & Skills Council to build and recruit a 10,000-strong panel of learners aged 14 and over.
Merkle launches MR practice, hires Baskin as VP

12-Nov-2009

US— Database marketing agency Merkle has launched a market research practice, with the aim of discovering “how consumer beliefs and attitudes shape purchasing and engagement decisions”.
CEO leaves GuestMetrics as new owner is unveiled

12-Nov-2009

US— Tech industry veteran David Lovatt has taken over as president and CEO of GuestMetrics after acquiring a controlling interest in the company, which specialises in customer insight solutions for the hospitality industry.
'Stability' the watchword as Nielsen posts 1% Q3 revenue drop

12-Nov-2009

US— Nielsen’s chief financial officer Brian West hailed “another quarter of stability” today as the ratings giant posted its results for Q3 and the first nine months of the year.
Iconoculture appoints former GfK execs to lead European expansion

12-Nov-2009

US— Trendspotting research agency Iconoculture has appointed a new director and senior adviser to oversee its expansion into Europe.
Telco names Pulse Group preferred research vendor

12-Nov-2009

MALAYSIA— Outsourcing firm Pulse Group has been handed preferred research vendor status by Telekom Malaysia.
Disney pulls out of Family Panel partnership

11-Nov-2009

UK— Disney Interactive Media Group has ended its Family Panel partnership with research agency Opinion Matters following the closure of its family-orientated UK websites Raisingkids.co.uk and UKfamily.co.uk.
KPO firm Integreon acquires Grail Research

11-Nov-2009

US— Knowledge process outsourcing company Integreon has acquired strategic research agency Grail Research from its parent company Monitor Group.
Turkish Competition Board decides against AGB Nielsen probe

11-Nov-2009

TURKEY— The Turkish Competition Board (RK) will not be investigating AGB Nielsen over allegations that the firm exploited its position as the country’s dominant TV ratings provider.
Third-quarter revenue down at Ipsos but firm confident for 2010

11-Nov-2009

FRANCE— Ipsos has reported a drop in revenue for both the third quarter of 2009 and the first nine months of the year.
IMS Research acquires Young Market Research

10-Nov-2009

US— Electronics market research agency IMS Research has acquired Young Market Research (YMR) for an undisclosed amount.
Ex-Research International USA chief launches new agency

10-Nov-2009

US— Industry veteran Doss Struse and a group of executives have launched a new research and consulting agency, Definitive Insights.
Vision Critical hires ex-GfK MD to lead consumer practice

10-Nov-2009

US— Former GfK Custom Research managing director Patricia Hughes has been appointed executive vice president of the consumer division at Vision Critical.
Nielsen to add same-day DVR data to ratings in January

10-Nov-2009

US— Nielsen will introduce a new Live + Same Day TV measurement metric in January next year to provide ratings for shows that are recorded and watched on the same day.
Google to buy mobile ad and analytics firm in $750m deal

10-Nov-2009

US— Google has signed a definitive agreement to acquire mobile advertising technology provider AdMob.
Face names ex-Flamingo man as research director

9-Nov-2009

UK— Co-creation agency Face has appointed Saul Parker as a research director. He joins the agency from Flamingo where he was an associate director and headed the firm’s digital and ethnographic initiatives.
OMD and CBS team for Las Vegas media research lab

9-Nov-2009

US— Media communications agency OMD has struck a deal with CBS Vision, the research arm of CBS Corporation, to create a ‘media effectiveness communication lab’ at the broadcaster’s Television City in Las Vegas.
Moxie and OpenAmplify plan online sentiment measurement tools

9-Nov-2009

US— Strategic marketing agency Moxie Interactive has struck a deal with language processing technology firm OpenAmplify to develop tools to measure the sentiment of online conversations between consumers and brands.
Council for merged Indian print studies gets a name

9-Nov-2009

INDIA— Plans to merge India’s rival print media studies appear to be progressing with a report out today that says a name has been agreed for the body that will conduct the study.
YouGov Siraj launches Middle East jobs index

9-Nov-2009

UAE— YouGov Siraj and online Middle East jobs website Bayt.com have launched a jobs index to gauge perception of employment availability in the region and across north Africa.
IBM opens analytics support centre in India

6-Nov-2009

INDIA— IBM has opened a Business Analytics Centre of Competency in Bangalore to provide clients with support for information-based challenges.
Sony Pictures moves research EVP to marketing role

6-Nov-2009

US— Sony Pictures Entertainment has moved research chief David Kaminow to the newly created role of president of worldwide strategic marketing.
Nunwood hires former Accenture man in strategy role

6-Nov-2009

UK— Research and consulting firm Nunwood has appointed the former global president of Accenture Marketing Sciences as its new chief strategy and development officer – a hire billed by CEO Clare Bruce as a “major coup”.
Synovate adds associate director to comms team

6-Nov-2009

UK— Synovate has appointed Martha Hague-Moss as an associate director in its communications specialist research team.
Illuminas chairman appointed Media Square CEO

6-Nov-2009

UK— Marketing services group Media Square, owner of research agency Illuminas, has appointed Peter Reid as its new chief executive officer.
T3i Group names new chief executive

5-Nov-2009

US— Telecoms research agency T3i Group has appointed Jim Flinton as its new chief executive officer. He joins the company from call centre technology firm Avaya.
YouGov unveils 24-hour omnibus

5-Nov-2009

UK— YouGov has launched a 24-hour omnibus service to provide clients with reaction to major news stories and key issues.
Investment funds to buy IMS Health in $5.2bn deal

5-Nov-2009

US— Investment funds TPG Capital and the CPP Investment Board have agreed a $5.2bn deal to acquire healthcare researcher IMS Health.
Conversition adds subs option to Twitter monitor

5-Nov-2009

CANADA— Social media research agency Conversition has released a subscription version of its Tweetfeel Twitter monitoring website.
Maktoob Research opens Arab Eye community

5-Nov-2009

UAE— Maktoob Research has launched an online community called Arab Eye which rewards members for taking part in surveys.
Pensions Regulator looking for agency ahead of 2012 reforms

4-Nov-2009

UK— The Pensions Regulator is looking for a research agency to help develop its communications strategy to employers ahead of changes in pension regulations.
Former Harris exec named COO at The Modellers

4-Nov-2009

US— Research and analytics agency The Modellers has hired Mark Wirthlin as its new president and chief operating officer.
Dettol tops list of 'most effective' adverts

4-Nov-2009

UK— TNS has released a list of the 10 most motivating TV adverts of 2009, based on its Mercury online ad testing tool, which measures ad recognition, message take-out, branding and viewer involvement.
New CEO at MR software firm Techneos

4-Nov-2009

US— Mobile survey software firm Techneos Systems has appointed Dave King as its new CEO, replacing co-founder Mark Cameron.
Springfield mayor calls for end to poll probe

4-Nov-2009

US— The mayor at the centre of an investigation over a $2,000 payment made to a research firm run by his mother has asked officials to drop the probe and decide on a penalty.
EmSense scores $9m in Series C funding

4-Nov-2009

US— Neuromarketing agency EmSense Corporation has secured $9m in Series C private equity funding.
CIMM to meet set-top box measurement specialists

3-Nov-2009

US— The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement has scheduled a meeting with five research agencies to discuss how to develop more innovative ways of measuring set-top box viewing data.
Two new client service directors join Verve

3-Nov-2009

UK— Verve has appointed two new client service directors, Jeremy Hollow and Nina Treny.
Synovate appoints Jessica Liu to China media role

3-Nov-2009

CHINA— Jessica Liu has been appointed research director of Synovate’s media business in Beijing. She was most recently the research director of Ipsos MediaCT Greater China.
Emak fights second lawsuit from former CEO

3-Nov-2009

US— Marketing services group Emak Worldwide is facing a fresh lawsuit from former CEO Donald Kurz – this time over the right of preferred stockholder Crown Investments to vote in the election of new board directors.
Media Square shareholders plot to oust chairman

2-Nov-2009

UK— Three companies that own a slice of marketing services group Media Square have requested a general meeting to vote on removing chairman Roger Parry from the company’s board.
Visible Measures chosen for People's Choice Awards task

2-Nov-2009

US— Web video measurement firm Visible Measures has been chosen to provide online viewing information for the People’s Choice Awards 2010.
Kadence MD elected president of Singapore association

2-Nov-2009

SINGAPORE— Piers Lee has been elected the new president of the Market Research Society of Singapore with plans to create new certifications for data collection.
Synovate names new CEO for Censydiam arm

2-Nov-2009

UK— Synovate has promoted Sue Phillips to chief executive of its Censydiam consumer motivational research practice. She previously led training and development for the firm’s global qual practice.
Research revenue down at Progressive Digital Media

30-Oct-2009

UK— Research revenue fell 4% during the year ending 30 April 2009 at Progressive Digital Media, formerly TMN Group, according to results released today.
Ipsos promotes Gronberger to head of ASI division

30-Oct-2009

US— Ipsos has promoted Alex Gronberger to chief executive of its ASI advertising research business.
Nunwood strengthens US team

30-Oct-2009

US— Nunwood has appointed three new staff to its New York office, one of whom has ventured across the Atlantic from the company’s UK headquarters in Leeds.
Harris starts new fiscal year with 23% revenue drop

30-Oct-2009

US— Harris Interactive has reported a 23% drop in revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2010, though it has cut its losses for the three-month period ended 30 September.
Ciao Surveys MD Alberto Abisso departs

29-Oct-2009

GERMANY— Alberto Abisso has left Ciao Surveys after five years following Toluna’s acquisition of parent company Greenfield Online.
EC ramps up legal action over secret Phorm trials

29-Oct-2009

UK— The European Commission has launched the second phase of infringement proceedings against the UK over the way it handled tests of Phorm’s online targeted advertising software.
Synovate names Australia CEO to new global role

29-Oct-2009

AUSTRALIA— Synovate has appointed Brent Stewart to the newly created role of global chief executive of strategic units, from his current position as CEO for Australia and New Zealand.
Bob Meyers appointed TRA president and COO

29-Oct-2009

US— Advertising ROI measurement agency TRA has appointed Bob Meyers as president and to the newly created role of chief operating officer.
River Research makes a million in first year

29-Oct-2009

UK— River Research has reported turnover of £1.2m for its first year in business, adding clients including Vodafone, Carphone Warehouse, TalkTalk and Arcadia. The firm also made it on to the COI’s research roster.
Out Now expands LGBT survey across LatAm

29-Oct-2009

ARGENTINA — Out Now Consulting is expanding its previously announced study of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender consumers in Argentina to cover Brazil, Uruguay and Chile.
MarketTools launches cross-platform version of TrueSample

28-Oct-2009

US— MarketTools has released a cross-platform version of its TrueSample online panel cleaning software.
New Zealand MR bodies slam Labour for 'deceiving' poll participants

28-Oct-2009

NEW ZEALAND— The Market Research Society of New Zealand and the Association of Market Research Organisations have blasted the Labour Party after one of its MPs polled the public using a defunct company name.
MDC Partners forms new insight division

27-Oct-2009

US— Marketing and communications group MDC Partners has formed a new consumer insights group.
Property website makes Rightmove with Vovici software

27-Oct-2009

UK— Property website Rightmove has contracted Vovici to capture and mine feedback data from site visitors.
CIMM targets STB and cross-platform measurement with first RFPs

27-Oct-2009

US— The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) has released its first requests for proposals as it looks to develop new TV audience measurement systems.
Sue Frost joins Truth as brand director

27-Oct-2009

UK— Strategic insight consultancy Truth has appointed Sue Frost as a brand director. She joins from Big Green Door where she was strategic director.
Sundance names project director for South East Asia

27-Oct-2009

UK— Brand development agency Sundance has appointed Jessica Bower as a project director to focus on activities in South East Asia.
Cooke takes helm at KantarHealth as Riddell leaves

26-Oct-2009

UK— Elaine Riddell has stepped down from her position as joint CEO of KantarHealth to “pursue other opportunities”.
Out Now Consulting to conduct Argentina's 'first gay study'

26-Oct-2009

ARGENTINA— Out Now Consulting is to carry out the first ever study into gay and lesbian consumers in Argentina.
Research Now opens in Spain

26-Oct-2009

SPAIN— Online fieldwork agency Research Now has opened a new office in Madrid to serve its Spanish clients.
Peter Kneale to leave TNS for Incite

26-Oct-2009

UK— Peter Kneale, the joint managing director of TNS Research International’s consumer division, is leaving the company to join Incite.
Former Synovate man Jeffrey appointed Ipsos Markinor CEO

26-Oct-2009

SOUTH AFRICA— Ipsos Markinor has appointed Ian Jeffrey as its new chief executive officer.
Casro announces 2011 chair and new board members

23-Oct-2009

US— The Council of American Survey Research Organisations (Casro) has announced its new chair for 2011 and added three new board members.
HPI strikes Brazilian licensing deal with AboutPeople

23-Oct-2009

BRAZIL— HPI has struck a licensing deal with Sao Paulo-based start-up agency AboutPeople, giving it exclusive use of HPI’s bespoke techniques in the Brazilian market.
Talking change and relevance with Esomar's new director general

23-Oct-2009

Finn Raben was given the top job at Esomar after a long career on the agency side, latterly as Synovate’s CEO for Southern Europe. In this interview he stresses the importance of making industry associations more relevant to their constituents, but warns of the challenges in doing so.
Research Now agrees £85m e-Rewards takeover

23-Oct-2009

UK— Research Now has agreed to an £85m takeover by rival online panel firm e-Rewards. Early indications are that the deal will go ahead with 69% of Research Now shareholders having already given their backing.
Angus Reid Strategies to provide polls for political blog

22-Oct-2009

UK— Angus Reid Strategies has been appointed by the PoliticalBetting.com blog to provide it with polling data ahead of the next general election.
Kadence appoints insight director for Singapore

22-Oct-2009

UK— Kadence International has appointed Greg Clayton as insight director for its Singapore office. He joins the firm from RS Consulting where he spent seven years working in both qual and quant research.
Q3 revenue down at IMS, but CEO reports 'improved performance'

22-Oct-2009

US— IMS Health has reported a 6% drop in revenue to $540.8m for the third quarter of 2009 compared to the previous year, with net loss for the period of $9.3m.
Speedfacts founder von Hessen given Globalpark role

22-Oct-2009

UK—Online panel software provider Globalpark has appointed Boris von Hessen as managing director of its Enterprise Feedback Solutions service.
E-Rewards makes takeover approach for Research Now

22-Oct-2009

UK— Online panel provider e-Rewards has made an indicative offer to buy online fieldwork agency Research Now, the company announced late yesterday.
EU Health and Cint team up for medical panel

21-Oct-2009

UK— Healthcare professional database firm EU Health has formed a partnership with online panel provider Cint to build a panel of medical specialists.
Synovate appointed to football footfall task

21-Oct-2009

UK— Premiership football club Manchester City has installed Synovate’s automated Shopper Count footfall system at its shop at the City of Manchester Stadium.
People on the move

21-Oct-2009

The latest appointments and promotions in the global market research industry. This week: Dunkin’ Brands, Bravo Media, Synovate, Swift Research, Quant Presky Maves, B2B International, The Oxford Research Agency, eXelate and more.
Japan's Intage plots Chinese expansion after Hyperlink buy

21-Oct-2009

JAPAN— Full-service agency Intage is looking to strengthen its position in the Chinese market after finalising an $11.9m deal to buy Hyperlink Market Research from its parent company Xinhua Sports and Entertainment (formerly XFMedia).
IMS Health confirms it is exploring 'strategic alternatives'

21-Oct-2009

US— The board of directors at IMS Health said last night that a special committee had been formed to look into “a variety of strategic alternatives” for the firm, following reports that private equity groups were circling the company.
Doctors.net.uk rolls-out online qual service

20-Oct-2009

UK— Online medical network Doctors.net.uk has launched a new web-based qualitative research service which enables clients to hold online discussions with physicians.
IMS Health shares leap on private equity takeover talk

20-Oct-2009

US— Shares in healthcare research giant IMS Health rose by 21% to $17.84 yesterday on the back of a report that the company is in talks with private equity firms over a possible sale.
GfK Asia unveils weekly Korean mobile sales tracker

20-Oct-2009

KOREA— GfK Asia has started offering a weekly tracking service that keeps tabs on mobile phone sales throughout Korea.
Maine legislature votes to repeal child data law

20-Oct-2009

US— A committee of the Maine legislature has voted to repeal a privacy law that threatened the work of research agencies by prohibiting the sale or transfer of personal data about state residents aged under 18.
GfK NOP Media launches Rate It! youth panel

19-Oct-2009

UK— GfK NOP Media has launched a new panel made up of more than 1,500 eight to 15-year-olds.
Synovate expands oncology monitor and creates new global role

19-Oct-2009

US— Synovate has expanded its Global Oncology Monitor into eight new markets and created a new role to lead the service.
Educational publisher picks Globalpark for community project

19-Oct-2009

UK— Pearson Education and Edexcel have contracted Globalpark to set up an online community of more than 5,500 teachers.
Cossette reveals interest from 'several' potential buyers

19-Oct-2009

CANADA— Marketing services group Cossette has told shareholders that it has received “several” written expressions of interest from potential buyers after launching a strategic review to find new owners earlier this year.
Business services sector tops September insolvency list

19-Oct-2009

UK— The business services sector has again topped the list for the number of insolvencies seen in September, according to Experian’s monthly insolvency index.
TRA rolls-out Optimizer ad targeting service

14-Oct-2009

US— Ad ROI measurement firm TRA has launched a tool to help advertisers more accurately reach their target audiences using data from its single-source database of TV viewing behaviour and purchase information.
Marketing firm launches iPhone buzz tracking app

14-Oct-2009

US— Digital marketing agency iCrossing has launched an iPhone app that keeps tabs on what is being said across a range of social media sites.
Research Panel picks Confirmit to aid overseas business plan

14-Oct-2009

JAPAN— Online panel supplier Research Panel has signed up to use Confirmit’s software-as-a-service research platform to assist with its plans to capture business from international clients.
Cint launches in Australia and adds panel partner

14-Oct-2009

AUSTRALIA— Research software and services firm Cint has launched in Australia and added a new client to its online Panel Exchange service.
$2m more pumped into media monitor Visible Technologies

13-Oct-2009

US— WPP has increased its investment in social media monitoring agency Visible Technologies with a third cash injection.
SponsorMap launches experiential marketing testing tool

13-Oct-2009

US— Sports sponsorship measurement agency SponsorMap has launched a new service to measure the impact of brand-owned experiential marketing events on consumers.
IFF hires director for brand marcoms research

13-Oct-2009

UK— B2B and public sector specialist IFF Research has appointed Sue Burden as director of its brand marketing and communications research team.
Arbitron adds five new PPM markets

13-Oct-2009

US— Arbitron has commercialised its portable people meter radio ratings service in five new markets.
Analytics firm Kampyle expands Japanese presence

13-Oct-2009

JAPAN— Online feedback analytics agency Kampyle has strengthened its presence in Japan with a local partnership and a new Japanese language website.
Former Synovate man Raben appointed Esomar director general

13-Oct-2009

NETHERLANDS— Esomar has filled the role of director general, which has been vacant since April, with the appointment of Finn Raben.
'No documentation exists' to verify Mayor's mother's survey

12-Oct-2009

US— The mother of a city mayor has said she has no records of a telephone survey on gas tax that she was paid $2,000 to carry out.
Emak Worldwide vows to fight former CEO's damages claim

12-Oct-2009

US— Marketing services group Emak Worldwide has vowed to “vigorously defend” itself against a lawsuit filed against it by shareholders including former CEO Donald Kurz.
TNS and RI complete UK merger

12-Oct-2009

UK— The merger of TNS’s UK custom division and Research International has been completed and the combined firm has been rebranded as TNS Research International UK.
Circle Research names Booth as client director

12-Oct-2009

UK— Andy Booth has been appointed as client director at B2B agency Circle Research. He specialises in research into travel, tourism and logistics and distribution and has spent 30 years working in the business intelligence sector.
YouGov posts a loss after 'very challenging' year

12-Oct-2009

UK— YouGov has posted a loss of £0.7m for the financial year ending 31 July, in what CEO Nadhim Zahawi called a “very challenging” period for the research industry.
ComScore launches mobile insight service

9-Oct-2009

US— ComScore has launched a new service to give marketing and advertising clients insight into mobile consumers.
MetrixLab appoints ex-RI VP to lead NPD expansion

9-Oct-2009

NETHERLANDS— Online researcher MetrixLab has appointed Alexander Kleijngeld to head the expansion of its international innovation division.
Omniture and Havas Digital strike software deal

9-Oct-2009

US— Web analytics software firm Omniture has struck a deal with Havas Digital, the interactive arm of Havas Media, that will see its SearchCenter customer data technology offered to Havas’s clients.
Linkdex launches with $1m private equity funding

9-Oct-2009

US— A new agency providing search intelligence for marketers has been launched after receiving $1m in funding from Amadeus and Angels Seed Fund.
TNS and Ipsos ASI take ad testing online

9-Oct-2009

UK/US— TNS and Ipsos ASI have launched online tools for testing out ad creative.
People on the move

8-Oct-2009

The latest appointments and promotions in the global market research industry. This week: Mindset Media, R&D Leverage, iPerceptions, imc2, Archibald Ingall Stretton, NORC, Inuvo and x+1.
Social media analyser Amplified State launches

8-Oct-2009

UK— Former media buyer and content producer Spencer Friend has launched a new social media monitoring agency, Amplified State.
Rentrak bags Jewelry TV measurement deal

8-Oct-2009

US— Audience measurement firm Rentrak has been awarded a contract by Jewelry Television to identify and target consumers who watch TV shopping channels.
Q Interactive makes Vente acquisition

7-Oct-2009

US— Online lead generation agency Q Interactive has acquired online survey and permission-based marketing firm Vente from Experian.
Emnos appoints former Sainsbury's insight chief

7-Oct-2009

UK— Retail data analysis agency Emnos has appointed Sainsbury’s former head of customer insight Alan Lowthorpe as director of its gaming and leisure sector business.
Innerscope names former Arbitron exec as sales and marketing EVP

7-Oct-2009

US— Innerscope Research, a media research firm specialising in the application of biometric and neuroscience techniques, has appointed Linda Dupree as executive vice president of sales and marketing.
Poll picks 'cheesy' name for Vegemite iSnack2.0

7-Oct-2009

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND— Kraft Foods has renamed its new Vegemite spread Vegemite Cheesybite after 30,000 consumers voted in online and telephone polls.
FTC sets rules on research use in ad endorsement guidelines

6-Oct-2009

US— The Federal Trade Commission has set out disclosure requirements for the use of research findings in advertising in reissued guidance governing endorsements and testimonials.
CBS research chief takes advisory role at Marketshare Partners

6-Oct-2009

US— Marketing analytics agency Marketshare Partners has appointed David Poltrack, chief research officer at CBS Corporation, to its board of advisers – its latest high-profile addition.
Knowledge Networks acquires ad effectiveness agency Dimestore

6-Oct-2009

US— Knowledge Networks has acquired online ad effectiveness testing agency Dimestore Media. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Passenger launches SaaS community platform

6-Oct-2009

US— Passenger has released a software-as-a-service version of its online community platform, boasting a 24-hour set-up time and needing “zero involvement” from outside community or IT managers.
BrainActive expands eastern European panels

2-Oct-2009

ROMANIA— Online agency BrainActive Market Research has increased its panel sizes in Russia, Poland and Turkey by “approximately 40%”.
Quantum brought in as unease over Vegemite iSnack2.0 spreads

2-Oct-2009

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND— Kraft Foods has turned to Quantum Market Research to resolve consumer unrest over the name of its new cheese-based Vegemite spread.
Rentrak appoints Chemerow to new COO role

2-Oct-2009

US— Media measurement agency Rentrak has appointed David Chemerow to the newly created role of chief operating officer.
Phoenix Strategic Partnerships scoops Canadian passport project

1-Oct-2009

CANADA— The Canadian government has contracted research agency Phoenix Strategic Perspectives to gauge public reaction to new electronic passport security features.
Catinét outsources fieldwork to Norstat

1-Oct-2009

DENMARK— Full-service research agency Catinét is to outsource all its fieldwork activities to data collection firm Norstat as part of a five-year deal.
Retailer Bank appoints Retail Eyes for customer service task

1-Oct-2009

UK— Fashion retailer Bank has hired Retail Eyes to design and run a programme to improve the way staff engage with shoppers.
Arbitron forms cross-platform measurement group

1-Oct-2009

US— Arbitron has formed a cross-platform measurement group that will use portable people meter (PPM) technology to measure how media is consumed across TV, radio, internet, mobile and place-based media.
Western Wats fined over child labour violations

30-Sep-2009

US— The Department of Labor (DOL) has fined fieldwork agency Western Wats more than $500,000 for breaking child labour laws at several of its telephone call centres.
Opinion Leader names Boelman associate director

30-Sep-2009

UK— Opinion Leader has appointed Olivier Boelman as an associate director. He spent the last five years at Consensus Research, where he primarily covered the financial services sector.
Sermo unveils on-demand physician panel

30-Sep-2009

US— Online physician community Sermo has launched an on-demand panel service that gives researchers the opportunity to survey its 110,000 members.
Survey Sampling opens office in Mexico City

30-Sep-2009

MEXICO— Survey Sampling International (SSI) has opened a new office in Mexico City, following the expansion of its online panel in the country earlier this year.
Digital fingerprinting 'may be unlawful in Canada', warns MRIA

29-Sep-2009

CANADA— The Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) has warned its members that digital fingerprinting may be unlawful in Canada as it “may collect more information than is necessary to identify fraudulent and duplicate respondents in online research”.
Added Value launches three marketing initiatives

29-Sep-2009

UK— Added Value has launched a trio of new global marketing initiatives, AV-id, Character Creation and a specialist approcah based on tracking trends.
YouTube adds Insight data to Content ID tool

29-Sep-2009

US— YouTube is to add data from its Insight statistical service to its Content ID tool, which allows users such as TV broadcasters to identify user-uploaded versions of their videos.
Kwik Fit picks SPSS for customer retention

29-Sep-2009

UK— Kwik Fit Insurance has chosen SPSS’s predictive analytics software tool PASW Statistics to analyse and understand customer motivations when buying motor insurance.
IFF Research posts 40% sales rise and turnover of £7m

28-Sep-2009

UK— IFF Research has reported a 40% rise in sales to £8.7m for the year ending 31 March 2009. Turnover was up marginally to £6.99m from £6.98m the previous year.
Synovate expands Retail Performance business

28-Sep-2009

UK— Synovate is looking to expand its Retail Performance shopper counting and analytics business across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Beaton merges with Taylor Management Consulting

28-Sep-2009

AUSTRALIA— Business-to-business research and consulting firm Beaton has merged with Taylor Management Consulting.
YouGov and Sky News launch daily political polls

28-Sep-2009

UK— YouGov and Sky News have launched a daily polling service to coincide with the annual Conservative and Labour party conferences.
Needham appointed to Tangible board

25-Sep-2009

UK— Cello Group has appointed Face CEO Andrew Needham (pictured) to the board of its Tangible business division.
European launch for The Sound

25-Sep-2009

UK— Canadian youth research agency The Sound has opened an office in London in the first step of its European expansion.
Mzinga scoops $10m financing

25-Sep-2009

US— Online analytics software firm Mzinga has received $10m through its second round of private equity funding.
Ipsos picks RelevantView for online panel task

25-Sep-2009

US— Ipsos has struck a technology deal with RelevantView to run the latter’s RelevantID digital fingerprinting technology across its online panels.
CIMM preparing first audience measurement RFPs

25-Sep-2009

US— The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) will release its first two requests for proposals (RFPs) for new audience measurement techniques next week, according to reports on the web.
Angus Reid named marketing legend

25-Sep-2009

CANADA— Research industry veteran Angus Reid has been named as one of eight people joining the Canadian Marketing Hall of Legends this year.
Business services sector sees highest August insolvency rate

25-Sep-2009

UK— Insolvency rates during August were highest in the business services sector, according to Experian’s Insolvency and Distress Index.
Strategic Vision chief vows legal action over AAPOR rap

24-Sep-2009

US— David Johnson, the CEO of pollster Strategic Vision, has vowed legal action against the American Association for Public Research after the professional body ruled the agency was in breach of its rules around survey methodology disclosure.
AAPOR calls out Strategic Vision over poll disclosure

24-Sep-2009

US— The American Association for Public Opinion Research has found pollster Strategic Vision in violation of its Code of Professional Ethics and Practices.
Cint and Habbo launch online teen panels

24-Sep-2009

SWEDEN— Research software firm Cint has teamed up with Sulake, the owner of online teen community Habbo, to build a series of youth panels around the world.
Coleman Insights acquires MediaEKG

24-Sep-2009

US— Media research firm Coleman Insights has acquired MediaEKG and its patent-pending consumer feedback technology, which is used to conduct online evaluations of radio and television shows for media companies.
WPP and Google open second round of research funding

23-Sep-2009

US— Google and WPP are inviting bids for the second stage of their $4.6m three-year programme to fund media research projects.
The Leading Edge chief executive steps down

23-Sep-2009

AUSTRALIA— Mark Sundquist has stepped down as chief executive of The Leading Edge, a role he has held for three years.
HMV appoints Retail Eyes for customer service task

23-Sep-2009

UK— Entertainment retailer HMV has contracted Retail Eyes to create and operate a customer experience programme.
Nielsen moves to dismiss new Sunbeam complaint

23-Sep-2009

US— Ratings firm Nielsen has again asked a court to dismiss anti-trust proceedings bought against it by Florida-based broadcaster Sunbeam Television.
Nielsen and Facebook form alliance and unveil ad testing tool

22-Sep-2009

US— Facebook and Nielsen have launched an online tool to measure the effectiveness of adverts that appear on the social networking website.
Cambiar opens marketing and product positioning practice

22-Sep-2009

US— MR consulting agency Cambiar has launched a new practice to help companies improve the positioning and marketing of their products.
Synovate hires community panels director

22-Sep-2009

UK— Synovate has appointed Marc Chester to the newly created role of community panels director.
GfK Technology promotes Krajicek to MD in US

22-Sep-2009

US— David Krajicek has been promoted to managing director of GfK Technology from his previous role of executive vice president of the firm’s brand and communications business.
NeuroFocus appoints lab operations director

21-Sep-2009

US— Steven Miller has been appointed director of global NeuroLab operations at NeuroFocus. He will be based at the neuromarketing agency’s main lab in Berkeley, California.
Nasdaq warns Harris over share price

21-Sep-2009

US— Nasdaq has given Harris Interactive 180 days to raise its share price as the research agency’s stock has closed below the minimum listing price of $1 for the last 30 consecutive business days.
Barb sets sights on measuring online TV viewing

21-Sep-2009

UK— The Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (Barb) wants to start measuring TV content watched on PCs and laptops - providing it can find a satisfactory way of doing so.
Phorm cuts first-half loss, but still no revenue to report

21-Sep-2009

UK— Online targeted advertising firm Phorm managed to cut its losses in the first six months of the year but still has no revenue to report, according to results.
Esomar announces 2009 award winners

18-Sep-2009

SWITZERLAND— Esomar has announced the winners of its 2009 Congress Awards from Montreux in Switzerland.
Synovate to close Iowa call centre

18-Sep-2009

US— Synovate is to close its call centre in Ottumwa, Iowa, in November, according to press reports.
People on the move

18-Sep-2009

The latest appointments and promotions in the global market research industry
Merkle launches LogicLab analytics business

18-Sep-2009

US— Database marketing agency Merkle has launched a new business, LogicLab, to provide data and analytics to media buyers.
In-Stat launches STB, Wi-Fi and pay TV databases

18-Sep-2009

US— Technology market research agency In-Stat has launched three new databases, covering the markets for pay TV, set-top box and Wi-Fi enabled products.
Arbitron and radio industry to create 'affinity' metric

18-Sep-2009

US— Arbitron and a group of radio broadcasters, advertisers and media buyers have formed a task force to develop a new metric to measure the relationship or ‘affinity’ listeners have with stations.
RS Consulting shuffles leadership pack

17-Sep-2009

UK— Research group Cello has named a new leadership team for its RS Consulting subsidiary and confirmed that Neil Swan is leaving the company.
Draftfcb shifts MR work to Interpublic

17-Sep-2009

US— Draftfcb has closed its Worldwide Marketing Research Services group, transferring its work to Interpublic’s Center for Marketing Intelligence.
Echometrix receives $2m investment

17-Sep-2009

US— Investment house Rock Island Capital has invested $2m into marketing intelligence software provider Echometrix through the purchase of stock at $9.09 a share.
Photon Group raises AUS$114m through share offering

17-Sep-2009

AUSTRALIA— Photon Group, the owner of research agencies The Leading Edge and Jigsaw, has raised AUS$114.6m in two rounds of new share offerings.
Toluna posts 67% first-half revenue rise

17-Sep-2009

UK— Toluna has reported a “strong” first half of 2009, with total revenue up 67% to £13.7m from £8.2m in the same period last year. Operating profits were up 21% on last year, at £1.6m compared to £1.3m, and pre-tax profits rose 12% to £1.6m from £1.4m.
United Sample launches panel for RedFlagDeals.com

16-Sep-2009

CANADA— Online sample supplier United Sample has launched a new panel for shopping comparison website RedFlagDeals.com, which is owned by Clear Sky Media.
Arbitron awarded out-of-home ad audit task

16-Sep-2009

US— Arbitron’s portable people meter (PPM) technology is to be used to deliver a “proof of play” advertising audit for out-of-home video networks.
Easyjet re-signs Virtual Surveys for community task

16-Sep-2009

UK— Easyjet has renewed its contract with Virtual Surveys to operate its online customer community in 2009-10.
Mayor's mother quizzed over gas tax poll

16-Sep-2009

US— Oregon state investigators have written to the mother of Springfield mayor Sid Leiken demanding information about a telephone poll allegedly carried out by her market research company.
Adobe to buy web analytics firm Omniture for $1.8bn

16-Sep-2009

US— Design software firm Adobe has agreed a $1.8bn deal to acquire web and marketing analytics software developer Omniture. Adobe says the deal paves the way for ad designers, developers and online marketers to embed Omniture’s “optimisation capabilities” into their creative work.
AskYourTargetMarket unveils 'research on-demand' service

15-Sep-2009

US— Beta testing is underway for an online, on-demand survey tool called AskYourTargetMarket.com that allows users to quiz its consumer panel for as little as $29.95.
First public sector wins for Spring Research

15-Sep-2009

UK— Spring Research has won its first public sector clients - Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Central Office of Information and communications watchdog Ofcom.
Direct Marketing Association hails insight as crucial

15-Sep-2009

UK— The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) has urged marketers to make greater use of research and insight in their campaigns.
ComScore promotes Dale to COO

15-Sep-2009

US— ComScore has promoted chief technology officer Gregory Dale to the newly created post of chief operating officer, where he will oversee all the firm’s operating activities.
Kuoni and Club Med sign for GfK travel monitor

14-Sep-2009

UK— Swiss tourism company Kuoni and French resort chain Club Med have signed up to GfK Ascent MI’s Leisure Travel Monitor (LTM), which provides market intelligence on forward booking information for the outbound holiday market.
Veteran statistician launches BarryAnalytics

14-Sep-2009

UK— Marketing statistician Barry Leventhal has launched a new data analytics consultancy, BarryAnalytics.
eDigital names Eccleston to board, hires research manager

14-Sep-2009

UK— Online agency eDigital Research has promoted Derek Eccleston to the board of directors and hired a new research manager, Daniel Curtis.
Nielsen appoints consumer research director in India

14-Sep-2009

INDIA— Nielsen has appointed former Heinz India research manager Sandeep Ranada as director of client solutions in the consumer research division.
Verve opens in Australia and New Zealand

14-Sep-2009

AUSTRALIA— Verve has opened an office in Sydney as it launches its customer advisory panel and online brand community offer in Australia and New Zealand.
E-Rewards adds AeroMexico passengers to panels

11-Sep-2009

US— E-Rewards and AeroMexico have agreed a deal that will see the airline’s passengers join the online researcher’s Mexico business-to-business and affluent-consumer panels.
Google creates online stats repository

11-Sep-2009

UK— Google has created an online repository of facts about consumer trends, media consumption, the media landscape, macro economic trends and technology.
Mixed messages from new TV industry consortium

11-Sep-2009

A coalition of US media buyers, TV broadcasters and advertisers has stressed that it doesn’t intend to replace Nielsen’s existing rating system, but it is actively looking for another way to measure television viewing. Its message is muddled.
Sears to destroy web tracking data

11-Sep-2009

US— The Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order that requires the owner of Sears and K-Mart to disclose the installation of tracking software on consumers’ computers in the future.
People on the move

10-Sep-2009

The latest appointments and promotions in the global market research and consumer insight industry. This week: YouGov Psychonomics, Passenger, Opinion Leader, iCrossing and Experian.
Critical Mass launches marketing measurement arm

10-Sep-2009

CANADA— Omnicom-owned digital marketing agency Critical Mass has launched a new business arm to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
TV industry unveils the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement

10-Sep-2009

US— A group of 14 advertisers, TV content providers and media agencies have officially launched the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement, with the aim of “promoting innovation in audience measurement for television and cross-platform media”.
Nielsen makes Korean web measurement acquisition

10-Sep-2009

KOREA— Nielsen has acquired online measurement firm KoreanClick. The firm uses proprietary technology to measure usage and attitude data across online messaging, gaming and multimedia web platforms.
Research industry charity requests double

9-Sep-2009

UK— The Market Research Benevolent Association has seen applications for financial support nearly double this year amid the recession.
Nielsen TV panel to track online viewing

9-Sep-2009

US— Nielsen has developed a new meter to track online TV viewing, and will start adding it to households in its National People Meter panel by the end of the year.
IAB Singapore appoints new leadership

9-Sep-2009

SINGAPORE— The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Singapore has elected a new chairman and a 10-strong leadership council.
NPD promotes in food and beverage unit

8-Sep-2009

US— Mark East has been promoted to president of the North American food and beverage business unit at The NPD Group.
Colmar Brunton and Communispace partner in AsiaPac

8-Sep-2009

AUSTRALIA— US-based Communispace has teamed up with Australian research agency Colmar Brunton to develop online research communities in the Asia Pacific region.
Majestic MRSS in Middle Eastern expansion

8-Sep-2009

UAE— India-based full service agency Majestic MRSS has strengthened its presence in the Middle East with a trio of new appointments.
The Newspaper Works opens Australian readership tender

8-Sep-2009

AUSTRALIA— Print industry body The Newspaper Works has officially opened tendering to find an agency to carry out its new readership survey.
Ogilvy handed regional role at Effective Measure

8-Sep-2009

UAE— Brendon Ogilvy has been appointed regional director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at online audience measurement firm Effective Measure.
GfK's EMO Sensor to gauge emotional response to adverts

7-Sep-2009

GERMANY— GfK has launched a service to measure consumers’ emotional reactions to advertising and marketing campaigns, called the EMO Sensor.
ESRC appoints new council members

7-Sep-2009

UK— John Beath has been appointed a member of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the organisation responsible for funding research into social and economic matters.
JRA hires former Harris divisional leader

7-Sep-2009

UK— JRA Research has appointed David Hassall, formerly in charge of the business and industrial research division at Harris Interactive, as head of business research.
Cagney shareholders approve AIM de-listing

28-Aug-2009

UK— Shareholders at marketing services group Cagney, which owns research agency Tree, today passed a motion to de-list the firm’s shares from the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
MR firm in mayoral finance probe

28-Aug-2009

US— Sid Leiken, the mayor of Springfield, Oregon, is being investigated by the Oregon Secretary of State over a $2,000 payment he made to a market research firm run by his mother.
Philpott takes top job at Synovate as Adrian Chedore retires

28-Aug-2009

US— Adrian Chedore (pictured) is to retire from his position as global CEO of Synovate on 1 September after eight years in the role, handing control over to global chief operating officer Robert Philpott.
CommonHealth's MBS/Vox research unit adds two

27-Aug-2009

US— MBS/Vox the research consultancy arm of WPP-owned healthcare communications agency CommonHealth, has appointed David Curry as a senior analyst and Julie Hoops as an analyst.
Ex-Forrester analysts Owyang and Li reunited at Altimeter

27-Aug-2009

US— High-profile Forrester Research analyst Jeremiah Owyang has joined his former colleague Charlene Li at Altimeter, a digital strategies consulting agency she formed last year.
A Sticky state of affairs

27-Aug-2009

Viacom’s new MTV Sticky website promises to provide the media and ad industries with fresh insight into youth culture. We spoke to Helen Rose, director of insight, to find out about how the site came about and what she has planned for it in the future.
Rentrak names Goerlich and Vinson to research team

27-Aug-2009

US— Media measurement agency Rentrak has appointed Bruce Goerlich as chief research officer and Michael Vinson as vice president of statistical sciences and analytics, both newly created roles.
Iconoculture launches packaging advisory service

27-Aug-2009

US— Trend researcher Iconoculture has launched a service to provide insight into how consumer values influence packaging preferences.
ISR appoints Survey Research Center director

26-Aug-2009

US— William Axinn has been appointed director of the Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research (ISR).
Revenue down at Ipsos 'for first time in 30 years'

26-Aug-2009

FRANCE— Ipsos has reported a 3.2% drop in revenue to €447.8m for the first half of 2009 – its first decline in group sales since 1977, the company said. Gross profit fell 1.9% to €279.7m.
MTV launches Sticky youth insight website

26-Aug-2009

UK— MTV has launched Sticky, a website through which it aims to provide the media and advertising industries with insight into youth culture.
Sister firms FDS and 3000ft make appointments

26-Aug-2009

UK— Research group Munro Global has added new staff at two of its subsidiaries, customer satisfaction specialist FDS International and social trend analyst 3000ft.
YouGov and Mediametrie debut in global rankings

26-Aug-2009

US— YouGov and Mediametrie are the only new entrants in this year’s list of the world’s top 25 research agencies compiled by Inside Research.
IFF awarded gender pay gap survey contract

25-Aug-2009

UK— The Equality and Human Rights Commission has commissioned IFF Research to conduct a survey into gender pay gaps.
Phones 4u launches uBar online community

25-Aug-2009

UK— Mobile retailer Phones 4u has launched uBar, an online community to exchange feedback and ideas with mobile phone users to test new products and services.
Yahoo acquires Maktoob Research and parent

25-Aug-2009

US— Yahoo has entered into an agreement to buy Middle Eastern online community Maktoob and its Maktoob Research subsidiary for an undisclosed amount.
Roy Morgan 'to compete' with new readership survey

24-Aug-2009

AUSTRALIA— Roy Morgan has vowed to continue running its newspaper readership survey, despite a rival being planned by industry body The Newspaper Works, according to reports.
GfK Custom NA appoints financial services MD

24-Aug-2009

US— Douglas Cottings has been appointed managing director of the financial services business at GfK Custom Research North America.
Investor withdraws bid for Media Square directorship

24-Aug-2009

UK— Peter Lynch has withdrawn his request to join the board of marketing communications group Media Square, owner of research agency Illuminas.
Discovery brings clients to its Thinking Shed

24-Aug-2009

UK— Discovery Group – owner of Discovery Research – has invested in a new online qualitative evaluation tool called The Thinking Shed which has already secured backing from 11 clients.
Kadence appoints UK healthcare director

24-Aug-2009

UK— Rachel Lewington has been appointed as healthcare director at Kadence International. She joins the firm from pharma research agency Genactis, where she was global head of the qualitative research centre of excellence.
ORC scoops insurer survey contract for third time

20-Aug-2009

UK— The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has awarded ORC International the contract to carry out its Customer Impact Survey for the third consecutive year.
OFT considers probe of behavioural targeting

20-Aug-2009

UK— The Office of Fair Trading is considering whether to investigate behavioural targeting practices in a study into how consumers are affected by misleading online adverts and pricing.
Interpret examines mobile handset purchases

20-Aug-2009

US— Interpret has launched a tool to understand what motivates consumers when choosing mobile phone handsets, especially in the final few moments before buying.
Globalpark posts 35% Q2 revenue hike to €2.5m

20-Aug-2009

US— Online panel software provider Globalpark has reported a 35% jump in revenue to €2.5m for the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same period last year.
BDRC launches rapid ad-evaluation tool

19-Aug-2009

UK— BDRC has launched AdForensics, an ad-evaluation tool to help organisations understand how their target market responds to advertising efforts.
Vimto appoints McCallum Layton for sensory research task

19-Aug-2009

UK— Soft drinks brand Vimto has appointed McCallum Layton to undertake a combined sensory and consumer research study for the company’s product development programme over the next two to three years.
Time Warner signs 'three-screen' measurement deal with Nielsen

19-Aug-2009

US— Time Warner has signed a seven-year contract with Nielsen to provide ratings services for all its businesses - the news coming in the same week that the media giant was reported to be part of a consortium planning to launch its own measurement system to rival the ratings firm.
BigChampagne scoops Universal Music analysis task

19-Aug-2009

US— Music measurement firm BigChampagne has been contracted by Universal Music Group (UMG) to track online listening and song downloading habits across social networks and music sites.
United Sample and eSpin launch teen community

19-Aug-2009

US— Online panel provider United Sample has teamed up with teen social networking firm eSpin to launch a new teenage research community, Surveys4Teens.
Nielsen responds to rumours of rival ratings consortium

18-Aug-2009

US— Nielsen has responded to reports that a group of media agencies and advertisers are planning to launch a rival video measurement service, telling staff that “three-screen” measurement remains central to its strategy.
TPSi launches pharma opinion leaders panel

18-Aug-2009

UK— Pharmaceutical market research agency The Planning Shop International (TPSi) has launched a new online panel of key industry opinion leaders from around the world.
GfK Healthcare launches brand tracking service

18-Aug-2009

US— GfK Healthcare has launched Brand Beat, a package of diagnostic tools to measure a brand’s cognitive and emotional strengths.
Online audio measurement firm Ando Media merges with Spacial

18-Aug-2009

US— Ando Media, which measures audiences for online audio, has merged with Spacial Audio Solutions, which provides software for audio streaming and ad insertion.
Cossette looking for alternative takeover options

18-Aug-2009

CANADA— Marketing services group Cossette has dismissed a takeover proposal from its former vice-chairman François Duffar and has instructed its financial advisers to solicit proposals from other parties.
In-Touch Survey Systems rues cancelled orders

17-Aug-2009

CANADA— Data collection firm In-Touch Survey Systems has reported that its revenue grew by 8% in the second quarter of 2009, but the firm’s electronic data collection activities took a C$1m hit as clients cancelled orders.
Research owner Photon looking to raise AUS$115m

17-Aug-2009

AUSTRALIA— The Photon Group, owner of research agencies The Leading Edge and Jigsaw, is looking to raise AUS$115 million through a share offering.
Virtual Surveys wins Kellogg's community contract

17-Aug-2009

UK— Breakfast cereal manufacturer Kellogg’s has commissioned Virtual Surveys to set up and run an online research community of women looking to “manage their shape”.
Youth news site Ypulse merges with researcher SurveyU

17-Aug-2009

US— Ypulse, an online news and comment site for youth media and marketing professionals, has merged with SurveyU, an online research community made up of college students.
Networks and marketers 'plan rival TV ratings'

14-Aug-2009

US— A group of media companies, advertisers and marketers are planning to launch a TV and digital video audience measurement service to rival Nielsen, the Financial Times has reported.
Mintel Comperemedia appoints senior vice president

14-Aug-2009

US— Mintel Comperemedia, the direct marketing competitive intelligence arm of consumer goods researcher Mintel, has appointed Andrew Davidson as senior vice president.
Creston reports like-for-like Q1 revenue down 6%

14-Aug-2009

UK— Research and marketing services group Creston has seen like-for-like revenue fall 6% in the first quarter of the new financial year, compared to growth of 5% last year.
Media Square moves to block appointment of new director

13-Aug-2009

UK— Media Square, the marketing communications group that owns research agency Illuminas, has urged shareholders to vote against a resolution at its AGM that would see one of the firm’s investors take a seat on the board.
Disney launches UK parent panel with Opinion Matters

13-Aug-2009

UK— Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) has launched a panel of around 10,000 parents, the UK Family Panel, in partnership with online research agency Opinion Matters.
TNS and Rovi team up for set-top-box measurement

12-Aug-2009

US— TNS Media Research and digital technology firm Rovi have struck a deal to collaborate on advanced audience measurement services using data from TV set-top boxes.
ICF Macro awarded $15m Homeland Security contract

12-Aug-2009

US— ICF Macro has been awarded a $15.2m contract by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct the National Survey on Recreational Boating Safety over the next five years.
Kantar adds LatAm president and P&G account director

12-Aug-2009

UK— Kantar has appointed a new president for its Latin-American operations and a key client account director in the UK.
Mediabrands goes 'hyper-local' with Geomentum

12-Aug-2009

US— Media management firm Mediabrands has launched a new insight agency, Geomentum, to help marketers and advertisers pinpoint and market to audiences at a local level.
Nielsen transfers on-trade service to CGA Strategy

11-Aug-2009

UK— On-trade research agency CGA Strategy has taken over Nielsen’s sales tracking activities in the sector, with Nielsen taking a minority stake in the company in exchange.
Datascension sees gross profit rocket but revenue decline

11-Aug-2009

US— MR and data collection outsourcing firm Datascension has reported a huge rise in gross profit for the second quarter of 2009, but a double-digit decline in revenue.
Capgemini bags UAE TV measurement consulting task

11-Aug-2009

UAE— The National Media Council (NMC) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) have appointed Capgemini to manage the first phase of the country’s new TV audience measurement initiative.
Broadcasting reps urge Obama to join PPM wrangle

11-Aug-2009

US— Representatives of minority-owned radio broadcasters have written to President Barack Obama urging the federal government to step into the ongoing row over Arbitron’s PPM.
DisplaySearch launches solar panel reports

10-Aug-2009

US— DisplaySearch, which specialises in researching the market for flat panel displays (FPDs) used in other TVs and other devices, has announced that it is launching new reports focusing on the market for solar panels.
MarketTools promotes Millard to marketing SVP

10-Aug-2009

US— MarketTools has promoted Amy Millard to senior vice president of marketing.
Market Force Information appoints COO

10-Aug-2009

US— Mark Newhall has been appointed chief operating officer at customer experience information and insight agency Market Force Information.
Datamonitor integrates technology subsidiaries

10-Aug-2009

UK— Business information group Datamonitor is to merge its three technology businesses - Butler Group, Datamonitor Technology and Ovum - under the Ovum brand in September.
StrategyEye and Cleantech Group join forces for tracking

7-Aug-2009

UK— Business intelligence firm StrategyEye and Cleantech Group have teamed up to monitor the latest news in the clean technology sector.
ResponseTek launches Twitter scanning tool

7-Aug-2009

CANADA— Software firm ResponseTek has launched a tool to scan Twitter, social media and news networks for discussions and coverage of brands.
Rasmussen Reports secures 'major' investment

7-Aug-2009

US— Pollster Rasmussen Reports has received a “major growth capital investment” from private equity firm Noson Lawen Partners.
Mayor of London seeks agencies for city rebrand

6-Aug-2009

UK— The Greater London Authority (GLA) is looking for agencies to engage with the public over Mayor Boris Johnson’s plans to rebrand the city after the 2012 Olympics.
Carphone Warehouse picks Face for social media task

6-Aug-2009

UK— Co-creation planning agency Face is to work with the mobile phone retailer to inform its social media engagement strategy.
TNS launches sports passion measurement service in Asia

6-Aug-2009

HONG KONG— TNS has launched a syndicated report to cover the sporting and entertainment passions of people in Hong Kong and Singapore. The research sets out to identify what is ‘hot’ in the region.
AOL's Adtech launches analytics tool for campaign measurement

5-Aug-2009

UK— Adtech, the AOL-owned provider of ad serving platforms, has announced a new tool to provide ad agencies and publishers with insight into the performance of advertising campaigns and placements.
Passenger Focus renewing research roster

5-Aug-2009

UK— Passenger Focus, the national passenger watchdog, is looking for between eight and 24 agencies to join its market research roster.
IASH picks ComScore for website vetting task

5-Aug-2009

UK— The Internet Advertising Sales Houses (IASH), a council of the Internet Advertising Bureau, has appointed ComScore to provide independent site vetting services to ensure online ads are placed next to suitable content.
Motally launches beta version of iPhone apps tracker

5-Aug-2009

US— Mobile analytics firm Motally has launched a beta version of a service to track usage of applications on iPhone and BlackBerry handsets.
Cagney wants AIM de-listing to concentrate on MR

5-Aug-2009

UK— Cagney, owner of research agency Tree, wants investors to approve the firm’s de-listing from the stock exchange so it can concentrate on developing new market research offerings.
RivalWatch names new CEO and president

4-Aug-2009

US— Competitive intelligence agency RivalWatch has appointed Marty Hodgett as president and chief executive officer.
Starcom and Telemundo to delve into Latino population

4-Aug-2009

US— Media agency Starcom MediaVest and broadcaster Telemundo Communications Group have launched the Beyond Demographics Latino Identity study.
Baird looks to research to change energy use

4-Aug-2009

US— The House of Representatives is set to vote on a proposal from Congressman Brian Baird that would establish a research programme to “identify and understand social and behavioural factors that influence energy consumption”.
Synovate rolls-out MMA in Asia Pacific

4-Aug-2009

INDIA— Synovate has launched its marketing mix modelling business Marketing Management Analytics in the Asia Pacific region. MMA will work alongside the Synovate Business Consulting operations in India.
Microsoft and ComScore team up for digital ad tool

3-Aug-2009

US— Microsoft and ComScore have joined forces to launch the Reach and Frequency Planner for predicting and measuring the succes of online advertising campaigns.
YouGov trading in line with expectations

3-Aug-2009

UK— YouGov said today that business for the year ending 31 July “was in line with current market expectations”.
Webtrends agrees Widemile deal

31-Jul-2009

US— Web analytics firm Webtrends has agreed a deal to acquire Widemile, a provider of multivariate testing and site optimization technologies and services.
Harris chief Till taps TNS again for TMT unit leader

31-Jul-2009

US— Harris Interactive CEO Kimberley Till has hired Michael Saxon from TNS as SVP of the Technology, Media & Entertainment and Telecommunications business unit.
C-sat firm Confero appoints business development manager

31-Jul-2009

US— Customer experience measurement agency Confero has appointed Janet Morrison as business development manager.
Granite Broadcasting drops Nielsen in all markets

30-Jul-2009

US— Granite Broadcasting has revealed that it has stopped using Nielsen ratings for all 12 of its TV stations – switching instead to International Demographics.
Forrester 'on target' during second quarter

30-Jul-2009

US— Forrester Research has reported declines in second-quarter and first-half revenue and income – but chairman and CEO George Colony said the firm’s performance was “on target”. Q2 revenue was down 3% year-on-year to $61.6m, while net income declined 28% to $6.2m.
Cegedim acquires patient data firm Hospital Marketing Services

30-Jul-2009

FRANCE— Healthcare research agency Cegedim Strategic Data has acquired UK-based Hospital Marketing Services for an undisclosed amount.
Screen Digest and Media Partners Asia join forces

30-Jul-2009

HONG KONG— Media intelligence firms Media Partners Asia and UK-based Screen Digest have inked a deal to collaborate on research and consulting services.
Datamonitor grows in first half of 2009

28-Jul-2009

UK— Market intelligence firm Datamonitor delivered “another six months of top-line growth”, according to parent company Informa’s half-year results.
Nunwood hires CFO to spearhead expansion strategy

28-Jul-2009

UK— Nunwood has appointed financial strategist Kieran Marsh to the newly created role of chief financial officer to oversee its “substantial” growth plans.
Ex-Common Knowledge exec launches sales consultancy

28-Jul-2009

US— Paul Kirch, the immediate past-president of the northwest chapter of the Marketing Research Association, has launched a new sales management consultancy aimed at the market research industry.
Fed to peg impact of recession through re-interviews

28-Jul-2009

US— The Federal Reserve Board is planning to re-interview more than 4,000 people who took part in its 2007 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) to gauge the impact of the recession.
Granite Broadcasting picks The Media Audit over Nielsen

27-Jul-2009

US— Granite Broadcasting has ditched Nielsen ratings in four TV markets, choosing instead to sign with International Demographics and its qualitative audience survey The Media Audit.
People on the move

27-Jul-2009

The latest appointments and promotions in the global market research industry.
DeBiase out, Kent named general manager at TNS Media

27-Jul-2009

US— TNS Media North America has appointed Terry Kent as general manager following the departure of Dean DeBiase.
Prompt RI introduces 'snapshot' ad testing service

27-Jul-2009

SOUTH AFRICA— Eye tracking firm Prompt Research Insights has introduced a system to asses how well print and billboard ads are recognised in a single glance.
Ex-ITV research manager given Clear Channel Outdoor role

27-Jul-2009

UK— Emma Jones, the former commercial research and insight manager at broadcaster ITV, has joined outdoor media owner Clear Channel Outdoor as UK research and insight manager.
OTX appoints MTVN researcher to new family and youth business

24-Jul-2009

US— OTX Research has appointed Donna Sabino to lead its new youth and families research practice.
JiWire to use Nielsen Claritas data for wi-fi targeting service

24-Jul-2009

US— Mobile audience media agency JiWire has agreed a deal with Nielsen Claritas for a new service that aims to help marketers better target advertising to consumers who use the company’s 25,000 wi-fi hotspots.
E-Rewards appoints SVP of international operations

24-Jul-2009

UK— Online panel provider E-Rewards has appointed former TNS director Mark Walton as senior vice president of international operations.
Majestic MRSS launches in Indonesia

23-Jul-2009

INDONESIA— Full service research agency Majestic MRSS has opened a new office in Jakarta and hired Teju Harjono as executive director of operations.
New GSRU head promises stronger links with research community

23-Jul-2009

UK— The new head of the Government Social Research Unit (GSRU), Cressy MacDonald, has outlined her desire to develop stronger links with research agencies, councils and societies.
EMI Music appoints insight VP in digital marketing reshuffle

23-Jul-2009

UK— EMI Music has reshuffled its digital marketing operations following the recent arrival of Cory Ondrejka as executive vice president.
Omniture reports record second-quarter revenue

23-Jul-2009

US— Analytics software firm Omniture has reported a 22% rise in revenue to a record $87.6m for the second quarter of 2009, up from $71.6m.
Omniture appoints corporate development vice president

22-Jul-2009

US— Brian Andersen has been appointed vice president of corporate development at analytics software firm Omniture, where he will be responsible for mergers and acquisitions.
UK sales up 40% at Kadence in 2008/09

22-Jul-2009

UK— Kadence International has reported a 40% increase in UK sales to £4m for the financial year 2008/09.
Former GfK NOP man Stracey given InterQuest community role

22-Jul-2009

UK— InterQuest has appointed Daniel Stracey as community research manager.
Nationwide opts out of Phorm

22-Jul-2009

UK— Nationwide Building Society has become the latest company to tell Phorm it does not want its web pages scanned by the firm’s targeted advertising software, Webwise.
Former Qualcomm analysis director charged with insider trading

21-Jul-2009

US— The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Qualcomm’s former director of strategic marketing analysis with insider trading.
Variety and Visible Measures launch online trailer chart

21-Jul-2009

US— Internet measurement firm Visible Measures and entertainment publisher Variety have launched a weekly chart of the top performing online film trailers.
People on the move

21-Jul-2009

The latest appointments and promotions in the global market research industry
Nielsen launches web audience measurement in Taiwan

21-Jul-2009

TAIWAN— Nielsen has launched a new internet audience measurement service in Taiwan.
Spring's Emotimeter aims to grab gut reaction to ad campaigns

20-Jul-2009

UK— Spring Research has launched a new online service to “capture the basic emotion” a consumer feels when seeing an advert.
Equity fund invests in Kenya's Research Solutions Africa

20-Jul-2009

KENYA— Private equity house TBL Mirror Fund has invested £196,000 (25m Kenyan Shillings) in full-service agency Research Solutions Africa (RSA).
Added Value moves Drinkwater to Sydney

20-Jul-2009

AUSTRALIA— WPP-owned marketing insight agency Added Value has moved Peter Drinkwater to its Sydney office where he will take the role of director of insight and brand development.
B2B research spend 'resilient', Circle survey finds

17-Jul-2009

UK— Business-to-business market research spend over the next 12 months is set to be “resilient”, according to the results of Circle Research’s B2B Barometer.
Krüger promoted to lead consumer division at TNS Infratest

17-Jul-2009

GERMANY— Jens Krüger has been promoted to head of the consumer and retail division at TNS Infratest.
Toluna completes Greenfield Online acquisition

17-Jul-2009

FRANCE— Toluna has completed the $40m acquisition of the internet survey business of Greenfield Online and its subsidiary Ciao after securing shareholder backing earlier this week.
Australian newspaper body plans measurement tender

17-Jul-2009

AUSTRALIA— An industry body created to prove the effectiveness of newspapers as an advertising medium is on the hunt for an agency to provide readership measurement metrics.
Ipsos France deputy CEO given Syntec role

16-Jul-2009

FRANCE— Ipsos France’s deputy CEO Patrice Bergen has been elected president of the board of directors at the Syntec Marketing Research and Opinion organisation.
Enthuze secures $1.65m funding

16-Jul-2009

US— Texas-based consumer research agency Enthuze has been awarded $1.65m by the technology investment house Satai and the South Texas Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization.
TV Dragon takes a bite out of MR blocker Truecall

16-Jul-2009

UK— TV entrepreneur Peter Jones has bought a 12.5% stake in Truecall, a firm that designed a robotic answering machine to block unwanted calls from market research agencies, telemarketers and malicious callers.
New non-exec directors and CFO at Aegis

16-Jul-2009

UK— Aegis has appointed three new non-executive directors and a new group finance chief as incumbent Alicja Lesniak (pictured) retires.
Added Value takes 51% stake in Saffron Hill

16-Jul-2009

UK— WPP-owned marketing insight firm Added Value has acquired a 51% shareholding in Saffron Hill Research, a full-service agency based in Singapore and the Philippines. The firm lists BAT, Epson, Microsoft, Nokia and Johnson & Johnson among its clients.
Former eBay CMO joins Marketshare advisory board

15-Jul-2009

US— Mike Linton has been appointed to the board of advisers at marketing analytics agency Marketshare Partners.
Alterian snaps up social media tracker Techrigy

15-Jul-2009

UK— Alterian has acquired New York-based social media monitoring and analytics software firm Techrigy in an all-share deal that could be worth up to $4.1m.
TNS Gallup lands new net measurement deal in Norway

15-Jul-2009

NORWAY— The Norwegian Media Businesses’ Association (MBL) has renewed TNS Gallup’s contract to provide internet audience measurement data in the country - moving from a site-based to a user-based system.
Allegiance makes Inquisite acquisition

15-Jul-2009

US— Feedback management software developer Allegiance has acquired online survey software firm Inquisite for an undisclosed amount. Its clients include AT&T, Dell, Intel, Visa, Johnson & Johnson, Siemens and Xerox.
Sternberg out as Magna reorganises

13-Jul-2009

US— Veteran media researcher Steve Sternberg has left his role as executive vice president of audience analysis at Magna Global after the Interpublic-owned media agency reorganised the division.
MMR Group promotes Mat Lintern to MD

13-Jul-2009

UK— Mat Lintern has been promoted to managing director of MMR Research Worldwide and online agency Qubiq-Online by MMR Group.
People on the move

13-Jul-2009

The latest appointments and promotions in the global research and insight industry. This week: news from AMR Research, Sky, GeoAnalytics, Progressive, Maktoob, WDMP and Servint.
Toluna shareholders approve Greenfield Online deal

13-Jul-2009

FRANCE— Toluna shareholders approved plans to acquire the survey businesses of Greenfield Online and Ciao at a general meeting held earlier today.
SSI expands in Asia Pacific and Latin America

8-Jul-2009

US— Survey Sampling International has opened new offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, and launched expanded panels in Brazil and Mexico.
Quamnet picks Hitwise for competitive intelligence

8-Jul-2009

HONG KONG— Online financial services portal Quamnet has contracted Experian Hitwise to provide competitive intelligence to feed into the development of ad strategies.
BT says privacy concerns not an issue with Phorm

8-Jul-2009

UK— BT has gone on record to say that privacy issues played no part in its decision not to deploy Phorm’s targeted advertising technology, Webwise.
'Encouraging' first half for BrainJuicer

8-Jul-2009

UK— Online research agency BrainJuicer saw revenue grow 22% during the first half of 2009, according to a trading statement released today.
Now Carphone Warehouse shuts door on Phorm

7-Jul-2009

UK— Carphone Warehouse, the owner of internet provider Talk Talk, has become the second ISP in two days to decide against introducing Phorm’s Webwise targeted advertising software.
Lightspeed promotes Jethwani to VP of client ops

7-Jul-2009

US— Tara Jethwani has been promoted to vice president of client operations at Lightspeed Research in the Americas.
Changes at the top at Attentio

7-Jul-2009

BELGIUM— Social media analytics agency Attentio has promoted Amaia Lasa to CEO and reorganised other senior management positions.
GfK acquires Ifop Music and stake in Watch Media

7-Jul-2009

GERMANY— GfK Retail and Technology has acquired French music sales tracking firm Ifop Music – one of two purchases announced today.
Ipsos Loyalty adds mystery shopping experts

6-Jul-2009

US— Mark Greene and Dolores Forget have joined Ipsos Loyalty’s new mystery shopping division as vice president and director respectively.
Nunwood hires trio of new staff

6-Jul-2009

UK— Nunwood has boosted its ranks with the addition of three new senior members of staff.
EasyInsites chosen for Surrey Chamber of Commerce task

6-Jul-2009

UK— The Surrey Chamber of Commerce has contracted online agency EasyInsites to design, build and maintain an online research panel.
BT backs away from Phorm's Webwise technology

6-Jul-2009

UK— BT has decided against deploying Phorm’s targeted advertising software, Webwise, choosing to devote resources to “other opportunities”.
Appointments and promotions – roundup

3-Jul-2009

Appointments and promotions in the global market research industry, including: Fanscape, Portrait Software, Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment, InsightExpress, Screen Digest, ForeSee Results, Edigital Research, Wyndham Hotel Group, Cambridge Market Research and Qforma.
Arbitron: FCC 'has absolutely no authority' to regulate PPMs

3-Jul-2009

US— Arbitron has told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that it has “absolutely no authority to impose regulations” on its portable people meter-based (PPM) radio ratings system.
Conquest aims for ‘gut’ reaction with new testing tool

3-Jul-2009

UK— Conquest Research has launched iSpark, an online tool to measure consumers’ “gut reactions” to new products.
Cello warns of mixed first half with gross profit down 10%

3-Jul-2009

UK— Cello warned that gross profit will be down around 10% for the first half of 2009, in a mixed trading update released today.
OTX appoints SVP for TV entertainment arm

2-Jul-2009

US— David Klein has been appointed senior vice president of the TV entertainment division at consumer research and consulting agency OTX.
IMS Health hires chief privacy officer

2-Jul-2009

US— Kimberly Gray has joined healthcare data firm IMS as chief privacy officer. She will be responsible for ensuring privacy laws are complied with in the company’s activities in the US, Canada and Latin America.
GfK ups stake in Indian joint venture with Nielsen

2-Jul-2009

INDIA— GfK has become the majority owner in ORG-GfK, the joint venture it runs with Nielsen, increasing its stake from 40% to 50.1%.
COI appoints 108 agencies to roster

2-Jul-2009

UK— The Central Office of Information, the government’s marketing communications arm, has appointed 108 firms to its market research agency roster, half of whom are new additions.
Financial research agencies merge

1-Jul-2009

UK— Research agencies NMB and H2B have merged to create what they claim will be the “UK’s leading research company dedicated solely to the financial services sector”.
New MP rules put research at risk, says ComRes chief

1-Jul-2009

UK— Andrew Hawkins, CEO of pollsters ComRes, has attacked new legislation that would require MPs to declare all their outside interests – including any incentives they receive for taking surveys.
Nielsen expands NY and LA TV samples

1-Jul-2009

US— Nielsen is increasing the size of of its Local People Meter samples in New York and Los Angeles from 800 to 1,000 households.
Research Now growth beats predictions

1-Jul-2009

UK— Online panel and fieldwork provider Research Now has reported a 24% rise in revenue to £23.6m for the six months ended 30 April 2009.
Jeeran Research launched in Middle East

30-Jun-2009

JORDAN— Former Ipsos and Maktoob researcher Nisreen Akkawi has launched a new online agency, Jeeran Research, to focus on the Middle East and North Africa region.
Telmar Peaktime names MD for Netherlands and Germany

30-Jun-2009

NETHERLANDS— Gerard van der Werf has been promoted to regional manager of the Netherlands and Germany at media planning software and analytics firm Telmar Peaktime.
Opinium and LSE scoop European identity survey

30-Jun-2009

UK— Online agency Opinium Research and the London School of Economics have been awarded a contract by the Economic and Social Research Council to conduct a study into the meaning of ‘the European identity’.
Toluna buys Greenfield Online survey business for $40m

26-Jun-2009

US— Online panel firm Toluna has agreed a deal to acquire Greenfield Online’s internet survey business from Microsoft for $40m – one third of what Microsoft originally wanted for it.
AGB Nielsen to investigate Turkish TV tampering

26-Jun-2009

TURKEY— AGB Nielsen and Turkey’s TV audience measurement body, TÍAK, have launched a legal investigation after some members of Nielsen’s TV panel reported being offered money to change their viewing habits.
Cambiar launches Research Transformation Consulting Practice

25-Jun-2009

US— MR consulting firm Cambiar has opened a new practice to help major corporations improve the effectiveness of their research efforts.
Blueview makes double acquistion

25-Jun-2009

UK— Strategic marketing group Blueview acquires digital agency Glass and lead generation and research firm Logicall Results.
Innerscope Research adds two to advisory board

24-Jun-2009

US— Biometric and neuroscience agency Innerscope Research has appointed Joseph Plummer and Sandy Pentland (pictured) to its advisory board.
TMN investors approve Danson takeover

24-Jun-2009

UK— Shareholders at research and direct marketing group TMN have approved a reverse acquisition deal that will see Datamonitor founder Mike Danson take control of the firm.
'Outside the box and inside the budget'

24-Jun-2009

UK— Richard Jameson takes over as managing director of GfK NOP on 1 July. We speak to him about his plans for the company and how he sees the industry coping with the recession.
Royal Mail probes claims of 'rigged' research

24-Jun-2009

UK— Postal services regulator Postcomm and Royal Mail are looking into allegations that research to assess the quality of Glasgow’s postal service was rigged.
Sky News revamps consumer panel

23-Jun-2009

UK— Sky News is relaunching its online research panel with a redesigned website and several new features.
CMW appoints Mesh's Blackden to planning role

23-Jun-2009

UK— Erminia Blackden has been appointed senior account planner at marketing communications agency CMW.
Arbitron plans out-of-home TV measurement

23-Jun-2009

US— Radio ratings firm Arbitron is to use its portable people meter technology to measure out-of-home TV viewing in the US.
Jameson made MD, Macfarlane named chair at GfK NOP

23-Jun-2009

UK— Richard Jameson has been promoted to managing director of GfK NOP, replacing Phyllis Macfarlane, who moves to the new role of chairman.
Western Wats upgrades Data Express tool

22-Jun-2009

US— Western Wats has released Version 3 of its Data Express survey data reporting tool.
HCD Research makes business development hire

22-Jun-2009

US— James O’Hara has been appointed executive vice president of the business development division at HCD Research.
Polaris appoints project manager

22-Jun-2009

US— Kristopher Bober has been hired by full service agency Polaris Marketing Research as a project manager.
FoxSports.com picks Unica for web analytics task

22-Jun-2009

US— FoxSports.com has signed a deal with marketing management software firm Unica to use its NetInsight OnDemand tool.
Call for tougher polling rules in Indonesia

22-Jun-2009

INDONESIA— A member of the Indonesian Public Opinion Survey Association’s newly-formed ethics council has called for new rules that would prevent polls paid for by political parties from being released to the public.
Discovery Channel appoints new SVP of research

19-Jun-2009

US— The Discovery Channel has appointed former Nielsen executive Steve McGowan as senior vice president of research, where he will be responsible for planning and directing all broadcast, digital media, marketing and ancillary research.
YouGov and Markit launch Household Finance Index

19-Jun-2009

UK— Financial information services firm Markit has teamed up with YouGov to launch the Household Finance Index (HFI), a monthly survey tracking the changing levels of household spending.
Emap Data and Insight chief steps down

19-Jun-2009

UK— Neil Bradford has resigned from his position as co-chief executive of the Data and Insight group at publisher Emap after a year in the role.
Marketing guru Jim Stengel takes UCLA post

19-Jun-2009

US— Proctor & Gamble’s former chief marketing officer Jim Stengel has been appointed an adjunct marketing professor at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Porter Novelli strikes social media monitoring partnership

18-Jun-2009

US— Public relations agency Porter Novelli and social media monitoring firm Crimson Hexagon have formed a strategic alliance to analyse online conversations about brands.
QSR inks reseller agreement with Malaysia's StatWorks

18-Jun-2009

AUSTRALIA— QSR International has struck a deal with Malaysian firm StatWorks to manage the reseller network for its qualitative data analysis software in Malaysia and Singapore.
Satmetrix appoints new chief operating officer

18-Jun-2009

US— Customer loyalty agency Satmetrix has appointed David Cooper as chief operating officer and chief financial officer.
Ad targeting firm Phorm posts £30m loss for 2008

18-Jun-2009

UK— Online targeted advertising firm Phorm slipped deeper into the red last year, with an operating loss of £30.6m compared to £20.1m in 2007.
Indonesian survey associations to audit pollsters

18-Jun-2009

INDONESIA— MR associations have vowed to scrutinise the methodology used by their members to produce voting intention surveys ahead of the country’s presidential election, amid claims of “inaccurate and biased” polls.
InSites Consulting to open in UK and Switzerland

17-Jun-2009

BELGIUM— Research agency InSites Consulting is to open new offices in London and Geneva.
Nielsen to reissue ABC data

17-Jun-2009

US— Nielsen is reissuing TV ratings for broadcaster ABC after an error meant that viewing figures were undercounted during the country’s switch to digital transmission last week.
Canadian man found guilty in $1m mystery shopping scam

17-Jun-2009

CANADA— A 33-year-old man has been found guilty of fraud and other offences tied to the running of a mystery shopping scam. Lookman Temidayo conned people out of money by telling them they had been hired to evaluate an international money transfer service.
Ace Metrix launches TV ad measurement tool

17-Jun-2009

US— Ad measurement agency Ace Metrix has launched a new service to evaluate the performance of TV advertisements.
SmartRevenue hires global retail strategy chief

16-Jun-2009

US— Shopper-focused research agency SmartRevenue has appointed Candace Adams, Wal-Mart’s former director of customer in-store experience insights, as its president of global retail strategy.
Nielsen and Digimarc form mobile video tracking JVs

16-Jun-2009

US— Nielsen and technology firm Digimarc Corporation are to launch two joint ventures to track mobile video viewing.
ROI firm appoints Arbitron veteran Guyther

16-Jun-2009

US— Jay Guyther has joined media consultancy ROI Media Solutions (ROIMS) as a partner after a 25-year spell at Arbitron.
New chairman for Nielsen supervisory board

16-Jun-2009

US— James Kilts, a former vice chairman of Procter & Gamble, has been appointed chairman of Nielsen’s supervisory board of directors, succeeding Dudlay Eustace.
Nielsen Online promises 'leap' in web measurement

15-Jun-2009

US— Nielsen Online is boosting the size of its NetView panel from 28,000 to 200,000 members as part of a major overhaul of its web audience measurement services in the US.
Arbitron to reissue Tampa ratings

15-Jun-2009

US— Arbitron is having to reissue radio ratings data for Spring Phase 1 in the Tampa/St Petersburg/Clearwater market after seven diaries were returned from one household.
Meteor Solutions appoints former ARF man as COO

15-Jun-2009

US— Word-of-mouth measurement agency Meteor Solutions has hired Taddy Hall, the Advertising Research Foundation’s (ARF) former chief strategy officer, as its new chief operating officer.
PSL Research appoints UK managing director

15-Jun-2009

UK— Christine Corner, the former head of client services at TNS Healthcare, has been appointed managing director of healthcare agency PSL Research’s UK operations.
InSites Consulting to examine digital media marketing challenges

12-Jun-2009

BELGIUM— Research agency InSites Consulting has teamed up with IAB Europe to create a report into 17 challenges facing digital media marketers.
New chairman at ESRC

12-Jun-2009

UK— Veteran banker Alan Gillespie has been appointed chairman of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
Two more tune in to Nielsen radio ratings

12-Jun-2009

US— Broadcaster Maverick Media and media agency TargetCast tcm have signed up to use Nielsen’s radio ratings, and the former is planning to ditch Arbitron’s service next year.
Millward Brown restructures European operations

12-Jun-2009

EUROPE— Kantar-owned Millward Brown has restructured its European business, merging the UK and Ireland regions with continental Europe.
RG+A appoints client strategies SVP

11-Jun-2009

US— Healthcare market research agency Roger Green and Associates (RG+A) has appointed Steve Fleischmann as senior vice president of client strategies.
SPA co-founder given Tpoll non-exec role

11-Jun-2009

UK— Online research agency Tpoll has appointed SPA’s executive chairman Jon Priest as a non-executive director.
Nielsen files to dismiss Sunbeam case

11-Jun-2009

US— Nielsen has moved to dismiss Sunbeam Television’s anti-trust case against it, claiming the broadcaster’s allegations are not sufficient to warrant a trial.
Young Market Research launched for energy technologies

11-Jun-2009

US— Father and son team Barry and Ross Young form new agency focused on technologies affecting consumer electrical consumption.
Cint makes double appointment

10-Jun-2009

CANADA/US— Research software and services firm Cint has appointed Lindsay Veling as senior sales director in Toronto and Marc McDonough as sales director at its new Indiana office.
IntrinsiQ acquires healthcare MR firm WWMR

10-Jun-2009

US— Oncology information supplier IntrinsiQ has acquired healthcare research agency WWMR for an undisclosed amount.
Phorm bags £15m to fund rollout of ad targeting system

10-Jun-2009

UK— Online behavioural advertising firm Phorm has raised £15m to fund the continued implementation of its services in the UK and Korea.
Julian Bond takes Incite role post-RI departure

10-Jun-2009

UK— Former Research International UK chairman Julian Bond will join research consultancy Incite as a director next week.
Zogby and 463 Communications form JV

9-Jun-2009

US— Pollster Zogby International and 463 Communications have combined forces to launch a joint venture, Zogby463.
Motally secures financing for analytics platform

9-Jun-2009

US— Mobile data collection and analytics agency Motally has completed a Series A financing round, securing backing from venture capitalist house BlueRun and an angel investor.
E-Rewards Europe appoints business development SVP

9-Jun-2009

UK— E-Rewards has appointed Alki Manias, former YouGovCentaur MD, as senior vice president of sales and business development for Europe.
Spring Creek Group names web analytics leader

8-Jun-2009

US— Xavier Jiménez has been appointed principle and practice lead for web analytics and measurement at social media marketing agency Spring Creek Group.
New MRIA president interviewed

8-Jun-2009

James Verrinder talks to David Stark of Canada’s Marketing Research & Intelligence Association about government spending, sugging and online privacy.
EasyInsites appoints advisory board

8-Jun-2009

UK— Online research agency EasyInsites, which was formed earlier this year by former Research Now executive Charles Pearson, has formed a three-strong advisory board.
TNS to lead DfT study on climate change

8-Jun-2009

UK— A TNS-led consortium has scooped a contract from the Department for Transport (DfT) to investigate whether people’s attitudes towards climate change are affecting their travel preferences.
Polish researchers most trusted, GfK survey finds

5-Jun-2009

GERMANY— Polish market researchers are the most trusted in Europe, according to the results of GfK’s latest Trust Index Survey, which rates the most ‘trustworthy’ professions.
FTC raps Sears over website tracking software

5-Jun-2009

US— Retail group Sears Holding Management, which owns Sears and K-Mart, has fallen foul of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after failing to properly notify customers who signed up to a research community that it was installing tracking software on their computers.
Datamonitor founder inks deal to take control at TMN

5-Jun-2009

UK— Michael Danson, the founder of market intelligence agency Datamonitor, is set to take control of research and direct marketing group TMN after a reverse acquisition was agreed.
TrendSource makes mystery shopper buy

4-Jun-2009

US— Consumer research and intelligence agency Trendsource has acquired healthcare mystery shopping firm Examine Your Practice for an undisclosed amount.
ESPN Radio signs up for Nielsen’s new ratings

4-Jun-2009

US— Sports broadcaster ESPN Radio has signed up to use Nielsen ratings data in 51 small and medium-sized markets, but not at the expense of Arbitron’s system.
Harper government doesn’t ‘fully appreciate value’ of research

4-Jun-2009

CANADA— A change in political leadership in Canada is the only way to stop the current round of government cuts to public opinion research spend, according to the new president of the country’s Marketing Research & Intelligence Association (MRIA).
Zussi in the Zone with community launch

3-Jun-2009
More marketers see gloom of recession lifting

3-Jun-2009

UK— Marketers increasingly believe that the worst of the recession is over, but most still expect a tough 2009 according to the results of the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s latest Marketing Trends survey.
Phorm CEO slams ad targeting critics as vociferous ‘minority’

3-Jun-2009

UK— Phorm CEO Kent Ertugrul today hit back at UK critics of his firm’s targeted advertising technology, claiming that it has not met the same level of hostility from other countries.
WPP shareholders pass executive bonus plan

2-Jun-2009

UK— An executive bonus plan that threatened to divide WPP shareholders last week was passed at the firm’s AGM today.
GM owes marketing agencies almost $200m

2-Jun-2009

US— Five marketing service agencies are owed almost $200m between them after financially stricken car and truck manufacturer General Motors (GM) filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection yesterday.
IFM Sports Marketing Surveys looks East

1-Jun-2009

JAPAN— IFM Sports Marketing Surveys has opened new offices in South Korea and Japan.
Clarity Strategic Research launched in Australia

1-Jun-2009

AUSTRALIA— Alex Sweeney and Alasdair Johnston have formed Clarity Strategic Research, a new agency that will offer qual and quant research services to the financial, B2B, telecoms, retail, FMCG and media sectors.
Court date set for Nielsen and Sunbeam

1-Jun-2009

US— Nielsen and Sunbeam Television will square up in court in December over claims that the ratings giant has an illegal monopoly.
60 Second Soapbox – Vanella Jackson

June 2009

The product I’m most excited about…My new MBT trainers. They promise to tone my calves, exercise my thighs and give me a flat tum and a tight butt, all without a visit to the gym. The miracle of science.
E-Tabs adds to London and Chicago teams

28-May-2009

UK/US— E-Tabs, a developer of research data reporting software, has added four new staff to its London and Chicago offices.
[x+1] hires partnerships and strategy VP

28-May-2009

US— Dedric Choi has been appointed vice president of partnerships and strategy at predictive marketing agency [x+1].
Arbitron to reissue New York PPM data

28-May-2009

US— Arbitron is having to reissue four months’ worth of portable people meter (PPM) radio ratings for the New York market because of a data entry error.
Product of the Year launches in Canada

27-May-2009

CANADA— TNS Canadian Facts will survey 12,000 consumers to find out Canada’s Product of the Year for 2010, the first time the scheme has been run in the country.
WOMMA preps social marketing metrics guide

27-May-2009

US— The Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) is looking for feedback on its new measurement and metrics guidelines.
Telegraph Media Group launches research unit

27-May-2009

UK— Telegraph Media Group (TMG), publisher of the Daily Telegraph, has created a new research operation to survey reader opinion and target new advertisers.
WPP shareholders split over share incentive scheme

26-May-2009

UK— WPP shareholders are split over a new senior executive incentive scheme at the marketing and research group, which is due to be voted on at the firm’s AGM next week.
Verve forms advisory panel to aid expansion

22-May-2009

UK— New consultancy Verve Partners has set up an advisory board to help it prepare for international expansion.

ResearchJames Verrinder Editorial

Research
James Verrinder Editorial