The judges have their say on last year’s winners

BEST AGENCY 2009

Winners: Flamingo

Highly Commended: ComRes
Conquest Research

Finalists: The Big Picture Market Research
Munro Global
Sense Worldwide

Last year’s hardest-fought Award went to an agency that is punching above its weight in all aspects, delivering strong financial results and investing in its expanding global office network at a time when other agencies were scaling back. Flamingo impressed the judges with its growing client base and high levels of both staff and client retention.

The Judges Said

Flamingo has continued to invest in growing its business despite the recession. The results of the agency’s drive and confidence are evident in its financial results and loyal client base. It is agencies like Flamingo that push research higher up the value chain and demonstrate the sector’s relevance to a high-level decision-making. An exceptional performance and a worthy winner.

BEST NEW AGENCY 2009

Winners: Razor Research

Finalists: Crowd DNA
Verve

One of the industry’s most coveted awards, this category acknowledges the entrepreneurial spirit, achievement and ambition of new agencies. Since its inception, Razor has built up an impressive roster of clients and has achieved excellent financial results. This is still a small agency, but it is already having a big impact on its clients.

The Judges Said

Razor’s strong brand values are reflected in everything it does. The agency exudes a warmth and energy that is genuinely valued by its client base, which it has built up to an impressive level in a short time.

BEST PLACE TO WORK 2009

Winners: Hall & Partners Europe

Finalists: Central Office of Information (COI)
Flamingo
Freshminds Research
IFF Research
Millward Brown London
Voodoo

Hall & Partners Europe has demonstrated that it puts people at the heart of its business. The agency has continued to invest in its employees throughout the recession, encouraging and supporting professional development on the basis that the happier people are, the more productive they will be. It adopts innovative approaches to training staff, looking outside the research environment to inspire them.

The Judges Said

Hall & Partners Europe has created a small-agency culture with a big-agency support network, and its approach to training and recruitment is clearly paying dividends. We can only applaud an agency that is still making substantial investments in its people in the current environment.

BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION 2009

Winners: New Look and eDigital Research

Finalists: Acuigen
Grey London

This Award is a joint recognition of clients and their agencies who have developed and delivered truly outstanding work which has helped to transform an organisation. eDigital Research, working for fashion retailer New Look, impressed the judges with the practical nature of its approach in what is a complicated market.

The Judges Said

eDigital Research delivered research that has genuinely affected New Look’s strategy. The partnership approach was embedded at all levels of the business and the positive impact on the business is clearly evident.

RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR 2009

Winners: Starcom Mediavest Group for spaceID

Highly Commended: Brahm Insight

Finalists: Consumer Intelligence
Face

This Award singles out the individual, company, product or process that has led to the most significant breakthrough in the research industry over the last twelve months. spaceID is this year’s winner for its systematic way of introducing a new research model that has the potential to change the face of the business.

The Judges Said

spaceID is this year’s winner because it has developed and implemented a new research model that has changed the way the business functions. The model, which has already generated new business wins, has taken an existing concept and completely transformed its use.