Kirch, who was previously vice president of business development at panel provider Common Knowledge Research Services, opened ActusMR to help research agencies identify business areas that need improving, uncover points of differentiation and develop a successful sales infrastructure.

He argues that MR firms are no longer able to survive on word-of-mouth marketing and referrals alone, and are finding it difficult to thrive in an “increasingly competitive marketplace”.

Kirch promises to help agencies develop tailored sales tactics that are “natural, honest, believable and complimentary to their company mission”.

Prior to his stint at Common Knowledge (now owned by Toluna), Kirch spent a decade in various operations roles at The Gallup Organisation, after which he moved into sales and business development positions with CfMC, Harris Interactive and MARC Research.