Research
Nov 2010
-
A new golden age?
Nov 2010
The publication of the research industry league tables used to be cause for deepsatisfaction. Theindustry would collectively sip brandy, puff a cigar, lean back in aChesterfield and survey the fertile land.
-
Acquisition costs wipe out ComScore's third-quarter profits
3-Nov-2010
US— Online audience measurement firm ComScore has posted record revenue for the third quarter of 2010 but made a loss during the period because of costs associated with the acquisitions of Nexius and Nedstat.
-
'Ad researchers must engage or risk being commoditised'
16-Nov-2010
The departments that control the purse strings in advertising are starting to take a closer look at research spends, and MR needs to open up to them more or risk being commoditised as just another supplier, says Brian Jacobs, the author of a new guidebook on how advertisers should commission market research.
-
Agencies sign up to NetBase social media partner programme
11-Nov-2010
US— Social media monitoring firm NetBase has begun signing up research agencies to a partner programme under which staff can become certified NetBase consultants.
-
Agency wanted for Zimbabwe media and products survey
24-Nov-2010
ZIMBABWE— The Zimbabwe Advertising Research Foundation (ZARF) is looking for an agency to carry out its quarterly media and products consumption survey.
-
Alterian and Experian in analytics partnership
10-Nov-2010
US— CRM technology firm Alterian has entered a partnership with Experian Marketing Services to provide a solution for multi-channel management and analysis of customer interactions.
-
Alterian sees half-year loss as investments offset revenue gains
4-Nov-2010
UK— Marketing analytics software firm Alterian has posted a 13% rise in half-year revenue to £16.3m, despite an 18% decline in UK sales to £5.5m.
-
Analytics firm ClickFox raises $18m in Series C funding
29-Nov-2010
US— Customer analytics firm ClickFox has secured $17.9m in Series C funding from a syndicate led by investment bank Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners (AIP).
-
Arbitron sports arm launches retention metric
19-Nov-2010
US— Arbitron Custom Sports Services has launched a new metric for portable people meter (PPM) ratings subscribers that provides information about which segments of radio audiences stay tuned in for sports broadcasting.
-
Are we doing well?
3-Nov-2010
Robert Bain reports from this year’s IJMR Forum, where discussions of quality and trust in data took centre stage.
-
Ask a silly question
Nov 2010
Philip Graves says in his new book, Consumer.ology, that market research is barking up the wrong tree in its preoccupation with asking people their opinions. Two voices from the industry offer their views on the book.
-
Ball State goes beyond viewing with iTV research project
18-Nov-2010
US— Media researchers at Ball State University are embarking on an initiative to explore consumer attitudes and behaviours as they relate to interactive television (iTV).
-
Batchelor added to BrainJuicer board
26-Nov-2010
UK— BrainJuicer’s chief operating officer Alex Batchelor has been elected to the company’s board as an executive director.
-
BBC Live Plus 7 metric adds iPlayer viewing to programme stats
29-Nov-2010
UK— The BBC is to introduce a new Live Plus 7 metric to provide a more comprehensive view of how many people watch its shows across multiple platforms.
-
Best Buy listens to the shop floor for consumer insight
22-Nov-2010
US— Electronics retail giant Best Buy has developed a research approach that uses store staff to collect feedback from customers while they shop.
-
Bill Moult to lead media analytics at Nielsen
23-Nov-2010
US— Nielsen has appointed Bill Moult, a founding partner of the Media Behavior Institute, to lead a new effort to incorporate analytics into its media research services.
-
Brand Networks and Chadwick Martin Bailey debut Facebook fan tool
2-Nov-2010
US— Research agency Chadwick Martin Bailey has teamed up with media agency Brand Networks to launch a new tool designed to help companies engage with their fans on Facebook.
-
Bristol's Trevanian Legg mining social media
26-Nov-2010
UK— Bristol-based Trevanian Legg has launched a social media research service, powered by Alterian’s SM2 monitoring tool, to pick out and analyse mentions and comments about brands online.
-
Cameron names FreshMinds co-founder as UK trade ambassador
10-Nov-2010
UK— FreshMinds co-founder Caroline Plumb has been named as a UK business ambassador by Prime Minister David Cameron, to help promote international trade.
-
Census boss on answering the $400 billion question
1-Nov-2010
Population counts from this year’s US census will be used to allocate $400bn of federal funding to local areas. As the Census Bureau prepares to deliver the results, we speak to its director, Bob Groves, about the challenges of surveying more than 300 million people and the lessons that have been learned along the way.
-
Chime expects increased research profits in second half
16-Nov-2010
UK— Chime Communications said today that its research division is on course to be more profitable in the second half of the year than it was in the first as the recovery of the business continues.
-
Ci Research bags two childcare studies for local authorities
1-Nov-2010
UK— Ci Research has been appointed to deliver childcare sufficiency assessments for Peterborough City Council and Medway Council in Kent.
-
CIC and Converseon agree social media partnership
12-Nov-2010
CHINA— Social media monitoring agency Converseon has struck a deal with Chinese counterpart CIC to add the latter’s web listening and analysis capabilities to its Conversation Miner suite of products.
-
CMB launches sister firm South Street Strategy Group
5-Nov-2010
US— Custom market research agency Chadwick Martin Bailey has launched a sister company, South Street Strategy Group, that will offer a combination of marketing science services and strategic consulting.
-
Comments sought on mobile web ad measurement guidelines
11-Nov-2010
US— The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) have released mobile web ad measurement guidelines for public comment.
-
Community builder CrowdGather makes a million from investors
1-Nov-2010
US— Online community builder CrowdGather has completed a financing of $1.3m in convertible shares to two unnamed foreign investors.
-
Compete adds paid-for API option for app developers
22-Nov-2010
US— Web measurement firm Compete has added a paid-for option to its API offering, so more data-intensive applications or web plug-ins can be built that use the company’s traffic, audience and engagement metrics.
-
ComScore signs up for Kinesis multimode surveys
19-Nov-2010
US— Web measurement firm ComScore has signed up to use Kinesis Survey Technologies’ multimode survey tool to carry out studies with website visitors from around the world.
-
Concerns raised over Facebook 'Like' and analytics on NHS site
22-Nov-2010
UK— A minor storm is brewing over the National Health Service’s (NHS) use of web analytics technology on its Choices health information site. Labour MP Tom Watson has expressed concern.
-
Consumer groups call on FTC to probe health data collection
24-Nov-2010
US— A group of consumer bodies have called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate “unfair and deceptive practices”, including social media monitoring and behavioural tracking, used by health marketers on the internet.
-
Consumer insight agency Infrared Partners opens for business
18-Nov-2010
US— A trio of researchers have formed a new agency, Infrared Partners, that will offer research, consumer insight and marketing services to clients across America.
-
Creston insight revenue down 2% to £7.7m in first half
30-Nov-2010
UK— Creston’s market research agencies ICM and Marketing Sciences saw revenue decline 2% to £7.7m in the six months ended 30 September.
-
Dapresy Pro 4.3 reviewed
Nov 2010
Does resident technology expert Tim Macer see a bright future for the new web-based data visualisation solution from Sweden?
-
Data provider Gnip nabs $2m funding and Twitter reselling deal
19-Nov-2010
US— Social media data collection firm Gnip has struck a deal to become the first authorised reseller of Twitter data, meanwhile pocketing $2m in funding from its private equity backers Foundry Group and First Round Capital.
-
Datamonitor hires Colin Bunn for analytics role
17-Nov-2010
UK— Business information firm Datamonitor has appointed ex-Nunwood analytics chief Colin Bunn as consulting director for consumer markets.
-
David Smith and DGL directors launch syndicated research JV
11-Nov-2010
UK— Former Illuminas chairman David Smith and two directors from management consultancy DGL are launching a joint venture focusing on syndicated research.
-
Debate begins on measuring national wellbeing
25-Nov-2010
UK— National Statistician Jil Matheson today kicked off a debate on ways of measuring national wellbeing at the request of Prime Minister David Cameron.
-
Deep packet inspection duo plan US launch
26-Nov-2010
US— Privacy concerns over deep packet inspection (DPI) technology may have already killed one firm, but two more companies are set to launch DPI-based services in the US market in the coming months.
-
Diary: Gaps, apps and tapas
Nov 2010
A roundup of things that caught our eye in and around the research industry this month.
-
Discovery's new associate director on the joy of quant
15-Nov-2010
Discovery Research’s new associate director Alan Bredee is adamant that quant will never go out of fashion, despite all the buzz about social media listening. In this Spotlight interview the former Virtual Surveys, GfK NOP and MVA Consultancy executive looks at how the latest technologies will add to the researcher’s toolbox.
-
DIY survey provider AYTM targets marketing agencies
18-Nov-2010
US— Self-service online research provider AskYourTargetMarket has introduced a service letting companies create online surveys under their own branding and web addresses.
-
Durrants takes stake in blog analysis agency Brandwatch
22-Nov-2010
UK— Media intelligence agency Durrants has taken an undisclosed stake in social media monitoring firm Brandwatch after trialling services from several similar companies.
-
Dynamic Logic hires digital solutions head in Australia
8-Nov-2010
AUSTRALIA— Millward Brown’s online ad research agency Dynamic Logic has appointed Vanessa Adams as manager of digital solutions.
-
Effective Measure launches online panel tool for MENA
10-Nov-2010
EGYPT— Effective Measure has announced the launch of a new online audience measurement system for the MENA region – Openview.
-
Ex-Greenfield chief Angrisani backs Opinionaided developer
29-Nov-2010
US— Former Harris Interactive and Greenfield Online CEO Al Angrisani has invested in Kurani Interactive, a digital marketing firm and the developer of quick-polling web platform and mobile app Opinionaided.
-
Ex-Nunwood trio Boxclever with new consultancy venture
16-Nov-2010
UK— Three former board directors of Nunwood have left the firm to establish a full-service insight consultancy, Boxclever.
-
Ex-TNS consultant joins Hall & Partners | Open Mind
18-Nov-2010
AUSTRALIA— Hall & Partners | Open Mind has appointed former TNS researcher Adrianto Reksodipoetro as an associate director to develop the agency’s expertise in ethnography and online qual work.
-
Ex-Wells Fargo researcher banking on success in new role
1-Nov-2010
Susan Prendergast is settling into her new role of associate director at consumer insight agency Insitas after six years working in the US for banking giant Wells Fargo. In this Spotlight interview she looks back at her time on the front line during the financial crisis and explains how the banks can regain consumer trust.
-
Face launches co-creation community for tech geeks
17-Nov-2010
UK— Co-creation agency Face is launching a community of technology enthusiasts called The X-Crowd.
-
Fergusson succeeds Froggatt as TNS global technology head
16-Nov-2010
SINGAPORE— TNS has named James Fergusson as global technology sector head. He succeeds Matthew Froggatt, who was recently promoted to chief development officer.
-
Finding loyalty in till data
Nov 2010
DATA SPECIAL— Jenny Wareing of Emnos on how retailers can use purchase data to understand and build customer loyalty.
-
Former Aberdeen Group VP launches IT research agency
12-Nov-2010
US— Jeff Zabin, formerly vice president and research fellow at Aberdeen Group, has launched Gleanster, a new research agency that will focus on the IT sector.
-
Former EdComs colleagues launch Chrysalis Research
9-Nov-2010
UK— Social researchers Jon Batterham and Tom Levesley have formed a new agency, Chrysalis Research, that will specialise in education, employment and health-related work.
-
Gaining access to the web's 'walled gardens'
24-Nov-2010
‘Peak panel’ is upon us and capacity constraints are going to prompt researchers to look elsewhere for respondents, says GMI chief scientist Mitch Eggers. The web’s ‘walled gardens’ await.
-
German social research survey to track 20,000 homes
30-Nov-2010
GERMANY— TNS Infratest and the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) have agreed a further 10-year collaboration on the longitudinal survey Leben in Deutschland (Life in Germany), with plans to double the size of the panel and make data more accessible for analysis.
-
GfK Custom Research NA buys brand consultancy Interscope
2-Nov-2010
US— GfK Custom Research North America has acquired Connecticut-based retail brand consultancy Interscope.
-
GfK reports nine-month sales up 11% to €931m
3-Nov-2010
GERMANY— GfK can’t contain its excitement – the research group has reported nine-month sales up 10.8% to €931m ahead of its official results announcement later this month.
-
GfK's actual nine-month sales up on pre-release figures
15-Nov-2010
GERMANY— It’s been an “extraordinarily positive” nine months for GfK, CEO Klaus Wubbenhorst said today, as the firm reported sales up 10.9% to €932.1m.
-
Gleanster founder Jeff Zabin looking forward to life in the trenches
30-Nov-2010
Earlier this month Jeff Zabin launched a new tech-based research agency, Gleanster. In the latest of our online Spotlight interviews he talks about the trials and tribulations of setting up a new business and what it will be like to go from ‘researcher’ to ‘boss’.
-
Google sued over Toolbar data collection error
15-Nov-2010
US— Google is being sued over a technical glitch that meant its Toolbar browser add-on continued tracking a web user’s browsing habits after it had been disabled.
-
Government spent £25m on research firms in five months, accounts show
19-Nov-2010
UK— The UK government today took the unprecedented step of publishing detailed accounts for £80bn of its spending in the five months since the election – analysis of which has uncovered almost £25m spent on market research and consultancy firms.
-
Hall & Partners' Woodnutt goes it alone as freelance consultant
16-Nov-2010
UK— After six years with Hall & Partners, most recently as director of innovation, Tom Woodnutt has left to go solo as a freelance consultant.
-
Happy rulers: what will the government be measuring?
26-Nov-2010
The UK government wants to measure national wellbeing, but asking people how happy they are is plagued with pitfalls, says author and consumer behaviour consultant Philip Graves. Even satisfaction is fleeting, he says. Humans have evolved to keep running on the treadmill of progress rather than stand back and say, “Yes, that’s perfect”.
-
Harris promises fast results with Flash Poll
23-Nov-2010
UK— Harris Interactive has launched a bespoke polling service that promises results in 36 hours. The firm developed the technique behind the new Flash Poll service in the build-up to this year’s general election.
-
Hartmut Scheffler on improving the image of research
9-Nov-2010
We speak to Hartmut Scheffler of German research association ADM about the industry’s efforts to explain its work to the public, and to draw a line between research and marketing.
-
Hear me out: Let's get rid of viewing studios
Nov 2010
Ever had an idea that you know is genius, but everybody else thinks is crazy? Here’s where we let researchers share those thoughts with the industry. This month, Andy Cooper of Thinktank calls for viewing studios to be scrapped.
-
Hispanic broadcaster Univision Radio signs multi-year PPM deal
22-Nov-2010
US— Spanish language broadcaster Univision Radio is to receive Arbitron Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings once again after signing a multi-year deal with the firm for audience figures in 12 markets.
-
IBM closes $1.7bn Netezza deal
12-Nov-2010
US— Computing giant IBM has completed its $1.7bn takeover of data warehousing and analytics firm Netezza, taking its recent spending on analytics acquisitions to more than $14bn.
-
ICM launches financial adviser panel
2-Nov-2010
UK— ICM Research has launched a new panel made up of IFAs, financial advisers and paraplanners to give customers access to specialised advisers.
-
IFF Research retains graduate tracking contract
30-Nov-2010
UK— The Higher Education Statistics Agency has re-appointed IFF Research to run its biennial survey that tracks what graduates do after leaving higher education and what role their studies play in their progress.
-
IHS agrees deal to acquire iSuppli Corporation
2-Nov-2010
US— Business information and insight firm IHS has signed a definitive agreement to acquire electronics industry analyst iSuppli Corporation for an undisclosed amount.
-
IHS finalises $95m iSuppli acquisition
22-Nov-2010
US— Business information agency IHS has completed its acquisition of electronics industry analyst iSuppli Corporation for approximately $95m.
-
IKEA's Maria Elander takes a serious look at play
25-Nov-2010
Maria Elander, children’s school manager for Swedish furniture giant IKEA, discusses the Play report and how results of the research with children and adults are influencing its work.
-
Illuminas hires George Musi for US vice president role
8-Nov-2010
US— George Musi has been appointed vice president at Illuminas in New York where he will be responsible for managing qual and quant projects and running the client service and new business teams.
-
IMRB unveils web measurement service for Indian market
2-Nov-2010
INDIA— WPP-owned research agency IMRB International has developed an online audience measurement system that uses “custom-built” metering technology to track the sites that panel members visit.
-
IMS intergrated into AGB Nielsen in South Africa
19-Nov-2010
SOUTH AFRICA— Nielsen’s media planning and analysis software subsidiary IMS has been integrated into AGB Nielsen following the departure of its managing director, Chris Brewer.
-
Indian authorities probe TNS survey of Muslim views
8-Nov-2010
INDIA— Indian authorities are investigating a survey conducted by TNS among Muslims in the state of Kerala, according to press reports, after police raised concerns that the questionnaire could stir up religious discord.
-
Industrial Info Resources to open Ireland office
8-Nov-2010
IRELAND— Manufacturing and energy industry market research agency Industrial Info Resources is to open a European operations centre in Galway.
-
Informa Research Services gives lending services role to Needels
4-Nov-2010
US— Paul Needels has been appointed senior vice president of the lending products division at financial services research agency Informa Research Services.
-
InSites appoints Polle de Maagt for marketing consultancy push
25-Nov-2010
BELGIUM— Market research agency InSites Consulting has hired Polle de Maagt to lead the company’s push into marketing consultancy.
-
Intel acquires outdoor media measurement technology firm
18-Nov-2010
US— Chip maker Intel has acquired CognoVision, a Canadian developer of out-of-home audience measurement technology.
-
Invites go out for Twitter analytics beta – report
18-Nov-2010
US— Twitter’s analytics dashboard was promised for the fourth quarter – and it has arrived, according to tech news site Mashable.
-
Ipsos Hungary boss takes CEO role at MEC
2-Nov-2010
HUNGARY— Janos Gulyas has left Ipsos Hungary, where he was country manager, to join WPP media agency MEC Hungary as chief executive.
-
Ipsos Mori's Hawthorn joins Sundance as project director
1-Nov-2010
UK— Brand development agency Sundance has hired Amy Hawthorn as a project director. She joins from Ipsos Mori where she worked with financial, technology, leisure and travel clients such as British Airways, HSBC and Aviva.
-
Ipsos opens the Vantis Files to track new product buzz and success
4-Nov-2010
US— Ipsos’s product development research arm, Vantis, is rolling out its first syndicated offering, the Vantis Files – a series of quarterly reports analysing the performance of competitive and newsworthy products in multiple sectors.
-
Ipsos promotes Kristin Sharp to CEO of US qual arm
23-Nov-2010
US— Kristin Sharp has been promoted to chief executive officer at Ipsos Understanding UnLtd, the firm’s qualitative division in North America.
-
ITV seeks supplier for product placement research
5-Nov-2010
MALTA— Independent UK broadcaster ITV has appointed sponsorship analyst Repucom to monitor and evaluate product placement in its programmes, and is seeking another supplier for research services.
-
Joining the dots
Nov 2010
DATA SPECIAL— Mike Page of Cognicient on how companies can integrate data from various sources to generate new insights and fuel innovation.
-
Kadence posts 59% revenue jump in July–September period
18-Nov-2010
UK— Kadence International has seen a 59% increase in global revenue to $4.2m for the three months ending 30 September.
-
Kantar Media wins UAE people meter TV ratings contract
29-Nov-2010
UAE— Kantar Media has won the contract to establish the first people meter-based TV audience measurement panel in the United Arab Emirates.
-
Kantar to grow UK Worldpanel by 20% in 2011
25-Nov-2010
UK— Kantar plans to increase the size of its UK Worldpanel by 20% from 25,000 households to 30,000 by the end of next year.
-
Keeping up with the conversation
Nov 2010
DATA SPECIAL— Annelies Verhaeghe and Paul Nola of InSites Consulting on how analysis of consumer-generated online content can be used alongside traditional research methods to uncover insight, keep your brand healthy and fine-tune your communications.
-
Korczak and Cooke elected to top Esomar posts
2-Nov-2010
NETHERLANDS— Dieter Korczak, the owner and managing director of GP Forschungsgruppe (GPF) in Germany, has been elected president of industry association Esomar for the 2011-2012 period.
-
Lightspeed Research adds trio of project managers
5-Nov-2010
UK— Lightspeed Research has appointed Jeremy Weston, Fanny Roche and Cécile Van Der Eecken as project managers in its London office.
-
Luma and Vision Critical launch ad testing community
15-Nov-2010
AUSTRALIA— Ad research agency Luma has struck a partnership with online research firm Vision Critical to launch a community-based ad testing service.
-
Macromill sees quarterly sales rise 62% after Yahoo deal
15-Nov-2010
JAPAN— Online research agency Macromill has reported sales up 62% to ¥2,848m ($34.5m) for the three months ending 30 September.
-
MarketShare partners with Japan ad agency Hakuhodo
29-Nov-2010
JAPAN— Marketing analytics firm MarketShare has forged a strategic partnership with ad agency Hakuhodo to offer marketing effectiveness services in key Asian markets.
-
MarketSight launches new version of analytics and reporting tool
12-Nov-2010
US— Software house MarketSight has launched the latest incarnation of its web-based survey and analytics tool.
-
MDLinx owner M3 USA to acquire EMS Research
22-Nov-2010
US— M3 USA, the owner of medical market research agency MDLinx, has agreed a deal to buy European-based healthcare research firm EMS Research.
-
Media information continues to drive Rentrak revenue growth
3-Nov-2010
US— Rentrak’s media information business grew revenue 65% to $8.3m in the three-month period ending 30 September, according to figures out this week.
-
MediaCorp extends Kantar TV audience measurement deal
24-Nov-2010
SINGAPORE— TV broadcaster MediaCorp has re-hired Kantar Media to provide audience measurement services for the next five years. VirtualMeter technology will track online viewing and people meters will track viewing through TV sets.
-
Microsoft Bing signs up with Crimson Hexagon for social media tracking
9-Nov-2010
US— Microsoft’s internet search engine Bing has signed up to use Crimson Hexagon’s ForSight social media monitoring platform to analyse online conversations.
-
Modernising employee engagement measurement
11-Nov-2010
Employee engagement measurement is in a poor state – lagging ‘way behind’ customer and brand research, says Andy Brown. It’s time to play catch-up.
-
Moore moves into global MD role at Nunwood
19-Nov-2010
UK— Former Vodafone insight chief Andy Moore is to take over as global managing director of Nunwood on 1 January, replacing Phil Rushfirth who is moving to Los Angeles to support the company’s North American growth plans.
-
More companies using social media, but measurement worries persist
9-Nov-2010
In a survey of 50 ISBA members, more than half said they were using social media as a research tool to find out what people were saying about their product or service.
-
Motivaction adds Dutch sample to Cint Panel Exchange
22-Nov-2010
NETHERLANDS— Market research agency Motivaction has added its 60,000-strong Dutch panel to the Cint Panel Exchange, which gives third parties access to online samples.
-
MP raises NHS web tracking issues with Health Secretary
25-Nov-2010
UK— Labour MP Tom Watson has written to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley about the use of Google Analytics and the Facebook ‘Like’ button on the NHS Choices health information website.
-
MTI Research opens in Sri Lanka
17-Nov-2010
SRI LANKA— Bahrain-based management consulting firm MTI Consulting has launched a standalone research business in Sri Lanka, MTI Market Research.
-
Negotiating the data deluge
Nov 2010
DATA SPECIAL— Andrew Wiseman, director of ICM Research, on how a bit of careful thought can help companies extract value from the deluge of data.
-
Network Ten research manager to lead OzTam
26-Nov-2010
AUSTRALIA— Network Ten research manager Doug Peiffer becomes chief executive of TV ratings provider OzTam next week, replacing Kate Inglis-Clark after seven years.
-
New AdSight tool adds qual to eye tracking
1-Nov-2010
UK— Eyetracker has launched an ad analysis service that combines eye-tracking technology and qualitative research techniques with the aim of discovering which creative elements are most attention-grabbing and why.
-
New agency offers answers to five questions in 55 seconds
9-Nov-2010
US— Patty Harding, principal of event planning firm Patrician Company, has launched a research agency that will provide instant feedback from attendees at trade shows and other events.
-
New FreshMinds director: going beyond 'elegant observation'
8-Nov-2010
After a career spanning 20 years in management consultancy, Kevin Cornwell has been given the job of leading the financial and professional services division at FreshMinds Research. In this Spotlight interview he examines how the roles of researchers and consultants are blending together, and whether the banks really care about bad press.
-
New Vision Television signs up with Rentrak
8-Nov-2010
US— TV station owner New Vision Television has signed a multi-year contract to use Rentrak’s StationView Essentials local TV audience counting service.
-
NHS Choices data concerns draw attention of ICO
30-Nov-2010
UK— The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has written to the Department of Health seeking reassurances that the use of Google Analytics and Facebook plugins on the NHS Choices site is not exposing personal information.
-
Nielsen investigates online counting error
5-Nov-2010
US— Nielsen has apologised to clients of its online audience measurement service NetView after a technical glitch caused it to undercount the amount of time people spend online on certain websites.
-
Nielsen's diary-only ratings markets lose MRC accreditation
18-Nov-2010
US— Nielsen’s diary-only TV audience measurement services have had their Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation withdrawn, effective with the 2009 audit period.
-
Omnicom's Adelphi takes stake in Face to Face
2-Nov-2010
US— Healthcare market research and insight agency Adelphi Worldwide, part of Omnicom’s Diversified Agency Services group, has taken a stake in German healthcare communications agency Face to Face.
-
Online counting error cost top sites 5% of audience, says Nielsen
18-Nov-2010
US— Nielsen has told clients that it undercounted the audience of its top 1,000 websites by 5% in September because of a glitch in its NetView online audience measurement service.
-
Out Now Consulting calls for withdrawal of 'flawed' ONS sexual identity study
12-Nov-2010
UK— LGBT marketing consultancy Out Now Consulting has called on the Office of National Statistics to withdraw a sexual identity study, claiming that its methodology is “deeply flawed”.
-
Outsourcing agency Stream launches analytics arm
17-Nov-2010
US— Business process outsourcing firm Stream has launched an analytics arm that aims to help clients “achieve tangible, data-driven business improvements”.
-
Papagan out as Rentrak scraps president role
18-Nov-2010
US— Media measurement firm Rentrak has scrapped the role of president, costing Ken Papagan his job, though the eight-year veteran of the company will stay on as a consultant for a short period.
-
People on the move
19-Nov-2010
The latest appointments and promotions in the global market research and consumer insight industry. This week: Harris Interactive, Clarity Strategic Research, Evolution Market Research, IFM Sports Marketing Surveys, Twelve Thirty Eight, Manthan Systems and Bonamy Finch.
-
People on the move
11-Nov-2010
The latest appointments, promotions and sidesteps in the global market research industry.
-
Pharma researcher IntrinsiQ Tendler promotes Aversano to president
4-Nov-2010
CANADA— Pharmaceutical market research agency IntrinsiQ Tendler has promoted Anthony Aversano to the role of president following the departure of company founder Sylvie Tendler.
-
Photon boss promises fresh start with focus on organic growth
24-Nov-2010
AUSTRALIA— Jeremy Philips, the chief executive officer at troubled marketing services house Photon Group, has told shareholders at the firm’s AGM that there is an opportunity to “revitalise” the company – if it learns from past mistakes.
-
Photon Group 'in line' with 2009 trading, merges TLE and Auspoll
16-Nov-2010
AUSTRALIA— Beleaguered marketing services group Photon, which owns research agency The Leading Edge, has said it is trading “in line” with last year’s performance as of the end of October.
-
Planet Retail's Roberts joins Kantar in retail insights role
3-Nov-2010
UK— Kantar Retail has hired Bryan Roberts as director of EMEA retail insights, responsible for developing and marketing the firm’s market insights products throughout the region.
-
Public opinion researcher Donald Kellermann dies aged 83
15-Nov-2010
US— Donald Kellermann, the founder of public opinion research organisation the Times Mirror Centre for the People and the Press, has died in Washington aged 83.
-
Public polls lack openness and scrutiny, say party pollsters
10-Nov-2010
US— A group of pollsters who work for the two main political parties have criticised the proliferation of published polls that fail to disclose how they were conducted, and the often uncritical media coverage of such surveys.
-
Public sector research needs 'broader view' of quality
2-Nov-2010
UK— Public sector researchers need to take a broader view of quality, says Denise Lievesley of King’s College London.
-
Pulse Group on the acquisition trail
12-Nov-2010
MALAYSIA— Bob Chua, the chairman and CEO of research process outsourcing firm Pulse Group, has said that the company is examining possible merger and acquisition opportunities.
-
Q3 revenue up, losses down for iPerceptions
15-Nov-2010
CANADA— Web analytics agency iPerceptions has reported a 5% increase in revenue and slashed its operating loss by 83% for the third quarter of 2010.
-
Qual agency iModerate appoints VP of client services
17-Nov-2010
US— Online qual agency iModerate Research Technologies has appointed Rob Tregenza as vice president of client services where he will be responsible for leading the firm’s service team and ensuring that clients’ objectives are met.
-
Qual software supplier Revelation adds new languages
30-Nov-2010
US— Qualitative software provider Revelation has added two new languages – Russian and Turkish – to its mobile and online research technology.
-
Qualvu launches video-based online DIY portal
17-Nov-2010
US— Qualvu, which provides online video tools for research, has launched a do-it-yourself service.
-
Rajar tests online component of listening survey
4-Nov-2010
MALTA— UK radio ratings body Rajar is conducting an “extensive test” of an online component for its currency survey that it hopes will complement the existing paper diary, CEO Jerry Hill said today at the Media Research Group conference in Malta.
-
Rentrak adds Global Broadcasting to client list
29-Nov-2010
US— Global Broadcasting has signed up to use Rentrak’s StationView Essentials local TV market audience measurement service.
-
Rentrak adds Midcontinent Comms data to TV Essentials
1-Nov-2010
US— Cable TV broadcaster Midcontinent Communications has agreed to share its set-top box (STB) viewing information with Rentrak for the research firm’s TV Essentials audience measurement service.
-
Rentrak adds two more StationView Essentials customers
15-Nov-2010
US— TV station owners Barrington Broadcasting and Nexstar Broadcasting have signed up to use Rentrak’s StationView Essentials local market audience measurement service.
-
Research evolution and marketing revolution
3-Nov-2010
Scott Megginson knows from experience that the old adage “Half my advertising works, I just don’t know which half” doesn’t cut it any more. The former PepsiCo man, now Millward Brown Canada president, talks brand and marketing research.
-
Research growth fuels Gartner Q3 revenue performance
4-Nov-2010
US— The research arm of IT analyst Gartner has reported a 17% increase in revenue for the third quarter and achieved record new business during the period, helping push company-wide sales up 12%.
-
Research Now appoints MD for Southern Europe
2-Nov-2010
FRANCE— Online sampling and data collection firm Research Now has hired Marc-Antoine Jacoud in the newly created role of managing director for Southern Europe.
-
Research Now consolidates New York offices
3-Nov-2010
US— Online sampling and data collection firm Research Now has moved staff from its two New York offices into a new, larger premises in the Big Apple.
-
Research Now moves headquarters
9-Nov-2010
US— Research Now, previously E-Rewards, has moved its headquarters from Dallas, Texas to a larger location in nearby Plano.
-
Researchers question impact of currencies on cross-media planning
5-Nov-2010
MALTA— The role of media currencies in the development — or not — of cross-media planning was under the spotlight at the Media Research Group conference in Malta yesterday.
-
Researchers raise concerns over design of wellbeing consultation
29-Nov-2010
UK— The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has sought to play down the importance of an online survey launched last week to poll the public for their views on what factors determine personal and national wellbeing following criticism from researchers.
-
Retail Eyes wins QHotels conference auditing deal
24-Nov-2010
UK— Hotel chain QHotels has signed up mystery shopping firm Retail Eyes to run an audit program evaluating conferences held at the firm’s 21 locations.
-
RS Consulting and MRUK partner to target public sector work
17-Nov-2010
UK— Cello Group agencies RS Consulting and newly slimmed-down MRUK have formed a strategic partnership that their parent company has billed as a “research powerhouse for the public sector”.
-
Scarborough offers easy data access through Prime Lingo platform
9-Nov-2010
US— Scarborough Research, the joint venture between Arbitron and Nielsen, has launched a new web-based software platform that gives users access to its range of consumer data.
-
Self-publishing site Scribd offers free readership stats
23-Nov-2010
US— Social publishing website Scribd has launched a free analytics service that lets users know how many people are reading the documents they have uploaded to the site.
-
Semiotician Ginny Valentine dies
30-Nov-2010
UK— Virginia ‘Ginny’ Valentine, widely recognised for her work in introducing semiotics to the UK market research industry back in the 1980s, died last night. She had been ill for some time.
-
Site Intelligence gets investment and new CEO
26-Nov-2010
UK— Web analytics and customer intelligence firm Site Intelligence has received investment from private equity group Oxford Capital Partners.
-
South Korea launch for IMS Research
4-Nov-2010
US— Electronics industry research agency and consultancy IMS Research has opened an office in Seoul, South Korea.
-
SPA Future Thinking taps Globalpark for feedback management
29-Nov-2010
UK— Media and FMCG research agency SPA Future Thinking has signed up to use panel community and survey software supplier Globalpark’s feedback management platform for bespoke international media and youth related projects.
-
Spanish language TV network Vme signs for Nielsen ratings
11-Nov-2010
US— Hispanic TV network Vme, the fourth largest Spanish language broadcaster in the US, has signed up to use Nielsen’s audience ratings from January next year.
-
Sparkler launches syndicated technology study
25-Nov-2010
UK— Marketing strategy and insight agency Sparkler has launched a syndicated study of media and technology usage among the ‘advanced mainstream’.
-
Speed-Trap snares £2m in private equity funding
9-Nov-2010
UK— A group of private investors have pumped £2m into web analytics firm Speed-Trap to fund the company’s growth plans and develop new technology.
-
Sports research firm allies with brand analyst in strategic partnership
18-Nov-2010
GERMANY/AUSTRALIA— Sports market research and consulting agency Sport+Markt has formed a strategic alliance with Repucom International, which measures brand exposure in sports broadcasting.
-
Standardisation needed to measure VOD ad formats, says Walley
4-Nov-2010
MALTA— Media researchers must push for standardisation and ‘clarity’ on how ads are delivered through new digital TV services, Nigel Walley of Decipher told the Media Research Group (MRG) conference in Malta today.
-
StrategyOne opens in Brussels for public affairs work
8-Nov-2010
BELGIUM— Edelman-owned strategic research and measurement agency StrategyOne has opened a new office in Brussels that will focus on public affairs work across the EU and on a national level.
-
STW launches standalone fieldwork business
23-Nov-2010
AUSTRALIA— Advertising and marketing group STW has turned the data collection capabilities of its research consultancy AMR Interactive into a standalone fieldwork firm, Touchpoint Research Australia.
-
Survey Analytics launches automated MicroPanel
3-Nov-2010
US— Online research platform Survey Analytics has launched an automated tool that gives users access to multiple web-based samples across different countries and industry verticals.
-
SurveyMonkey gets $100m in debt financing from major banks
4-Nov-2010
US— DIY survey software firm SurveyMonkey has raised $100m in senior debt financing, some of the proceeds of which could be used to fund further acquisitions.
-
Synovate hires former TNS operations project manager
1-Nov-2010
UK— Synovate has appointed Sam Scott as head of project management within the operations team in the UK.
-
Synovate launches analytics consulting business
10-Nov-2010
US— Synovate has launched an analytics consulting business, Synovate Management Analytics, offering products to help clients integrate analytics and research with other data sources.
-
Synovate launches mystery shopping arm for SA
25-Nov-2010
SOUTH AFRICA— Synovate has spun its mystery shopping capabilities in South Africa into a standalone business unit, and given Samantha Lloyd the job of leading it.
-
Synovate posts third-quarter double-digit revenue rise
12-Nov-2010
UK— Synovate’s third quarter revenue has “improved significantly”, its parent company Aegis said in an interim management statement today.
-
'Technical difficulties' puts Google Analytics out for the count
3-Nov-2010
US— Google Analytics is back up and running after a bug yesterday caused web traffic counts to be disrupted “for a few hours”.
-
Telmar appoints Daryl Scott as chief digital officer
5-Nov-2010
US— Daryl Scott has been appointed executive vice president and chief digital officer at media research agency Telmar.
-
The annual league tables
Nov 2010
Download your authoritative guide to the financial health of the UK research market.
-
The Futures Company appoints Lloyd Burdett head of US consulting
23-Nov-2010
US— Trends consultancy The Futures Company has moved Lloyd Burdett to its New York office and given him the newly created role of head of consulting for the US.
-
The Leading Edge opens US office and names Interbrand man as CEO
12-Nov-2010
US— Australian research firm The Leading Edge has entered the US market with the opening of a New York office and the appointment of CEO Daniel Binns.
-
TNT criticised for asking people to leave personal data on doorsteps
8-Nov-2010
UK— A division of TNT Post has been accused of putting respondents’ personal data at risk by asking them to leave a completed five-page questionnaire on their doorstep for collection.
-
Tomorrow Focus Media taps GlobalPark for mobile surveys
11-Nov-2010
GERMANY— Internet marketing firm Tomorrow Focus Media has signed up to use Globalpark’s survey software to research iPad and iPhone owners.
-
Truth expects 40% sales rise for 2010 and plans 2011 Asian expansion
19-Nov-2010
UK— Insight consultancy Truth is eyeing up opportunities to expand in Asia following a year of “strong growth” in 2010 which has seen an increase in the amount of international work.
-
TSE Group to rebrand and refocus on MR, advertising and media
25-Nov-2010
UK— Sports consultancy TSE Group is to reposition itself as an international marketing and communications group – and MR agency owner – called Porta Communications.
-
UK government agrees to amend online privacy law
11-Nov-2010
UK— The government has agreed to amend “deficiencies” in UK privacy law. It had been referred to the European Court of Justice for failing to fully implement EU directives designed to stop companies from tracking people’s online activity without permission.
-
UK industry moves from pessimism to optimism – but is it a swing too far?
25-Nov-2010
UK— Researchers proved to be overly pessimistic in expecting budgets cuts for 2010 – but they are in danger of being too optimistic in their forecasts for the year ahead, according to a new ‘State of the Industry Survey’.
-
Unilever sells more BrainJuicer shares, cuts stake to 14%
4-Nov-2010
UK— Unilever has continued to scale back its investment in online research agency BrainJuicer, selling off a further 720,000 shares to reduce its stake to 14.2%.
-
University and surveillance firm plan next-gen cinema research
1-Nov-2010
UK— The University of the West of England and surveillance and video analytics firm Aralia Systems are looking to build on anti-piracy technology in cinemas to “revolutionise” studies of film audiences.
-
Ups and downs – Tammy Smulders
Nov 2010
SCB Partners managing director Tammy Smulders on industry bandwagons and getting the work/life balance right.
-
uSamp promotes two and appoints chief financial officer
4-Nov-2010
US— Online panel firm uSamp has appointed a new chief financial officer and promoted two members of staff to more senior roles.
-
uSamp unveils self-service panel platform
8-Nov-2010
US— Online panel provider uSamp has announced the launch of an automated self-service platform that gives research agencies access to its panel of US respondents.
-
Vegas casino Circus Circus chooses Stics for customer analytics
10-Nov-2010
US— Las Vegas hotel and casino Circus Circus has signed up to use predictive analytics from Stics to gain insight into its visitors’ behaviour.
-
Verve adds Askia software to community platform
22-Nov-2010
UK— Online brand community provider Verve has integrated Askia’s survey scripting and data analysis software into its panel and community platform.
-
Viewing figures
Nov 2010
Magnus Willis, founding partner of Sparkler, on a text message-based research project that helped Channel 4 shed light on viewing habits.
-
Vision Critical adds Gina Lagos to London office
30-Nov-2010
UK— Vision Critical has appointed former TNS Research International director Gina Lagos as senior research director at its London office.
-
Vision Critical appoints public affairs VP
23-Nov-2010
US— Vision Critical has hired ex-Harris Interactive man Justin Greeves as senior vice president of public affairs. He will be based at the firm’s Washington DC office.
-
Wang reaches for the stars with new agency Constellation
10-Nov-2010
US— Altimeter Group founding partner Ray Wang has launched a new agency, Constellation Research, that will target technology clients.
-
Weinberger promoted to lead Comscore in Australia and NZ
12-Nov-2010
AUSTRALIA— Amy Weinberger has been named as the new vice president of Comscore’s Australia and New Zealand business.
-
Western Wats rebrands as Opinionology
1-Nov-2010
US— Fieldwork agency Western Wats has changed its name to Opinionology in what it describes as an effort to better reflect its global presence and expanding service offering.
-
WPP to acquire US purchase data firm I-Behavior
10-Nov-2010
US— WPP-owned KBM Group, part of the firm’s Wunderman network, has agreed to acquire database marketing agency I-Behavior for an undisclosed amount.
-
WPP to merge Public Strategies with Hill & Knowlton
16-Nov-2010
US— WPP is merging opinion research and business advisory firm Public Strategies with communications agency Hill & Knowlton in January next year.
-
YouGovStone to survey MPs
17-Nov-2010
UK— YouGovStone, the joint venture between YouGov and business consultant Carole Stone, has launched a new service surveying Members of Parliament.