What a cheery lot we are!

This years Research Awards saw the industry in a thoroughly upbeat mood compared to the last few I have been to. With apparently more guests than ever before there was an almost giggly optimism among most people, particularly as the evening wore on!! I suspect few social research agencies were attending but those focussed on the private sector seemed glad to still be around and looking forward to an even brighter 2011.

Sure there were some moans about some slowing at the end of 2010 but overall things have been much better this year than most of us dared hope. New agencies, new approaches and renewed budgets give the industry an exciting feel as we become even more central to understanding this brave new world than we have been in the past.

So, despite the weather, there seems to be a spring in the step of the industry and lets hope 2011 lives up to our best expectations. Congrats to all the winners of course and thanks to Andy Dexter for saying farewell to Ginny Valentine. In the meantime a toast to 2010, much better than expected!! Merry Xmas.....