In this newly created role, Dr Hodges will expand and strengthen M+P’s quantitative offering through proprietary methods that integrate sophisticated multi-method research with the firm’s deep behavioural science and linguistics expertise.

Hodges brings 20 years’ research consulting experience, including eight at Phoenix Marketing International, where she last held the position of executive vice-president, plus three years at Kantar, where she held the position of group vice-president.

She will be reporting into M+P chief executive Michael Maslansky and will drive the firm’s strategic direction in quantitative methodologies, including newly announced persuasive strength and core visual aid (CVA) optimisation and development. 

Maslansky commented: “Clients want more ways to quantify the advice our teams provide, so expanding our quantitative team was an obvious step. Finding the right person was a challenge. Then we met Jaime, who brings a perfect mix of deep research expertise, an academically rigorous approach and a passion for language.

“She will spearhead the development, design and execution of critical behavioural science and linguistics-aligned approaches to solve clients’ most troublesome communications challenges.” 

He continued: “Jaime is already helping us advance the state-of-the-art of language strategy by developing two new capabilities which we’re excited to announce: CVA optimisation and development and persuasive strength.

“These multi-method, academically validated approaches will help our clients better quantify the effectiveness of their overall messages; optimise the words, phrases and proof-points that drive the most impact; and align the right elements of their message with the right audience.”