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The U.S. Census Bureau has appointed Arturo Vargas as Chair and Nancy Bates as Vice Chair of its newly formed 2030 Census Advisory Committee (2030 CAC), which will provide it with recommendations on planning and implementation of the next decennial survey. More
Strategic insight consultancy Firefish has hired Ajibola Bolarinwa as a Director in its US business, based in Los Angeles. More
UK-based brand and communications research agency The Nursery has appointed former 2CV exec Rob Hartley as Head of Social Research. More
In Washington, DC, WPP-owned research and analytics consultancy PSB Insights has appointed Christopher Frank as its new Chief Client Officer. More
Marcoms network Stagwell, which owns the Harris Poll and Harris X brands as well as Maru Group, has opened its new EMEA headquarters in London's Blue Fin Building on the South Bank. More
In the US, ad intelligence software firm AdImpact has partnered with Yahoo, enabling the latter's DSP to offer improved targeting and political audience segmentation for activation across local and national campaigns as elections approach. More
Ipsos has reported continued solid growth in the first quarter of the year, with revenue up 4.5% in organic terms, to EUR 557.5m. The EMEA and Asia Pacific regions led the way with revenue up more than 9% in each case (organic) while the Americas saw a 3.2% decline. More
Digital media measurement and analytics firm DoubleVerify (DV) has apologised to X, formerly known as Twitter, for an error which over a recent four-month period gave the microblogging site brand safety ratings as low as 70%, when actual scores were as high as 99.99%, according to reports. More
Former 2CV, GfK and Walnut Unlimited researcher Antonio Margaritelli has joined London agency Disrupt Insight as a Research Director. More
Consumer insight and behavioural data technology company RealityMine has appointed former Google and YouTube advertising leader Phil Miles as a Non-Executive Director, effective immediately. More
B2B intelligence provider Rhetorik has released a solution it says will allow its US customers to benchmark their own organization's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) data against industry standards. More
Marcoms group Stagwell has agreed to acquire São-Paulo, Brazil-based PROS Agency, a brand and marketing consultancy specializing in digital PR, creative planning and production, influencer marketing and brand development. More
British-based insight agency Opinium has promoted Wez Eathorne to the new role of Global Head of Brand, Comms & Product Research. More
In the US, evidence-based healthcare consulting firm KJT Group has appointed Ellen Gordon as SVP of Client Strategy & Growth. More
Marketing tech group Access Intelligence Plc has appointed Tom Ritchie as President of PR & Comms EMEA. More
London-based marketing group Unlimited, parent of insight agency Walnut, is to join Accenture Song, the business services behemoth's 'tech-powered creative group'. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. More
London-based Truth Consulting has announced five promotions: Catherine Anstead, Victor Reynoso and Kate Stratton become Directors, while Taiye Akin-Akinyosoye and Tom Sweeney are now Senior Consultants. More
Washington, DC-based research consultancy PSB Insights has promoted Colleen McCauley to SVP of Marketing, serving on the firm's Executive Team and working directly with CEO Dave Gordon. More
US-based international data collection and research tech company Sago has launched a formal specialist Health offering, building on longstanding expertise in the sector and fronted by EVP of Healthcare Shannon Childs. More
Social media management software firm Hootsuite is to acquire listening specialist Talkwalker, for an undisclosed sum. More
In New Jersey, USA, healthcare reputation management and patient feedback solutions firm rater8 has closed a Series A round of funding, for use in expanding its market reach to medical practices and hospitals of all types and sizes, and growing its team. More
In Birmingham, UK, full service social research agency M.E.L Research has appointed Ayesha Lynn-Birkett as a Senior Research Executive, and promoted Angela Parton to Telephone Unit Manager. More
Consumer intelligence provider NIQ has partnered with burger giant McDonald's USA to develop a new module called Cultural Resonance, part of its BASES ad testing portfolio. More
In London, Havas Media Network UK has joined cross-media measurement initiative Origin, completing the representation of the global marcoms networks within the programme. There are now 51 funding stakeholders in total including advertisers, media owners and advertising agencies. More
In the US, cultural intelligence specialist Collage Group has appointed Elizabeth Jackson as its first Chief Marketing Officer. She brings to the role more than thirty years of experience in marketing, strategy, insights and new product innovation. More
Market Research charity the MRBA has three days to run on its 2024 auction. Bidding for two tickets to Taylor Swift's sold-out Eras tour (Wembley Stadium concert, August) currently stands at £1,500, but those with more modest budgets can bid for bottles, days / meals out and other items. More
Chicago-based analytics software solutions company Ocient has raised $49.4m in en extended Series B round of funding, earmarked for product development. The firm's software conducts compute-intensive analysis of complex, large-scale data for insights and decision-making, with a focus on energy-efficiency. More
US-based insights and strategic consulting firm M/A/R/C Research has appointed Michael Feehan as Senior Vice President and Practice Leader in its recently-expanded Health and Well-Being Division. More
President Biden has signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, which among most other federal agencies provides the U.S. Census Bureau with its budget to September 30th. At $1.382bn, the Bureau's fund is well below the $2bn that Census stakeholders had urged. More
In London, Verve has announced the promotion of its former Joint Head of Insight Richard Preedy to the newly created role of Executive Director and Head of Artificial Intelligence. The firm is 'relaunching' itself to emphasize its focus on 'three intelligences': Artificial, Human and Cultural. More
US firm PeakMetrics has raised $3m in funding to expand its market and further develop its 'narrative intelligence' technology, which helps governments, companies and other organisations deal with online risks from misinformation and media manipulation. More
Miami-based PR platform Muck Rack has enhanced its measurement and reporting capabilities with new features for areas including media impact analysis, brand reputation insights and competitive analysis. More
UK audience measurement authority Barb has promoted Caroline Baxter to Chief Operating Officer, with a remit to work alongside CEO Justin Sampson on driving the organisation's move towards cross-device measurement and total campaign performance reporting. More
In the UK, business-to-business insights forum The Business Intelligence Group (BIG) is to be reintegrated as a network of the Market Research Society (MRS), a status it held in the 1990s before moving to independent operation. More
Manchester, UK-based fieldwork firm Omnisis has teamed up with business and politics publication The Economist to launch an interactive tool predicting how people may vote in the next general election. More
Global MR and data group YouGov has announced the rebranding of its Swiss subsidiary LINK, acquired in December 2021, as YouGov Switzerland. More
In the USA, integrated ad intelligence and viewing data provider AdImpact has appointed Laia Pescetto as Vice President of Marketing, following 400% growth in its industry-wide ad solutions client base in 2023, Its core political ad business has also grown rapidly. More
PAMCo, the company which oversees audience figures for British newspapers and magazines, has appointed Emma Holden as Acting MD after the departure of CEO of ten years Simon Redican. More
Behavioural understanding specialist iMotions has unveiled EduLabs, a platform integrating biometric technology solutions for use by academic institutions, departments and students. More
Rakuten Insight Global has announced the integration of Singpass, Singapore's national digital identity, as part of its proprietary panel verification process. More
Leap day - also apparently known as Rare Disease Day - sees the launch of a new insights company, PatientSight, operating a subscription based platform connecting life science organizations with survey findings for rare disease patients, analyzed and displayed in dashboards. More
Healthcare data and technology solutions company Veradigm has agreed to acquire healthcare modeling specialist ScienceIO, for around $140m in cash. More
In the US, former Ipsos execs Dana Keilman and Nicole Munsey have launched Morning Light Strategy, which will provide insights and strategic guidance for clients looking to drive growth in the 50+ market. More
Marcoms group Stagwell has reported full year 2023 revenue of $2.53bn, down 6% year on year, and adjusted EBITDA of $360m, down 20%. However the company reports strong new business, good growth in EMEA and for its Marketing Cloud suite, and is forecasting a return to growth in 2024. More
London-based Humankind Research, which specialises in research for positive social impact, is adding a team offering standalone quantitative projects, and has hired Laura Moore and Amy Watson to lead it as Head of Quant and Quant Research Director, respectively. More
Ipsos has reported organic, constant currency revenue growth of 8.8% for the fourth quarter of 2023, and 3% for the full year, with operating profit stable at an all-time high of 13.1%. More
The Market Research Society of India (MRSI) has launched a new Socio-Economic Classification System, ISEC, which it says is 'far more representative, stable and less volatile' than its predecessor, NCCS. More
In Congress, New Jersey Republican representative Jeff Van Drew has introduced legislation which would close down the annual American Community Survey (ACS), which replaced the old decennial census long form in 2005 and is described as 'essential to the development of representative samples'. More
US-based healthcare sector insights firm Apollo Intelligence has acquired GlocalMind, a tech-driven MR services and panel company operating in the same sector. More
Chandler, Arizona-based researcher Ironwood Insights Group (IIG) has announced the acquisition of Maryland-based qual provider The Research Group and its focus groups and recruiting division Observation Baltimore. Barbara Gassaway, President and founder of The Research Group, joins IIG. More
Nielsen has announced that its Pacific Broadcaster & Publisher Lead Tony Boyte will be stepping down in April, to be replaced by eighteen-year company veteran Scott Gillham. More
Reputation and risk intelligence provider Signal AI has acquired Social 360, which monitors and analyses online comment influencing the reputation of clients around the globe. More
UK-based agency Firefish Group has announced five promotions and seven new hires across the business. Fenella Twohig, Ciara Larkin, Rebekah Smith, Karen Chong, Chloe Lee, Jamie Robertson and Jonathan Dance all join the company. More
Labor market analytics specialist TalentNeuron has revamped its leadership structure to handle 'accelerated growth and innovation'. Gabriel Pauliuc joins as CTO and Elin Thomasian as SVP of Strategy and Consulting, while recently appointed David Wilkins adds the role of Chief Product and Marketing Officer. More
Copenhagen, Denmark-based offshore wind data specialist Aegir Insights has secured EUR 8.5m in Series A funds from climate tech investors - to be used in upgrading its web platform, including investment decision software and data products. More
Publisher Gannett / USA TODAY Network has appointed a dedicated Chief Data Privacy Officer, Marci Moss, with a remit to safeguard the information entrusted to its publications by clients, partners, users and employees. More
Australian market research technology platform Glow is developing its sustainability metric the Social Responsibility Score (SRS) as a standardized, cross-industry initiative and says it is currently being integrated into the offerings of Kantar, PwC Australia and other research and advisory businesses. More
In the US, insights-driven marketing communications agency The Bliss Group has appointed Emily Porro as SVP and co-leader of its Impact practice. More
In the US, newly launched data collection firm Fusion Healthcare Fielding has launched the Health System Executives Panel, comprising C-Suite and Director level executives from healthcare organizations from hospitals and clinics to health systems and managed care entities. More
With election year well underway, Comscore has announced an integration with political data provider TargetSmart, giving the latter's clients access to the former's granular media planning and evaluation data. More
Real estate consumer intelligence platform Audience Town has secured an unspecified amount of additional funding with which to continue expansion and development of its analytics platform. More
In the US, cookieless targeting and digital identity solutions firm Semcasting has launched RTVM, a tool offering political campaigns 'complete transparency' across platforms into which voters they have and have not 'reached' with which messages. More
In the US, the Media Rating Council (MRC) has awarded accreditation for the first time to a service offering Point of Care (POC) advertising measurement. The award to PatientPoint refers specifically to metrics in its Digital Campaign Report, for its legacy network footprint. More
In an apparent volte face after refreshing and reinforcing the brand of its communications agency Hill & Knowlton as recently as November, WPP has announced the company will be merged with the group's other major PR firm BCW, with the combined entity renamed Burson. More
In the UK, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has given permanent status to its Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS), which was introduced in 2020 as a rapid feedback tool for how companies were coping with Covid-19. More
Menlo park, California-based social media video insights and analytics provider ViralMoment has secured $2.5m in a seed round of investment, with which to widen the scope of its video-reading AI. More
Manchester-based kids, parents and family specialist The Insights Family has secured a £5.6m investment, with which to continue and accelerate its rapid global growth. More
Insight agency Opinum has hired Matthew Barton as Senior Consultant, based in Amsterdam, supporting continued 'rapid growth' in Europe. More
Healthcare specialist Research Partnership has launched a new Alzheimer's Disease tracker in Germany, Japan and the US, as part of of its syndicated Therapy Watch series. The firm plans to expand the service to other key European markets this year. More
Audience intelligence platform Pulsar has launched a product called SEARCH, promising instant, search engine-style discovery of news coverage on any topic, across media types and languages. More
In the US, healthcare MR firm Klein & Partners has announced a strategic alliance with recently-formed brand optimization and corporate strategy specialist thinqinsights. Their stated long-term goal is to merge the two organizations. More
MR and analytics group YouGov has promoted Tom Fisher to Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), aiming to deepen its relationships with blue-chip clients. More
London-based Firefish Group has rebranded its quant and data analytics business the numbers lab as 'Firefish Data', reflecting its evolution into an agency delivering 'fully connected, integrated and agile human insights consulting, driven by AI, connected data and new technologies'. More
A new consulting and advisory firm focused on Net Zero and corporate sustainability has been launched in Denver, Colorado. Canopy Edge's offer will include measurement and strategy for science-based targets, ESG reporting and program management, and advice on messaging. More
In the USA, medical MR company MedSurvey has appointed Laurie Shapiro as SVP of Global Partner Strategy, helping to expand the firm's global capabilities and partnerships. More
In Washington, DC, WPP-owned research and analytics consultancy PSB Insights has appointed former Phoenix Marketing International VP Dr. Qi Jiang as Vice President of Advanced Analytics. More
Brand and market research agency Savanta has appointed Richard Brooks as External Communications Director, strengthening its PR team with a UK General Election to be called this year. More
New York-based strategic research and polling firm Benenson Strategy Group (BSG) has promoted Lindsay Vermeyen and Patrick Toomey to Partner, and appointed Michael Kulisheck to Managing Director. More
Life sciences data, insight and intelligence specialist Evaluate has acquired London-based J+D Forecasting, which helps pharmaceutical clients accurately forecast market size, growth in key indications and demand for new technologies. More
WPP is examining a possible sale of its remaining stake in Kantar, according to sources quoted by Bloomberg. More
Ipsos has announced the acquisition of I&O Research, described as the largest research agency in the public sector in the Netherlands. More
San Francisco-based Stagwell subsidiary Allison has announced that Global CEO Scott Allison will step down from the role to focus on company expansion through acquisitions. Co-founder and Global COO Jonathan Heit steps up to replace him, as part of a wider senior shuffle. More
Kantar Media may be up for sale in 2024 for 'as much as £1bn', according to reports on Sky News. More
The Insights Family, which provides intelligence focused on kids, parents and families, has relocated its Manchester headquarters to a larger space in the city centre, and has launched in the Republic of Ireland - described as its first 'Tier 2' market. More
Multicultural marketing agency Sensis has launched a specialist transportation division, SensisConnect, with a focus on public engagement / consultation and optimising communications. More
In the UK, social and MR agency Blue Marble has promoted Sonali Patel to Research Director and hired Daniel Brownie as a Research Manager, following a 'brilliant' year in 2023. More
In Philadelphia, geographic data platform PolicyMap has closed a $3m Series A round, for investment in new sales and marketing expertise to expand its core customer use cases. More
Insights group Human8 has announced a change of leadership at its cultural and creative consultancy Space Doctors. Co-founder and MD Fiona McNae will leave the company at the end of this year, after 22 years, to be replaced by Gareth Lewis and Cato Hunt. More
Communications analytics and insights firm PublicRelay has appointed Anu George as COO and Ryan Smith as Senior Vice President of Insights. More
DRNO's News Editor of seventeen years Mel Crowther passed away last week after a battle with cancer. Mel has been a wonderful colleague and the driving force in making this publication what it is today, as well as a well-loved figure in the industry, and I'm sorry I know her loss will come as a shock to a lot of you. More
Stockholm, Sweden-based eye tracking and attention computing pioneer Tobii has agreed to acquire FotoNation from audio, imaging and computing technology products firm Xperi, for a minimum consideration of $US 45m. The buy includes in-vehicle monitoring systems AutoSense and adds c.250 full-time staff. More
In the life sciences sector, US-based consultancy Herspiegel has acquired market data and analytics provider Adivo Associates. More
UK-based B2B, healthcare and tech sector researcher RONIN International has appointed Venu Bendapudi as Vice President of US Sales. More
In Southampton, PA, USA, medical MR company MedSurvey has appointed Sonia DeMarco as Vice President of Strategic Accounts, leading strategic partnerships and ensuring overall project success. More
UK-based pharma researcher Purdie Pascoe has launched a US office and appointed Sabera Hyderally as Head of MedTech. More
Research and advisory firm Gallup has reappointed William Kruse as its General Counsel, after nearly five years away from the company working as Deputy General Counsel for CFA Institute. More
Marcoms group Stagwell, the owner of the Harris Poll and Harris X brands as well as Maru Group, has announced European expansion plans with the launch of a 'global hub' office in London next month, and the promotion of James Townsend to serve as its first CEO of EMEA. More
Veteran UK commercial broadcaster ITV has created a new team, The ITV Insights Group, bringing together its experts in market and media research, analytics and data science. The team will be led by Neil Mortensen, previously Director of Audiences. More
London-based consultancy Thinks Insight & Strategy has appointed former Ipsos exec Andrew Johnson as a Partner: and Paul Carroll and Jonny Harper as Directors. Eoin Campbell joins as an AD and Lucy Keartland as Research Lead. More
In New York, former Gartner subsidiary TalentNeuron has appointed Bijoy Verghese as CFO, Jason Roberts as COO and David Wilkins as VP of Marketing. More
In Kansas City, MO, consumer behavior analyst Consumer Orbit has launched a platform called Political Orbits, to help political planners and buyers, station sellers and political consultancies to target campaigns on local linear TV and digital media. More
The Board of Washington, DC-based opinion researcher American Directions Research Group (ADRG) has appointed Kevin M. Kelly as its new Chief Executive, effective immediately. More
In Vancouver, BC, Canada AI-based engagement and survey platform ThoughtExchange has secured $13.5m in equity financing, with which to expand its operations and footprint. More
In Washington DC, decision intelligence company Morning Consult has hired Noah Rosenberg as Chief Financial Officer, responsible for the company's financial, HR and operations functions. More
We are 25! On 29th Nov 1998 the first job ad appeared on mrweb.com. We're celebrating with the relaunch of our directories, under a new brand and with an ambitious new approach; and with Thank You's to our regular advertisers and some special offers for new ones. More
New York-based big data predictive insights provider Dataminr is to cut c.20% of its workforce as part of a restructuring exercise. More
Healthcare and life science insights firm Apollo Intelligence has appointed Susan J. Young as Chief Financial Officer. More
In the UK, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has expanded its International Advisory Board with the appointment of Molly Schultz Hafid. More
UK regulator the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has warned top web sites to make cookie changes to comply with data protection law, or face enforcement action. More
In the US, healthcare and scientific marketing, communications and media firm Spectrum Science has acquired CrowdPharm and its sister strategy agency Hot Iron Health, for an undisclosed sum. More
In the US, healthcare talent software and staffing company Aya Healthcare has acquired Winnow AI, a data science-driven solution that uncovers predictive physician insights and untapped connections to bolster an organization's provider recruitment and retention strategies. Terms were not disclosed. More
Public policy research, evidence, evaluation and comms agency Verian, until recently known as Kantar Public, has partnered with 'human-first AI solutions' provider Faculty, to support decision-making in government across the public sector. More
Catherine Herkovic, Nielsen's EVP/MD for Local Television and Audio has announced she will be retiring at the end of the year. Richard Tunkel, a 24-year company exec, will take on leadership of Nielsen Audio Client Services. More
Ipsos has launched three new syndicated studies monitoring the wider impact of anti-obesity medications. More
In Canada, AI-driven medical knowledge platform Pathway has raised $5m in seed funding, which it will use to continue to improve its technology. More
UK-based cross-party thinktank Demos has merged with non-profit Engage Britain, which focused on policy-making and research spanning citizens assemblies, community conversations, and democratic tech tools such as Pol.is. The Engage Britain brand has now ceased to operate. More
British-based reputation specialist Echo Research has partnered with UAE-based branding and creative comms consultancy All About Brands to provide on the ground support to its clients based in the region, supported by its existing teams in both the UK and USA. More
Manchester, UK-based full-service pharmaceutical insight agency Blueprint Partnership has been re-named 'Beyond Blue'. More
Healthcare industry insights provider Real Chemistry is expanding its European presence, with the addition of four new leaders and the opening of a second UK office, in Manchester, early next year. More
In the UK, government-funded public body the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has announced a £17m investment, to establish two new bodies and address major societal challenges via research into human behaviour. More
Not-for-profit industry organisation Audited Media Association of Australia (AMAA) has announced that long-standing CEO Josanne Ryan is leaving the organisation in mid-November. It has also appointed one of its Directors, Patrick Whitnall, to the newly created role of Managing Director of AiMCO. More
Ben Marks, the founder and former CEO of London-based youth insight and panel business YouthSight, has set up a new MR agency called Electrify Research, aiming to improve understanding of home-owner decisions on heat pumps, EVs, rooftop solar and other green home options. More
In the US, public opinion research and strategic insights provider ReconMR has acquired marketing diagnostics and strategies firm HINER & Partners, for an undisclosed sum. More
Littleton, Colorado-based analytics company Real Estate Business Analytics (REBA) has received an unspecified multi-million dollar growth funding package from Decathlon Capital Partners, and will use the money to drive new product development, expand customer support and grow operations. More
Marcoms group Stagwell, which owns the Harris Poll and Harris X brands as well as Maru Group, has announced a revenue decline of 7% to $618m, for the third quarter of 2023. It has also announced the acquisition of social media marketing solutions provider Movers and Shakers LLC, for c.$15m in cash. More
In the US, evidence-based healthcare consulting firm KJT Group has appointed long-time Market Strategies International exec Katy Palmer as SVP Strategic Accounts. More
Harrogate, UK-based qual and quant research and consulting services provider Harlow Consulting has appointed two new Associate Directors, James Legard and Carolyn Black. More
Strategic consulting and political advisory firm GQR has hired former Democratic campaign Director Lauren Dillon as a Vice President. More
UK-based Ascential, the information and analytics company once known as EMAP, has announced it will sell its digital commerce and consumer research units for around £1.4bn, so as to focus on its events business. More
Ipsos has acquired New Zealand's CBG Health Research Ltd from its previous owner, research and telehealth services firm Reach Aotearoa. More
US research firm SMARI has moved into a new location in the First Internet Bank Building in Downtown Fishers, Indiana. The company is returning to office-based work after a few years 'completely virtual'. More
Cultural intelligence specialist Collage Group has launched an AI-based solution called fluen.ci which it says gives clients 'instant access to culture-centric, brand-specific insights'. More
PR group Hill+Knowlton Strategies has announced the formation of a global Intelligence + Technology capability; a partnership with Pendulum Intelligence; and the launch of a proactive analytics tool, H+K Sonar, which helps firms detect, predict and mitigate harmful narratives online. More
Ipsos has reported third quarter revenue of EUR 588m, representing organic growth of 4.3% and restoring year-to-date organic growth after shrinkage in the first half. All the group's global regions shared in the Q3 growth, with EMEA leading the way. More
Decision intellligence company Morning Consult has two new Senior Vice Presidents: Taylor Ashy joins the company in New York as SVP, SaaS Solutions, while in Chicago Brian James has been promoted to SVP Custom Solutions. More
Birmingham, UK-based social research and behaviour change specialist M.E.L Research has appointed Dr. Holly Taylor-Dunn as Senior Evaluation Lead. More
Ipsos has acquired Ireland's Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A), which provides opinion and social research studies, as well as market studies - and will combine it with its own operations in the country to become 'the market research leader in Ireland'. The firm will be known as Ipsos B&A. More
London-based consultancy Thinks Insight & Strategy has reshaped its leadership structure with co-fonder Ben Shimson stepping into the CEO role; and promoted Richenda Devereux to Operations Partner. More
Proximic, Comscore's programmatic ad targeting division, has announced new audience segments based on exposure to specific political campaigns and local TV programs. More
Divested government policy and comms advisory business Kantar Public will be rebranding globally as 'Verian' from November. More
US trade body the Insights Association (IA) is urging the District of Columbia to reject a proposal described as putting a tax on consumer data. More
UK TV audience measurement and ad currency body Barb has issued an invitation to tender for its Establishment Survey and panel recruitment contract. The panel will be expanded next year to include 7,000 homes. More
Data and analytics firms in the US and Europe continue to attract substantial investments. This week saw funding for Sweden's Mediatool, French community builder Hivebrite and US companies Hayden AI, cross-device iD specialist Fingerprint and sports intelligence pioneer Zelus Analytics. More
Singapore-based decision science firm Blackbox has partnered with Qualtrics to launch SensingSG, a platform giving real-time insights into community sentiments, attitudes and behaviour in Singapore. More
Today sees the launch of Ipsos RISE, which combines the group's corporate reputation and public affairs expertise with AI to provide 'a ground-breaking platform for modern brand, risk and reputation management'. More
In the UK this week, a judge has allowed the appeal of facial recognition specialist Clearview AI against an enforcement notice and fine issued last year by the Information Commissioner. Clearview successfully argued that it was not subject to the GDPR. More
Dublin-based agency RED C Research and Marketing has promoted Jane Dunleavy to Director, and John Rogers to Associate Director. More
UK-based B2B, healthcare and tech sector researcher RONIN International has appointed David Sutterby, formerly Director of Telephone and Online Operations at QRS Market Research, as Director of Client Services. More
The government of California has passed the 'Delete Act', allowing consumers to remove their personal data from the records of multiple companies with a single request on a single web page. More
In the UK, STRAT7-owned cultural insight and strategy consultancy Crowd DNA has appointed Elliot Pigram as its new Global MD. Pigram will take the reins on 1st January next year from founder and CEO Andy Crysell, who will move to the position of non-executive Chair. More
Marcoms group Stagwell has announced details of a suite of integrated, AI-based research products on which its Harris Poll and Maru agencies are working together. To be known as 'Harris Quest', this will include AI-enabled self-service polling and other 'instant information' SaaS solutions. More
In New York, healthcare research veterans Jerry Arbittier and Chris Lee have launched Fusion Healthcare Fielding, offering 'full service fielding solutions' for the sector. More
In the US, healthcare tech company Komodo Health has appointed Brad Kelley as General Manager of its data platform MapEnhance, while Julia Goebel joins as Head of Marketing. More
In the UK, social research and behaviour change specialist M.E.L Research has appointed former Citizens Advice exec Skye Curtis as Head of Evaluation. As well as leading the Evaluation practice, Curtis will serve on the firm's Ethics Board. More
Consumer and media intelligence specialist Cision has integrated Dow Jones titles - including The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, MarketWatch, Investor's Business Daily and Dow Jones Newswires - into its intelligence platforms. More
Canadian polling, MR and strategy firm Leger has appointed Adrian Bachmann as Associate Vice President, Consumer Insights for its new Central Canada division. More
London-based Thinks Insight & Strategy continues to grow its team with eleven hires in the last quarter. Nick Downes rejoins as Research Director while Ella Jenkins and Chloe Juliette join in AD roles, and Alex Beard as Senior Client Lead. The firm has also promoted eleven. More
ScotCen, the Scottish branch of the UK's centre for independent social research NatCen, has retained Holyrood's Scottish Health Survey contract for the 2024 to 2026 waves. More
In Sorbiers, France, former QualWorld and SODA International employee Karolina Jasek has launched Conwalia, a full service boutique MR agency focused on on the health and wellness sector. More
Canada-headquartered opinion researcher the Angus Reid Group has appointed long-time Toluna exec Patricia Chapin-Bayley as President, United States. She is based in New York. More
US-based marcoms network Stagwell is partnering with political news site and polling data aggregator RealClearPolitics (RCP), to help users of the latter's platform understand the dynamics of races for the Presidency, Senate, House and other elections during the 2024 cycle. More
The UK's TV audience measurement body Barb has upgraded its API to include non-linear viewing on broadcaster video-on-demand (BVOD); subscription video-on-demand (SVOD); video sharing services and viewing on PCs, tablets and smartphones. More
In London, custom MR agency Tapestry Research has appointed former Firefish Numbers Lab exec Sam Elphinstone as Research & Strategy Director. More
In New York, former Medefield and Dynata exec Brendan Egan has set up a healthcare fieldwork and sampling firm called Brightside Research Solutions, with targets including patients, healthcare professionals and healthcare B2B stakeholders. More
London-based charity the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has begun its search for a new Chief Executive Officer, following current CEO Guy Goodwin's announcement that he will be stepping down from his post next May. More
DIY online survey pioneer SurveyMonkey has appointed former Cloudflare and AWS exec Amit Prakash as Chief Marketing Officer. More
In Idaho, USA, a new proprietary healthcare MR panel has launched. Enos Answers is led by CEO Jason Freeman, former COO of SurveyHealthcare. More
Untold Insights, which combines customer insights with AI, has launched a Gen Z AI persona through which it says users can have a 'direct conversation' and gain insights from their target audience segments. More
In the US, communications firm BGB Group has acquired strategy consultancy Kx Advisors, which offers solutions driven by data-driven insights - both focus on the healthcare sector. Terms of the deal has not been disclosed. More
Swoop, which provides healthcare audiences to the pharma and life sciences industries, has launched a solution called 'Predictive AI Adherence Targeting', allowing healthcare advertisers to predict and engage those patients who are likely to fail to take their medications appropriately. More
In the US, decision intelligence company Morning Consult has appointed Joseph DeVeny as Head of Research Solutions; Ryan Bien as Head of Analytics & Data Operations; and Alex Menendez as Head of Customer Success. All are based in the firm's Commercial division. More
In the UK, healthcare insights company Research Partnership has promoted Andrew Stokes to the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer. More
In the US, specialist agency Integro Health has appointed Kristie Boland as Head of its Behavioral Sciences practice. More
Ipsos has appointed former Bureau Veritas Director Caroline Ponsi Khider as Chief Communications and Brand Officer; and Dr Bonnie Bain as Global Head of Healthcare. Bain replaces Michael Spedding, who retires at the end of the year. More
Indian healthcare and medical fieldwork specialist Krea eKnowledge has launched an agile research offering called 'Kyte', promising rapid turnaround research services to pharmaceutical, life sciences and health-tech companies. More
In the US, insurance sector tech provider CLARA Analytics has raised $24m in a Series C round of funding, which it will use to enhance its platform's capabilities in areas including generative AI, predictive modeling and natural language processing. More
Washington-based political and commercial consulting firm GQR has appointed Natalie Jackson, an expert on how public opinion is formed, as a Vice President. More
Tugce Bulut and Oliver May, the co-founders of London-based mobile intelligence platform Streetbees, have left the business. The company is now led former Chief Commercial Officer, Vidisha Gaglani, and previous Chief Technology Officer Sean O'Connell. More
UK-based social research and insight agency BMG Research has promoted Simon Wood as Managing Director. He takes over the position from co-founder Dawn Hands, who has become company CEO. More
In France, qual healthcare fieldwork specialist QualWorld has launched a new venture called Experts Advice, focused on the recruitment of established healthcare subject-matter experts on behalf of clients including financial institutions and startups. More
UK commercial radio industry body Radiocentre has launched a free online tool called 'Audio Need-states Navigator', to provide media decision-makers with audience insight based on data from its Generation Audio study of listeners. More
Matthew Bristow has returned to North of England-based DJS Research as Research Director, after eight years working in Ipsos MORI's Public Affairs division. More
Experience management firm Qualtrics has launched a 'Complaints and Grievances solution', to help healthcare clients gather and act on feedback from patients, and improve the quality of care. More
Venerable UK institution the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) has announced that Cambridge professor and former US Census Bureau employee Sir John Aston will be its next President, once Dr Andrew Garrett completes his term of office at the end of 2024. More
In Texas, MR and opinion polling firm ReconMR has appointed Christian (Chris) Riepe as SVP of Consumer Insights and Research, leading a newly established Insights and Analytics Division. More
In the UK, operations support MR business Omnisis has launched a brand called WeThink for its public opinion polling work. More
In the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has published draft guidance concerning the gathering and use of biometric data, offered for public comment and consultation between now and 20th October. More
In the US, the Census Bureau has announced it will establish a new federal Advisory Committee to consult on meeting the challenges posed by the next decennial count in 2030. More
In the UK, government body The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced three senior appointments, including Karen Croxson as Chief Data & Technology Insights Officer. More
In Birmingham, UK, M.E.L Research has appointed former ONS exec Ben Thatcher as Qualitative Research Director and former DJS researcher Gayle Higginson as Research Manager. More
London-based property data and analytics business Kamma has raised £3.6m in an investment round led by Clean Growth Fund, the UK's clean tech venture capital fund - and will use the money to expand and enhance its data engine. More
In the US, Comscore has partnered with the ANA's SeeHer movement and announced the launch of GEM Audiences, a digital planning tool providing advertisers with insights into the significance of gender equality for their target groups. More
Corrected: contrary to initial statements by their agents, marcoms network Stagwell has not merged its experience and insights platform Maru into the Harris Poll. The two sister firms are merely collaborating on new tools which will go to market under The Harris Poll brand. More
Ipsos has launched a report called ESG Watch, to assess public perception of company performance on environment, social and governance (ESG) issues, and understand how these perceptions help shape brand value and other sector-wide insights. More
In the US, niche market software firm Roper Technologies, Inc. has acquired Syntellis Performance Solutions, which provides enterprise performance management software, data and intelligence solutions for healthcare, higher education and financial institutions. More
US market research firm SMARI has appointed former Research Now and Precision Sample Vice President Pat Goodnight as VP of Business Development, a step change for the 40-year-old company which had previously focused on referrals. More
US research and training company Burke Inc. has promoted Tara Marotti to the role of company President, while John Thomas moves into her previous role as Chief Client Officer (CCO). More
Canadian polling, MR and strategy firm Leger has created three new geographical divisions: Western, Central and Eastern Canada. More
In the US, nonpartisan public opinion polling, MR and analytics firm Noble Predictive Insights has appointed election analysis specialist David Byler as Chief of Research. More
Washington, DC-based public opinion interviewing services company American Directions Research Group has appointed Theresa Anderson as National Director of Operations, with complete oversight of all survey data collection interviewing operations, training and quality control. More
UK-based healthcare insights company Research Partnership has appointed Sue Wild as President, US Pharma, while Tom Donnelly joins as a Director in the US MedTech division. Both will be based in the firm's Fort Washington, PA offices. More
Omnicom Media Group (OMG) UK has launched an environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) tracking tool called OMG Impact, to measure media owners' ESG practices and benchmark them against media investment strategies. More
The US Census Bureau is preparing for the 2030 census with several launches, including that of an online tool giving the public access to information about the 50-plus research projects being conducted. More
In the US, full-service insights company A—B has acquired polling and civic research firm Avalanche Insights, whose technology helps clients reach people of color across the market and political landscape. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, marketing, advertising and data platforms specialist iSOCRATES has acquired membership industry and non-profit sector specialist SIGMA Data Insights. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Ipsos has announced results for the second quarter of 2023, returning to very modest organic revenue growth thanks to a strong performance in emerging markets. The group says its business is 'returning to a more usual pattern' after Covid and is on course for a good year. More
iGaming industry lead generation and performance marketing firm ENV Media has partnered with Ken Research, to conduct surveys and deliver case studies around Indian gambling behavior. More
In London, insight consultancy Firefish has appointed former Flamingo exec Susie Hogarth as Head of Cultural Strategy. Hogarth replaces Fran Alberry, who is currently on maternity leave and will take up a different position when she returns to the company. More
Online retail behemoth Amazon is to pay a $25m civil penalty as part settlement of charges of violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), relating to its recording of the voices of under-13s using its Alexa home assistant. More
London-based mobility intelligence company Huq Industries has raised £4m in equity funding, which will fuel its expansion into new international markets and further development of its Huq Signals platform. More
Ipsos has announced the acquisition of the Insights business of Big Village Australia, including expertise in public sector research, employee research and customer experience. More
Ipsos has named Claire Hanlon as ESG Lead (Environmental, Social and corporate Governance) in the US, which it says will reinforce the company's commitment to insights framed by social and environmental considerations. More
Media bias intelligence specialist Ad Fontes Media has closed a $4.2m funding round, which it will use to fuel innovation in its solutions, and expand its team to 15 full-time core team members and 65 analysts. It has also appointed former IAB Editor-in-Chief Brad Berens as Head of Insights. More
In the US, life sciences strategy and insight consultancy Basis Health has appointed former ZS Associates execs Mark Rushek as a Senior Director and Caleb Yoder as a Senior Executive. They are both based in the Chicago area. More
US-based quant insights and health data analysis firm Cytel has paid an undisclosed sum for French consulting and research firm stève consultants, which specialises in market access, real-world evidence (RWE), and health economics and outcomes research (HEOR). More
GfK has entered into an agreement to sell its European Consumer Panel (CP) business to YouGov, as part of its deal to merge with NielsenIQ (NIQ). Terms of the CP sale have not been disclosed. More
Public policy evidence and advisory business Kantar Public has acquired European policy research and consultancy company PPMI, which is based in Vilnius, Lithuania. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
US programmatic ad tech and footfall insights provider Mobiquity Technologies has launched a suite of analytics tools called ElecAlytics, which uses artificial intelligence to help political campaigns make 'more informed decisions'. More
In London, healthcare consulting and market research firm Day One Strategy has appointed former Ipsos exec Joel Jitell as Global Head of Operations. More
Business support body the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has announced the launch of an Insights Unit, bringing together its existing research portfolio and aiming to develop 'a broader range of polling and analysis services'. More
Australian broadcaster Nine has appointed former News Corp and Foxtel exec Suzie Cardwell as Chief Data Officer. More
In Australia, MR and customer experience consultancy Bastion Insights has launched a research panel called Golden Voice Community, to understand the divide between culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups and the wider community. More
UK-based business, healthcare and tech sector researcher RONIN International has appointed Terry Sweeney as Head of North America. More
Brian Gosschalk, former CEO of MORI and Head of the President's Office for Ipsos in Paris, is stepping down after nearly 44 years with the business. He will be consulting for Ipsos during the next six months, after which he plans to get involved with the not-for-profit sector. More
FundMiner, which helps fundraising organizations measure impact, has raised $1.725m with which to fuel company growth. More
In the UK, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has appointed theory-based impact evaluation specialist Barbara Befani as a Research Director in its Centre for Evaluation. More
US broadcaster Fox Corporation has appointed long-time FOX Sports executive Mike Mulvihill, as President, Insights and Analytics, a new role overseeing the research, analytics and strategic planning teams across FOX Sports, FOX Entertainment and Tubi. More
In the UK, statistics and data professional membership body The Royal Statistical Society has appointed Dr Sarah Cumbers, currently the Evidence and Insights Director at Lloyd's Register Foundation, as its new Chief Executive from September. More
In London, citizen engagement platform Commonplace has received an investment of £2.1m from investors led by transatlantic VC firm Beringea, and will use the funds for continued expansion including growth of its client base. More
MrWeb has partnered with insight sector organisation GreenBook, publisher of the GRIT Report and the GreenBook Directory, and organiser of IIEX events, to further expand the reach and appeal of its job board, currently in its 25th year. WIRe (Women in Research) and ESOMAR are already partners. More
In London, Thinks Insight & Strategy (previously known as BritainThinks) has made four appointments, including Gabrielle Ferdinand as Research Lead. The firm has also promoted five members of its team. More
Strategy and insight consultancy Basis has appointed Rory Luk as a Manager in its New York-based health division. More
Kantar has announced its intention to sell its remaining specialist healthcare businesses, Kantar Profiles' Health unit and Kantar Media Healthcare Research (KMHR), to fieldwork company M3 Global Research. More
Portugal-based consumer neuroscience platform MindProber has been renamed Mediaprobe, reflecting what it says are breakthroughs in 'next-gen measurement' across all media. More
In Australia, industry body Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) is to launch its audience measurement system 'Radio 360' tomorrow, 6th June, with the release of the third GfK metropolitan radio survey of the year. More
Apollo Intelligence, which provides insights to the healthcare and life science industries, has upgraded its platform with machine learning (ML) sampling-based intelligence to research the right healthcare professional panelists at the right place and time. More
Marcoms group Stagwell has announced that its PR sector predictive AI platform Prophet has partnered with media intelligence platform PeakMetrics to enable clients to counter the threat of online 'disinformation' and 'misinformation'. More
In the US, Quantum Computing Inc. (QCI) has signed a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) to acquire 'emotionally intelligent' AI platform millionways, which uses the Personality Systems Interactive (PSI) theory model to deliver human behavior personality assessments. The deal is valued at up to $2m. More
Ipsos has acquired Shanghai Focus RX Research, aiming to strengthen the expertise of its Pharma Insights business and support its Healthcare Insights division. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Africa-based MR and strategy firm Pierrine Consulting has launched a Development Studies division in Lagos, Nigeria, to help clients understand the social, economic and political dynamics that shape communities and impact development outcomes. More
In the US, insights and strategy consulting firm M/A/R/C Research has acquired Horowitz Research, for an undisclosed sum. More
In New York, consumer insights specialist MRI-Simmons has received continuing Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation for its consumer study, including the Doublebase USA study and MEMRI analytics tool; and a new accreditation for its Insights Platform. More
Glasgow-based Taylor McKenzie Research (TMcK) has launched a quarterly omnibus called Happenin'?, to provide a representative snapshot of Scottish opinion. More
Patient intelligence company Talking Medicines has added a tool called Drug-GPT to its PatientMetRx platform, to provide healthcare ad agencies with insights about the lived experience, opinions and sentiment of patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs). More
In the UK the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has appointed Lovisa Moller as its new Director of Analysis, heading up the Analysis team. She replaces Josefien Breedvel, who has been awarded a three-year fellowship in children and young people's mental health at King's College London. More
US-based agency Numerator has launched the SNAP Consumer Insights Center, to provide information about shopping trips connected with the SNAP and WIC nutrition programs - and the households using them. More
Online survey and research services provider QuestionPro has acquired Patient Safety Group (PSG), which offers a tech platform to help health systems and hospitals collect and analyze patient and employee safety insights. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Kantar Public UK has appointed Vicky Petrie and Donna Phillips as Senior Directors in Population Studies. More
SurveyMonkey parent Momentive has reported a GAAP loss of $23.8m in its first quarter, improving on a loss of $35.0m in the same period last year. Revenue was up 2% to $118.8m, from $116.9m in 2022 Q1. More
In the US, media intelligence specialist Cision has promoted Antony Cousins to the newly created role of Executive Director of AI Strategy. More
In the US, digital media experience specialist Canela Media has launched an advertiser solution called Canela Connect, based on the identification of US Hispanic audiences of English and Spanish language OTT platforms. More
In the US, full-service pharmaceutical and healthcare insights agency Integro has appointed former Basis execs Marisha Johnson and Paolo Luciano as Directors. More
Former Kantar Health Global CEO Lynnette Cooke has joined the Strategic Advisory Board of Apollo Intelligence, which provides data and insights to the healthcare and life science industries. More
London-based strategy and insight consultancy Basis has appointed Kelsey Fredrick as Operations Director; Josh Tahan as a Director; Sakina Jivanji as Senior Research Executive; and Jane Platt as Research Executive in its Basis Health division in the US. More
Data collection company Norstat has launched an initiative called 'Norstat Quarterly Data', reporting on the views of consumers from fifteen countries across Europe. More
In the UK, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is launching a shopping prices comparison tool, to allow users to track average price trends of items relevant to them. More
Kantar Public, the division recently sold to investor Trilantic Europe, has added two Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) to its Global Management Board, including former British Labour Party politician David Miliband. More
In the UK, full-service social and MR agency IFF Research has promoted eleven of its employees, including Marc Cranney to Research Director. More
In London, Thinks Insight & Strategy (previously known as BritainThinks) has appointed Jon Edwards and Isabelle Evans as Associate Directors, while Elsie Lauchlan joins as Research Director. The firm has also made seven other appointments. More
Following the news that it filed for bankruptcy in February, US-based ad tech and data company Big Village has sold its Insights and Agency business units to holding company Bright Mountain Media for approximately $20m. More
Independent UK organisation The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has appointed Kris Hicks to serve as its new Executive Director for Diversification and Development, starting in May. More
Ipsos has reported a 2.9% drop in Q1 revenues to EUR 532m, with organic decline of 2.8%. The firm had said when presenting its 2022 annual results that it anticipated a 'tougher first quarter'. The total is still 26% up on the figure for Q1 2019, pre-Covid, and Ipsos says it expects annual growth of c.5%. More
Marcoms agency network Wunderman Thompson has expanded its global B2B offering with the launch of an initiative called 'Inspired B2B', bringing together its expertise in creative, business transformation, content, experience, loyalty and personalisation, and commerce. More
In the UK, social impact measurement and monitoring platform Social Value Portal (SVP), has raised £8.5m in a Series B round of funding, which it will use to launch a Social Value Academy to help educate business leaders and embed social value into business decision making and delivery. More
In New York, the Media Rating Council (MRC) has reinstated accreditation for Nielsen's National Television Audience Measurement (TAM) service, which it suspended in September 2021. The move comes just in time for the start of the 2023-24 upfront ad planning and buying season. More
In the UK, specialist financial services (FS) and ageing research agency Big Window has hired long-time FS researcher Santosh Makhani as Research Director. More
YouGov has appointed Meta Platforms exec Steve Hatch as Chief Executive Officer from 1st August. He will take over from co-founder Stephan Shakespeare, who will become Non-Executive Chair, replacing Roger Parry. More
Healthcare fieldwork specialist M3 Global Research has acquired Med Planet, which provides qual MR services to the healthcare industry. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Apollo Intelligence, which provides data and insights to the healthcare and life science industries, has appointed Kelley Schudy as Chief Global Commercial Officer, while Chris Mars joins as EVP of Sales for its InCrowd subsidiary. More
In Ireland, RED C has hired long-time Kantar exec Robin McGhee as a Director, to focus on qual research and further developing the group's strategic planning offer. Meanwhile two other former Kantar execs, Aya Sako and Patrick McHugh, are also joining the team. More
Behavioral science-focused social research agency Fors Marsh has acquired full service social impact marketing firm Brunet-García. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In New York, membership association the PR Council (PRC) has signed a deal with real-time insights provider Glimpse, allowing members to create and run general population studies using the firm's self-service platform. More
Ipsos is planning to add two new members to its Board of Directors - Àngels Martín Muñoz, currently General Manager for Olympics at Atos; and Florence Parly, former Minister of the French Army. Their appointment is subject to a vote at the firm's AGM on 15th May. More
British big data-based decision intelligence firm Quantexa has announced a $129m Series E round of funding, which values the company at $1.8 billion. More
PR and comms monitoring group Onclusive has launched a CEO Index, analysing media coverage of the leaders of the US and Europe's biggest listed companies. BP's Bernard Looney has been named top ranking CEO in the UK, based on an overall impact score. More
Netherlands-based agencies Blauw and USP are among the customers of MR software supplier Nebu affected by a security breach which may involve data on around two million residents of the country, according to press reports. More
Marketing and communications agency Allison+Partners has launched a multicultural marketing offering called M365, comprising a team with expertise in 'ensuring diverse consumer groups are seen, heard and valued every day of the year'. More
Dublin and London-based researcher RED C has added Ciara Reilly and Bryan Cox to its Group Management Team. More
London-based biopharma product strategy consultancy Prescient Healthcare Group has added three Directors to its Medical Center of Excellence: Michaela Scheiner, Navi Singh Parmar and Sanam Sikander-Rehman. More
In Australia, survey platform Conjointly is offering an AUD 20k research grant, open to researchers from any field who are interested in applying market research techniques to the problem of AI safety. The grant is open to both individuals and teams. More
Canadian polling, MR and strategy firm Leger has promoted Dave Scholz to the role of Chief Strategy Officer, Sandie Sparkman to Chief Growth Officer, and Steve Perrone to Chief Technology Officer. The three now sit on the company's executive Board. More
In the UK, healthcare MR firm Day One Strategy has appointed oncology specialists Jo McDonald, as a Partner, and Gemma McConnell as Research Director. More
SurveyMonkey parent Momentive has agreed to be acquired by a consortium led by insights sector investment firm Symphony Technology Group (STG), for approximately $1.5bn. More
In Australia, strategic consultancy The Influence Group has appointed Shannon Kenna as Managing Director of the Canberra offices of both its research and brand strategy business Pollinate and the group as a whole. More
In the US, radio broadcast company Saga Communications has hired long-time Nielsen / Arbitron exec Mario Christino for the newly created position of Corporate Director of Research. More
Bidding is open now for the annual auction run by UK industry charity the Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA). The event will run until 9pm on Thursday 23rd March. More
In the US, Applied Marketing Science (AMS) has hired academic Dr Tao Sun as Testifying Survey Expert, tasked with providing survey evidence and expert testimony on matters related to trademark and 'trade dress' infringement, false and deceptive advertising, and class action litigation. More
In the UK, the government has appointed two senior execs from NatCen to its 'Evaluation and Trial Advice Panel' (ETAP), which aims to support the design and delivery of robust, high-quality evaluation across government. More
In the US, medical equipment and services provider Spacelabs Healthcare has acquired predictive analytics company PeraHealth, for an undisclosed sum. More
China-based fieldwork and research agency Holden Healthcare has established a partnership alliance called the Asia Physician Panel Association (APPA), aiming to enhance physician panel access across APAC, inclusive of difficult to access markets. More
Jon Priest, SPA co-founder and former CEO of Future Thinking, has joined the Board of full service social and market research agency IFF Research, in the role of Non-Executive Chair. More
In the US, media group Hearst has hired long-time Nielsen exec Jessica Hogue as its first Chief Data Officer, Consumer Media. She takes up the new position on Monday. More
In London, creative and technology company MSQ has hired Anna-Lee Bridgstock - formerly Director of Data, Intelligence and Planning at social media publisher LADbible - for the new role of Partner of Analytics & Insight in its Freemavens division. More
MrWeb's RAIDAR real-time ranking of top companies operating in analytics, insight and data is now fully operational, and you'll see financial results, CEO changes and other items from tonight's Daily Research News reflected in tomorrow's top 40. More
US survey software and solutions firm QuestionPro has acquired Pundit Consultantz, a healthcare innovation and go-to-market commercialization consultancy based in Chicago. Pundit's founder and CEO Arti Bedi Pullins becomes QuestionPro's President and Chief Healthcare Officer. More
In Toronto, Canada, opinion researcher the Angus Reid Group has appointed Andrew Grenville as Executive Vice President of Research. More
UK television audience measurement body Barb has appointed Khaled Serafy as its first Head of Data Science, charged with reviewing, verifying and developing the organisation's complex methods and models. More
In the UK, kids, teens, parents and family market intelligence specialist The Insights Family has made eight new hires across its Technology, Research, Customer Success and Support divisions - as well as four promotions. More
In Australia, independent property data and analytics provider CoreLogic International has agreed to acquire property software development firm Plezzel, for an undisclosed sum. More
Next15's data, MR and advisory company Savanta has launched its first European Consumer Confidence survey, which will be run quarterly to understand a range of factors, including awareness of brands' sustainability and data privacy actions. More
BritainThinks and its subsidiary WorldThinks have combined under a single brand, Thinks Insight & Strategy, which the firm says better reflects the global nature of its business and that of its clients. More
In the UK, government funded public body the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has appointed RSS CEO Stian Westlake as its next Executive Chair. He is expected to take up the role in late spring, succeeding Professor Alison Park who has led the organisation on an interim basis. More
US research and training company Burke, Inc. has promoted Mike Webster for the newly created position of Chief Technology Officer, after more than 28 years with the business. More
A European Parliament Committee has expressed serious doubts about the proposed 'adequacy decision' giving the green light to the latest rules for the transfer of data to and from the US. LIBE says the US commitments lack the robust safeguards and redress mechanisms required by GDPR. More
UK-based Verve, whose expertise includes community panels and culture, has announced the promotion of marketing and comms head Vicki Britton and the appointment of former Streetbees and Kantar exec Jadwiga Kozubek as a Director; as well as a raft of other promotions and hires. More
SurveyMonkey parent Momentive has reported revenue up 8% to $480.9m for full year 2022. The rise is the net effect of rapid growth in the 'sales-assisted' segment - up 27% to $181.3m - while self-serve business remained flat at $299.6m. However the firm says it will also cut 14% of its workforce. More
Ipsos has reported 2022 annual revenue up 12% to EUR 2.4 bn, representing organic growth of 5.6%. In the final quarter of the year, the business grew by 8.8%, including nearly 4% organic growth. More
Ipsos has acquired business-to-business researcher Xperiti, which has operations across the US, Israel and the Philippines. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the US, three former execs of Hall & Partners and Basis Health - Nicola Harte, Scott Kressner and Soumya Roy - have opened a healthcare-focused insights business called Integro. More
Media conglomerate News Corp Australia has launched a research and intelligence service called The Growth D_Stillery, offering consumer insights to help marketers meet brand challenges, anticipate consumer trends and understand where best to invest. More
The UK Statistics Authority has appointed three new Non-Executive Director members (NEDs), including former NatCen CEO Penny Young. Each will serve a four-year term, ending on 12th February 2027. More
In the US, Kristin Masoud has returned to online community specialist C Space as Vice President, Managing Director of its Health division. She replaces Corey Schwartz, who had held the role for the past nine years. More
In the US, market research technology and survey programming company Jibunu has added medical transcription features to its video / audio response capturing tool. More
British tabloid newspaper The Sun has made its consumer insight tool 'Sun Polls' available as a commercial service for brands and educational institutions. More
UK-based social research and insight agency BMG Research has been acquired by environmental, engineering and technical services group RSK for an undisclosed sum. RSK says the deal will support its 175 companies with research and data evaluation services. More
Online survey and research services provider QuestionPro has acquired the assets of Cardiff, Wales-based survey creation platform doopoll, for an undisclosed sum. More
MedTech services specialist ClariMed has acquired UK-based medical 'human factors' and market research provider Harvey Medical. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the UK, economic consultancy Kada Research has expanded its management team, with the appointment of education sector specialist Laura Lane as Associate Director. More
New York-based investor Leeds Equity Partners has paid an undisclosed sum for Gartner's TalentNeuron, which provides human capital data and insights subscription solutions. More
In Australia, mystery shopping agency Lonergan has acquired Prime Auto Mystery Shopping and qual recruitment agency Ava Research, boosting its mystery shopper numbers to 40,000 nationally and its qual database to more than 70,000 respondents. Terms of the deals have not been disclosed. More
In the UK, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has appointed Joe Caluori as Director of Crime, Justice and Equalities, while Nathan Hudson takes on the role of Deputy Director of Equalities. More
Australian media intelligence company Truescope has acquired US-based competitor Universal Information Services (UIS), for an undisclosed sum. More
In the US, social media management software provider Sprout Social has acquired sentiment analysis and natural language processing business Repustate. Terms were not disclosed. More
London-based insight and strategy consultancy BritainThinks has appointed former Kantar exec Max Mawby, to establish a Behavioural Science team that complements its existing insight, communications and engagement offering. More
Big Village, the ad tech and data company formerly known as ENGINE, has appointed Jeron Hernandez as VP Client Development, based in Chicago. More
Digital media measurement, data and analytics platform DoubleVerify (DV) has expanded its partnership with Twitter, to enable advertisers to verify and analyse the quality of their US-based advertising campaigns on Twitter's home timeline. More
In the UK, full service agency BMG Research has appointed long-time NatCen exec Caroline Turley as Client Leadership Director. More
In the US, healthcare customer feedback specialist Authenticx has raised $20m in a Series B round of funding, which it will use to further develop its machine learning and product engineering, drive its sales and marketing efforts, and further expand the business. More
In Australia, Kantar has expanded its Commercial and Sustainability leadership teams with four senior appointments. Ryan France is increasing his brand strategy role to lead the company's Sustainability practice, while Kim Ruyten will implement the company's ESG capability. More
Branding Science Group has promoted Jo Gryniewicz to the role of President of the company in the US. More
In the UK, long-time BBC Children's exec Rachel Bardill has joined kids, teens, parents and family market intelligence provider The Insights Family, to lead its Marketing and Partnerships team. She is based in Manchester. More
In Melbourne, purpose-driven communications agency Think HQ has appointed former Bank of Australia strategy leader Fiona Nixon as Head of Strategy and Research. More
As of today, you can filter MrWeb's recently-launched real-time ranking of top companies providing MR, insights, data and analytics activities, to include just one type (eg Full Service) or one headquarters country. Another ten firms have been assessed and added, making it a top 40. More
New York-based firm Blackbird.AI has released a major upgrade of its Constellation risk analytics platform for conversational and social data. More
In the US, research firm Applied Marketing Science (AMS) has named Patricia (Patty) Yanes a Testifying Survey Expert, acting as an authority in applying conjoint analysis as a basis for damages models in class actions. More
In the US, President Joe Biden has called for legislation to protect users' privacy by limiting targeted advertising, and banning it completely for children. More
In the US, J.D. Power has acquired electric vehicle (EV) data company ZappyRide for an undisclosed sum. More
Kyckr, a London-based supplier of legally-authoritative B2B customer and supplier data, has been acquired by Australian billionaire tech-entrepreneur Richard White, through his personal investment vehicle RealWise. Terms were not disclosed. More
Text analytics software firm Relative Insight has launched Relative Health - a solution to help pharmaceutical, healthcare, biotech and medical device companies and their agencies analyse and visualise industry-specific text data. More
UK-based healthcare insights company Research Partnership has appointed Gareth Phillips as its new CEO, as co-founding Directors Mary Assimakopoulos and Mark Jeffery step back from the day-to-day operation of the business. They remain on the senior team as advisors. More
In the UK, insights agency Blue Marble has hired Olivier Boelman and Amelie Treppass as Research Directors and Brigid Eades as a Research Executive, following strong growth in 2022. More
Pharma and biotech insight and analytics firm SAI MedPartners has acquired Waltham, MA-based primary MR firm Fulcrum Research Group, which also focuses on the healthcare and biopharma sectors. More
The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has fined Facebook parent Meta EUR 390m for breaking EU privacy rules, following the $725m settlement revealed in a US lawsuit this week and with a UK case looming at the end of the month. More
Ipsos has announced two appointments to its global Executive Committee: Valerie Vezinhet as Chief People Officer and Michel Guidi as Chief Operating Officer. More
In the US, Meta, the parent of Facebook, has agreed to settle a lawsuit relating to the Cambridge Analytica data breach, and will pay $725m, reportedly the largest sum in a privacy-based class action. More
That's it for another year from DRNO - our next issue will be for January 3rd 2023. Our very best wishes for a Merry Christmas to all those of you celebrating it, a Happy New Year to all readers, and a big Thank You as ever for your support and feedback in 2022. More
Today we're launching RAIDAR. Like an industry top 30 companies list, but instead of publishing it once a year, we'll update it every day based on yesterday's DRNO stories and other company data; show our workings; include companies never before considered; and allow sorting by a long list of criteria. More
Following a request from professional body the Insights Association, a Bill introduced in the US Congress would require the Census Bureau to provide much greater detail on its controversial Ask US Panel project. More
Paris-based macroeconomic, corporate and environmental intelligence provider QuantCube Technology has raised an undisclosed amount of funding in a Series B round, for use in continued global expansion. More
Toronto-based physician insights and engagement platform KeyOps has raised CAD $4m in a seed round of funding, which it will use to fuel expansion in the US, while growing its physician network across North America. More
In London, biopharma product strategy consultancy Prescient Healthcare Group has promoted Dr Debasish Talukdar to the role of Chief Executive Officer, as founder Jamie Denison-Pender moves into a new position focused on corporate development and M&A. More
Simon Redlich, Chief Executive of UK media ad currency body and auditor ABC, has been re-elected as Global President of the International Federation of Audit Bureaux of Certification (IFABC) for a second term. More
Lee Gazey, former Hall & Partners Global CEO of Health, has joined London-based consultancy Brand Dynamics as Head of Health Dynamics, a specialist team working with health and pharma clients. More
SurveyMonkey and GetFeedback parent Momentive has brought in Rich Sullivan as CFO, overseeing all aspects of its finance function. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has given both its new Sustainability Research Award and this year's Liz Nelson Grand Prix Award to The Behavioural Architects and New South Wales Department of Planning & Environment, for work which resulted in an increase in tree planting in Sydney. More
Kantar Public, the division recently sold to investor Trilantic Europe, has announced the appointment of former VMLY&R exec Mark Hinton-Jones as its new Global CFO. More
Industry body ESOMAR is to rerun its elections for Council after uncovering what it calls 'serious misconduct'. The association has fired two members of staff, but stresses that no complaints have been made about the conduct of candidates. More
In Australia, data collection agency TKW Research Group has acquired mystery shopping specialist Retail Reality, for an undisclosed sum. More
In Canada, environmental, social and governance (ESG) insight platform FigBytes has raised $10m in a funding round, along with a $4.5m debt facility, and will use them to expand its sales and marketing, customer success and product development initiatives in North America, Europe and India. More
Next15's data, MR and advisory group Savanta has merged four previously acquired companies - ComRes, MSI, YouthSight and MindSpark - under the Savanta brand name. More
Cologne, Germany-based media intelligence provider UNICEPTA has acquired British-based digital and media intelligence specialist Marble Global, for an undisclosed sum. More
Apollo Intelligence, which provides data and insights to the healthcare and life science industries, has hired Rey Lado for the new role role of Chief People Officer. More
Chicago-based consumer insight specialist Numerator has added LGBTQ+ demographic attributes to its Numerator Insights platform, which provides access to a further 2,500 demographic, psychographic and media consumption attributes that consumers share directly with Numerator. More
Canada's Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) has announced that it has agreed to support the transition of its members to the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC), ESOMAR, and CAIP Canada, as it winds down the organisation. More
UK insight agency Walnut Unlimited has launched a division called Walnut Social Research, bringing together public sector and social researchers previously operating under the ICM Unlimited brand name, which has now been retired. More
Kids, teens, parents and family market intelligence provider The Insights Family has appointed Clive Maudsley as Managing Director, replacing Will Pearce, who had held the position for less than a year. Meanwhile founder Nick Richardson is stepping down from as CEO to focus on specific areas. More
In the US, former Facebook / Meta data director Kamal Shaik has joined real estate sector social media app REAL Messenger as Chief Data Officer (CDO). More
Munich, Germany-based health insights company Temedica has raised EUR 42m in Series B funding, including a new EUR 25m extension. Money will be used to expand its range of solutions providing 'holistic insights into the care realities and journeys of millions of patients'. More
Sponsorship intel company SponsorPulse has partnered with first-party data platform Dynata and programmatic media firm MiQ to launch its Audience Network in North America, enabling advertisers to reach target audiences across sport, music, entertainment and charities. More
Global tech consulting and outsourcing giant Capgemini has acquired behaviour change specialist 23red for an undisclosed sum. More
VeraData, which offers a data science platform for donor acquisition and reactivation in the non-profit sector, has raised a 'significant' investment from private equity firm Beringer Capital, for investment in 'talent, capabilities, and technology'. More
In the UK, Kantar Public has appointed former ONS exec Ed Dunn as Senior Director in Population Studies. More
In the US, global comms intelligence company Cision has acquired social media and news media monitoring and analytics product Factmata, which uses AI to identify and track 'fake news' across articles, blogs, tweets and other social media conversations. Terms were not disclosed. More
In Australia, communications agency alt/shift/ has launched a Behaviour Change division, to provide research-based tools for in-house campaign development. More
Stockholm, Sweden-based brand tracking and consumer science specialist Nepa has appointed Sonja Thorngren as Chief Financial Officer, following the recent resignation of Ann-Christine Fick. Thorngren will join the company and the group management team on 6th February next year. More
The US Census Bureau has moved Albert Fontenot to the newly created role of Executive Senior Advisor for Decennial Census Programs, with long-time employee Deborah Stempowski taking over his previous position as Associate Director for the Programs. More
In Australia, research and brand strategy consultancy Pollinate has launched a Sustainability division, to help organisations understand society's expectations in the area, and adjust business goals to meet shifting demand. More
In the US, customer and employee engagement specialist PeopleMetrics has acquired market research consultancy The Melior Group for an undisclosed sum. More
SurveyMonkey owner Momentive has reported a net loss of $20.3m during the third quarter, down from $22.9m a year earlier, while revenue rose 6% to $121.4m. More
In the US, decision intelligence company Morning Consult has expanded its Economic Research division with the appointment of two former Federal Reserve Board analysts, Sofia Baig and Akber Khan, who join as Economic Research Analysts. More
In the US, multi-mode healthcare fieldwork company GlocalMind has appointed long-time Dynata exec Tim McCarthy as Senior Vice President, Client Services. More
Insurance and energy sectors analyst Verisk has sold its Edinburgh-based research and consulting company Wood Mackenzie to investor Veritas Capital for $3.1 billion in cash, with an additional 'contingent consideration' of up to $200m. More
Momentive's research software solution SurveyMonkey has formed a partnership with the Penn Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies (PORES), to understand the driving forces behind the 2022 US midterm elections. More
In the US, Suffolk University's Sawyer Business School has integrated iMotions' biosensor research platform to launch an on-campus human behavior lab called X-Lab, which is dedicated to advancing academic research and integrating it into the school's curriculum. More
London-based strategic insight agency Truth Consulting has appointed former Yonder director Hamish Asser as Senior Director, to help grow the company's quant offer and capabilities. More
Culture, community panels and smart digital research specialist Verve has launched a service called 'People & Planet', to help brands develop consumer-centric ESG strategies and initiatives (environmental, social and governance). More
Dr David Theodore Bottomley AM, who has died aged 97, started one of the first market research consultancies in Australia, and convened the first meeting of what later became the country's national research association (now The Research Society). More
Cologne, Germany-based media intelligence provider UNICEPTA has acquired Swiss media analysis firm Adwired; and has announced the launch of a new media review service called Executive News Briefing. More
In Romania, media monitoring and analysis agency Klarmedia has announced the acquisition of competitor firm Media Image Group, for an undisclosed sum. More
Ipsos has reported a 14.3% increase in reported third quarter revenue, to EUR 601.5m from EUR 526.3m a year earlier. Organic revenue growth was 5.3%, while 8.0% resulted from currency effects. More
In the UK, Ipsos has appointed Nathan Bransden as Director of Strategy and Advisory, a new policy consultancy within the group's Public Affairs division. More
In the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is warning organisations to assess the public risks of using emotion analysis technologies, before implementing these systems. The regulator says those firms which do not 'act responsibly' will be investigated. More
A third (33%) of the global public personally trust market research companies, compared to 19% who don't, according to the latest GRBN Global Trust Survey. More
In the UK, the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) has confirmed that Dr Andrew Garrett will be its next President, when Professor Sylvia Richardson's term of office comes to a close at the end of this year. More
In Galway, Ireland, investigative intelligence analytics specialist Siren has appointed Dr Ryan Clarke as Managing Director of a new strategic and applied projects division, Siren Consulting. More
Digital Technology Advisory Group (DTAG), the former Cello Health unit recently sold to a private equity firm, has announced an investment in brand sustainability insights specialist Citizen Good Consulting. More
Full service B2B research-focused Australian agency ACA Research has announced five new hires: Senior Account Managers Phil Newbold and Natasha Burnley; Account Manager Melissa Borg, Account Executive Paj Johnstone and Graduate Researcher Angus McLachlan. More
SurveyMonkey owner Momentive Global Inc has been approached regarding a possible sale and is discussing its options with advisors, according to Bloomberg. More
Ipsos has promoted twenty-year company veteran Lauren Demar to Chief Sustainability Officer and Global Head of ESG. More
Auckland, New Zealand-based insight consultancy TRA Group (The Research Agency) has appointed futurist and trend forecaster Laura Mulcahy in the newly created role of Director, Cultural Strategy. She is based in its Melbourne office, where two other senior hires have also been announced. More
Consumer data giant IRI has teamed up with Lasso Partners, a healthcare marketing and analytics platform within the IQVIA group, to give users of the latter's proprietary audience builder, Blueprint, access to IRI's purchase data for CPG and OTC healthcare products. More
SurveyMonkey parent company Momentive has made 11% of its workforce redundant, as part of what it calls a restructuring plan to improve operating margins and improve efficiency. More
Netflix has joined Disney+ in signing up with BARB, the UK's audience measurement body - a major move forward in measurement of streaming services and the first time Netflix has joined an industry-owned audience currency. More
Kantar has launched its Sustainable Transformation Practice in New Zealand, led by Executive Director Jason Cate. More
Israel-based sustainability intelligence provider Continue AI has raised $5.7m in a seed round of funding, which it will use to accelerate its R&D and go-to-market efforts. More
Experience management (XM) platform Qualtrics has launched a 'Government Web Experience' solution, asking public sector site users about their experiences and helping with web design, content and performance optimization. More
In the US, location and behavior-based targeting firm Gravy Analytics has launched a privacy-enhancing technology called PrivacyCheck, to help organizations ensure location data generated at sensitive locations is not used, shared or resold. More
President Joe Biden has signed an executive order outlining US commitments to safeguarding personal data in transfers between the States and the EU. The rules slot into the new Privacy Framework agreed in principle in March this year, intended to replace the fallen Privacy Shield arrangement. More
UK television audience measurement body BARB is looking for suppliers to recruit for an expanded panel. Submissions are due by 7th November 2022, with work beginning in January. More
Indian healthcare and medical fieldwork specialist Krea has re-appointed Sridhar Mani, this time as Chief Revenue Officer, based in the firm's Chennai headquarters. More
In the UK, specialist research, evidence and advisory business Kantar Public has appointed Zarina Ward as Chief People Officer, and as a member of the Global Management Board. More
In the US, online survey and research services provider QuestionPro has launched a tool called CX Reputation, which monitors and analyzes public ratings from reviews sites and other sources about a company's brands or products, and provides insights based on this feedback. More
In the US, media intelligence and analysis provider Muck Rack has raised $180m in a Series A round of funding, which it will use for continued company growth and to enhance its offerings. More
New York-based consumer trend insights business Cassandra has hired Claire Richland as Manager of its syndicated young consumer study, the Cassandra Report. More
London-based strategy and insight consultancy Basis has appointed Paul Eccles as Managing Partner its Health division in New York. More
Cultural insights and strategy consultancy Crowd DNA has opened an office in Los Angeles, headed by recently appointed David Stewart. The firm has also hired Hina Hussain as Head of Agency in New York, and Radha Patel as a Director in Singapore. More
In Washington DC, decision intelligence company Morning Consult has appointed long-time Ipsos exec Jessica Schneider as Global Head of Client Services. More
Long-time Kantar group CEO Eric Salama has been appointed as Global Chair of recently divested unit Kantar Public. More
YouGov has launched free 'Lite' versions of its BrandIndex and Profiles tools, allowing users to analyse their target audiences and track brand performance for no charge. More
Dublin, Ireland-based research agency Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A) has hired former RDSi director Davina O'Donoghue as a full-time Board Director. More
In the US, marcoms network Stagwell has launched a Risk and Reputation business unit, to help business leaders audit the issues most important to their stakeholders, develop proactive and reactive strategies, and monitor and measure the impact of positions on business reputation. More
Dublin-based RED C Research has promoted five members of its team, including Brian Greene to the position of Head of Data Analytics. More
Marcoms agency Allison+Partners has launched a methodology called Brandgeist IQ (BGIQ), to measure the real-time cultural relevance of brands. More
Toronto, Canada-based online and telephone data collection agency The Logit Group has agreed to acquire the assets and business of US-based Issues & Answers (I&A), including its Virginia Beach head office. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the US, healthcare market research firm InCrowd has launched a syndicated MR solution called 'Essentials' to provide life sciences companies with ongoing, real-time access to market performance metrics. More
In Australia, PR platform Medianet has renamed its Mediaverse research business 'Medianet Insights', and says it will provide analysis to subscribers of the parent company's PR plans without the need for a separate media monitoring service. More
In the UK, full-service agency IFF Research has appointed Hilary Burkitt, Sarah Cheesbrough, Daniel Pearmain and Jagjit Dosanjh-Elton as Directors in its London office. Dosanjh-Elton has been named the company's first Chief Financial Officer. More
Web data platform Bright Data has announced the acquisition of eCommerce insights provider Market Beyond, adding digital shelf analytics to its range of services. On the back of this buy, the firm is launching a new division, Bright Insights. More
German research firms Exevia GmbH and Psyma Health & CARE have announced a merger, and with immediate effect will operate within the larger Psyma Group AG as Psyma+Exevia Health GmbH. More
In the US, the Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against attribution and measurement solutions company Kochava, claiming its sells sensitive geolocation data from mobile devices. Kochava says it's fully compliant and is now suing the FTC in return. More
US-based 'customer-centric' insights specialist Gongos has promoted Meaghan Hafner to Vice President, Health Care. More
Next15's data and insights division Savanta has acquired London-based research firm Motif, a 40-strong consumer and b2b agency providing expertise in customer experience, brand strategy and proposition development. Terms were not disclosed. More
Community panels pioneer and culture expert Verve has launched ignite@VERVE, a new offer combining its heritage in communities and smart digital research with a range of proprietary tools including AI, a global network of 'cultural and creative individuals', and a new cultural values framework. More
In Singapore, government and public sector research and advisory business Kantar Public has appointed Cheryl Chung to lead its policy advisory business in Singapore. More
In London, B2B marketing specialist alan. has announced the launch of a research division called Integrated Intelligence, which it says aims 'to fundamentally change how B2B marketers understand their industries'. Josh Cohen and Emilie Pirson will lead the new unit. More
Kantar has completed the sale of Kantar Public to pan-European private equity firm Trilantic Europe. Financial terms have not been disclosed. More
Kantar has announced unaudited results for the first half of 2022, with 'gross revenue' up 5% (at constant currency rates) to $1.832bn and adjusted EBITDA up 6% to $310m. Unadjusted, revenue was down 1.8% to $1.566bn, while one-off events contributed to an operating loss of $88m. More
Purple Strategies, a corporate reputation firm based in Alexandria, Virginia, has completed a growth recapitalization with Boston-based private equity firm WestView Capital Partners. Purple combines full-service research capabilities with political / campaign strategy and execution. More
UK-based insight group STRAT7 has acquired Jigsaw Research, which is based in London and also has an office in the US. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the UK, parcel delivery giant Evri, which was previously known as Hermes, has hired MoneySuperMarket's former Chief Data Scientist Harvinder Atwal for a newly created role, Chief Data Officer. He is based in London. More
Insights Association subsidiary CIRQ (the Certification Institute for Research Quality) has been accredited to audit and certify MR and data analytics companies to the ISO 27701 Standard, which supports compliance with the EU's GDPR, California's CCPA, and other data privacy requirements. More
The US Census Bureau is inviting the public to share their ideas for an improved 2030 Census, saying that feedback is critical for informing plans for the next decennial headcount. More
YouGov has promoted Laura Robbie, previously MD Australia, to the role of CEO of the Asia Pacific region, replacing Julien Chevignon who becomes CEO for Western Europe. More
Google has agreed to pay around $AUD 60m ($US 40m) to settle claims that it misled consumers about use of their location data, back in 2017-18. More
US trade body the Insights Association has filed comments with California's CPPA aiming to limit the negative impact of the state's privacy rules in the insights industry. Separately, the FTC has begun the process of drafting new privacy rules which are likely to restrict online data collection. More
A group of five consultancies have come together to launch an initiative called Diversity Unlimited, aiming to encourage corporates to buy research, analytics and insight solutions from diverse-owned businesses. More
In the UK, long-time healthcare sector researcher Hannah Osborn has launched an agency called Pure Healthcare Strategy, providing clients with bespoke life sciences marketing intelligence and strategic advice. More
EU regulators are proposing a EUR 60m fine on French ad tech company Criteo for consumer tracking, profiling and targeting activities said to breach GDPR. The company 'strongly disagrees' with the findings, has time to respond in detail, and a final decision is likely to be taken in 2023. More
Growing Bath / Bristol-based market and social research agency Blue Marble has promoted Tom Clarkson to be its first Managing Director. More
In the UK, market and social research agency Blue Marble Research has appointed Nadia Chan as Research Manager and Evie Fleck as Research Executive, while promoting Oscar Maclagan to the role of Senior Research Executive. More
Online research, data and analytics tech firm YouGov has expanded in Latin America with the opening of an office in Mexico City, serving the research needs of brands and agencies in the region and providing operational support for the firm's work across the Americas. More
In India, strategy consulting firm Oncofocus Solutions has spun off its primary market research unit into a separate business within the group, called decodeMR. More
In London, government and public sector evidence and advisory business Kantar Public has appointed long-time PwC exec Lucy Birch as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and as a member of the global Board. More
In Washington DC, the Senate Appropriations Committee has voiced concerns that the US Census Bureau's plans to create a probability-based nationwide representative survey panel for tracking public opinion - called the Ask US Panel - lack transparency. More
Australian market research technology platform Glow has rolled out its ESG (environmental, social and governance) / sustainability brand tracker, the Social Responsibility Score (SRS), in the US and UK. More
Washington, DC-based research-led consulting firm Heart+Mind Strategies has launched three industry-specific practices - Travel and Tourism, Public Policy and Issues, and Healthcare - as well as a Brand and Communications Strategy practice that operates across all industries. More
Global MR membership organisation ESOMAR has appointed Parves Khan as its new Director General and Chief Executive Officer, following the departure of Finn Raben earlier in the year. More
Ipsos has reported second quarter revenue of EUR 574.0m, representing organic growth of 2.1% (reported growth 8.9%). After exceptional results in Q1, the group cited global events and the end of Covid measurement contracts - as well as strong comparatives from Q2 2021 - for the lower figures. More
UK TV audience measurement body BARB has hired former InSites Consulting exec Matt Laycock for a newly created position, Audiences Director. He joins on 26th September. More
Next15's data and insights group Savanta has launched 'Business Essentials', a suite of products which it says offers a 'low cost, high value alternative to traditional research and insights'. More
Long-time Nielsen and Univision audience researcher Ceril Shagrin, described as 'a fierce champion of transparent and inclusive measurement', died peacefully in Miami on July 3rd, at the age of 89. More
In London, insight-led integrated agency group UNLIMITED has appointed Elinor Jones as Managing Partner, to cover all government accounts, with a seat on TMW UNLIMITED's leadership team. More
In New York, Plus Media Solutions (+Media) has launched a platform called the +Impact Hub, through which organizations can measure and optimize audience engagement and develop and execute data-driven marketing and sustainability strategies. More
The Market Research Society of India (MRSI) has named Manish Makhijani, Global Insights Director of Hindustan Unilever, as President of its Managing Committee for the period 2022-2024. He takes over from Sandeep Arora, EVP and Global Head - Research & Analytics Solutions at Datamatics. More
In Australia, market and social research agency McNair yellowSquares has acquired focus group recruitment agency Qualitative Recruitment Australia (QRA), for an undisclosed sum. More
IBM Watson Health has completed the sale of its healthcare data and analytics assets to investment firm Francisco Partners. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the US, cultural intelligence company Collage Group has raised $25m in an inaugural round of growth capital, which it will use for investments in sales and marketing, and for continued development of its data science and technology platform. More
NielsenIQ and GfK have announced an agreement through which the two firms will be 'combined', with NielsenIQ's owner Advent International being the majority shareholder. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In London, data science and consumer behaviour prediction specialist Black Swan Data has raised $18.5m in a growth funding round, part of which it will use to expand further into the US market. More
Biopharma product and portfolio consultancy Prescient has opened an office in Barcelona, Spain, where it has appointed Dr Olga Fidalgo González and Claudio Jouanneau as leaders in its Advisory business. More
In Australia, communications agency Think HQ has appointed qual researcher Som Sengmany as Multicultural Insights Director in its CultureVerse division, which provides diverse research, strategy and creative production. More
Kantar Australia has appointed Bethan Hockey in the newly created role of Head of Sustainability in its Insights Division. More
In the US, information services company GovExec has acquired RFP and procurement data provider CJIS GROUP, for an undisclosed sum. More
In the US, healthcare MR consultancy Research Partnership has appointed Janet Powers as a Director in the MedTech division. More
New York-based market intelligence platform AlphaSense has raised $225m in a Series D round of funding, valuing the company at $1.7 billion - nearly double the figure after its $180m Series C round just nine months ago. More
Independent British-based insight consultancy Trinity McQueen has announced sales of £7.4m in the year ending March 2022; some ten per cent up on the pre-pandemic figure (year ending March 2020). More
In the UK, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) says it will officially launch its Centre for Children and Families - first announced more than a year ago - on Monday 27th June. More
UK-based MR agency OnePoll has appointed Amy Price as Research Manager, while making five other hires across its London and Bristol offices, and promoting two researchers in Bristol. More
In the US, global analytics and advisory firm Gallup has promoted Jon Clifton to the role of Chief Executive Officer. He replaces his father, Jim Clifton, who had served as the firm's CEO since 1988 and will remain as Chairman of the Board. More
Business sustainability ratings provider EcoVadis has raised $500m in a Series C round of funding, valuing the company at $1bn. The firm will use these funds to accelerate its global expansion, deepen its artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, and make strategic acquisitions. More
Ipsos has unveiled a four-year plan to accelerate growth and shareholder value. This will include the group spending between EUR 100m and EUR 200m per year on 'smart acquisitions', while doubling its investments in data analytics, technology and 'knowledge panels'. More
UK-based agency group UNLIMITED and ad agency group Pablo have jointly won a £22m Cabinet Office contract, which will combine the former's Human Understanding Lab with the latter's creative expertise, to help deliver public service communications. More
Strategy Analytics has launched the Electric Vehicles Service (EVS), promising a 'holistic view' for clients tracking global and regional developments across battery technologies, charging infrastructure, systems and sensors. More
UK TV audience measurement body BARB has hired Caroline Baxter for the newly created role of Research Operations Director, and will recruit an Audiences Director to work with her. The creation of these two roles follows the resignation of Research Director Simon Bolus. More
In the US, cookieless targeting specialist Semcasting has added L2 voter and consumer data to its 'ADS' data ID resolution, audience design and attribution platform, allowing clients to enhance their first-party audiences. More
In the US, healthcare-focused private equity firm Frazier has acquired Apollo Intelligence, which provides data and insights to the healthcare and life science industries. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
London-based culture, communities and 'smart digital insight' firm Verve has strengthened its strategic insight offer with the appointment of former Hall & Partners and Breaking Blue exec Dr Adele James as Behavioural Scientist. Digital anthropologist Lily Echanis also joins the firm. More
In Australia, M&C Saatchi-owned MR agency The Source has launched a kids and youth research and insight division, named after the children's game 'Duck, Duck, Goose'. More
Ipsos has appointed Dr Jessica Ozan as the new Head of Education, Children and Families (ECF) within its Public Affairs division. More
Kantar has announced unaudited results for the first quarter of calendar 2022, including pro forma, currency-adjusted gross revenue up 6% to $911m, and adjusted EBITDA of $144m, up 16% from a year earlier and almost twice the pre-Covid Q1 2019 figure. More
UK watchdog the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced a further investigation into Google's use of ad tech in three areas - demand-side platform, ad exchange and publisher ad server - due to concerns it may undermine competition. More
Recently-formed PR and comms monitoring group Onclusive has announced the acquisition of US-based media monitoring platform Critical Mention, for an undisclosed sum. More
Touchstone Research has made five recent appointments: Patricia Lopez and Michelle Richard as Senior Qualitative Analysts, Jack Keelan and Erik Erwin as Senior Project Directors, and Michael Kozloski as a Senior Quantitative Analyst. More
In the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has fined facial recognition firm Clearview AI more than £7.5m for using images of people in the UK, and elsewhere, collected from the web and social media to create a global online database. More
In the UK, full-service agency BMG Research has opened an office in the London Bridge-based News UK Building, having closed its previous London base during the pandemic due to working from home. More
Healthcare specialist M3 Global Research has acquired Germany-based pharma-insight GmbH, which offers a portfolio of MR services to the life sciences industry, including access to a dedicated healthcare panel. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
US company UrbanFootprint has raised $25m in a Series B round of funding, which it will use to accelerate its delivery of climate and community intelligence to the energy, government, finance and real estate sectors. More
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) experience platform Included has raised a $3.5m seed round of funding, which it will use to expand its engineering team and support engineering, product, marketing and sales initiatives. More
In the US, experience management specialist Qualtrics has launched a solution called Community Pulse, allowing state and local government departments to use technology to understand and respond to the experiences of their constituents. More
Consumer intelligence tech and insights firm Converseon has expanded its Predictive Reputation Intelligence Solution (PRIS) to include near real-time assessment of reputation, including the impact of reputation management decisions on business outcomes. More
Independent social and market research agency IFF Research has made two dozen promotions - equivalent to 20% of its team - following 18% revenue growth in 2021-2. More
Kantar has sold its Kantar Public business to private equity firm Trilantic Europe for an undisclosed sum. Following the sale Kantar Public will establish itself as an independent evidence and advisory company for government and public sector organisations. More
In London, Kantar Public has appointed Alex Hurrell as Head of Evaluation, leading the continuing growth of its evaluation offer with UK government and public sector clients. More
In the US, analytics and advisory firm Escalent, formerly Market Strategies International-Morpace, has expanded its Life Sciences Advisory practice with the addition of four Vice Presidents: Courtney Kerwin, Mike Berinato, Donna Patton and Carla Essen. More
In the US, Radix, an industry data provider and visualization platform for the multifamily residential property sector, has raised $11m in a Series A round of funding, for use in scaling its technology. More
London-based data science-led communications management and measurement company Onclusive has hired Matthew Piercy for the newly created role of Chief Financial Officer. More
UK-based management consultancy Analysys Mason has acquired US specialist satellite and space market research and consulting services provider Northern Sky Research (NSR) for an undisclosed sum. More
New York City-based B2B marketing research agency Adience has opened an office in London, where it has appointed James Keeling as Vice President. More
In the UK, social research practice Basis Social has appointed Victoria Harkness as a Senior Director, spearheading its quantitative offering. More
North American energy market data provider Yes Energy has received a 'significant investment' from tech-focused private equity firm Accel-KKR. The funds will be invested in Yes Energy's power market data and product suite, and will support partnerships and acquisition opportunities. More
In San Francisco, sustainability insights platform Higg has raised $50m in a Series B round of funding. The investment will be used to accelerate delivery of the firm's tech solutions and expansion into new consumer goods categories such as outdoor, automotive, toys, and home goods. More
In the US, industry body the Insights Association (IA) has appointed directors in three newly created positions: former Nielsen exec Cindy Neumann as Director, Research; Aman Ayalew as Director, Marketing; and Charlene Darko as Director, Chapters, Committees & Councils. More
In the US, customer and employee experience specialist Medallia has partnered with Northwestern Medicine to develop a tool called Medallia Magnet Solution, automating survey administration and reporting requirements and providing hospitals with insights to help improve patient experience. More
Ipsos has reported 12.3% first quarter organic revenue growth and a 17.5% reported increase to EUR 547.8m. The firm says it is planning an 'exciting range' of potential acquisitions in key sectors and territories, especially in the USA. More
In Manchester, UK, corporate reputation specialist Steve Leigh has opened a research, measurement and evaluation consultancy called Sensu. The firm promises to help clients understand their audience; track reputation, profile and influence; and improve the quality of communications. More
ESOMAR has appointed Geraldine Proust as Head of Public Affairs and Professional Standards, responsible for leading global advocacy efforts; managing industry relationships and strategic partnerships; and developing and enforcing global regulatory professional standards for the industry. More
Marcoms group Stagwell, owner of the Harris and Harris Poll brands, has opened an office in Brazil. The new venture will be led by Vinicius Reis as President, alongside Andre Kassu, CCO & Partner at Stagwell agency CPB Brazil, and Marcos Medeiros, CCO & Partner CPB Brazil. More
In New York, behavioral science insights agency BEESY has appointed long-time Ipsos exec Pam Vanover as Director, Research Operations. More
Crypto finance intelligence provider Coin Metrics has raised $35m in Series C financing, boosting its new product innovation and supporting international expansion. More
US agency Horizon Media has partnered with Nielsen to develop eMbrace, a new communications and media planning platform designed to help companies engage multicultural audiences. More
Behavioural science consultancy The Behavioural Architects (TBA) has hired 29 new members of staff across its global offices - twelve in China, seven in Australia, and ten in the UK. More
Trend analysis specialist Stylus has promoted former COO Victoria Rennie to Chief Executive, succeeding founder Marc Worth who moves to the role of Executive Chairman. More
Consumer insights provider Toluna and its sister firm Harris Interactive have partnered to conduct 2022 French elections weekly polling, to understand citizens' preferred candidates, voting intentions, and out-of-polling station results. More
In the US, information services company GovExec has acquired Power Almanac, which provides business intelligence (BI) on the housing market and insights on US local government decision-makers. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In London, Kantar Public has hired former Alan Turing Institute exec Christine Foster for the newly created role of Global Chief Product Officer, Data Science. More
US-based consumer data privacy start-up Cloaked has raised $25m in a Series A round of funding, which it will use to continue to improve its technology and exit beta, scale its team, and establish partnerships within the industry. More
Media insights and business intelligence firm Truescope has raised $6.2m in funding, to support its expansion plans which include its launch in the US market and the further development of its platform. More
The United States government and the European Commission have trailered a new Trans-Atlantic Data Privacy Framework, addressing concerns which led to the demise of the last one in mid-2020, and allowing data to flow more freely again between the two. Critics are already clearing their diaries for 'Schrems III'. More
India's Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) has named IPG Mediabrands India CEO Shashi Sinha as President, succeeding Punit Goenka, MD & CEO of Zee Entertainment Enterprises. More
Canadian polling, MR and strategy provider Leger has appointed William Braün as Vice President, Customer Experience and Implementation Solutions, responsible for leading and managing the Leger CX division. More
New Jersey-based secure data collaboration specialist Karlsgate has closed an oversubscribed $4 million seed funding round, which it will use to develop its compliant data connectivity network (DCN) solution. More
In New York, behavioral science insights agency BEESY has appointed long-time pharma sector researcher Dorothy Vaughan as Senior Business Strategist. More
Business governance, risk and compliance specialist Diligent has secured a US patent for a method dubbed 'organizational health analysis', which provides directors and execs with insights about their companies, industries and peers from news, social media and other online media sources. More
British multi-platform media group Future plc has acquired Waive, which uses machine learning to identify social media trends. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Ipsos has merged its business in Bolivia with MR and public opinion firm CIESMORI. More
Kantar Public, the global group's evidence and advisory business for governments and the public sector, has appointed current WPP exec Kathryn Cooper in the new role of Global Head of Behavioural and Communications Advisory. More
More than one million households completed Scotland's Census 2022, ahead of Census Day which was yesterday, 20th March. More
Despite suspending its business in Ukraine, Kantar has decided to continue paying salaries to employees there until the end of the war. More
In Washington DC, decision intelligence company Morning Consult is expanding its Geopolitical Risk Analysis division with the appointment of Sonnet Frisbie as Managing Director, Geopolitical Risk Analyst for EMEA. More
Private equity firm Arsenal Capital has merged Cello Health and four of its other firms to launch Lumanity, offering medical sector product development, market access and commercialization services. Former Cello Health Insight CEO Nicola Cowland becomes the new firm's Global President, Insight. More
In New York, digital ad standard-setting body the IAB Tech Lab has appointed Jason Jed Raqueno as Senior Director, Privacy, Identity & Data Protection. More
In the UK, Kantar has appointed Michael Uzielli as Group Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Ian Griffiths, who is stepping down to take a new role as a Senior Advisor with private equity firm Bain Capital, Kantar's majority shareholder. Uzielli will take up his new post in June. More
Ipsos India has reorganized its leadership lineup, with the promotion of seven members of its team. More
The US Census Bureau has launched the Community Resilience Estimates (CRE) tool, to help the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) measure the risk of every neighborhood in the United States, should disaster strike. More
In the US, mystery shopping agency A Closer Look has launched a specialist division covering the senior living sector. More
Harris Poll owner Stagwell Group has reported on a year of rapid growth, with a pro forma net revenue rise of 11.3% in Q4 of 2021 and 14.5% over the full 12 months. More
Cultural insights and strategy consultancy Crowd DNA has named Dave Power Head of Agency for London, replacing Laura Warby, who moves into a part-time role. Additionally, the firm is planning to open a second US office, located in Los Angeles. More
In New York, trend spotting agency sparks & honey is to launch two new practices: Youth Culture and Policy & Philanthropy, to be headed up respectively by newly promoted VP Hannah Hickman and SVP Robb Henzi. More
In the US, cultural intelligence specialist Collage Group has launched a syndicated 'Parents & Kids Cultural Intelligence Program', to provide brands with the insights they need to engage with parents and kids across race and ethnicity. More
Omnicom-owned MR and language strategy firm maslansky + partners (m+p) has hired Jaime Hodges for a newly created role, SVP and Head of Quantitative Research. More
The Board of marcoms giant WPP has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and announced it is discontinuing operations in Russia, where it employs nearly 1,400 people. More
Continuing our focus on 'Measuring Brains & Bodies', Pedro talks about sweat, motor racing, suppliers who always say Yes, investors who always said No, banning the bull and embracing the (one-trick) pony, and how EDA (electrodermal activity) can grow into a currency for media engagement. More
UK-based healthcare insights company Research Partnership has been acquired by healthcare services partner Ashfield. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
British-based consultancy Next Fifteen Communications (Next 15) has agreed to acquire media and marketing services company Engine UK for £77.5m. More
Brighton, UK-based social media listening and content marketing analytics firm Brandwatch has acquired US and Poland-based influencer marketing platform Paladin, for an undisclosed sum. More
UK social research provider NatCen has launched a Centre for Health Research, and appointed Laura Johnson to lead it. More
MrWeb's special issue on 'Measuring Brains and Bodies' is launched today: viewing and downloading the 72-page pdf supplement is free: click the cover or the link below; or read on for the second part of Michelle Niedziela's article, which offers a guide to Best Practice in consumer neuroscience projects. More
Manchester, UK-based Acumen Fieldwork has launched a B2B and Social Research department, which will focus primarily on hard-to-reach groups - ranging from those who are disenfranchised from society to key decision-makers in named occupations. More
Scotland's 2022 Census, postponed for a year due to Covid, is launched today (February 28th). The Census for England and Wales went ahead last year despite the pandemic. More
Shareholders of customer experience (CX) specialist Zendesk have this evening rejected the proposed acquisition of Momentive, parent of SurveyMonkey. Despite Momentive shareholders giving majority support, the acquisition agreement will now be ditched. More
In New York, Interpublic-owned marcoms agency network Weber Shandwick has appointed Ridhi Malhotra as Global Head of Analytics and Intelligence. More
Ipsos has reported a 16.8% increase in annual revenue to EUR 2.14bn for 2021, with overall organic growth of 17.9%. Perhaps more significantly, the figures represent impressive organic growth of 10.4% when compared with 2019. More
Kantar Public has appointed three senior policy evaluation experts - Richard Lloyd as Senior Director in its Evaluation practice in London, Leong Chan-Hoong as Head of Policy Evaluation and Data Analytics in Singapore, and Laetitia Dansou as Director of Policy Evaluation in France. More
In the US, cultural intelligence provider Collage Group has hired long-time NetBase exec Jose Puyol as Chief Revenue Officer, overseeing the companywide commercial function, including new business, renewals and account expansions. More
Auckland, NZ-based customer intelligence agency Perceptive is to open an office in the country's capital, Wellington, and has appointed former NielsenIQ manager Roman Konopka there as Research Director. More
Kantar has announced senior appointments to strengthen its team in Australia. Straford Rodrigues returns from NA as Head of Media and Marketing Effectiveness; Lee Catlin joins as Senior Director, CX; and Head of Creative Irene Joshy has moved back to Melbourne from Singapore. More
US-based trade association the Insights Association (IA) has called a Census Bureau plan to commission an insights agency to help develop a probability-based nationwide representative survey panel as 'duplicative', because numerous organizations already provide such panels. More
Kantar Public has appointed four new members to its UK Qualitative Practice - Matthew Holt as Qualitative Research Director, Jo Bolton as Qualitative Director, Milo Warby as Associate Director, and Samantha Outhwaite as Research Manager. More
London-based, not-for-profits MR specialist nfpSynergy has changed its name to nfpResearch. In addition to a commitment to becoming carbon neutral in 2022, nfpResearch is also launching an annual fund of £10,000 to allow smaller charities and organisations to bid for free research. More
Half of UK MPs (members of parliament) were unable to answer a simple probability question correctly, according to a survey conducted by the Royal Statistical Society (RSS). More
US-based philanthropic online MR panel firm Op4G (Opinions 4 Good) has appointed long-time industry exec Dave Gaston as Chief Sales Officer. More
Strategic insight consultancy Firefish has hired Elisa Dominguez as Vice President of Qualitative & Multicultural Insights, based in Los Angeles, CA. More
Nielsen has launched a Diverse Media Equity program, to help develop a consistent framework and metrics which will demonstrate the value of diverse-owned media. More
Canadian firm Pollara Strategic Insights has announced the return of Dan Arnold, as Chief Strategy Officer, after six years serving as Director of Research and Advertising to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. More
Amsterdam-based people analytics platform Crunchr has raised an undisclosed amount of funding from specialist SaaS investor Oxx, to be used to add predictive analytics capabilities, treble headcount within eighteen months, and fuel international expansion including the opening of a US office. More
Less than a year after its formation from software firms Confirmit and FocusVision, research tech pioneer Forsta has been acquired by healthcare experience specialist Press Ganey, for an undisclosed sum. More
Continuing our focus on 'Measuring Brains & Bodies', HCD's VP of Research & Innovation talks about a career in 'neuro' (with a rat allergy); quantifying the stress of bad audio on a Zoom call; whether any perfume can live up to one of those weird ads; and much more besides. Available to watch or read. More
Continuing our focus on 'Measuring Brains and Bodies', MindProber's Pedro Moreira looks at the company's use of electrodermal activity (EDA) to analyse the extraordinary success of the hit TV show. What worked best, and why? [Spoiler Alert: this makes reference to surprise scenes etc.] More
Kantar Public has added three execs to its Development practice in Washington DC - Amy Kracker-Selzer as Vice President of Technical Leadership; Gael O'Sullivan as Social and Behavior Change Director; and Anshikka Singh Larsson as Director of New Program and Business Development. More
Data collection company Norstat has acquired Oslo, Norway-based firm Polling & Statistics for an undisclosed sum. More
STG's newly formed media monitoring and measurement business Onclusive has appointed Manuel Moerbach as Chief Executive Officer. More
In the UK, East Anglia-based participant recruitment agencies Creative Medical Recruit (CMR) and Healthcare Fieldwork have merged to form a new company, MediVoice Recruit. The firm will offer recruitment for Human Factors and usability studies as well as general healthcare MR. More
Omnicom Health subsidiary Adelphi Research has promoted Ratna Wynn from EVP, Head of Research, Operations and Innovation to the position of President, US, overseeing all Stateside research, operations and finance. More
Data and marketing services company Acxiom has announced that it is extending the same privacy rights provided to California residents under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) to all US residents. More
In the UK, newly appointed Information Commissioner John Edwards has launched a 'major listening exercise', inviting businesses, organisations and individuals to provide details about their experiences of working with regulatory body the ICO. More
Cassandra, the ENGINE Group's young consumer trendsetting insights business, has launched a syndicated study on Generation Alpha - defined as ages 0 to 11 - and plans to release the results this quarter. More
The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) is launching a dedicated Centre for Social Survey Transformation, which will focus on transitioning surveys from face-to-face to web-first or mixed-mode designs. More
China-based data collection firm Holden Healthcare and Japanese healthcare researcher Seed Planning have announced a partnership enhancing physician panel access across hard-to-reach markets in the Asia Pacific region. More
UK-based group Cello Health has sold its Digital Technology Advisory Group Ltd (DTAG), which includes 2CV, The Value Engineers (TVE) & Signal Agency, to private equity firm Vespa Capital. More
In the US Congress, three Democrats have launched a privacy bill imposing a blanket ban on 'surveillance advertising', including the most common current forms of ad targeting. More
In the US, information services company GovExec has acquired Forecast International, which provides subscription-based market intelligence, forecasting, proprietary research and consulting services for the aerospace and defense industries. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
John Downham, BMRB's first Research Officer and former MD, and a pioneer within the MRS, ESOMAR and other research organisations and initiatives, has died aged 97. More
UK branding specialist Yonder Consulting has appointed Kate Langford as Recruitment Manager, responsible for acquisition of talent across the whole business. More
Data-driven experience management company Merkle has fully integrated two of its B2B divisions - creative agency gyro and media agency Merkle | DWA - into its Merkle B2B business, and retired their brand names. More
London-based insight and strategy consultancy BritainThinks has hired Alasdair Pearce as an Associate Director, Olivia Nathan-King as Business Development Manager, and Samm Gates as Senior Project Manager. The firm has also promoted six of its team. More
Wearable tech is everywhere, and offers great potential for collecting data, but how useful is it right now for answering specific research questions? Kathryn Ambroze, Manager of Behavioral and Marketing Sciences at HCD Research continues our month-long focus on 'Measuring Brains & Bodies'. More
In the US, consumer data privacy start-up Cloaked has raised $4m in a seed round of funding, for use in continuing to build out its product and scale its team. More
In the UK, Ipsos has appointed Caroline Paskell as Head of Cohesion and Security in its Public Affairs Division. More
In Washington, DC, polling and research firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) has made Chief Operating and Financial Officer and Data Protection Officer Lindsey Reynolds a Senior Partner, joining Anna Greenberg and Elizabeth Sena in what is now a 100% woman-owned company. More
Comscore and non-partisan voter data provider L2 have partnered to launch a cookie-free audience profile solution, based on behavioral political data and for use in targeting across digital, mobile and CTV ad inventory. More
Physician insights provider Sermo has appointed healthcare market research leader Max Czycholl as Vice President, based in Hamburg, Germany and responsible for leading business development operations in the DACH region. More
US data collection and fieldwork services firm Opinions LTD has expanded to Germany by opening a research and testing facility in Frankfurt, led by former PRS INVIVO execs Matthias Trojnar and Jovana Kokir. More
In the first feature from our forthcoming special issue on neuroscience techniques, Michelle Niedziela and Glenn Kessler from title sponsor HCD Research give an introduction to the progress and potential of the field, and cut through some of the hype and misconceptions surrounding it. More
In the UK, market research sector staffing firm Pollen Recruitment has appointed former Kantar Public exec James MacGregor as a Senior Consultant, with a focus on public sector clients. More
In the US, interviewing services provider American Directions Research Group (ADRG) has promoted Eleanor Ty to the post of National Director of Operations / Client Services, with oversight of interviewing operations, training, quality control and project management. More
In the UK, Ipsos MORI has appointed Reema Patel as Head of Deliberative Engagement. She joins from independent research body the Ada Lovelace Institute. More
Ipsos has brought together its existing UK advisory units into one practice, employing more than 50 specialists. Murat Demiral will lead the practice as Head of Advisory, and joins the UK Management Committee. More
In the US, life sciences consulting firm Trinity Life Sciences has launched the Dynamic Market Intelligence Center of Excellence (COE), to provide insights for competitive intelligence execs. More
Ipsos MORI Public Affairs has appointed Ricky Lawton as Director of Economic Evaluation, to work across a range of policy areas, and apply economic evaluation techniques to quantify and value the economic, social and environmental impacts of policies. More
In the UK, social research and behaviour change specialist M.E.L Research has appointed former GfK exec Kirsty Marshall as an Associate Director in it Quantitative team, while Michael Deeming joins from BMG as Assistant Data Services Manager in the Operation team. More
In the US, healthcare market intelligence, predictive analytics and data provider Perception Health has been acquired by professional services firm Huron. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Five employees of the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list, including Alex Lambert OBE - Deputy Director, Covid Infection Survey Operations, for services to statistics and public health in the Covid-19 pandemic. More
This is the last edition of DRNO for 2021 - we'll be back on Tuesday 4th January. From all of us at MrWeb to all those of you celebrating it, a very Merry Christmas; and to all of you, thanks for reading this year and best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2022. Here we look backwards and forwards briefly... More
In the UK, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has appointed Michael Keoghan as Deputy National Statistician for the Economic, Social and Environmental Statistics Group (ESEG), while Pete Benton moves to the role of Deputy National Statistician for Health, Population and Methods (HPaM). More
Software giant Oracle has paid $28.3 billion to acquire healthcare technology provider Cerner, which itself recently acquired Kantar Health. More
US-based consumer insight specialist Numerator has acquired Canada-based mobile qual survey platform HatchTank. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the UK, full service social research and behavioural insights specialist M.E.L Research has appointed Kate Owen as Research Director and Claire Bennett as Associate Director in its Qualitative team. More
UK-based innovation charity Nesta has acquired Behavioural Insights Limited (BIT), previously known as the 'Nudge Unit', in a £15.4m deal. More
London-based data and analytics-enabled healthcare marketing firm Engage has been acquired by biopharma commercialization partner Fingerpaint, for an undisclosed sum. More
In the UK, social research and behaviour change specialist M.E.L Research has hired long-time DJS executive Elliot Simmonds for the newly created role of Client Solutions Director. More
YouGov has given Özge Akçizmeci Üstün a newly created role of Strategic Account Lead for the Benelux region, aiming to increase its presence in the area. More
Insight consultancy Firefish has appointed Scarlett Moody as Senior Director it its London headquarters. More
Pharma specialist M3 Global Research has announced the acquisition of Sydney, Australia-based fieldwork firm Ekas Marketing. More
Washington DC-based consumer insights platform Morning Consult has announced new appointments including former Moody's exec Stephanie Leavitt as Managing Director of Communications. More
Research and analytics group YouGov has acquired Zurich, Switzerland-based market and social research agency LINK Marketing Services AG. Terms were not disclosed. More
Analytics and digital ID firms Tethr, Passbase and Datasembly have announced VC wins of between $7m and $15m this week; while Twilio will invest $50m in customer engagement start-ups via a new fund of its own. More
Swedish eye tracking developer Tobii has confirmed that Anand Srivatsa will take up the position of Chief Executive Officer from this Thursday, 9th December. He replaces co-founder Henrik Eskilsson, who announced his intention to step down in April. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has given this year's Agency of the Year Award to London-based insight firm Opinium, which had previously been shortlisted eight times in nine years. More
In Edinburgh, Ipsos MORI has appointed Lisa Sutherland as Head of Behavioural Science in Public Affairs. More
UK regulator Ofcom has announced the appointment of four new non-executive Directors to the Board of publicly owned broadcaster Channel 4, including former Thinkbox CEO Tess Alps. More
Kantar has reported revenue of $2,681m for the first three quarters of 2021, up 11% at constant currency although still down 5% from 2019 figures; and EBITDA of $445m, up 52% on 2020 and 39% (organic growth 33%) versus the same period in 2019. More
In Paris, user experience (UX) analytics platform Contentsquare has hired former French government official Kat Borlongan for a newly created role, Chief Impact Officer, leading a drive into areas that deliver 'greater impact, beyond revenue growth'. More
Ipsos MORI has appointed Rachel Brisley as Head of Energy and Environment in its Public Affairs team, leading a team of researchers, evaluation specialists, and economists working specifically in the areas of environmental, energy and sustainable development policy for public sector clients. More
In the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) says it plans to impose a potential fine of just over £17m on facial recognition start-up Clearview AI, and has also issued a notice to stop the company further processing UK citizens' personal data. More
US-based customer experience management specialist Medallia has acquired patient experience specialist Fields Healthcare Research, for an undisclosed sum. More
Consumer and brand researcher 4Sight has partnered with CHN Analytics, which provides predictive analytics for the US Department of Defense, to offer services for commercial clients identifying potential risks in product ingredients and opportunities from new technology. More
In London, Ipsos MORI has promoted Trinh Tu to the role of Managing Director of Public Affairs. She was previously Head of Business Growth, Public Affairs. More
Greater Washington DC-based Full Circle Research has launched a Political division - in anticipation of 'an explosive 2022 election cycle' - and appointed Khary (KJ) Jones to lead it. More
Data and research services company Schlesinger Group has acquired Delvinia's automated research platform Methodify, and its online consumer panel AskingCanadians, for an undisclosed sum. The announcement coincides with the launch of 'Methodify Reimagined'. More
In the UK, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and a consortium of partners have been awarded a £215m contract to evaluate a programme focused on promoting good early childhood development called 'A Better Start', financed by The National Lottery Community Fund. More
In London, long-time Ipsos exec Kelly Beaver has been named Chief Executive of the UK and Ireland business, succeeding Ben Page on 15th November when he moves to the role of global CEO, based in Paris. More
In the US, insights and analytics firm Directions is to acquire agri-food value chain intelligence firm Aimpoint Research, for an undisclosed sum. More
Washington DC-headquartered consumer insights platform Morning Consult has expanded its daily tracking survey on brands, economic conditions and geopolitical risk from fifteen to more than 40 countries. More
Stagwell Group, owner of the Harris and Harris Poll brands has announced organic revenue growth of 22.8% for the third quarter, and adjusted EBITDA of $100m, up 12.4%. Revenue was $466.6m - representing reported growth of 104.6% following the MDC merger. More
Following the recent decision of Facebook / Meta to delete its facial analysis data, a joint probe by the UK Information Commissioner's Office and its Australian counterpart the OAIC has found facial recognition provider Clearview AI in breach of privacy regulations. More
ESOMAR and Austria's insight association VMÖ have responded to a scandal involving skewed polls allegedly conducted for former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz - stressing a policy of zero tolerance for unethical practices in an industry reliant on public trust. More
The U.S. Senate has confirmed veteran survey statistician Robert Santos as Director of the Census Bureau. Santos is the choice of President Joe Biden and was also endorsed by trade body The Insights Association (IA). More
Stamford, CT-based tech research and advisory firm Information Services Group has announced revenue of $71m for the third quarter, up 14% (constant currency) on Q3 2020; and adjusted EBITDA of $10.2 million, up 24%. More
In the UK, founder Joe Saxton has sold nfpSynergy, an independent market research company specialising in not-for-profits, to his colleagues of ten years, co-MDs Cian Murphy and Tim Harrison-Byrne. More
London-based full service agency IFF Research has launched an Energy & Environment team, providing insight to help inform environmental policy decisions and support sustainable business across the UK. Director Andrew Skone James will lead it. More
Consumer identity management and resolution firm Infutor has partnered with Atlanta, GA-based sector specialist analytics company HealthWise Data, to add health and wellness attributes to the former's Total Consumer Insights solution. More
Gordon Heald, the social and political researcher who ran Gallup Poll in the UK from 1979-1994 and ORB International from 1994-2009, talked with popes and presidents, and came as near as anyone ever does to founding an MR dynasty, has died peacefully at his home aged 80. More
Eyetracking hardware and solutions firm Tobii has announced third quarter organic revenue growth of 26%, the acquisition of Belgian company Acapela Group, and the issue of SEK 250m ($US29.1m) worth of shares to help fund this and the earlier acquisition of Phasya. More
In the UK, Ipsos has appointed former Advertising Association exec Karen Fraser as Senior Director, with responsibility for sustainability, creativity, trust and growth. More
Online customer service and CX firm Zendesk is to acquire Momentive, parent of SurveyMonkey, in an all-share deal which values the DIY survey brand and its associated companies at around $4bn. More
Experience management specialist Alida has added a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) feature to its platform, allowing organizations to collect feedback from customers and employees, implement changes using guidance templates, and monitor and measure the progress of their DE&I initiatives. More
Ipsos has posted third quarter revenue of EUR 526.3m, up 12.3% versus Q3 2020 and 5.4% - or 8.5% in organic growth terms - compared with Q3 2019. The firm says profitability is 'in line with the objectives for the year announced in July', with a slight improvement predicted in operating margin. More
Research and analytics group YouGov has brought its recent Canadian sports research acquisition Charlton Insights under the main corporate brand. More
YouGov has reported revenue of £169.0m for the year to July 31st, up 18% in like-for-like terms and 11% reported. Reported pre-tax profit rose 24% to £18.9m, and adjusted operating profit rose 32% like-for-like (21% reported) to £31.2m. More
Nielsen has unveiled a new logo, which it says reflects the transformation of its culture and a redefined strategy focused solely on the global future of media. The outgoing logo had been served for the combined Nielsen entity before the sale of Global Connect (now Nielsen IQ). More
YouGov has acquired tech business Rezonence, in a move which it says will allow data collection at 'unprecedented scale', turning hundreds of millions of consumers across the world into potential zero-party virtual YouGov panellists. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the UK, consumer specialist 2CV has appointed former Kantar Qual MD Alice Moss as Head of Qualitative Research; and promoted Ruth Noble to the role of Group Research Director, Head of Life & Style. Additionally, the firm has made two senior hires in the US. More
In New York, location data firm Unacast has raised $16m in a new round of funding, which it will use to expand its offering for international clients outside the US, and to build a data buying platform. More
Media planning and buying platform SRDS (Standard Rate & Data Service) has launched a data set to help agencies and brands connect with multicultural and inclusive (M&I) audiences. More
The MRS has formalised its close ties with its Japanese counterpart the JMRA via a new partnership agreement. More
China-based data collection company Holden Healthcare has partnered with US-based Arbittier Opinion Panel Systems (AOPS), strengthening the latter's physician data collection services in China and Asia. More
ScotCen Director Paul Bradshaw has been made a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, in recognition for the 'excellence and impact' of his work. More
Market intelligence platform AlphaSense has raised $180m in a Series C round of funding. The money will be invested in product development and content expansion, in growing customer service teams in North America and Europe, and engineering teams in Finland, India and New York. More
Marcoms giant Havas has appointed Lindsay Stein as its first Chief of Social Impact, tasked with partnering with marketers and client firms to help them create research-based social impact solutions. More
London-based holding company STRAT7 has acquired Kin + Carta's strategic consultancy Incite, in a deal valued at £18m. More
The National Statistician, Professor Sir Ian Diamond, has set out a series of initiatives in response to the Inclusive Data Taskforce (IDTF) report and recommendations. The changes aim to ensure that issues facing Britain's most vulnerable and disadvantaged are fully covered in statistics and evidence. More
US-based mCube, which senses, captures and analyzes all types of movement data with a focus on the entertainment, sports, health and industrial sectors, has been renamed Movella. The change reflects the integration of two recent buys. More
In New York, PR consultancy firm Edelman has promoted Taj Reid to the newly created role of Global Chief Experience Officer. More
Ipsos has announced that Nathalie Roos will no longer be taking over as CEO, following the emergence of 'deep discrepancies' in her discussions with Didier Truchot. Instead, Ipsos MORI CEO Ben Page will take the top job, from November 15th. More
WPP has agreed to pay more than $19m to settle charges that it violated several provisions of the USA's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The SEC accused the marcoms giant of breaches of protocols including anti-bribery, books and records, and internal accounting. More
Data-driven audience tech company Civis Analytics has announced a $30.7m Series B round of financing. The firm was founded by Dan Wagner, leader of the team that created President Obama's voter targeting model. More
In the UK, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has appointed Gillian Prior as Deputy Chief Executive. More
Kantar Public, the global insights group's public policy evidence and advisory division, has appointed social scientist Issac Lim in the new role of Head of Policy Development, Evaluation & Data Analytics within its Singapore business. More
Nielsen has today announced an 'Impressions First Initiative', supporting what it calls an 'industry-wide move' to impressions-based buying and selling in local markets across the country. This will accompany the integration of broadband only homes (BBO) into its local metrics in January 2022. More
In the US, recently launched audience identification and segmentation platform Tunnl has appointed Vinita Srivastava as Chief Product Officer. More
Healthcare commercial data and intelligence firm Definitive Healthcare has seen its stock rise sharply in its first days of Nasdaq trading, after raising $420m in its IPO. More
In the UK, digital education and research membership organisation Jisc has appointed Heidi Fraser-Krauss as Chief Executive Officer, replacing Paul Feldman, who is retiring after more than six years in the role. More
Cultural insights and strategy consultancy Crowd DNA has opened an office in Stockholm, Sweden, headed by Associate Director Sofie Brodén, who previously worked for brand development consultancy Grow as Manger Insight & Foresight. The firm has also made eighteen hires. More
Pierre Le Manh, Ipsos' CEO in North America, has left the company to pursue 'other opportunities', and been replaced by former Gartner exec Lorenzo Larini. More
Professional associations ESOMAR and the Global Research Business Network (GRBN) have released two sets of guidelines - Primary Data Collection and Duty of Care - intended to strengthen the ethical standards framework available to their respective memberships. More
In London, Basis Research's new social practice has appointed Ingrid Broch-Due as Associate Director, Connie Flude as Innovation Lead, and Elena Antoniades as Operations Director. More
In Ireland, RED C Research has been acquired for an undisclosed sum by one of its clients, the Business Post Group. More
In London, full-service agency IFF Research has made eleven new hires in the last quarter, including Catherine O'Driscoll who re-joined in June as Associate Director after eighteen months at charity GambleAware. More
UK-based insight agency Truth Consulting has appointed Tom Morgan as a Director, while Victor Reynoso joins as Lead Insight Planner. More
UK-based brand and communications research agency The Nursery has hired long-time Cello Health exec Elena Geatches for the newly created position of Head of Health. More
Los Angeles-based marketing and creative agency DG+Design has launched a set of 'CleanTech' market research and policy reports for the solar energy, energy storage and electric vehicles sectors. More
Research revenue for the Top 50 US-based insights and data analytics companies rose 4% to $48 billion in 2020, even as overall US GDP contracted 3.5% during the global Covid pandemic, according to the Insights Association's Top 50 Report. More
Data Axle, which was previously known as Infogroup, has acquired digital marketing agency Lake Group Media, including its non-profit cooperative database DonorBase. Terms of the deals were not disclosed. More
Business-to-business research provider B2B International has promoted Tom Percival to the role of Managing Director, leading its London-based team. More
In Australia, Taverner Research Group has announced that its three brands - Taverner, Jetty and IRIS - are being combined under the parent company's name, with a new logo and identity. More
The UK government has announced plans to diverge from some parts of the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and revealed that New Zealand's Privacy Commissioner John Edwards is its preferred nominee to be the next UK Information Commissioner. More
Information management software firm ldox has acquired Scottish based geospatial information services (GIS) technology and data sharing business thinkWhere for an undisclosed sum. The firm was previously equally owned by Falkirk and Stirling Councils. More
In the US, Google has banned foot traffic insights firm SafeGraph from its Playstore, for collecting and selling smartphone users' location data. More
Momentive, until recently known as SurveyMonkey, has announced an expansion of its MR targeting capabilities to meet growing demand from b2b customers, and tapping the resources of Dynata and Schlesinger Group. More
In the US, healthcare MR agency Research Partnership has appointed MedTech qual specialist Scott Kirklin as Qualitative Research Director. More
Momentive (formerly SurveyMonkey) has reported a 20% increase in second quarter revenue to $109.4m, from $90.9m a year earlier; with a 33% rise in Enterprise sales to $33.9m and self-service revenue up 15% to $75.5m. More
In New York, the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) has issued an analysis of the current state of the identity resolution industry, to help 'demystify' solutions and practices and provide the ad and marketing sectors with information about providers. More
Former Maru/Matchbox co-CEO Brian James has joined consumer insights platform Morning Consult as Associate VP of Client Services in the Commercial division. More
Fast-rising Manchester, UK-based researcher The Insights Family has announced a move to larger offices on the city's central King Street, and the opening of a satellite office in Mayfair, London, as well a roll-out in Poland and a number of hires. More
In the US, consumer insights platform Morning Consult has appointed five new senior members of staff, four at Managing Director level, and including former Kantar execs Ben Mansell and Sara VanTassel. More
Glasgow, Scotland-based pharma sector social media intelligence company Talking Medicines has partnered with consultancy Closing Delta, to help marketers accelerate their digital transformation plans. More
Sector specialist agency HRW (Healthcare Research Worldwide) has hired Jeremy Koloski and Alexandra Petrache as Behavioural Science Analysts in its HRW Shift division - Koloski in Manhattan, US and Petrache at the firm's headquarters in Oxford, UK. More
Shareholders in marcoms conglomerate MDC Partners Inc. have voted more than three to one in favour of its merger with Mark Penn's Stagwell Group, owner of the Harris and Harris Poll brands. More
In New York, facial recognition start-up Clearview AI has raised $30m in a Series B round of funding, which values the company at $130m. More
Ipsos has reported a 26.4% increase in first half year revenue to EUR 993.3m, compared with EUR 786.0m in the prior year period and well up on the EUR 903.4m recorded in H1 2019. Organic growth from H1 2020 was 31.5%. More
In London, international insight and strategy consultancy BritainThinks has appointed five new members of staff and made a raft of promotions. More
Former Unilever exec Stan Sthanunathan has joined the Board of data and research services company Schlesinger Group and been named a Strategic Board Advisor at insights automation platform quantilope. More
Kantar Americas CEO Reed Cundiff has made the decision to leave his role, after 're-evaluating his personal priorities'. More
Ipsos has appointed former L'Oréal Germany CEO Nathalie Roos as Chief Executive Officer, as co-founder Didier Truchot steps down from the role to become Chairman of the Board of Directors. More
IBM has acquired big data analytics specialist Bluetab Solutions group, and will bring it into its Data Services Consulting practice. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
YouGov has acquired Australian online-focused insights consultancy Faster Horses. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In Philadelphia, USA, former LRW and Millward Brown VP Frank Chipman has joined Canada-based company Leger as Vice-President, Healthcare for the American office. More
In New York, consumer insights platform Morning Consult has added seven former Kantar executives and three from Ipsos to its Commercial team. More
In the US, reputation data and insights company RepTrak has received a $10m loan, for use as general working capital. More
Kantar Public, the group's government and public sector practice, has hired Craig Donovan for the newly created role of National Director, Government Communications within its Australian business. More
From our special issue published this week, KL Communications founder Kevin Lonnie talks about what's changed and what hasn't in twenty years running a communities business; about getting customers to solve clients' business problems; and getting space men to talk to each other. More
London-based insights agency Opinium has appointed Ben Davis as Head of Data and Research Tech, overseeing all data acquisition and flow. In addition, Debbie Shuttlewood joins as a Research Director in the Customer Experience team. More
In India, consumer insights specialist Hansa Research has appointed Ashish Karnad as Executive Vice President and Head, Media and Digital Business. He joins from Nielsen, where he oversaw the firm's work on the Indian Readership Survey (IRS). More
In Australia, cultural insights and strategy company The Lab has hired eight new members of staff across its Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane offices. More
Enero Group, the parent of research firms The Leading Edge and The Digital Edge, has appointed Nick Burton as Group Strategy and M&A Director, based in its HQ in Sydney. More
Kantar has chosen a new Chief Executive - Chris Jansen, currently CEO of global schools group Cognita, starts in the role on 1st November. More
Twenty years to the day from its launch, North of England firm DJS Research has announced it is now an employee-owned business. More
Civic engagement tech provider Zencity has secured $30m in funds, which it says will allow it to 'double down' on product development and pursue its dream of 'allowing governments to 'run' on community input data'. More
Kantar has announced the formal integration of New Zealand's Colmar Brunton into its business, with the Colmar Brunton name to be phased out by the end of this year. All 121 staff in the country will join one of two new NZ divisions, Kantar or Kantar Public. More
Apollo Intelligence, the parent company of InCrowd and SurveyHealthcareGlobus, has announced the integration of SightX MR technology into its healthcare and life science data platform; and has made an undisclosed amount of investment in SightX. More
UK-based public sector research agency BMG has appointed former NatCen exec Sarah Kitchen as Client Development Director. More
Google's phasing out of third-party cookies is no longer imminent. After sending the marketing community into a frenzy with its decision 18 months ago to drop cookie support from Chrome, the firm this week put the deadline back to at least mid-2023, linking the move to pressure from UK regulators. More
The UK government has asked Netflix, Amazon and other streaming services to disclose top-line viewing data for the shows they get from public service broadcasters the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. More
Maryland, US-based Full Circle Research has enhanced its proprietary HoNoR (Holistic Next-Level Research) respondent validation service by integrating two products from voter data and targeting firm TargetSmart. More
US-based D3, known for its research in conflict regions and other challenging environments, has announced eight new hires, in line with 'the new research opportunities that have emerged this year'. More
The UK's MRS has awarded the final two Honorary Fellowships of its 75th anniversary year to Baroness Gail Rebuck, Chair and CEO of Penguin Random House UK since 1991; and former Unilever CEO Paul Polman. More
Data collection and research services provider Schlesinger Group has appointed Chris Kim, MD, as VP Human Factors in its Schlesinger Clinical Research business. More
Australia-based consulting business Fiftyfive5 says it has made 45 new hires in the last twelve months, 'across all geographies and levels', bringing its headcount to 147. More
Ipsos MORI has announced the launch of a Qualitative Research and Engagement Centre, bringing together its qual methods team, dialogue and engagement specialists and led by Director Michelle Mackie. The Centre will aim to 'bring the public voice into policy making'. More
The European Union has formally approved the 'adequacy' of the UK's data protection protocols for the transfer of personal data between the two. More
Ipsos has appointed Brad Hyde as Director of its Perth office, leading the business in Western Australia. More
Non-partisan research institution NORC at the University of Chicago and over-50s advocacy organization AARP have launched a survey panel called Foresight 50+, to provide insights from older adults living in the US. More
In the UK, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) is launching a Centre for Deliberative Research, which will officially open next Wednesday with an online event. More
Self-service HR insights and analytics platform eqtble has raised $2.7m in a seed round of funding, which it will use to expand its engineering team and build out its product's machine learning and visualization capabilities. More
In the UK, full-service agency IFF Research has promoted Kelsey Beninger to Research Director, while Christa Downing, Helen Greevy, Marc Cranney and Sam Selner move up to Associate Director roles in the Research team, and Eleonore Desnos becomes an AD in Operations. More
In the US, medical affairs consulting firm Acceleration Point has enhanced its Key Opinion Leader (KOL) Social Media Monitoring Platform, to help users identify insights, find KOL engagement opportunities with advanced text analytics, and pinpoint new digital KOLs. More
Kantar Public has rolled out its PUBLIC Hexis programme and policy evaluation approach to its hubs in Brussels and London. More
The directors of MR agency MM-Eye have launched a sustainability business change practice called The Say Do Company, promising to help clients drive profit through a combination of customer insight, business change management and sustainability expertise. More
In the US, healthcare sector MR platform Thrivable has closed a $1.7m round of funding, which it will use to expand its team across technology, research, data science, sales and marketing. More
Belgian companies One Inch Whale and Color Navigator have launched a joint venture, Research & Visual Nudging, which will combine insight techniques with the patented Color Navigator system to enhance services including predictive intelligence and neuromarketing. More
A new UK initiative funded by the government's Kickstart Scheme and run by a partnership of not-for-profit organisations including the Young Foundation will train up to 30 formerly unemployed young people 'as peer researchers'. More
In the UK, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and The Alan Turing Institute are teaming up to produce 'close to real-time economic statistics', which they say will 'help track changes in the economy while preserving privacy'. More
As the insight world emerges from the shadow of Covid, 'only around 50% of formerly face to face activity will revert to type', says Verve's Andy Dexter, introducing a month of features focused on Online Communities, for our forthcoming special issue. More
In the US, communications giant Edelman has launched the Edelman Trust Institute, a center for the study and cultivation of trust across business, government, media and civil society. More
The Australian Data and Insights Association (ADIA) has welcomed the new Australian Polling Council (APC) Code of Conduct, which sets out transparency and disclosure standards for public opinion polling that is released to the media. More
In New York, consumer insights platform Morning Consult has raised $60m in a Series B round of funding, which values the company at $1.01 billion. Funds will be used for development of its data collection technology and expansion into the EMEA and APAC regions. More
Mark Inskip, the CEO of Kantar's UK and Ireland Media Division, has left the business to join staffing procurement firm Matrix SCM as Chief Executive Officer. He will be replaced on a temporary basis by EMEA MD Louise Ainsworth. More
In the US, life sciences sector medical, commercial and compliance company QPharma has set up Neolytica, an analytics business using techniques including natural language processing, AI, facial recognition and chat bots. More
Accenture's specialist Federal Services division (AFS) is to acquire Novetta, which applies insights and technologies to transform how defense, intelligence and law enforcement organizations use big data. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Strategic intelligence firm Aimpoint Research has appointed retired Colonel Ken Gilliam, former Director of Strategic Wargaming at the U.S. Army War College, to lead its Fusion business practice. More
Kantar Public, the global group's government and public sector practice, has hired Damien Huang for the newly created role of Director for Policy Research, Development and Evaluation, in Singapore. More
Business-to-business research provider B2B International has promoted its London MD Matthew Powell to the role of Vice President and Executive Director, North America, leading its Los Angeles Office. More
Kantar's first quarter revenue was up 3% to $896m, with six of its seven divisions delivering growth. This includes double digit increases from the group's consumer and shopper behavior specialist Worldpanel, and public policy services provider Kantar Public. More
UK-based insight agency Opinium has made seven new hires at its London office - three research executives and four interns. More
Kantar Public, the global group's government and public sector practice, has hired research scientist Rhoune Ochako for a new role, Country Director of its Development Practice in Kenya. More
UK-based kids, parents and family panels firm The Insights Family has released a free report called 'The New Generation of Families', highlighting trends across Europe such as the future of education. Other versions of the report are available for North America, LATAM and APAC. More
In New York, location intelligence provider Foursquare has acquired geospatial analytics and visualization platform Unfolded. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the US, patient acquisition, engagement and retention specialist SymphonyRM has raised $25m in a Series B round of funding, which it will use to fuel its sales and marketing efforts. More
Cultural insights and strategy consultancy Crowd DNA has promoted Laura Warby to Head of Agency for London/Amsterdam; Hollie Jones to the same role in New York City; and Dave Power to Senior Director of the firm's Crowd Numbers quant team. More
The UK Government's non-departmental innovation agency Innovate UK has appointed Indro Mukerjee as Chief Executive Officer. He replaces Ian Campbell, who resigned last June. More
Biopharma product and portfolio consultancy Prescient has appointed two senior staff for its Intelligence & Insight business - John Crowley as a Director in the US and Sugandh Sharma as a Senior Director in India. More
Kantar Public, the global group's government and public sector practice, has launched a data science platform and toolkit, 'PUBLIC Evidential', which promises advanced data blending and analytics to help 'build and enrich' the evidence base for public policy decisions. More
Britain's MRS has awarded the Gold Medal, its most prestigious honour, to former NOP MD Phyllis Macfarlane; and announced new fellows including research tech writer Tim Macer and two inspirational former Chairs of B2B research group BIG, Claire Labrum and Trevor Wilkinson. More
Kantar Public has appointed Ben Humberstone, a former Deputy Director at the Office for National Statistics in a newly created role, Head of Population Studies for the UK More
Healthcare insights consultancy Research Partnership has appointed Chris Carles as a Director in Philadelphia and Andrew Way as a Research Director in its UK office. More
Tokyo-based online specialist Macromill has launched a Life Science Business, which will conduct research and acquire biochemical data relating to healthcare, and use panels for human clinical trials concerning health promotion and disease prevention. More
Northumberland, UK-based online research supplier Panelbase is opening an office in central London, where it has appointed Monica Kaur and James Ward to grow the business. More
In the UK, insights and polling specialist Perspectus Global, part of the GingerComms Group, has appointed former IFF Research Joint MD Mark Speed as an Associate Consultant. More
In Australia, comms agency Think HQ has brought its research department in-house, and appointed recent recruit Pauline Ho to lead it, in the role of Strategy and Insights Manager. More
In the UK, The Labour party has appointed BritainThinks co-founder Deborah Mattinson as Director of Strategy. More
Global industry association ESOMAR has teamed up with NewMR, Confirmit and more than twenty other organisations for the next wave of its survey among buyers and users of insights, measuring how usage and purchasing patterns are evolving. More
US-based cannabis industry data and analytics provider Headset has raised $1.825m, which it will use to expand into new markets and support new opportunities across the cannabis industry. More
London-based youth insight and panel business YouthSight has been acquired by Next15's data and insights group Savanta. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Shopper insights specialist Behaviorally has appointed long-time Kantar exec Barbara Cador as Vice President, Growth Officer, EU, based in Spain. More
In the UK, international insight and strategy consultancy BritainThinks has appointed five Research Assistants as part of its internship scheme. More
Eye tracker developer Tobii is preparing to spin off its Dynavox arm, which develops speech generating devices, eye trackers and eye gaze/eye-controlled devices for people with disabilities and special needs. Along with the spin-off, Group CEO Henrik Eskilsson says he intends to step down. More
Location data provider Geoscape Australia has appointed former Axciom / LiveRamp MD Dean Capobianco as Chief Executive Officer. He takes over from Dan Paull, who left in February after more than 22 years with the business. More
Kantar Chief Executive Alexis Nasard has stepped down after just four months in the role. Deputy CEO Ian Griffiths will lead the company until a new appointment is made. More
In Singapore, Kantar Public has hired Chor Mui for the newly created role of Head of Behavioural Insights, Communications and Experience Design. More
YouGov has announced the acquisition of open banking start-up Lean App, adding financial transaction data to its panel, profiling and other products and services. More
Britain's MRS has appointed four more honorary fellows: diversity and inclusion advocate Seema Malhotra, YouGov co-founder and vaccine roll-out minister Nadhim Zahawi, polling guru Sir John Curtice and former IMF and Bank of England senior exec Baroness Minouche Shafik. More
A rift in the Australian readership measurement industry which opened a dozen years ago appears to be healing this week, as media alliance Think News Brands shutters its publisher-funded 'EMMA' measurement platform and resumes support for long-time currency provider Roy Morgan. More
Ipsos has posted revenue of EUR 466.3m in the first quarter of 2021, up 8.8% from Q1 2020 and up 10.5% from Q1 2019. Like-for-like, the increase was 14.1%, driven by a very strong performance in EMEA. More
The US Supreme Court has defined an 'automatic telephone dialing system' (autodialer) in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) as a device which must have the capacity to generate numbers randomly or sequentially, and not merely the ability to dial from a list. More
US and Canada-based recruitment specialist Rare Patient Voice (RPV) and patient-level data and insights provider Clinakos have announced a partnership. More
Insight consultancy Firefish UK has appointed Hannah Robbins as Senior Cultural Strategist, based in London. More
Kantar has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Chicago-based consumer and market intelligence company Numerator from investment firm Vista Equity Partners. Sources suggest the deal is worth about $1.5 billion. More
Central European research firms Integral, Sinus and Opinion have merged to form ISO, described as 'a medium-sized group, owner-managed and independent'. More
Four research firms based in Cincinnati, Ohio - Burke, Inc., Directions Research, EMI Research Solutions and MarketVision Research - have combined to launch an internship program aimed at widening the talent pool for the sector. More
LARVOL, which provides data and intelligence solutions for the pharma and biotech industry, has launched a cancer-focused social media listening and sentiment analysis platform called VIEW. More
The Insight Climate Collective (ICC), a group calling on the industry to come together and play its part in tackling the environmental crisis, has launched a survey through which all UK insight sector professionals can provide their views on climate change. More
Kantar Public has announced plans to roll out its Public Voice probabilistic panel to eighteen European countries, including France and Germany, during the year. More
In the UK, the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) Data Science Campus has beaten its target to train 500 analysts to use data science tools and techniques, with almost 700 analysts trained to date. More
Mobile research tech firm RealityMine has launched a permission-based app and web interface called RealLife Healthcare, to capture digital data points from patients and physicians. More
US-based healthcare technology provider Cerner has completed its acquisition of Kantar Health for $375m in cash, subject to adjustment. More
In Washington, DC, polling and research firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) has appointed Albert Morales as Vice President, to help expand its services in comms, campaign insights, marketing and message development, in the US and throughout the Americas. More
In the US, full-service pharma market research and consultancy firm ThinkGen has appointed former GfK Healthcare exec Brian Hull as Chief Operating Officer. More
Clearsense, a data management and analytics tech platform for the healthcare sector, has raised $30m in a financing deal. The money will be used to continue developing solutions such as the Clearsense DataHub, and to expand its advisory services. More
In London, the BBC's commercial subsidiary BBC Studios has hired Penny Brough for a newly created SVP role, leading the Brand Marketing and Audience Insight team. She takes up the position on 7th June. More
Melissa Baker has joined Ipsos as CEO for Public Affairs, Sub-Saharan Africa and MENA, based in Nairobi More
Stockholm-based insight solutions firm Inzyon has launched a CSR Monitor, helping users to analyse and measure their Corporate Social Responsibility activities, and to comply with increasingly complex regulatory requirements on the topic of sustainability. More
In Sydney, Kantar Public has today announced the appointment of Kirsty Macmillan to head up its Australian business. More
Ipsos MORI has launched what it says is the UK's 'largest and highest quality' online random probability panel, with more than 15,000 participants. The mix of online and off-line respondents promises 'total understanding of the UK public for businesses and organisations'. More
Trade association IAB Australia is to conduct an independent review into requirements for a digital audience measurement currency, to form the basis for a tender for online measurement services, published in May. More
Cultural insights agency and Hispanic sample provider ThinkNow has upgraded its ConneKt audience planning and segmentation tool, promising a more robust platform with enhanced user experience. In addition, adtech professional Jonathan Saquicili has been hired as ConneKt Product Manager. More
In the US, behavior-based preventative health software firm Pandemic Insights has raised $5m in a Series A round of funding, which it will use to accelerate the development and go-to-market release of its platform. More
In Germany, Smart News Fachverlag (SNFV), the publisher of market research portal marktforschung.de, and industry trade fair organiser succeet have partnered to create what they describe as a 'new powerhouse' for the insights industry. More
In New Zealand, consumer insights, brand planning and innovation agency the One Picture Group has acquired full-service social and marketing research agency Gravitas, which has now been re-named GravitasOPG. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
The Insight Climate Collective (ICC), a group calling on the industry to come together and play its part in tackling the environmental crisis, has appointed a Steering Committee to help put its strategy into action. More
Nielsen has moved Sandra Sims-Williams to the role of Chief Diversity Officer, taking over from CEO David Kenny, who has held both roles since February 2019. More
Trade association ESOMAR has named ScaleHouse Consulting founder Kristin Luck as President of its Council, replacing Joaquim Bretcha of Netquest who has completed his two-year term. MindSpark founder Nikki Lavoie is the new Vice President, and five of the remaining eight members are also women. More
In Australia, research consultancy DBM has appointed Kerry Sproston as Executive Director, responsible for developing its offer in the government and social research sector. The firm has also promoted Angela Baker to Executive Director of its client-facing and Advanced Analytics teams. More
UK-based pharma researcher Purdie Pascoe has expanded its team with the appointment of Montreal, Canada-based Marianne Fillion as Vice President - North America. More
London-based and family-focused insight and creative marketing agency Kids Industries (KI) has partnered with similar agencies in France, Germany and Spain to create a European industry network called The League. More
In the US, economic and communication research firm ndp | analytics has appointed Daniel Ikenson as Director of Policy Strategy. More
In London, speech analysis tech firm Phebi has launched an Emotional Resonance Score (ERS), tracking emotional responses to a set of items or concepts, automatically comparing positive and negative responses and presenting the results in rank order. More
In the UK, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) has appointed Tina Haux as Director and Gayle Munro as Deputy Director of its Centre for Children and Families. More
San Francisco-based analytics company Clarify Health has raised $115m in a Series C round of funding, for use in further scaling its self-service healthcare analytics cloud and business applications. More
Pharmaceutical company GSK has become the Market Research Society's (MRS) first International Affiliate - a designation developed as a 'mark of research excellence and best practice'. More
US-based analytics and healthcare marcoms network W2O has been re-named Real Chemistry, and is re-positioning itself as a 'unified health innovation company'. More
UK-headquartered kids, parents and family panels firm The Insights People is expanding to Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and South Korea, surveying around 410 kids and around 205 parents of children in each country. More
In Melbourne, Kantar has promoted Jon Foged to the newly created role of Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Insights arm - he was previously CEO of the division in Australia. Jason Shoebridge, CEO of Kantar New Zealand, will leave the business in April. More
The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) is to award 25 honorary fellowships during the calendar year, to mark its 75th anniversary. Nine names have been revealed, including British statistician Sir David Spiegelhalter and scientist Dr Camilla Pang. More
StreamPulse, the in-home division of Texas-based neuromarketing researcher MediaScience has teamed up with neurometric equipment manufacturer Shimmer to develop StreamPulse Neuro, a system for measuring consumers' emotional response in a natural viewing environment. More
In New York, civic engagement tech provider Zencity has acquired analytics and community polling company Elucd, which helps clients understand resident needs and trends in sentiment around public policies and initiatives, in real time. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, full-service MR agency The Dieringer Research Group has made three senior promotions: Shelley Ahrens to Chief Customer Officer, Ron Rawski to Chief Information Officer, and Nikki Riggleman to VP of Business Development. More
Partho Dasgupta, former CEO of India's Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), has been granted bail, following his arrest on charges of 'manipulating' the country's ratings data. More
In the US, brand measurement specialist Vrity has launched a service called Values Return Index (VRI), connecting purchase propensity to brand sentiment across twenty values-based categories such as sustainability, equality, innovation and affordability. More
In London, Kantar has hired former Neustar exec Ted Prince for a newly created role, Chief Product Officer, responsible for defining and delivering new offerings and real-time platforms. More
Google has announced that it won't build alternative identifiers to track individuals as they browse the web once third-party cookies are phased out; nor use them in other Google products. More
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has announced that the Census 2021 survey has gone live in England and Wales. Letters containing unique access codes have been sent out, and field officers will follow up after Census Day on 21st March if households have not completed their questionnaire. More
Data from Kantar's Great Britain TGI consumer survey will now be updated and released on a monthly basis, in response to what the firm says are evolving demands for consumer insight. More
Ipsos has hired former New York Times insights exec Dan Wong-Chi-Man for a newly created role, Head of Global Marketing and Business Development. He will be based in London. More
In Illinois, USA, a federal judge has approved settlement of the 2015 lawsuit alleging that Facebook tagged the faces of users and used other biometric data without their permission. The social network will pay $650m, including 'at least' $345 for each of the class action's c.1.6m plaintiffs. More
UK-based kids, parents & family panels firm The Insights People has added eight new team members since the start of the year, taking its headcount to 54, with a further 16 hires planned. The firm says that so far in 2021 it has added one new client every week. More
UK industry charity the Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA) is launching its annual fundraising auction on the International Day of Happiness on 20th March. This year's event will be known as the 'Donate a Smile' auction. More
Global PR and marketing company Cision has agreed to acquire Brighton, UK-based social media listening and content marketing analytics firm Brandwatch, for $450 million. More
Debbie Clifford, Chief Financial Officer of SurveyMonkey, is leaving to become CFO of her previous employer Autodesk. SurveyMonkey has already initiated a search to find her replacement, with CEO Zander Lurie taking over the role until one is named. More
The UK Statistics Authority has set up a Centre for Applied Data Ethics, to provide practical guidance and support for researchers and statisticians; and to keep them abreast of new methods, technologies and data sources. More
Ipsos has reported Covid-hit full-year revenue of EUR 1.8bn, down 6.5% on a like-for-like basis, but managed organic growth of 1.4% in Q4 (vs Q4 2019). Negative currency effects dented reported figures for both periods. More
YouGov has hired Hideyuki (Andy) Hata for a newly created role, Senior Strategic Advisor, YouGov Sport, tasked with establishing the business's commercial operations in Tokyo. More
Experience management (XM) company Qualtrics has launched a solution to help organisations uncover insights about diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and sense of belonging across their organisations, and enable them to take actions that 'drive systemic change'. More
US research and training company Burke, Inc. has promoted Jane Thurston to the role of Senior Vice President, Client Services. More
Former Body Shop CEO Jeremy Schwartz has joined Kantar as Practice Chairman for Sustainable Transformation, with a remit to increase marketplace visibility for the division, along with C-suite engagement. More
Britain's decennial census, taking place (other than Scotland) next month, will for the first time ask people if they are a veteran of the armed forces. More
In India, Comscore has added 'state clusters' to its measurement suite, allowing users to segment digital audiences based on their location in sixteen states across India. The firm says this allows media buyers and sellers to understand multi-platform audiences beyond country level. More
Caroline Connolly has joined Kantar Public, the insights group's public policy evidence and advisory division, to take up the role of CEO, Development Practice, based in the Washington D.C. office. More
The European Commission has published its draft UK 'adequacy decisions', which if adopted will allow for the continued free flow of personal data from the EU into the UK. More
In the US, automated customer feedback tool Opiniion has raised $3m in a financing round, for use in scaling up. The business covers multiple sectors but has a strong focus on real estate. More
Kantar Public has appointed Gaurav Sabharwa as Chief Executive Officer of India and South Asia, based in New Delhi. He takes over from Surya AV, who left in October after nearly two decades with Kantar. More
The U.S. Census Bureau announced on Friday that it will delay the release of population data by up to six months, with a new deadline of September 30th. The data is used for 'redistricting' - redrawing states' legislative boundaries, and Covid is blamed for the postponement. More
Opinium CEO James Endersby has launched 'Significant Insights' - a global content platform for the MR industry aimed at both helping younger researchers develop their careers and encouraging those who may not have previously considered a career in market research. More
Online attention tracking and content analytics specialist Parse.ly has been acquired by WordPress VIP (WPVIP), the enterprise content blogging site owned by publishing platform provider Automattic. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the UK, retail association The Co-Op has appointed former BBC exec Phil Barker as Head of Customer Experience (CX) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM), as it expands its Data and Loyalty teams. More
Glasgow, Scotland-based pharma sector data tech company Talking Medicines has launched an AI -driven service called PatientMetRx, providing drug companies with a way to measure patients' experiences of taking medicines. More
Online sampling and MR tool provider SoapBoxSample has launched a cannabis-focused research panel called The Green Time, comprising both cannabis consumers and industry professionals. More
Healthcare data collection specialist SurveyHealthcareGlobus (SHG) has appointed former M3 and Medefield executive Dan Lockwood as EVP of its European division, based in London. More
From this week, Daily Research News will feature video interviews of around 20-25 minutes with leading figures in the insights and analytics world, giving you more depth on some of the stories in the news, and talking about themselves, their companies and their views. More
London-based health sector consultancy Branding Science has expanded to Berlin, Germany, where it has hired Anne-Sophie Lenoir to lead the new office. More
In New York, predictive AI platform NWO.ai has launched out of stealth mode with a $3.5m seed funding round. More
Online audience measurement body UKOM (UK Online Measurement) and Ipsos have announced the official launch of Ipsos iris, the new UK industry standard for online audience measurement. More
In London, consumer privacy-focused ad data platform Glimpse Protocol has raised EUR 1.4m in a seed round of funding, with investors including former Kantar CEO Eric Salama. More
Kantar has today announced it is investing to double the size of its 'Public Voice' panel, launched just under a year ago. The move will create 'the largest random sample panel in the UK', according to the firm. More
Healthcare analytics and insights firm W2O has created three new leadership roles: Jo Ann Saitta as Global Chief Digital Officer, Marcos Mendell as EVP Health Platform Innovation, and Larry Mickelberg as Group President, Technology and Engagement. More
New US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order preventing the exclusion of undocumented immigrants from Census Bureau data. More
UK-based data firm Ascential has sold its location intelligence arm Groundsure to a subsidiary of legal tech, software and information group ATI Global for £170m. More
In the UK, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has announced plans to publish credit and debit card transaction data from the Bank of England, to help analyse how individuals have been spending their money during the past twelve months. More
London-based qual-led insight and strategy specialist BritainThinks has appointed four new senior members of staff: Lucy Farrow and Sarah Cheesbrough as Associate Partners, and Heather Young and Jennifer Summers as Associate Directors. More
In the UK, behavioural science specialist Chris Harvey has launched a new company called Activate Research, promising to help research agencies and end clients better understand, predict and change behaviour. More
In London, former Sky exec Phil Halliwell has joined full-service insight consultancy Relish as Insight Director. More
London-based Opinium has hired former Hall & Partners exec Tom McEnery as Research Director, and made six further appointments. More
In the UK, medical communications and insights research agency Porterhouse Medical Group has appointed former Cello Health Insight exec David Eatwell as a Director of its internal research consultancy, Porterhouse Insights. More
Ipsos has announced the acquisition of Croatian firm Fistnet d.o.o., developer of the Dotmetrics digital audience measurement platform. More
In the US, Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham has announced his retirement, effective with the Presidential transition this Wednesday; and has thanked Bureau staff for their 'extraordinary accomplishments, especially those related to the successful 2020 Census'. More
Google has taken the unusual step of pronouncing its $2.1bn acquisition of wearable tech firm Fitbit a done deal, while regulatory investigations including that of the U.S. Department of Justice are still ongoing. Meanwhile Facebook's WhatsApp is mired in controversy over user data. More
In the US, market intelligence platform Premise Data has raised $85m in a Series E round of funding, which it will use to expand its platform capabilities and global network. More
Cultural insights and strategy consultancy Crowd DNA has moved founder Andy Crysell to the position of Chief Executive Officer, while Matilda Andersson has been promoted to Group MD, and Elyse Pigram moves up to MD for APAC. The firm has also made several new hires. More
UK industry charity the Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA) has issued a statement reminding those suffering from financial difficulties or other personal problems as a result of the pandemic and the new lockdown, that it is able to provide support. More
Brad Rukstales, the President and CEO of Chicago-area data and insights martech firm Cogensia, has been fired after being arrested for his part in the recent storming of the US Capitol building in Washington DC, which resulted in violent clashes with police and five deaths. More
UK-based firm The Insights People has rolled out its Parents Insights service across thirteen countries, surveying 130,000 parents of children between the age of one and sixteen. Also new is a trend prediction service called 'Parents Insights Future Forecast'. More
In the UK, an employee of motoring breakdown cover and roadside assistance provider RAC has been given an eight month suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges of securing unauthorised access to computer data, and to selling unlawfully obtained personal data. More
Healthcare marcoms specialist W20 has acquired machine learning and real-world data specialists Swoop and IPM.ai, also focused on the sector. Terms of the deals have not been disclosed. More
MR and consulting firm Research America has acquired pharma and health researcher Segmedica (xsperient), for an undisclosed sum. More
Basis Research, headquartered in London and with three offices in the US, has launched a social research practice, geared to helping clients shape public policy, communications and services. Former Kantar execs Darren Bhattachary and Dan Clay join to head up the new unit. More
London-based, employee owned insight and strategy consultancy BritainThinks has promoted Julia Ridpath to Research Director, Richenda Devereux to Director of Operations, and Helen Mason-Belshaw to Director of Finance; along with nine other promotions to Research Lead and SRE roles. More
Global healthcare specialist Research Partnership has appointed former Ipsos and IQVIA team leader Hannah Osborn as a MedTech Director in its London office, charged with expanding the business in the EU and APAC. More
Mumbai Police have arrested Partho Dasgupta, former CEO of India's Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), along with fourteen others, on charges of 'manipulating' the country's ratings data. More
UK-based research firm Field Scope International (FSI) has opened an office in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, serving increased demand for research in Sub-Saharan Africa. More
Chief Operating Officer Carla Lindemann has retired from Virgina Beach, US-based full service firm Issues & Answers after 32 years. The firm has also promoted Mohit Gour to EVP. More
DRNO is taking a break now until 4th January. It's been a strange old 12 months, but we're looking forward greatly to 2021. We wish those of you doing it a fantastic Christmas, and everyone a great New Year. More
New York and Tel Aviv-based data protection and privacy software company BigID has raised $70m in a Series D round of funding, on a company valuation of $1 billion. Funds will be used to further expand sales and marketing and deliver new 'data actioning' apps. More
The Stagwell Group, owner of the Harris and Harris Poll brands, has reached an agreement with marcoms group MDC Partners, to combine their companies and create a business they say aims for more than $3bn in revenue by 2025. More
Marcoms giant WPP has set out a plan to return to sustainable growth by 2022. This includes initiatives to make £600m in savings by 2025, with around £400m of those savings reinvested in technology to drive future growth. More
In the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has published a Code of Practice helping organisations to engage in 'responsible data sharing'. More
Australian Radio Network (ARN) has launched a neuroscience-based media research initiative, aiming to deliver a better understanding of consumer behaviour and provide new insights about audio. More
In the UK, software development company The Green Room has launched a digital market research company called The Green Room - Insights, focused on helping pharmaceutical companies conduct research with their stakeholders. More
In London, comms software and market intelligence firm Access Intelligence Group has appointed Phillip Palmer as Head of Corporate Strategy & Planning, and Michelle Goodall as Chief Marketing Officer. More
In New York, data-driven PR business MWWPR has acquired social media and influencer marketing agency Everywhere Agency. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Two Cello Health-owned sister agencies, B2B specialist Breaking Blue Research and consumer specialist 2CV Research, are to merge under the latter's brand name. More
In London, mobile-based customer insights platform Streetbees has added $6.7m to its $40m Series B round of funding, which it says will provide its founders, early employees and angel investors with liquid assets. More
In New York, Cassandra, the young consumer trendsetting insights specialist within ENGINE Group, has appointed former NBCUniversal exec Chanon Cook to lead the development of Gen Z and Millennial research and insights, strategy, and client relationships. More
In the UK, IT industry professional body BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, has awarded Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham its new award for her 'outstanding contribution to making digital technology good for society'. More
London-based qual-led insight and strategy specialist BritainThinks has been named 2020 Agency of the Year in this year's MRS Awards ceremony, conducted online last night. More
In the UK, workplace pension scheme the National Employment Savings Trust (Nest) has hired former National Trust exec Christina Finlay for a new role, Director of Data and Analytics. More
In London, Dennis Publishing has promoted Seema Hope to serve as its first Global Customer Insight Director. More
In London, British charity executive and former social worker Sir Stuart Etherington has been appointed Chair of Trustees for not-for-profit organisation NatCen Social Research. He will take up the role next February when Sir Robert Burgess retires at the end of his term in the post. More
In the US, social media data platform ShareThis has launched a 'philanthropic product line' called Data for Good, with 20 percent of its proceeds donated to non-profit organizations. More
US trade body the Insight Association (IA) has formed the IDEA Council, to provide measurement, education and standards to address what it calls the lack of representation in the insights profession and the populations it researches. More
Apple has confirmed plans to introduce a feature known as 'App Tracking Transparency' (ATT) next year, which will prevent apps and web sites from monitoring the way a user behaves online. More
In the UK, the Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA) has launched its first 'Christmas Cracker' fundraising event, to raise money to help research industry execs and their families who have fallen on hard times. More
Kantar and Oxford University's Saïd Business School have partnered to launch an analytics tool called Issue Radar, through which to map online conversation and forecast UK consumer sustainability trends. More
Global consulting group Accenture has made a 'strategic investment' of undisclosed size in data privacy solution provider TripleBlind. More
In New York, Omnicom-owned healthcare media planning and buying agency SSCG has teamed up with Nielsen to launch a tool called ChannelDX, helping to identify the optimal channel mix for client campaigns. More
UK-based marketing and customer analytics consultancy STRAT7 has acquired cultural insights and strategy consultancy Crowd DNA for an undisclosed sum. More
British insight professionals Dr Nick Baker, Jem Fawcus, Denise Hicks, Louise McLaren & Russ Wilson have launched the Insight Climate Collective, a group calling on the industry to come together and play its part in tackling the environmental crisis and promoting sustainability. More
AI-powered audience intelligence platform Pulsar has partnered with online physician community Sermo to launch The Drug Sentiment Index, providing details of what doctors, the public and the media think about 165 top-selling drugs. More
UK-based brand communications and experience research agency The Nursery has become employee-owned, with rights transferred to a trust set up for the benefit of all staff. More
YouGov has acquired Turkish online-focused MR firm Wizsight for an undisclosed sum. The company will be renamed YouGov Turkey. More
In the US, fundraising and marketing services provider RKD Group has acquired North Carolina-based data services company Data Management Inc. (DMI), which helps non-profits with their donor data and subsequent marketing programs. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the Netherlands, consumer neuroscience company Alpha.One has hired former Facebook/Nielsen exec Ingrid Nieuwenhuis as Head of Science, responsible for its product roadmap. More
Australian research association AMSRO has published the final report of its inquiry into opinion polls during the 2019 Federal Election, finding evidence of a 'polling failure' rather than simply a 'polling miss'. More
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has set out how seven political parties need to improve the way they handle people's personal data, following what it describes as 'significant concerns' about transparency around how this data has been used in political campaigning. More
Montreal, Canada-based real estate industry location intelligence platform Local Logic has raised $CAN 8m ($6.1m US) in Series A funding, earmarked for continued recruitment and growth of the platform across North America. More
The state of California has passed Proposition 24, a law expanding and reinforcing its CCPA privacy act - leading to calls from the country's advertising industry for legislation at the federal level. More
UK-based branding and innovation agency Brand Potential has partnered with structural and sustainable design consultancy Touch to launch HALO, a joint venture focused on insight and innovation and promising to help clients with sustainable pack and product innovation. More
Innovation insights firm Clarivate has partnered with Brazilian healthcare data company Techtrials Pesquisa e Tecnologia Ltda (Techtrials), to give clients 'comprehensive real-world data' (RWD) on c.80% of the Brazilian population. More
Glasgow, Scotland-based 'social intelligence' provider Talking Medicines has secured £1.1m in funding, to support the launch and roll-out of a new AI data platform which it says will 'translate what patients are saying into actionable pharma grade intelligence'. More
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Biopharma product strategy consultancy Prescient Healthcare Group has added three senior members of staff: Gordon Gochenauer, Dr. Priya Kar and Dr. Cameron Mackenzie. More
International insight and strategy consultancy BritainThinks has hired five researchers, including Populus' former Head of Qualitative Andy Barker as Senior Research Director. More
Global consultancy Accenture has agreed to acquire Paris-based OpusLine, which provides strategic and transformational advisory services to healthcare providers, life sciences and insurance firms in France. More
Our Data Visualization special issue is published today. Here, in his Introduction, Ipsos co-founder & CEO Didier Truchot talks about clients' need for clarity, AI's potential to change our industry, and why insight professionals should be confident about the future. More
In London, mobile-based customer insights firm Streetbees has raised $40m in a Series B round of funding, which it will use to accelerate development of its platform, and increase headcount from 100 to 230 during the next twelve months. More
In the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has ordered information giant Experian to make 'fundamental changes' to the way it handles people's personal data for marketing services purposes. Experian CEO Brian Cassin says his company will appeal the decision. More
In the US, trade body the Insights Association (IA) is urging the Department of Labor (DOL) to clarify in regulation that individuals receiving incentives for participating in marketing research studies are independent contractors, and not employees. More
Leading firms in Australia have announced the launch of the Australian Polling Council (APC), a body to advance and promote the quality and understanding of public opinion polling in Australia. More
Martina Vojtkova has been promoted to Director of the Policy Research Centre at the UK's National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), replacing Nancy Kelley who left earlier this year to become CEO at Stonewall. More
Ipsos has posted revenue of EUR 468.6m in the third quarter of 2020, down 6.2% on a reported basis but just 3.3% on a like-for-like, constant currency basis despite the impact of the pandemic. The group says this reflects 'a renewed stability since June', with recovery month by month. More
US and Canada-based recruitment specialist Rare Patient Voice (RPV) has partnered with voice response technology provider inVibe Labs, to launch a platform accessing the opinions of patients and caregivers. More
UK market research budgets experienced another 'marked decline' in the third quarter - the second sharpest since data collection for this category started in the final quarter of 2012 - according to the latest IPA Bellwether Report. More
Ahead of the US election, TV audience intelligence platform Tru Optik has again partnered with political data provider TargetSmart; this time to ensure that ad campaigns relating to the presidential, senate, congressional and local races reach their target audiences. More
Communications giant Edelman has launched a Data & Intelligence (DxI) multidisciplinary agency, which will house the group's research, analytics and machine learning capabilities. More
In London, Kantar has appointed long-time Procter & Gamble exec Alexis Nasard as Chief Executive Officer, effective 30th December. He replaces Eric Salama, who left the business in February. More
In the UK, Omnicom Health subsidiary Adelphi Research has promoted Elizabeth Kehler to the role of Managing Director. She replaces Rachel Medcalf who has left after twenty years with the company. More
In the UK, full-service agency Research Strategy Group has appointed Michael Dorr as Senior Vice President, heading its London office. More
In New York, reputation intelligence specialist alva has promoted former Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) exec Jasper Snyder to the role of Chief Client Officer. More
Manchester, UK-based market intelligence provider Kids Insights has expanded to Russia and China. More
Kantar has launched its Kantar Reputation intelligence platform in the UK. The platform which helps communications and PR professionals manage and analyse brand reputation across all media channels, is already available in France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Ireland. More
In the US, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration can end the census count early, despite warnings from four former Census Bureau directors that this could mean hard-to-count communities being missed, and less accurate data being produced. More
The British Polling Council (BPC) has launched a guide to help journalists interpret and write up the findings of opinion polls. More
In the US, online publication the Investor's Business Daily and polling partner TIPP have launched the daily Presidential Tracking Poll, based on a survey of 800 to 1,000 individuals who are likely to vote, conducted over the prior five days. More
In the US, research and data services company ENGINE Insights has promoted three members of staff: Matthew Conrad to SVP Client Solutions; Dave Stewart to SVP and a leader in the Financial Services and Healthcare practices; and David Feick, already leader of the Technology team, also to SVP. More
Hungary and UK-based social media listening specialist Bakamo has opened an office in Washington DC, which will be led by founder and CEO Daniel Fazekas. More
Kicking off a week and a half of articles from our forthcoming Data Visualization special issue, Ipsos.Digital CEO Andrei Postoaca backs AI to unlock its full potential behind the scenes within ten years, allowing business needs to return to centre stage. More
Swedish eye tracking business Tobi has sold its assistive technology Smartbox business to CareTech, which provides specialized social services for adults and children with special needs, following an order by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The price paid was £13.4m. More
San Francisco-based cannabis data and marketing platform Happy Cabbage Analytics has closed a $1.5m seed funding round, which it will use to expand its team, invest in partnerships, and develop products and integrations. More
New York-based consumer insights platform Morning Consult has announced that co-founder Kyle Dropp has become President; while Libby Isenstein, Jeff Cartwright and Tyler Sinclair have been named Chief Product Officer, Chief Growth Officer and Chief Research Officer respectively. More
Last year, research revenue for the Top 50 US-based market research and data analytics companies rose 4.8% to $14.8bn - comprising an almost equal split of domestic (50.2%) and international (49.8%) business - according to the latest annual Top 50 Report. More
Kantar has reversed the decision to close its Philippines Media Division, made just a month ago. Its key client, TV and new media network ABS-CBN, had been set to close down but has now signed a new TAM contract with the agency. More
US and Canada-based patient-focused recruitment specialist Rare Patient Voice (RPV) is expanding to Europe through a partnership with research software firm Q One Tech. More
In Australia, cultural insights and strategy consultancy Crowd DNA has appointed former Vice Media APAC Head of Insight Stephanie Winkler, as a Director. More
UK-based marketing and media consultancy Ebiquity has promoted Leela Nair to the role of Managing Director, Asia Pacific. More
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched a public consultation on draft Statutory Guidance outlining how it will regulate and enforce data protection legislation in the UK. The consultation will remain open until 5pm on Thursday 12th November. More
In Australia, full-service market and social agency Taverner Research has acquired Wollongong-based economic, community and industry specialist IRIS Research. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
UK firm Populus has brought together its own team and that of its businesses BrandCap and Decidedly, to create a brand consultancy called Yonder. More
London-based qual-led insight and strategy specialist BritainThinks has appointed four new members of staff, including former Decidedly exec Drew Still as Associate Director. More
Kantar is planning to cut around ten percent of its US staff due to the impact of the pandemic, according to online reports. More
Healthcare sector marketing solutions firm W2O Group has acquired Elysia Group, a health economic and outcomes research (HEOR) consulting firm operating in the USA and Asia Pacific. More
DIY research pioneer SurveyMonkey has teamed up with dashboard software giant Tableau and digital media company Axios to launch a hub for data relating to the forthcoming US Presidential election. More
Canadian polling, MR and strategy firm Leger has hired Jason Allsopp as Vice President of its Vancouver office, responsible for developing client accounts across British Columbia and expanding the firm's west coast presence. More
UK television audience measurement body BARB has issued a refreshed invitation to tender, covering five research contracts, as it looks to keep pace with changes in television viewing including the ongoing development of SVOD services and the roll-out of 5G mobile networks. More
Fast-growing communities specialist InSites Consulting is to roll out its 'Culture + Trends' solution worldwide. More
In the UK, digital ad trade body the IAB has updated its 'Gold Standard' certification, which aims to increase cross-industry transparency and standardise firms' use of consumer data. More
YouGov has created two new senior roles - Global Sector Heads for Travel & Tourism, and Leisure & Entertainment - and has a new South African affiliate, MR agency KLA. More
UK professional body the MRS has noted a slight positive shift in the expectations of companies in the post-Covid world; and has downgraded its earlier call on the government to 'save the sector' to a more modest appeal for investment in infrastructure and innovation. More
London-based data company TeakOrigin has partnered with mobile intelligence platform Streetbees to launch a study to understand the link between nutritional value and consumption of fresh produce. More
Comscore has been awarded a US Patent for 'Device Identification System and Methods', covering the use of household router meters to anonymously identify individuals within a household. More
First-party data and insights platform Dynata has acquired UK-based digital ethnography solution CrowdLab, which captures in-the-moment consumer opinions, attitudes and trends. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
London-based think-tank The Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) has launched a panel, aiming to uncover insights into Jewish life in the UK. According to JPR, the panel will be the first of its kind at this scale in the world. More
YouGov has expanded in the Asia Pacific region through a partnership with Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam-based behavioural science specialist Decision Lab. More
UK-headquartered full service insight consultancy Basis Research has appointed former Hall & Partners exec Nicole Citron as a Partner in the firm's specialized health division. She is based in the firm's New York office. More
US-based strategy and custom research firm Magid has hired Tiffany Vasilchik as Senior Vice President of Growth Strategy in its Consumer & Commercial Brands practice. She will be based in New York City. More
Workplace feedback platform ViewsHub has launched a real-time, rolling performance survey that allows users to rate each of the candidates running for President and Vice President in November's US election. More
In the US, data collection provider Schlesinger Clinical Research has appointed Erica Figueroa as SVP Client Solutions. More
In the US, data-driven full service agency CMI has appointed Pete Kuz as Senior Vice President of its Health & Pharma division. More
In the UK, the Office for National Statistics has announced that it is to take a central role in the new National Data Strategy, published by the government today. According to the government, its strategy aims to build a 'world-leading' data economy, while ensuring public trust in data use. More
In the UK, medical fieldwork business Medicys has launched a division called MediLAB, which will provide linguistics and analysis services for both the company's fieldwork and non-fieldwork-based clients, across all sectors and countries. More
US firm Syapse, which uses real-world evidence to improve the outcomes of cancer patients, has appointed former Kantar Health exec David Pomerantz as Chief Commercial Officer. More
Kantar is shutting down its Philippines TV ratings service at the end of the year, following the closure of its biggest client, commercial television and new media network ABS-CBN. The move will result in Kantar having to lay off around 50 employees. More
In the US, marketing and consumer sciences firm HCD Research has partnered with neuroscience and consumer research specialist Dr Martha Bajec to launch a new unit focused on consumer health and wellness products. More
Marcoms giant WPP has reported a first half loss before tax of £2.58bn, compared to a profit of £409m a year earlier; and reported revenue down 12.3% to £5.58bn, from £6.37bn. Like-for-like (LFL) revenue declined 11.5%. More
An overwhelming majority of UK market researchers (96%) say they want to work from home to some extent in the future following the Covid-19 crisis, according to findings from the 2020 Mental Wellbeing in Research Survey. More
Eye tracking hardware and software firm Tobii AB has announced results for the second quarter of 2020, with revenue down to SEK 332 million (US $37.75m) - an organic decline of 6%. More
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is re-opening its 'regulatory sandbox' service, this time with a focus on supporting organisations using children's personal data to develop products and services. More
President Trump's administration has added a third executive to the US Census Bureau. Benjamin Overholt previously served as a Lead Statistician in the Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). More
Location data ad tech firm Blis has launched an interactive tracker called the Consumer Confidence Pulse, to capture a 'quick snapshot' of consumer sentiment. More
AI-based insights-as-a-service (IaaS) platform Birdie has raised $1.6m in a seed funding round, which it will use for US expansion of its sales and marketing teams, and to accelerate the development of new features relating to its integration with other data sources. More
In the US, healthcare payments analytics and data science company Sift Healthcare has raised $2.8m in a new funding round, which it will use to expand its data science and engineering teams. More
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has announced that the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has approved the final regulations for the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), designed to enhance the privacy rights of the state's residents. More
In London, former Ipsos MORI, Universal Music and BBC exec Hanna Chalmers has launched a research and strategy collective called culturestudio. More
Data and insight industry association ESOMAR has launched the Insights Festival 2020, taking place online from 14th to 17th September. The event replaces the previously planned ESOMAR Congress 2020, due to take place in Toronto in October, and now postponed to 2021 because of the pandemic. More
UK-based kids, parents and family specialist The Insights People has raised £500k in investment funding, which it will use for international expansion, and to create eight new jobs at its Manchester headquarters. The firm has also appointed Stefan Lampinen as Chairman. More
Charity sector insights and analysis specialist Wood for Trees is joining UK-based digital collective Inc & Co, along with sister agency Insight Analysis whose acquisition was announced last week on DRNO. More
In the UK, full service agency Relish has helped launch an eco-friendly, breathable face covering brand called Curb Mask, using data from its own consumer research. As CEO Monique Drummond explains: 'If we can innovate for our clients, why not do it for ourselves?' More
Comscore has launched a further range of brand safety services, to help prevent brand and political campaign ads appearing alongside potentially misleading and inaccurate information on news sites. More
Regional digital ad industry association IAB Europe and the global organisation's R&D and standard-setting consortium IAB Tech Lab have extended their partnership to launch the IAB Privacy Lab, which will help members develop standards for privacy, data protection and compliance. More
Manchester, UK-based creative collective Inc & Co has acquired Bath-based sports performance analysis and data management (PADM) firm Insight Analysis for an undisclosed sum. More
In London, mobile-based customer insights platform Streetbees has hired former Foursquare MD Omid Ashtari as Chief Operating Officer, as the company plans an expansion and recruitment drive following 110% growth in the first six months of 2020. More
The US Census Bureau has announced it is to end its data collection for the 2020 Census a month early on September 30th, prompting a warning from four former bureau directors that this could mean hard-to-count communities being missed, and less accurate data being produced. More
Kantar Health has expanded its National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), a self-reported patient database covering some 200 medical conditions, to South Korea and Taiwan. More
Behavioural research agency Watch Me Think has launched a qual-based evaluation approach for new consumer products, called the Post Launch Consumer Review (PLCR). More
The Market Research Society of India (MRSI) has set up a relief fund, which it says has already helped 3,600 freelance interviewers faced with economic hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. More
In the UK, not-for-profit body NatCen (the National Centre for Social Research) has announced that Professor Sir Robert Burgess will step down next year as Chair of its Board of Trustees, after fulfilling the full nine-year tenure recommended for charities. More
Research and analytics group YouGov has signalled its intent to increase market share in the media sector by bringing in US and European 'heavy-hitters' Tamara Alesi and Julian Newby. More
The UK division of Future Thinking has taken its new parent Savanta's name, following its acquisition earlier this year. More
The City Council of Washington, DC voted last week to reject a proposal which would have placed a three percent tax on the sale of data. The decision followed interventions by the Insights Association and a coalition of other firms and associations. More
IBM and data-based influencer marketing platform Influential have teamed up to launch a solution using AI to help brands identify those influencers who best align with their brand values. More
In Chicago, full-service healthcare consultancy SPM Marketing & Communications has promoted Patti Winegar from CEO to Vice Chair of SPM Group, while filling the Chief Exec role via the appointment of Amanda Seaford, effective September 1st. More
London-based healthcare communications and consulting agency imc group has acquired medical communications and insights research agency Porterhouse Medical Group. Terms of the deal, backed by Waterland Private Equity, have not been disclosed. More
Insight-led healthcare branding and communications consultancy THE PLANNING SHOP has appointed Rebecca Rehder as Global President, to lead the organization across the UK and US. She takes up the position next Monday, and will be based in New York. More
US-based SDM Northcoast, which conducts qual and quant research for the dental industry, has launched a 'Data Analytics Service', analyzing growth trends and market share for every region, state, sales territory and zip code in the country. More
Anti-fraud and brand safety organizations the Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) and the Joint Industry Committee for Web Standards (JICWEBS) are to merge under the TAG brand name. More
In the US, Omnicom Health subsidiary Adelphi Research has promoted Ratna Wynn to the position of EVP, Head of Research, Operations and Innovation, with responsibility for all research functions and operations. More
Research & Results, the organiser of the annual Munich, Germany-based trade show for market research, data and insights professionals, has decided to close its whole business because of the impact of the Covid-19 crisis. More
In the US, healthcare marcoms specialist W2O has acquired health economics and research consulting firm Discern Health for an undisclosed sum. More
UK-based kids, parents and family specialist The Insights People has expanded to Canada and Australia, to meet international demand for its market intelligence solutions. More
Comscore has received a US patent for: 'Protecting User Privacy During Collection of Demographics Census Data'. More
In the US, 'cognitive insights' platform WhizAI has raised $4m in seed funding, which it will use to expand its team across the globe and invest in sales and marketing. More
In New York, IPG Mediabrands global media agency network UM has promoted Arielle Garcia for the newly created role of Chief Privacy Officer. More
Naomi Gooblar, the founder of London-based qual and quant fieldwork services firm Field Sauce, has set up a dedicated team called Field Sauce Kidz, working with young people aged from 0 to 20, as well as their parents and educators. More
The UK government is to upgrade its 'Research Marketplace', a 'Dynamic Purchasing System' for public sector buyers to find and commission research agencies. The new c.£300m contract will start in February 2022 and run for four years. More
In the US, full-service pharma market research and consultancy firm ThinkGen has appointed former CMI exec Will Leopold as SVP, overseeing one of its business units, while his former colleague Meredith Gilfeather joins as Vice President supporting him. More
A new study conducted by industry trade association ESOMAR has highlighted that 7 in 10 people are concerned about sharing their personal data with businesses, while two thirds say they don't like the current privacy practices employed by data collectors. More
Ipsos has posted revenue of EUR 786m for the first half of the year, down 13% from last year's EUR 903.4m. The firm says that after a close to flat performance in the first quarter, the second was heavily affected by the 'havoc' wreaked by Covid-19. More
UK TV audience measurement body BARB has announced a year-long extension of the tender process for two of its main research contracts, as a result of the pandemic. The organisation has also begun investigating remote data collection alternatives. More
In the US, utilities-focused customer research agency E Source has acquired big data and data science consulting firm StrategyWise. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the UK, the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) is leading an initiative to establish industry-wide professional standards for data science. The move aims to give the public confidence in how their data is being used ethically, stored safely and analysed robustly. More
In the US, investment firm Saroras Private Capital has launched a new company called Apollo Intelligence Corporation, focused on tech-driven data and insights solutions for the life sciences and healthcare sectors; and has acquired data collection company SHG as part of it. More
The holding company of Toluna, Harris Interactive Europe and KuRunData is adopting the Toluna name as its principal brand, replacing ITWP which will be phased out. Toluna is celebrating this change and its twenty years in business with a new corporate identity. More
Audience research body MRUC India has reportedly paused production and publication of its IRS 2020 readership survey, and has told subscribers it will refund their payments, due in large part to the economic impact of Covid-19. More
Scotland's next census is to be moved to March 2022 due to the impact of Covid-19; and for the first time will mainly be completed online. More
New York-based big data analytics provider RavenPack has launched a platform it describes as an 'alternative to polling' - offering projections and analysis for the forthcoming US presidential election. More
UK-based kids, parents and family specialist The Insights People has hired seven new members of staff, increasing the team to 31. The company is now looking for a new 3,000 sq ft Manchester city centre office to accommodate this expansion. More
Former Kantar CEO Eric Salama has joined the Board of New York-based consumer insights platform Morning Consult, along with Karen van Bergen, former CEO of Omnicom Public Relations Group. More
In the UK, television marketing body Thinkbox has announced that its founding CEO and current non-executive Chair Tess Alps has decided to retire at the end of the year. More
In the UK, former journalist Mimi Turner has joined political party the Liberal Democrats as Director of Strategy, Messaging and Research. More
London-based life science commercialization strategist Windrose Consulting Group has acquired emerging markets value, access and price assessment specialist Parioforma. More
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) have opened a joint investigation into Clearview AI, whose surveillance activities have been described as a 'threat to privacy, safety, and security'. More
Middle East-based full service agency 4SiGHT Research & Analytics has hired long-time Kantar exec Sukhdev Singh to launch its 4SiGHT Consulting practice in Dubai. Former Kantar researcher Siva Sankar has also joined the new division. More
International data collection and research services business the Schlesinger Group has brought together a number of existing units to form a dedicated Schlesinger Clinical Research division. More
Nielsen is carrying out an 'optimization plan' to drive permanent cost savings and 'operational efficiencies', which will result in the loss of around 3,500 of its c.46,000 employees. The firm also plans to exit several smaller, underperforming markets and non-core businesses in H2 2020. More
According to media reports, Census Bureau officials are concerned that the White House has added two 'political operatives' to the US Census team. More
In the UK, the government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched an Instagram-based tool running opinion polls, through which 13-25 year olds can share their views on issues relating to policy-making. More
UK-based Ipsos-MORI announced on Friday it was restarting large-scale face-to-face fieldwork, after a successful trial of a Covid-19 safe approach. More
The Market Research Society of India (MRSI) has launched a Professional Standards Committee (PSC), which will investigate queries, issues and complaints of reported violations of MRSI or ICC/ESOMAR codes. More
Palantir Technologies, the secretive US-based big data firm which helps predict and track events for intelligence agencies and governments, as well as private clients, is raising around $961m in equity funding, with around $550m already sold. More
In the UK Bob Qureshi, co-founder of i-view, has set up a Viewing Facilities Action Group, offering support and guidance to facility owners who have been forced to pay local authority rent and business rates during the Covid-19 crisis. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has launched new guidance for face-to-face data collection, in advance of halls, viewing facilities and venues reopening in England on Saturday 4th July. Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have adopted separate measures. More
Qual-led insight and strategy specialist BritainThinks has promoted one-time interns Raphael Malek and Lucy Morrell to the role of Research Director; while Teresa Kuhn and Phoebe Ward - who joined the company as interns last year - have been promoted to SRE. More
Healthcare specialist Research Partnership has published two new patient syndicated reports: Living With Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Living With Crohn's Disease (CD). More
San Francisco-based healthcare analytics company Clarify Health has enhanced its platform 'Clarify Launch' to enable brands to explore more than 300 million longitudinal patient care journeys and provide insights within specific patient populations. More
UK-based advisory group Cello Health has agreed to the terms of a takeover by Arsenal Capital Partners, a private equity firm which invests in healthcare and speciality industrials companies. The deal values the group at £178.8m. More
In the US, programmatic sample platform Lucid has appointed Pauline Wen as General Counsel, Chief Privacy Officer and Corporate Secretary; leading the firm's legal efforts, including privacy and cybersecurity, transactions, compliance and risk management processes. More
Kantar has added the newly created role of Deputy Chief Executive to the role of Chief Financial Officer Ian Griffiths. More
Ipsos MORI is launching a study to investigate and benchmark the level of diversity among senior executives working for the UK's largest employers. More
Nine researchers with 'various ethnic backgrounds and industry experience' have joined forces to launch Colour of Research (CORe), a non-profit organisation that will champion ethnic diversity in the MR and insights industry. More
In New York, marketing tech company DeepIntent has launched Patient Modeled Audiences, an advertising solution combining privacy and machine learning for privacy-safe targeting of specific patient populations. More
Respondent access specialist Maru/Blue has hired former Ipsos Reid pollster John Wright to lead its newly launched Public Opinion Research division. More
The Stagwell Group, owner of the Harris and Harris Poll brands, has proposed a merger with marcoms group MDC Partners, to create a single entity which it says would have generated more than $2 billion in net revenue last year. More
In the UK, healthcare research specialist P\S\L Group has appointed former M3 and Cello Health exec Paul O'Shaughnessy as Managing Director of its RxY business. More
Former Circle Research exec Chris Wells has launched a B2B market research consultancy called Adience, based in New York City. More
In the US, economic research and forecasting specialist Cliff Waldman has launched a consulting and research firm called New World Economics, to help clients understand the impact of government policies and other market forces on manufacturing companies. More
In the US, tech-driven cultural insights agency and Hispanic sample provider ThinkNow has launched a new report to measure the impact of corporations' support for social and environmental initiatives on consumer brand perception and purchase behavior. More
In New York, the ARF (Advertising Research Foundation) has set up a charitable program called 'ARF WIDE: Workforce Initiative for Diversity and Excellence', aiming to improve the diversity of the workforce across the research/analytics, media and advertising industries. More
John Croll, former CEO of media monitoring firm Isentia, has teamed up with ex-colleague Michael Bade to launch a media intelligence platform called Truescope. The firm aims to inform clients about breaking news across all media types and identify issues, fake news and trends in real time. More
Financial big data firm Powerlytics has sold a $4m stake to Brewer Lane Ventures, and will use the money to increase its sales, data science and product management teams. More
Paris-based OpinionWay Group has announced the opening of a new strategic regional hub in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to be led by Florence de Bigault, who joins the Group as MD of Sub-Saharan Africa. More
Ipsos Interactive Services' (IIS) has extended its MENA online panel with a launch in Iraq. The new panel boasts 8,000 members and is fully operational in all the state's major cities, in both Arabic and Kurdish languages. More
Microsoft has joined IBM and Amazon to limit US police use of facial recognition technology, which critics claim is racially biased. More
Broadcaster Channel 4 has appointed Khalid Hayat in the newly created role of Director of Strategy and Consumer Insight. More
In the US, data privacy infrastructure provider Transcend has raised $25m in a Series A round of funding, which it will invest in its technology, strategy and team. More
In Australia, magazine publisher Bauer Media has partnered with MR agency The Lab to launch a study called OFFSCRIPT, to understand the thoughts, feelings and social media behaviour of Gen Z, as well as how advertisers can target this generation. More
London-based insights agency Opinium has promoted Alexa Nightingale to its management board after eight years at the company. More
Eye tracking solutions provider Tobii has released a new wearable device, Tobii Pro Glasses 3, which it says will provide unbiased insights into human behaviour for both commercial and scientific use despite being 'exactly like putting on and wearing a standard pair of eyeglasses'. More
Global shopper insights agency PRS IN VIVO has appointed former Kantar and TNS exec Inna Merenkova to head up UK operations as Managing Director, while Scott Brill has been promoted to Chief Commercial Officer, based in the US. More
UK-based insights and data firm delineate has boosted its leadership with the appointment of Wayne Evans in the new role of Chief Information Officer, and the promotions of Product Director James Stewart to CTO and Chief Customer Officer Ben Leet to COO. More
In Australia, full-service public sector consultancy ORIMA Research has launched a specialist Disability Services Research division (DSR), led by former National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) exec Tamara Reinisch. More
Personal data discovery, analytics, privacy and security platform 1touch.io has raised $14m in a Series A round of funding, for use in platform development and customer acquisition. More
In the US, online consumer research and rewards platform Prodege has acquired college education-savings rewards business Upromise for an undisclosed sum, and will use it to expand its own proprietary market research panels. More
DIY research software company SurveyMonkey has launched a post-pandemic offer for enterprise customers, to help them gain an understanding of the health and well-being of staff and convert feedback into an action plan for employees' safe return to work. More
In the US, media and ad tech firm Comcast Corporation has partnered with cabling and connectivity giant Charter Communications, Inc. and broadcaster ViacomCBS in ownership of Blockgraph, a software platform promising more secure use and sharing of aggregated and anonymized data. More
Brookfield, WI-based full service provider the Dieringer Research Group, Inc. (The DRG) has formalized its partnership with Illinois healthcare sector research and brand consulting firm Klein & Partners. A DRG client for 15 years, Klein is now an affiliate. More
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing facial recognition start-up Clearview AI, whose surveillance activities are described by the non-profit as a 'threat to privacy, safety, and security'. More
In the US, the Insights Association (IA) has called for Congress to approve temporary and targeted liability limitations for insights businesses, in order to protect them from 'unwarranted' Covid-19-related lawsuits. More
UK sector specialist consultancy Cambridge Healthcare Research (CHR) has appointed Chris Stevenson as Chief Executive Officer. More
In Shanghai, AI-powered text analysis software company DataGrand has raised $38m (CNY 270m) in a Series B+ round of funding, which it will use to 'scale up' the business. More
British charity Comic Relief has appointed former Kantar CEO Eric Salama as Chair of the Board of Trustees, replacing Tim Davie, BBC Studios CEO, who has served on the Board since September 2013. More
In the US, brand and marketing insights company Shapiro+Raj has promoted Senior Director Lisa La Brooy to the role of Vice President, in charge of its New York Office. More
In the US, healthcare specialist Olson Research has appointed Michelle Soto as Senior Vice President, Research Solutions. More
Britain's Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) has agreed that publishers will no longer have to make their circulation figures public. In addition, ABC will no longer publish its public monthly report, though the figures will still be available to advertisers. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) and Next15's data and insights group Savanta have officially launched a framework to guide businesses in building competitive advantage through market and social research. More
In Australia, trade body AMSRO has released an interim discussion paper relating to its inquiry into the performance of last year's pre-federal election opinion polls. The association says the inquiry has found disclosure standards relating to the polls to be 'inadequate'. More
In the US, a group of senators has written to Senate leadership asking for additional funding for the Census Bureau, which they say is needed to address the operational changes resulting from the current public health crisis. More
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has expressed concerns over Hungary's decision to suspend General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) obligations, as part of new emergency powers passed following the outbreak of coronavirus in the country. More
The UK's Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), the regulatory arm of the UK Statistics Authority, has outlined its expectation on how government and other official bodies should produce and use management information when responding to the coronavirus pandemic. More
In New York, healthcare ad platform PulsePoint has launched a people-based targeting solution called HCP Direct Match, through which marketers can engage with healthcare professionals (HCPs) in real-time, and on a one-to-one basis. More
The insights sector is in line for an $18.7 billion loss in value due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new report released by industry body ESOMAR and based on a survey of 2,889 professionals from 127 countries. More
Edinburgh agency 56 Degree Insight has launched the Scottish Tourism Index survey, to monitor the views of Scots during the Covid-19 pandemic about future holidays and leisure. More
The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) has published a set of guidelines for returning to work after the Covid-19 lockdown, including face-to-face activity - but is also calling for 'much greater clarity' from the government. More
Nielsen Media has rolled out its VisualDNA tool for the Hong Kong market, promising help to companies, brands and marketers in understanding the 'human personality'. More
In the US, cable channel Newsmax TV has hired former Fox News research chief Jason Villar as Vice President of Research and Analysis. More
In New York, patient behavior change company Wellth has raised $10m in a Series A round of funding, which it will use to expand the business. More
US trade body the Insight Association (IA) has issued guidelines to help companies throughout the insights and data analytics space 'prepare for business in a post-COVID world' despite a confusing picture where some states are extending lockdowns and others lifting them. More
Kantar has launched an online platform using anonymized and aggregated patient data to track changes, delays and modifications to cancer treatment decisions during the Covid-19 crisis. More
US-based online survey software provider QuestionPro has launched a trivia, quiz and polling platform called LivePolls, to both 'engage and excite' audiences and help understand their preferences. One aim is to allow firms to check in with currently home working employees on a regular basis. More
Pharma and healthcare data giant IQVIA has reported Q1 revenue up 3.7% at constant currency, to $2.754bn, and adjusted EBITDA down slightly to $562m from $587m a year earlier. The firm says the pandemic has affected business but it expects 'a strong recovery' by the end of 2020. More
Australia's professional insights association the AMSRS has rebranded as 'The Research Society', aiming to reflect its evolution into 'a more contemporary community association... providing benefits and services to research professionals throughout their career'. More
In Munich, Germany, recently renamed customer experience and research company ISC-CX has launched a system called Covid-19 Feedback, allowing retail customers to give real-time feedback to management after purchase, pick-up or curbside delivery. More
Toronto, Canada-based customer insight solution provider Vision Critical has added a patient experience (PX) package to its flagship Sparq digital insights platform. More
Ipsos MORI is to support the UK government's new home testing programme for coronavirus, which aims to track levels of infection in the community. More
UK industry charity the Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA) is offering 'Special Skills Lockdown Bursaries' to candidates who might struggle with the costs of taking the online MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research. More
Marcoms giant WPP has reported a 4.9% fall in first quarter revenue, reflecting the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and has introduced further cost-saving measures. The group has also applied for a £600m government-backed loan. More
BBC Global News, a member of the broadcaster's commercial group of companies, has partnered with communities specialist Maru/Matchbox to uncover implicit, emotional reactions to its news coverage relating to the Covid-19 virus. More
Al (Albert) Angrisani, turnaround specialist and former President and CEO of Harris Interactive, died as a result of complications from COVID-19 at the Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro on Thursday, April 23rd, at the age of 70. More
In the UK, the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) has appointed Stian Westlake as its new Chief Executive Officer. He was previously Executive Director of Policy and Research at innovation charity Nesta, and has served as a government advisor. More
Continuing our focus on 'Insights in the Mobile Age' Mario Paic, Global Head of Data Science, looks at the rise of the smartphone and discusses its central role today at Ipsos Audience Measurement. More
Eminent social statistician and academic Harvey Goldstein, Professor of Social Statistics at the University of Bristol, who was noted for his work on multi-level modelling, died on 9th April after contracting coronavirus. He was 80 years old. More
Ipsos has posted first quarter revenue of EUR 428.7m, up 1.6% from the same period last year; but says its order book in the three weeks from March 30th has seen a significant fall. More
YouGov has reported a 16% increase in revenue to £76.9m in its half-year (HY) results for the six months to 31st January, compared with HY 2019, when revenue increased 18% to £66.5m. The firm also says it has not yet seen any 'material impact' to the business from the Covid-19 pandemic. More
The Royal Statistical Society (RSS) has launched a 'task force' to provide its collective expertise to UK national and devolved governments and public bodies, regarding statistical issues during the Covid-19 pandemic. More
British engineering legend Rolls-Royce has announced the launch of Emer²gent, an alliance of data experts aiming to support global businesses and governments recovering from the economic impacts of Covid-19. Members include IBM and Google Cloud. More
In an update to members regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, MRS Chief Executive Jane Frost has said she is 'disappointed' that the UK government has not yet found a way round the issue of remunerating directors of limited companies who take all their income from dividends. More
UK-based kids, parents and family market intelligence provider The Insights People has promoted two of its team, including Richard Craig who moves into the newly created position of Chief Data & Information Officer. The firm has also appointed seven new members of staff. More
Healthcare marcoms specialist W20 has acquired social media analytics platform Symplur, which also operates exclusively in the healthcare sector. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
London-based qual-led insight and strategy specialist BritainThinks has appointed former NatCen exec Carol McNaughton Nicolls as Associate Partner. More
South West of England-based digital specialist Caffeine Marketing, which also owns Caffeine Market Research, is opening an office in Bristol. More
In the US, life sciences data company IntegriChain has acquired the Life Sciences division of healthcare consulting and services firm Cumberland, for an undisclosed sum. More
In the US, tech-driven cultural insights agency and Hispanic sample provider ThinkNow has launched a report which measures attitudes and preferences about the presidential election, as well as attitudes about the current administration and its policies. More
UK-based pharma researcher Purdie Pascoe has appointed former Kantar Health UK Managing Director Stephen Potts as its sixth Director. More
MRS Chief Executive Jane Frost has again written to UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak, urging 'one simple step to save one of the UK's world leading sectors'. More
UK-based medical device MR consultancy Creative Medical Research (CMR) has hired Matt Higgs for a newly created role, Head of Insights, working across both qual and quant methods. The firm has also promoted Lucy Little to Qualitative Research Director. More
Industry association ESOMAR has called on national government and business leaders who commission research to regard data as an 'essential source' in understanding citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic; and has launched two related data-sharing initiatives. More
Marcoms giant WPP has launched plans to make around £2bn in savings, as the impact of the Covid-19 shutdown hits its business. More
Britain's official statistics service, the ONS, is introducing new surveys and data sources reflecting 'widespread disruption to the UK and constraints on its operations'. More
The US Census Bureau has retired its statistics and information search engine American FactFinder (AFF) after twenty years, and replaced it with a new platform called data.census.gov. More
As more people work from home because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of privacy experts have raised concerns over the safety of videoconferencing app Zoom. More
London-based pollster Survation has hired Carl Shoben as Director of Strategic Communications and Madhur Mehra as Director of Research. More
US-based healthcare polling company and online physician community Sermo has invited all doctors globally to participate in a Covid-19 Real Time Barometer study, providing a weekly perspective of physicians' insights and perspectives on the crisis. More
Social media monitoring and marketing platform Socialbakers has opened up its platform to help non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world communicate, and inform and educate the public through social media channels during the Coronavirus pandemic. More
UK-based social media listening specialist Bakamo has appointed former Kantar director James MacGregor as Managing Director of its Public division. More
In the US, social media analytics specialist StatSocial has launched an audience research service called Crisis Insights, as a direct response to the Covid-19 pandemic. More
Kantar has launched a study to understand the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on citizens across the G7 nations. More
Tony Cowling, co-founder of Taylor Nelson, died on Saturday 14 March 2020, after a short illness. More
In the US, senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have joined Senator Amy Klobuchar to introduce legislation that would ensure Americans are able to vote by mail this year, amid disruptions caused by Covid-19. More
Global association ESOMAR is teaming up with MrWeb and its existing partner Women In Research to give data and insights professionals access to the world's largest specialist index of job opportunities, with new packages and offers also launched. More
Jane Frost, Chief Executive of Britain's MRS, has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak warning of the 'immediate and potentially catastrophic impact' of the Covid-19 crisis on the industry, and asking for further help in protecting it. More
Governments in many countries are using or examining the use of location intelligence from mobile phones to track the spread of Coronavirus and the behaviour of their populations - leading some to worry about privacy; while private data from mobile analyst OnAudience compares the willingness of Poles, Italians and Brits to curtail their movements. More
US-based association the ARF (Advertising Research Foundation) is to support the U.S. Census Bureau in building awareness of the 2020 Census, and encouraging participation. More
The US Census Bureau has announced the suspension of field operations for two weeks until April 1st, to protect the health and safety of the American public, its own employees and temporary census takers during the Covid-19 pandemic. More
Gale Metzger (pictured), co-founder of Statistical Research, Inc. (SRI), died on March 16, 2020 in New Jersey at the age of 83. More
In the US, private equity firm Growth Catalyst Partners (GCP) has teamed up with Peter Goldstone, the former CEO of construction industry analyst Hanley Wood, to acquire a controlling stake in digital media, information and intelligence company GEMG from its former parent, Atlantic Media. More
With the Covid-19 pandemic now sweeping the world, research charity the MRBA has issued a statement reminding UK employers that it is here to help, including in cases where the industry's casual workers get into severe financial hardship due to the impact of the virus. More
In London, the UK Statistics Authority has launched a joint Consultation with HM Treasury, aimed at addressing the 'shortcomings' of the RPI (Retail Price Index) as a measure of inflation. The CPIH measure, which includes housing costs, is held up as a better indicator. More
Trade association the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has appointed David Cohen as President, focusing on strategy, growth and operational excellence and starting on April 1st. He reports to CEO Randall Rothenberg. More
Technology research and advisory firm Information Services Group has reported a 3.6% decline in revenue for the full year to December 31st 2020, to $265.8m. Profit, in the form of adjusted EBITDA, eased off 4.6% to $31.5m for the year, but hit record levels in the last two quarters. More
London-based healthcare fieldwork agency Just Worldwide has appointed Sarah Bennett as Field Manager, based in the UK; while Yuichi Ohta joins in Japan in the newly created position of Research Manager. More
In the US, healthcare market research firm InCrowd has appointed former Kantar exec Joseph Baldini as Chief Technology Officer, leading its engineering function. More
In the US, Forecast5 Analytics has acquired geovisual analytics tool developer GuideK12. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Social media management software firm Hootsuite has partnered with UK-based analyst and insights firm Brandwatch to offer a new 'listening' solution allowing clients to find and analyse key conversations relevant to their brand. More
Comscore has launched a service called 'Congressional District Ratings', providing insights on local TV audiences matched to US congressional district boundaries, in order to help local stations drive political advertising sales. More
In the US, competitive intelligence and user experience research specialist Corporate Insight has expanded its suite of healthcare research tools with the launch of a service called Medicare Monitor. More
UK industry charity the Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA) is asking for donations for its annual auction, which provides funds to research industry execs and their families who have fallen on hard times. More
Survey software provider QuestionPro has acquired healthcare CX platform Care Experience. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
London-based full-service agency Opinium has officially launched its NYC office on legendary US advertising strip Madison Avenue. The firm has also appointed former Weber Shandwick Strategy Director Giulia Prati as Vice President of Research US. More
Australian insights consultancy Fiftyfive5 has promoted company partner Alan King for a newly created position, Head of Pharma, based in its Sydney office. More
Ipsos has reported a 14.5% increase in full-year revenue to slightly more than EUR 2 billion; with organic, constant currency growth of 3.8%, the firm's best annual performance since 2011. More
In the US, Staten Island-based PR and digital marketing firm The Von Agency has added surveys and digital fundraising to its portfolio of services, for clients in the political and non-profit sectors. More
In the US, media intelligence and communications specialist Cision has announced that CEO Kevin Akeroyd has left the business 'to pursue other opportunities', just two weeks after the firm was acquired by an affiliate of global investment firm Platinum Equity. More
Comscore has partnered with political data provider TargetSmart, to create customized political ad segments. More
In the UK, the Centre for Homelessness Impact and the Office for National Statistics have jointly developed a tool to provide insight into the conditions required to tackle homelessness. More
Biopharma product strategy consultancy Prescient Healthcare Group has hired two new employees for its Advisory business: Kevin Baruzzi as Managing Director of the newly opened Boston office, and Dr Arun Shrivats as Associate Director in San Francisco. More
The UK government is assessing whether next year's census should be the last, with the possibility of it being replaced with more regular updates which will use 'less costly' methods to assess national demographic trends. More
Adam Crozier, former CEO of broadcaster ITV, the Football Association and Royal Mail, has been named Non-Executive Chairman of Kantar. More
Technology-driven cultural insights agency ThinkNow has relaunched its ConneKt proprietary audience planning and segmentation tool, promising 'multicultural research and technology on-demand' for marketers. More
Following its acquisition of WPP AUNZ's Data Investment Management (DIM) division, Kantar has announced a number of steps which it says will help drive growth for its clients in Australia, including the retirement of the Colmar Brunton brand in the country. More
French healthcare sector fieldwork agency QualWorld has expanded its presence to twelve countries including Sweden, Poland and India. More
London-based YouthSight has extended its 150,000-strong direct access community of 16 to 30-year olds to include the 13 to 15-year old demographic. The agency claims this makes it the only panel supplier in the UK to provide the MR industry with direct access to younger teens. More
In the UK, full-service agency BMG Research has appointed long-time Opinion Leader exec Neil Samson as Qualitative Research Director. More
British broadcaster ITV has appointed rival Channel 4's Head of Data Science Sanjeevan Bala as Group Chief Data & AI Officer. He will take up his new position in May. More
Nielsen has launched an enhanced cross-platform version of its Voter Ratings syndicated solution, which helps ad buyers and sellers understand the media preferences of potential voters. More
Colorado-based Egg Strategy is moving its corporate headquarters within the state, from Boulder to Denver - where more than 40 percent of its nearly 70 employees live. More
Leeds, UK-based full service agency Boxclever has added five new team members: Laura Byrne and Steven Marsh as Research Directors; Charlotte Hodgson as an Insight Manager and Karla Rendle as Qualitative Insight Manager; and Tilly Lewis as Marketing Manager. More
In the UK, full-service agency BMG Research has hired former ORC International exec Lee Cartwright as Employee Experience Director. More
Continuing our special features on Insight in the Mobile Age Abraham Muller, CTO at Brandwatch Qriously, looks at how mobile methods can make election polling easier to implement and more accurate. More
London-based full-service agency Opinium is to open an office in Brussels, under the leadership of Director Emily Dickinson. More
Kenneth Tomaszewski has stepped down from his role as President of NY-based healthcare research specialist KJT Group, and will be replaced by Michaela Gascon, who adds the title of President to her existing one of Chief Operating Officer. More
Memories are short (well ours are anyway) and when we started our summary of 'the MR world in 2002' we expected to find an industry deeply affected by the global downturn of that year. Only when we got reading did we remember that of course, until 2009, research used to be recession-proof! More
Innovation insights and data firm Clarivate Analytics is to acquire healthcare-focused research and data provider Decision Resources Group (DRG) from its present owner, Piramal. The $950m price tag comprises $900m in cash and approximately $50m in Clarivate shares. More
In Newcastle-upon-Tyne, full-service agency Explain Market Research has undergone a management buyout, with founder David Shiel selling his controlling 75% stake. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Former Kadence International Global Head of Insight and UK MD Greg Clayton has joined Ipsos MORI as Senior Client Officer. More
Telegraph Media Group (TMG), publisher of UK papers the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, has announced it will withdraw from the country's ABC circulation audits, as it continues to focus its strategy on building digital circulation. More
Adam Crozier, former CEO of broadcaster ITV, the Football Association and Royal Mail, is said to be discussing the role of Chairman at Kantar. More
Google's decision to block third-party cookies in Chrome could have major competitive impacts for digital firms, consumer services and tech innovation, according to industry bodies the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A's). More
Full-service pharma market research and consultancy firm ThinkGen has hired former GfK Healthcare COO Bart Weiner as President, joining two ex-colleagues and replacing founder Noah Pines who moves to the role of Chief Executive. More
Escalent, formerly Market Strategies International-Morpace, has appointed Nancy Arter as SVP in its Technology & Telecommunications divisions, while Keir Lococo joins as a Vice President in the Health division. More
Youth media network and marketing services company Fullscreen has launched a study called 'The Next Gen Family', focused on the 'Parennial' demographic, comprising 36 million Americans between the ages of 25 and 37 with at least one child at home. More
Qual-led insight and strategy specialist BritainThinks has promoted eight members of its London-based team. In addition, two individuals have moved into permanent positons after completing the firm's internship programme. More
The Stagwell Group, owner of the Harris and Harris Poll brands, has created a central marketing team with several new hires and promotions, including the appointment of former Kantar exec Anas Ghazi as Managing Director and Chief Strategy Officer. More
A new firm called Oasis Intelligence has been launched in Los Angeles, offering access to consumer insights at scale, for marketers in the cannabis and hemp industry, as well as related sectors. More
Spain's BDI Research, a fieldwork agency owned by Schlesinger Associates, has acquired specialist healthcare qualitative research consultancy ThinkPhar. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
EcoVadis, which provides business sustainability ratings and intelligence for global supply chains, has received a c.$200m investment from private equity provider CVC Growth Partners - the former co-owner of Formula 1. More
Former Cambridge Analytica CMO Jean Pierre van Tiel has been promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer at behavioural science and data science-led targeting specialist DPL, after the company secured £1.3m in an investment round. More
UKOM, the body which defines and governs Britain's online audience measurement standard, has appointed Ipsos as its new supplier from January 2021. It replaces Comscore, which has held the contract since 2012. More
London-based qual-led insight and strategy specialist BritainThinks is handing the majority ownership of its business to an employee trust, set up on behalf of its team. More
This is 2019's last edition of Daily Research News. We wish a very Merry Christmas to all those celebrating it, and a Happy New Year and a great holiday to all readers, clients, contributors, partners and friends around the world. DRNO resumes in the first week of 2020. More
Hong Kong-based brand protection agency The Reputation House has launched a reputation management app called ION, through which corporate clients can analyze public opinion online. More
Entertainment technology and TV data provider TiVo is to merge with audio, imaging and computing technology products firm Xperi Corp., in an all-stock deal with an enterprise value of $3bn. The TiVo name will remain on its products but the combined company will be known as Xperi. More
In the US, Congress has finally delivered full funding to the Census Bureau for the Fiscal Year 2020, according to the Insights Association, just in time for the decennial headcount to start. More
In India, Kantar has launched a study called #PlanetY, with the aim of providing an understanding of the attitudes, values and behaviour of the country's youth. More
In Washington, DC, WPP-owned market research and political polling specialist Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates (PSB) has hired former Hershey CMO Peter Horst as Chief Executive Officer, replacing Mike Chuter who left the firm earlier this month. More
Britain's pollsters did well in the General Election campaign, with some individual companies and the overall average predicting actual vote share very accurately. All underestimated the scale of the Conservative majority - seats still being harder to call than votes - but the science behind both is developing. More
In London, Healthcare Research Worldwide (HRW) has hired long-time healthcare research industry exec Sue Rees for its newly created role of Global Director. More
2001, like 1984, was a year for which fiction had given us very specific expectations, and while disappointingly little coasted through the heavens to the strains of the 'Blue Danube', some MR industry giants certainly soared. Here's our review of the year on DRNO. More
In the US, Internet, TV and phone tech services company Frontier Communications has launched two new tools to combat illegal, automated robocalls and protect customers from caller 'ID spoofing'. More
Kantar Chief Executive Eric Salama has decided to step down from his role at some point in 2020, after which he will serve as a non-executive Director and Consultant at the company. Kantar has already begun the process of recruiting a successor. More
Harriet Kozak, President of the Philadelphia office of healthcare specialist Research Partnership, is to retire at the end of the year. She is replaced from January 2nd 2020 by Sabera Hyderally, who currently serves as Director of MedTech, North America. More
Facebook Retail team head Maureen McDonagh is to join newspaper publisher Reach, formerly Trinity Mirror, in the new role of Chief Customer Officer. More
WPP says it has completed the sale of 60% of Kantar to Bain Capital Private Equity, 'with respect to approximately 90% of the Kantar business', with the proceeds received; and says it will complete the remainder in the first half of 2020. More
US professional body The Insights Association has named former Dynata EVP Melanie Courtright as its Chief Executive Officer, beginning January 1st and succeeding David Almy. More
WPP has announced that Michelle Harrison will move from CEO to non-executive Chair of its Government Practice - which she has led since its inception in 2012 - so as to focus on her role as Global CEO of Kantar's Public division. Global MD Sean Howard steps up to the vacant CEO role. More
In the UK, kids, parents and family specialist The Insights People has added five to its research and technical teams: Sarah Riding as Trend & Research Director; Hannah Carley as RM; Bethany Bleathman as an RE; Anne Kelly as Account Director; and Mark Armstrong as Principal Developer. More
Enterprise data and analytics provider LiveRamp has launched a preference and consent management platform (CMP) called Privacy Manager, to help clients comply with laws such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (the California Consumer Privacy Act). More
In Canberra, Australian insights consultancy Fiftyfive5 has hired long-time Colmar Brunton exec Corey Fisher as Director, Social & Community. More
Survey methodology specialist and former AAPOR President David Dutwin has joined NORC at the University of Chicago as Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, and Chief Scientist of NORC's AmeriSpeak panel-based research platform. More
Behavioral science agency BEESY has expanded its New York office with the appointment of former PRS IN VIVO exec Madison King as Research Analyst, and Derek Elliott as Behavioral Science Analyst. More
In the first of 21 articles to celebrate our anniversary, we look at the events of a year in the life of the MR industry, as seen through articles in Daily Research News. Quanties among you will work out that the last article will involve a bit of speculation, but we start with a look way back, at the Millennium year. More
Ipsos,60318, Population Services International and Matchboxology won the inaugural Liz Nelson Award for Social Impact, at last night's annual MRS Awards ceremony in London; while Kantar Profiles Division won the overall Grand Prix Award for Greatest Impact. More
In New York, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has announced that its President, Patrick Dolan, will depart in June 2020 to pursue an undisclosed 'entrepreneurial opportunity'. More
Today it's exactly 21 years since MrWeb was officially launched - a traditional coming-of-age here in the UK. In Internet terms, 21 is ancient really, and we'll do a bit of looking backward over the next few weeks, but we also have major plans for the coming year. Details here - and your feedback wanted! More
In the UK, train operating company Hull Trains has appointed Anne Somers as Commercial and Customer Experience Director, responsible for listening and responding to all customer insight to help shape services around their needs, while maintaining competitive ticket prices for travellers. More
In Australia, the Association of Market and Social Research Organisations (AMSRO) has elected Enhance Research CEO George Zdanowicz as its new President, succeeding Engine MD Craig Young. More
Canadian data firm AggregateIQ (AIQ) has been found to have broken privacy laws with some of the work it carried out for pro-Brexit campaign group Vote Leave and several US political campaigns. More
US industry body the Insights Association (IA) has applauded temporary legislation which contains increased funding for the 2020 Census, and says it will improve the odds of preparations for the census being completed. More
Research agency Roy Morgan has taken the unusual step of calling out a newspaper, The Australian, for its 'fake news' reporting of its own circulation figures. More
Canada's CRTC has given the country's telecoms firms three weeks to implement technology reducing the number of nuisance calls to consumers. Recently launched MR association CRIC says the move should help, not hinder researchers. More
In the US, ad industry bodies have urged Congress to pass a national privacy law overriding state laws such as California's recent Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). The group complain that the nation's policy in the area 'is being shaped by Europe and a single state'. More
In London, full-service agency IFF Research has named Voluntas co-founder Tyrone Field as its first Director of Innovation and Technology, while Tim Morrow joins as Finance Director. More
In the UK, data regulator the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) has appointed Ellis Parry as its first Data Ethics Adviser, as the organisation considers the practical implications of the growing use of personal data. More
Haymarket Media has launched a data offering called Haylo, connecting pharma marketers with millions of verified HCPs (healthcare professionals). More
In the UK, former GfK NOP MD and current MRS Chair Phyllis Macfarlane has joined social research organisation NatCen as a Trustee on its Board. Pensions consultant Mark Duke also joins, and a third new Trustee is expected to be announced over the coming weeks. More
US data protection organisations have written to the Federal Trade Commission to advise that Google's proposed $2.1 billion acquisition of health data company Fitbit will lead to 'a dramatic erosion of consumer privacy'. More
Sri Lankan subsidiary Kantar Lanka has issued a statement countering stories on social media, which purported to share the results of polls for the country's forthcoming presidential election. The firm said it had conducted 'no election polls or analysis of any candidate and/or any political party'. More
In London, Westminster-based agency ComRes has been renamed 'Savanta ComRes', following its recent acquisition by Savanta, the insights and intelligence division of Next Fifteen Communications. More
In Belgium, former Haystack execs Wim Hamaekers and Jasper Scheir have launched an insights consultancy called One Inch Whale, which promises to help people and brands to be 'relevant and sustainable'. More
In the UK, full-service agency BMG Research has appointed former Kantar exec Simon Wood to lead its London office. More
The Indian MR industry is getting its 'first ever' awards for excellence, the MRSI Golden Key Awards, courtesy of trade association The Market Research Society of India. More
Irish Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon has confirmed her office is working on 21 major investigations, of which no fewer than eleven concern Facebook or its subsidiaries WhatsApp and Instagram. More
Tech research and advisory firm Information Services Group has announced moderate revenue growth of 2 percent in constant currency terms, to $68.1m in the third quarter. More
With the UK general election just five weeks away, independent press regulator IMPRESS has teamed up with the Market Research Society (MRS) to launch a consultation on guidance for journalists reporting on opinion polls. More
US-based data collection and custom survey solutions provider SurveyHealthcare has changed its name to SurveyHealthcareGlobus (SHG), following an acquisition and underlining its continuing global reach. More
Google has acquired wearable fitness / wellness tracker Fitbit in a deal valued at approximately $2.1 billion. Fitbit has issued an assurance that it will continue to put users in control of their data and that its health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads. More
In the US, cannabis industry big data firm New Frontier Data has launched an online cannabis data marketplace, to enable researchers, business owners and firms to download thousands of data sets through the company's Equio online platform. More
In the US, South Dakota police have used information from data and marketing solutions provider Infogroup to identify the killer in a 51-year old 'cold case' murder. More
Healthcare research and data provider Decision Resources Group (DRG) has launched an oncology-focused product called Market Access Disease Navigator, which uses real world data to provide insight into patient populations, practitioners and payers. More
In London, Healthcare Research Worldwide (HRW) has added behavioural scientists Rhiannon Phillips and Emma Neville to its Behavioural Science team. More
Ipsos has reported organic growth of 3% in the third quarter of the year. Reported revenue rose fully 16.7% to EUR 499.4m, driven by the acquisition of units of GfK since last year, and to a lesser extent by that of Synthesio and by currency effects. More
In a trading update for the third quarter, WPP has reported its first like-for-like (LFL) revenue increase of the year - with insight division Kantar sharing in the improvement. Group reported revenue rose 1.9% LFL to £3.29bn. More
YouGov has appointed Laura Robbie as General Manager of its Australian operations, based in the Sydney HQ and reporting to APAC CEO Julien Chevignon. She replaces David Briggs, who is stepping down two years after his firm Galaxy Research was acquired by YouGov. More
WPP shareholders have voted in favour of the company's proposal to sell 60% of its Kantar data, research, consulting and analytics business to private equity firm Bain Capital, in a deal which values the whole of Kantar at around £3.2bn ($4.0bn). More
TV audience measurement body BARC India has announced that founding CEO Partho Dasgupta is leaving the position, and will be replaced by Sunil Lulla. More
Kadence International has announced that Greg Clayton, Global Head of Insight and MD of the UK office, is leaving the business to 'pursue new challenges'. The London office will then be led by Darren Lewis, in the role of UK Country Manager. More
London-based strategic insights firm Firefish has promoted Daniel Rose to the position of Managing Director of its qualitative, cultural insight and human strategy business, Firefish UK. He replaces Lisa Hill. More
In the UK, full service research and strategy consultancy Populus has hired long-time YouGov exec Bernadeta Wilk for a newly created position, Chief Data Officer. More
In the UK, full service research and strategy consultancy Populus has acquired insight-led innovation agency Decidedly (previously known as FreshMinds), for an undisclosed sum. At the same time, Decidedly's CEO Catherine Crump is stepping down and Tom Wormald will become its MD. More
Business research provider B2B International has opened an office in Boston, Massachusetts. More
In London, full-service agency IFF Research has appointed Katy Wilburn as Head of Housing. In addition, Kelsey Beninger joins as Associate Director and Sarah Coburn has been promoted to the same role, while Hannah Dunn joins as People Manager. More
Cultural insights and strategy consultancy Crowd DNA has recruited RDSi director David Power to manage its quant and analytics offer, which is being rebranded as 'Crowd Numbers'. Power will join the firm in November. More
In the UK, full-service agency BMG Research has appointed former Ipsos and Maritz executive Roger Sant as Chief Research Officer. More
In Dublin, reward and loyalty specialist WIN | WIN has sold its Opinions Market Research full service agency to business advisory firm Bayes & Becker, which is owned by former OI Research MD David Cullen. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
US researcher David Butler has launched a consultancy called Birch Healthcare Insights, to help payers, providers and practices understand what is important to patients and consumers. More
In the US, consumer attention analyst Metric Centric has launched a product to help federal agencies manage customer experience and improve service delivery. More
The Australian government has announced that some market and social researchers now have access to the Integrated Public Number Database (IPND), a centralised source containing records of all Australian telephone numbers and their corresponding name and address information. More
In the UK, international healthcare specialist Adept Field Solutions has launched a new agency called Language Pharmacy, specialising in healthcare market research translations, transcriptions and interpreting. More
In New York, holding company LiiV has acquired media insights firm Telmar, which it will combine with its existing media subsidiary, Splashlight. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the US, cannabis industry analyst New Frontier Data has announced its second acquisition of the week - this time of lifestyle and engagement platform Civilized, which provides cannabis consumers, influencers and multinational brands with niche and mainstream content. More
US-based TV audience intelligence and data-management platform Tru Optik is to launch a free compliance solution called Privacy.TV, to help CTV advertisers ready for the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which comes into effect next January. More
YouGov has reported a 17% increase in revenue to £136.5m for the full year ended 31st July. The UK led the way with revenue growing by 31%, while the US also fared well with a 17% rise. More
Product and pricing decisions analytics company Conjoint.ly has launched an ecological initiative to help offset carbon emissions with every automated service it provides to its clients. Conjoint.ly claims to be the first market research agency to tackle this. More
Reputation analysis specialist Echo Research, the company behind the 'Britain's Most Admired Companies' (BMAC) study, is partnering with Coventry University to extend the research into new areas challenging today's corporate leaders. More
In London, former Save the Children insight leads Tom Skilbeck and Matt Williams have launched a consultancy called Chemistry Insight, dedicated exclusively to charities, movements and brands that 'seek to do good'. More
Dallas-based RKD Group, which provides marketing and fundraising solutions for non-profit organizations, has acquired Boston-based Data Best Practices, after six months in which the latter's founder and President Cathy Folkes has served as the former's Acting Chief Data Officer. More
Healthcare data collection and custom survey solutions provider SurveyHealthcare (SHC) has acquired OMR Globus, a full-service, pharma/healthcare data collection agency and sample provider. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Continuing our month-long focus on online communities Stephen Cribbett, CEO and founder of Further looks at projects where communities excel, offering huge benefits over other formats - with case studies of work for Bupa, VouchForMe, Condé Nast and Keyhouse software. More
In the UK, data collection and processing business Populus Data Solutions (PDS) has appointed long-time Future Thinking exec Kalpesh Varsani as Head of Telephone Solutions. More
Market insight consultancy Skopos has made a 'sizeable' investment in UK tech firm HearMe Scientific (HMSL), with the two firms forming a joint venture to focus on the development of apps and platforms for digital engagement and analytics. More
Ad and brand research firm Hall & Partners has appointed Stacy Vaughn as Managing Partner of its US healthcare team, and Beth Stagg for the same role in Europe. More
UK-based marcoms group Next Fifteen Communications has acquired Creston Plc US Holdings Inc and its subsidiary Health Unlimited from Creston Overseas Holdings Limited, for a maximum sum of $45.0m. The UK division of Health Unlimited will remain part of the Unlimited Group. More
Netherlands-based HR data firm AnalitiQs has announced the acquisition of opinion and market researcher No Ties, an existing partner company which will continue to operate under its own name. Terms were not disclosed. More
Healthcare focused research and data provider Decision Resources Group (DRG) has appointed former IBM exec Girish Venkatachaliah as its new Chief Product & Technology Officer, leading continued development of AI-enabled integrated solutions. More
Ipsos has launched a new syndicated Medical Aesthetics Monitor, beginning in South Korea and with plans to expand to Europe and North America. More
In Bonn, Germany, The infas Institute for Applied Social Science has appointed digital mobility research specialist Marc Schelewsky, strengthening its mobility and transport offering. More
Washington, DC-based research and consulting firm Luntz Global Partners has rebranded as Storyline Strategies, as it repositions itself with a wider offer and a focus on innovative methods. More
New York-based marketing solutions group Engine, parent of ORC International, is promoting Don Simons from MD Business Development for its Insights Group to CEO, Insights, North America, replacing Oliver Rust who has moved to Hong Kong to oversee the APAC region. More
Facebook has announced the suspension of 'tens of thousands' of apps, created by around 400 different developers, as it continues an eighteen-month investigation following the Cambridge Analytica scandal. More
Credit scoring and consumer analytics company Equifax has announced a global partnership with utility data aggregator Urjanet, allowing consumers and businesses to share payment data from thousands of utility, telecom and cable providers worldwide. More
With elections pending in Canada, professional industry body CRIC has issued standards, specific to the country, for the conduct and release of public opinion research. More
Manchester-based kids, tweens and teens specialist Kids Insights has launched its first Asia Pacific business, Kids Insights India. More
US-based Leaf Traders is launching what it calls the first self-service survey marketplace for qualitative research into cannabis and hemp markets. More
London-based research and analytics company YouGov has added a new partner in Japan, long-established agency Nippon Research Centre (NRC). The move extends its new affiliate Global Partnerships Programme across APAC. More
New professional association the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC) has launched the Research Verification Service, to help potential respondents check the legitimacy of research projects they are invited to participate in. More
On 29th November 1998 MrWeb - publisher of DRNO - officially launched with the appearance of its first job ad. To celebrate our twenty-first birthday we're publishing special supplements on five major growth areas in the sector, beginning this month with online communities. More
London-based insights and data firm Delineate has announced the opening of an Operations Centre in Newcastle Emlyn, West Wales. More
London-based Opinium has hired Adrian McCallum, previously a Senior Director at Kantar Millward Brown, in the role of Research Director. More
In Washington D.C., former Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) EVP Jason Boxt has launched a consultancy called 3W Insights, helping clients with their branding, messaging and communications strategy. More
Innovation insights and data provider Clarivate Analytics has acquired US firm SequenceBase, which provides patent sequence information and search technology to the biotech, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Cello Health-owned audience intelligence specialist Pulsar has enhanced its TRAC social media listening tool with data drawn from 5.5 million medical conversations taking place on online physician community SERMO. More
US-based Pioneer Intelligence, which helps cannabis industry stakeholders better understand how marcoms strategies resonate with consumers, has launched a product offering insight into the marketing performance of individual brands. More
Customer experience management software and solutions firm MaritzCX has appointed Dave Beaulieu as EVP Global Healthcare Division, while Jason Masedonia joins as Vice President, Healthcare & Patient Experience (PX). More
The insight sector around the world including traditional and new areas turned over around $80bn in 2018, according to ESOMAR's annual Global MR report - up from $76bn in 2017. New areas such as data analytics accounted for most but not all of the growth, rising around 10% year-on-year. More
Market research and analytics company Leger has acquired public sector and B2B research specialist National Research Group (NRG). Both firms are based in Canada, with NRG focused on the West of the country. More
Sample provider P2Sample has partnered with not-for-profit organization Women in Research (WIRe), to launch a study which evaluates the percentage of women in MR executive roles. Across 133 firms analysed, only a third (36%) of exec roles were occupied by women. More
US-based Further&Further, which combines qual research methods with immersive documentary film-making, has opened a European office, based in London. Former CrowdDNA director Kelvin Amos joins the office as European Managing Director. More
Marcoms giant WPP is to open a new campus in San Francisco, in the heart of the US tech industry, where it will house more than 1,000 people from its companies around the city. More
Healthcare research and marketing services provider nuaxia has announced a number of enhancements to improve the speed and scale by which video data can be captured and analysed. More
Newspaper group the Daily Mail and General Trust has sold its US-based energy data firm Genscape to competitor Verisk Analytics in a cash deal valued at $364m (£297m). More
Cambridge Analytica's former Lead Psychologist Patrick Fagan has teamed up with former ad agency execs Dan Thwaites and James Cragg to launch an audience behavioural change business called Capuchin. More
US-based pharma and Healthcare research and data firm SHC has added two new apps - PM Assist and Email Relay - to its offer, and bundled them with existing services in a new suite called HealthTech AMP. More
In the UK, the management team of specialist medical device MR consultancy Creative Medical Research (CMR), led by CEO George Ashford, has completed a 'multi-million pound' buyout of the company. More
Newspaper and magazine platform PressReader has acquired content personalization and publisher analytics specialist News360, whose technology will be used to provide publishing partners with insights about their readers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Marcoms group WPP AUNZ has agreed to sell its entire stake in insight and analytics arm Kantar in Australia and New Zealand, as part of the global sale of Kantar shares to Bain Capital. The deal values the ANZ business at $AUD 168m. More
UK watchdog The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has opened an investigation into the use of facial recognition technology installed in CCTV cameras by the developer of Granary Square, close to King's Cross railway station. More
In London, innovation specialist Clarivate Analytics has launched a service called Cortellis Digital Health Intelligence, to provide insights about virtual solutions that enable health management or patient care in real-life settings. More
In San Francisco, consumer health and wellness publisher Healthline Media has hired Laurie Dewan as Vice President of Consumer Insights, responsible for building a new Customer Insights and Analytics function and recruiting a team of researchers. More
Sir Martin Sorrell's investment vehicle S4Capital has merged its content arm MediaMonks with Amsterdam-headquartered influencer marketing company IMA. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In New Zealand, WPP-owned market and social research company Colmar Brunton has appointed Kathryn Robinson as Behavioural Insights Director, based in its Wellington office. More
In Australia, political pollster Jim Reed has set up his own communications research agency, Resolve, based in Glebe, on the outskirts of Sydney. More
Professor Sir Ian Diamond has been appointed as the UK's National Statistician, succeeding John Pullinger, who retired at the end of June. Sir Ian will take up his new position on a full-time basis on 22 October 2019. More
Research software company SurveyMonkey has reported a 20% increase in second quarter revenue to $75.1m, driven by a 12% rise in the number of paying users and higher average revenue per user. Net loss was up almost 50% to $18.48m, although adjusted EBITDA was positive at $10.3m. More
Not-for-profit sector specialist Pursuant Group has launched a division called Pursuant Insights, offering analytics solutions for marketers and fundraisers. More
In the UK, research consultancy ComRes has been acquired by Savanta, the insights and intelligence division of Next Fifteen Communications. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
UK data regulator the ICO has announced ten projects chosen for the beta phase of its 'Sandbox' service, which supports companies and public sector organisations looking to develop innovative and compliant data-based products and services. More
London-based qual-led insight and strategy specialist BritainThinks has promoted both Cordelia Hay and Anastasia Knox to the newly created position of Associate Partner. Also promoted are Holly Wicks, Michael Allard, Hettie Hill and Katharine Allen. More
In the US, research organization Reputation Institute has launched a solution called Employer RepTrak, to measure the reputation of companies as employers. More
Ipsos has generated revenue of EUR 903.4m in the first half of 2019, up 14.9% compared with the first six months of 2018. Organic growth for the half year was 3.0%. More
Customer experience management software and solutions firm MaritzCX has launched a tool called the Patient Experience (PX) Platform, which allows healthcare organizations to integrate, view and analyze patient data from multiple sources and surveys. More
Kantar has completed the integration of societal impact consultancy InterMedia into its Public division, thus expanding its Washington D.C. office and strengthening the division's growing Development Practice. More
In the US, the Marketing Research Education Foundation (MREF) has hired Andra Davidson as Executive Director, effective immediately. More
MaruMatchbox has appointed former Kantar / MaPs leader Rich Durante as Managing Director of Pharmaceuticals and Medicines, based in Boston. More
Facebook is to pay US regulators a record $5bn fine to settle the privacy breach investigation following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, according to US media. Meanwhile Google is in trouble for allowing contractors to listen to snippets recorded by its 'Home' voice assistant. More
WPP has agreed to sell 60% of its data, research, consulting and analytics business Kantar to private equity firm Bain Capital, in a deal which values the whole of Kantar at around £3.2bn ($4.0bn). More
President Donald Trump has abandoned attempts to add a citizenship question to the 2020 US Census, and instead issued an executive order demanding federal agencies hand over records on the number of citizens, non-citizens and undocumented immigrants living in the US. More
MarketCast Group subsidiary Insight Strategy Group (ISG) has appointed long-time Ipsos exec Kim Lewis as SVP of Research and Strategy, leading the firm's Technology industry practice while working with the leadership team to drive growth on the US West Coast. More
In Canada, the government has created the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council, which will provide its Chief Statistician and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development with advice on matters concerning the overall quality of the country's national statistical system. More
UK-based advisory group Cello Health has opened an office in Berlin, where it has appointed Heike Tombrink as Regional Director, Head of Cello Health Insight Germany; and Matthias Heurich as Regional Director, supporting Digital Innovation. More
The UK's ICO has issued British Airways with a record fine of £183m for a data breach last year. The penalty is the first to be made public under new rules following the enactment of GDPR, and dwarfs the previous maximum of £0.5m. More
In the US, Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS), which provides election services to member-based organizations, has announced three new hires as part of a long-term succession plan. Dave J., John P. and Peter J. are sons of current co-owners Jon G. and Peter M. Westerhaus. More
In the UK, full-service research and strategy consultancy Populus has appointed long-time Kantar exec Simon Taylor as Director of Financial Services. More
President Trump has said he plans to push ahead with adding a citizenship question to the 2020 US Census, contradicting previous statements from his administration that the plan had been shelved. More
The Trump administration has ditched its bid to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, after the Supreme Court blocked the plan last week. More
In the UK, communications agency Influential has appointed consumer insight specialist Duncan Swan as Head of Research. More
WPP has sold its 25 percent stake in comms group Chime, the owner of insight firm Watermelon, to Chime's majority shareholder Providence Equity Partners, for £54.4m plus potential future payments. More
The US Supreme Court has rejected the Trump administration's reasoning for adding a citizenship question to the 2020 US Census. The President, now seeking a delay, tweeted: 'Can anyone really believe that as a great country, we are not able to ask whether or not someone is a citizen[?] Only in America!' More
Industry body the Broadcast Research Council (BRC) of South Africa has appointed Gary Whitaker as Chief Executive Officer, following the departure of Clare O'Neil at the end of last year. More
Atlanta, GA-based full service research firm CMI has promoted Will Leopold to the position of Head of Life Sciences and Director of Client Engagement. The firm has also appointed Melvin Drake as a Network Security Analyst. More
US customer experience research specialist Corporate Insight has launched two new products: the Health System Monitor, which analyses patients' digital journeys; and Health Plan Mobile Audit, to benchmark analysis of insurers' mobile app experience. More
In the US, video ad effectiveness measurement specialist Ace Metrix has launched an approach which quantifies the level of 'cultural sensitivity' portrayed in advertising. More
US-based strategy and custom research company Magid has hired former GfK exec Tim Spenny as Senior Vice President, with a focus on emerging technology and research and consulting for innovation. More
Comscore has been appointed by India's Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC) as digital partner in setting ad rates for the country's desktop and mobile advertising. More
President Trump's campaign for re-election in 2020 has apparently parted company with a number of pollsters who it claims leaked negative results from a number of key battleground states. More
Audience measurement and DMP supplier Tru Optik has launched a service called the Political Data Cloud, allowing advertisers to use OTT and streaming audio to target specific voter groups on criteria such as party affiliation, past voting behavior and issue orientation. More
UK-based Insights People has created eight new jobs, after receiving backing from business support agency, GC Business Growth Hub. The company is also seeking to finalise another round of investment to further scale its US and European businesses, and to launch into Asia. More
New Canadian MR association CRIC has issued advice to members regarding the country's 'Elections Modernization Act', some of whose provisions kick in on 30th June with implications for polls both partisan and non-partisan. More
Australian MR body AMSRO has published the draft terms of reference for its review of polling methods, following the surprise outcome of May's Federal Election; and has appointed an Advisory Board to undertake the review. More
In New York, online news and entertainment company BuzFeed has appointed Shari Cleary as Senior Vice President of Research and Insights. More
Ipsos has promoted Jason McGrath to the role of Head of Corporate Reputation in the US, based in New York. More
In China, third party marketing data and tech provider Miaozhen Systems has acquired audio advertising measurement platform and audio recognition technology specialist RadioBuy, for an undisclosed sum. More
Kantar has set up an International Election Team, to provide forecasting, research and commentary for elections across the world. More
John Pullinger will be retiring as the UK's National Statistician and CEO of the UK Statistics Authority at the end of next month. He will be replaced on an interim basis by Jonathan Athow, Deputy National Statistician for Economic Statistics. More
In the US, life sciences specialist Beghou Consulting has opened a Marketing Research practice, and hired pharma researcher Esin Izat to lead it. More
Research organization Reputation Institute has acquired Toronto-based media measurement and analysis specialist Cormex Research. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
News Corp Australia has announced that it will continue to support its partner Newspoll, while looking to 'fix' the polling system. This follows the newspaper group Nine's decision to end its contract with Ipsos over election predictions. More
In Australia, newspaper group Nine News has ended its contract with Ipsos after it failed - in common with all the other pollsters in the country - to predict the election victory of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. More
London Underground operator TfL has announced it will use a WiFi tracking system to chart and analyse the movements of passengers, using existing wifi beacons installed in 260 stations. More
New York-based ad agency SS+K has strengthened its strategy and research practice by bringing in Emily Viola, former Head of cultural strategy at agency sparks & honey; and Patrick Buckley, previously VP of Research strategy at Maslansky & Partners. More
Research software company SurveyMonkey has launched a cloud-based European data centre for new enterprise customers, allowing it to host data for customers located or doing business in the region. More
Australia's Association of Market and Social Research Organisations (AMSRO) is conducting a review of political polling methods, probing why all polls incorrectly called the outcome of Saturday's Federal election. More
In the US, Kantar has partnered with healthcare market intelligence specialist Komodo Health, to develop data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) tools linking clinical encounter and patient reported outcomes data, and improve patient outcomes. More
Independently-owned Sydney research and brand strategy consultancy Pollinate has opened a new office in Canberra, where it has promoted Garrett Tyler Parker to the role of Managing Director. More
Kantar has appointed Gregory Aston as Global Head of Research, Digital Advertising Intelligence, based in New York; while Petra Mašínová joins as Global Director for Reputation Intelligence, based in Paris. More
Organisations from India, Japan, France and Canada have teamed up to launch GAMMA, the Global Alliance for the Measurement of Media Audiences. The new body, headed by Global MD Brad Bedford, aims to align operational processes and technical standards in the sector. More
San Francisco has become the first US city to ban the use of facial recognition by local agencies, including the city's transport authority and law enforcement officers. More
In the US, real estate intelligence firm LightBox has acquired two companies working in the sector, global marketplace Real Capital Markets (RCM) and location intelligence and mapping platform Digital Map Products (DMP). More
Pharma information giant IQVIA has reported revenue up 7.2% at constant currency for the quarter ended March 31st, to $2.684 billion, and adjusted EBITDA of $587m, up from $547m a year previously. More
Hendon, North London-based full service agency PurpleMR has taken a majority stake in data collection provider Prevision Research; and has brought in Bob Qureshi, Co-owner and Managing Partner of facilities group i-View as a Director and shareholder for Prevision. More
Facebook has commenced action against a South Korean firm, Rankwave, which it says sold its data unlawfully for marketing and advertising purposes. More
Technology research and advisory firm ISG (Information Services Group) has announced a decline in revenue for the quarter ended March 31st to $64.8m - down 6%, or 3% at constant currency. The profit measure adjusted EBITDA declined from $5.8m to $3.6m. More
Custom research and online data firm SurveyHealthcare (SHC) has appointed Lena Belz as Head of European Operations, based in its London head office. More
Insights and data firm Delineate has expanded its London headquarters with the appointments of Geoff Baker as Account Director, Josh Green as Research Manager and George Harwood as Business Development Manager. More
London-based IFF Research has made its first acquisition - of Birmingham-based research and software customer intelligence agency Voluntas, which specialises in the social housing sector. Terms of the deal, which has been funded through a five-year loan, were not disclosed. More
Full service agency Kynetec b2 has acquired Ronse, Belgium-based CATI call centre JTL. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
London-based YouGov has partnered with the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at Cambridge University and The Guardian newspaper, to release a new study on globalisation and populism. More
US-based LGBT+ business network Out Leadership has launched a service called the 'State LGBT+ Business Climate Index', aiming to demonstrate to stakeholders how harmful discrimination is to businesses and to talent, and how beneficial inclusive policies can be. More
WPP founder Sir Martin Sorrell's recently launched marcoms business S4 Capital paid him £140k in salary, bonus and pension contribution, for just over six months' work last year, the firm's annual report reveals. More
Specialist business-to-business researcher B2B International is launching an office in Edinburgh, to be headed up by RM Imogen Williams, who moves from the firm's office in Manchester. More
Cultural insights and strategy consultancy Crowd DNA is to open an office in Sydney in July 2019, to be headed up by Elyse Pigram, who moves from the firm's London headquarters. Meanwhile the London office has added former Flamingo execs Dunstan Kornicki and Yuka Uchijima. More
Ipsos is extending its syndicated Severe Asthma Therapy Monitor to Japan, the first country covered in Asia; and says it will add China later this year. More
Ipsos has reported organic growth of 2.4% for the first quarter of 2019, which coupled with acquisitions including Synthesio and parts of GfK drove reported revenue up an impressive 15.0% to EUR 422.1m. More
First quarter revenue less pass-through costs in WPP's Kantar (DIM) division was flat (up 0.1% like-for-like), while the rest of the marcoms group saw declines. Kantar, whose sale process is said to be 'progressing well', saw particularly strong growth in Asia Pacific, LatAm and the Middle East. More
Japan-based healthcare professional web portal M3 has acquired a majority stake in Neuroglia Health, which owns DailyRounds, a community-based platform for doctors and medical students in India. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, Ipsos has promoted Julia Clark to the newly created role of Head of Marketing and Communications for North America, based in the firm's Chicago office. More
In the US, College Pulse has raised $1.5m in a seed round of funding, as it launches a real-time analytics platform to track and predict the opinions, interests and buying behaviour of US college students. More
Nielsen CEO David Kenny has voiced his concerns about a plan designed by President Donald Trump's administration to add a citizenship question to the 2020 US Census, arguing that if the addition is approved by the Supreme Court, the census will yield 'flawed data'. More
London-based YouGov has expanded its Global Partnerships Programme with the addition of new members in Russia, Poland, Pakistan and Egypt. Additional partners are in development across the EMEA and APAC regions. More
In Canada, a non-profit organization called SYNAPSE C has been established, to help cultural and arts organizations better understand audience behaviour through data analytics. More
In Sydney Australia, technology research and advisory firm Information Services Group (ISG) has promoted Scott Bertsch to the role of Regional Leader for Asia Pacific. More
In the US, marketing information services company J.D. Power has appointed former IBM Watson Health exec James Beem as Managing Director of its Global Healthcare Intelligence division. More
Opinion and Strategy Researcher BritainThinks has hired Richenda Devereux, formerly of The Nursery Research and Planning, as Head of Operations. More
In Melbourne, Australia, full service social research and evaluation organisation the Social Research Centre has appointed Diane Herz as Chief Executive Officer. She will take up the position on 15 April when she replaces founder Darren Pennay, who is stepping down after nineteen years in the role. More
In Canada, recently launched public opinion research specialist Angus Reid Global has opened a Public Affairs Research division, and named Demetre Eliopoulos as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the new practice. More
In the UK, television audience measurement body BARB has issued an invitation to tender for two of its main research contracts: the first for its audience measurement panel and data publication, and the second for survey design and methodology. More
David Burrows, former Board Director at consumer and cultural insight agency Flamingo, has set up his own consultancy, Zoetrope, offering cross-cultural human insight, to guide brand strategy, innovation and communications development. More
YouGov has announced an 18% rise in revenue to £66.5m for the half year period ending 31st January 2019, compared with £56.3m in the prior year period. The firm says US demand for data products and services has enabled it to withstand the political uncertainty hitting business in Europe. More
Nielsen has launched a Behavioral Sciences Institute, with the aim of educating leaders across industries on 'the power of conscious and nonconscious decision making'. The Institute will sit within, and tap the data library of the company's Consumer Neuroscience division. More
Japan-based research and marketing group INTAGE has merged its healthcare MR provider ANTERIO Inc. with customer relations specialist ASKLEP, under the new name of INTAGE Healthcare Inc. The new company is led by former ANTERIO CEO Yoshiya Nishi. More
UK-based firm The Behavioural Architects (TBA) has appointed Sonia Misak as President of its New York office. More
In Australia, the Association of Market & Social Research Organisations (AMSRO) has launched new data privacy initiatives, as part of its promotion of the responsible use of customer data in research and analytics. More
Social media intelligence firm Brandwatch has acquired London and New York-based Qriously, which offers a location-based public opinion survey app. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
The UK's cross-industry measurement standards body JICWEBS has appointed former IAB CEO Guy Phillipson as its new Chairman. He replaces Richard Foan who set up the organisation in 1999 with trade bodies ISBA, the IPA, the IAB and the AOP. More
London-based full service insights consultancy Basis has appointed Georgie Cooper as a Partner, leading its European Health practice. More
In the US, direct to consumer marijuana platform NorCal Cannabis (NorCal) has appointed former Twitter researcher Jeffrey Graham as Vice President Business Intelligence, to lead its data strategy and customer insight. More
Harris Interactive has partnered with corporate, HR and B2B comms agency Epoka to measure voting intentions ahead of the European elections taking place in France on 26th May. More
Australian insights consultancy Faster Horses has opened an office in Canberra, adding to existing locations in Perth and Sydney; and has appointed James Wunsch to lead it as Director of Social & Government research. More
In Mumbai, audience measurement and analytics body BARC India has announced it will integrate an expanded Out of Home (OOH) TV viewing measurement service with in-home TV viewing data on its Media Workstation (BMW) software. More
UK-based brand research agency The Nursery has launched a new division called The Nursery Health, building on its experience working across the Rx, OTC and wellness sectors. More
In the US, marketing analytics provider V12 has launched data on the browsing history of hundreds of millions of voters, powered by its purchase intender solution V12 Signals. More
Paris-based research and consultancy company BVA Group has rolled out its 'Nudge Unit' in the UK, led by Scott Young, who also serves as an SVP of the parent company. More
In Cheshire, UK, insight and comms agency Tribe Communications has merged with media analysis specialist Crescendo. The merged agency will be known as Tribe and will launch a new specialist PR and marketing measurement unit called Qualimetrics. More
Technology research and advisory firm ISG (Information Services Group) has announced Q4 revenues up 4% at constant currencies to $67.9m and full-year 2018 revenues up 1% on the same basis to $275.8m. Full year adjusted EBITDA fell 1.4% to $33.0m. More
Oracle is phasing out its offer of AddThis audience data in Europe, as a result of the post-GDPR regulatory environment. More
In London, research agency Kadence International has hired former Decidedly exec Emma Muckersie in the new role of Head of Global Marketing, and Kim Adjei as an Insight Manager. More
Kantar is dispensing with brands including TNS, Millward Brown, Lightspeed, Worldpanel and IMRB, and from 2nd April will deliver 'all services and offerings under the Kantar brand name'. More
WPP founder Sir Martin Sorrell is to receive shares worth around £2.1m from the group's executive performance bonus scheme, nearly a year after leaving the company amid claims of possible misuse of company assets and 'personal misconduct'. More
US healthcare and pharmaceutical ad targeting and data business SRAXmd has been re-launched under the new name TI Health, following its $33.5m cash sale to a group of investors by consumer data platform SRAX. More
Customer insights and messaging consultancy Engagious and data collection firm Focus Pointe Global (FPG) have hooked up to conduct a series of monthly swing voter focus groups in 'key battleground' counties across the US. More
In the UK, marcoms giant WPP has appointed Microsoft UK CEO Cindy Rose as a Non-Executive Director on its Board. Her appointment will be effective from 1 April 2019, when she will serve as a member of the Audit Committee. More
In London, PR group Newgate Communications has set up a Market and Social Research practice, led by Kantar's former Head of Qual, Dan Clay. More
UK-based agency The Insights People has expanded its services to Europe following a raft of client wins, and has appointed three new members of staff to support this growth. More
The Communications Committee of the UK's House of Lords has called for the establishment of a new regulatory framework for services in the digital world, and set out ten guiding principles it thinks should form its basis. More
Full-service business-to-business MR company B2B International has hired Silvia Leiva for a newly created role, APAC Regional Insights and Business Growth Director, based in Singapore. More
Kantar is preparing to close its TNS office in Edinburgh by the end of the month, as part of its review of 'strategic priorities'; but two of its former directors, Jim Eccleston and Duncan Stewart, have announced they will launch their own agency, 56 Degree Insight. More
In the US, Nielsen has partnered with Headset, a data and analytics service provider for the legal cannabis industry, to deliver insights on this market for CPG manufacturers. The firm has also revealed that it acquired Cannabiz Consumer Group last year. More
Kantar has officially launched its 'Marketplace' on-demand research store, which combines a sample reaching 80 million consumers worldwide with the ability to deliver quick turnaround self-serve custom surveys, insight solutions and expert consulting. Will Galgey will lead it as CEO. More
US-based WealthEngine, which provides predictive marketing, analytics and audience development services, has secured growth capital to the tune of $6.5m. More
UK research and data firm Delineate has acquired survey and opinion research business Opinion.Life for an undisclosed sum. More
UK-based behavioural economics specialist The Behavioural Architects (TBA) has appointed long-time Hall & Partners exec Di Adams as Head of its Health and Personal Care practice. More
WPP expects to announce a deal selling a majority stake in Kantar to an investor by the middle of the year, according to Chief Executive Mark Read. More
Sydney agency Taverner Research has acquired government, academic and financial sector specialist Jetty Research. More
The Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA) has begun its annual online auction. Bid for a legendary Tariq Mirza curry dinner for six, or a £200 voucher for Michelin star restaurant Core; or just get your colleagues to try DRNO this month and we'll donate. More
WPP has reported a 4.5% decline (1.8% in constant currency terms) in revenue for its Kantar data investment management (DIM) division, for the year 2018. Reported revenue was down from £2.7bn in 2017 to £2.56bn in 2018. More
Kathryn Cooper has left her role as Executive Director of WPP's Government & Public Sector practice in Australia, to return to the US. She has been replaced by Michael Harris, former Client Lead at WPP's content division Wavemaker. More
Nielsen has reported a 0.9% decrease in full year 2018 revenue to $6.5bn. The company will now restructure into two new segments, Nielsen Global Media and Nielsen Global Connect, and CEO David Kenny says its 2019 focus is to transform into a 'product-driven technology organization'. More
Ipsos has reported organic growth of just 0.7% for 2018, with currency fluctuations reducing reported revenue to EUR 1.7bn, 1.7% down on the previous year. Q4 revenue was up 4.5% to EUR 535.6m, as the firm consolidates recent acquisitions. More
In the UK, Healthcare Research Worldwide (HRW) has announced that Global MD Caroline Jameson has decided to step down from her role after nearly eighteen years with the company. On 1st April, Jameson will hand over to Christine Dalzell, HRW's current EVP, US Research. More
Australian television audience measurement body OzTAM has added demographic profiles to its Video Player Measurement (VPM) service, enabling age and gender reporting for all content consumed on participating broadcasters' video on demand services (BVOD). More
In Australia, News Corp-owned TV station Foxtel has appointed Jane Eastgate as Chief Data and Analytics Officer. More
Global MR association ESOMAR has welcomed news of a preliminary agreement by EU bodies on a new copyright directive which includes exemptions for text and data mining (TDM). More
Global MR association ESOMAR has announced a strategic partnership with the newly formed Canadian Research and Insights Council (CRIC), which will adopt a localised version of the ICC/ESOMAR Code of Conduct, and take a seat on its Professional Standards Committee. More
Facebook must answer questions from Congress about failures over the data security of users of its 'closed' health groups; and has also withdrawn its controversial Onavo VPN app. Rival Google is under fire over a hidden microphone in its 'Nest' security devices. More
Strategic insight consultancy Flamingo is introducing a quarterly cultural trends report called The Frame, designed to help clients navigate cultural change. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) is launching a network called #MRSpride, bringing together LGBTQ+ researchers across the sector. More
In Washington, DC, polling and research firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) has promoted Senior Director of Digital Strategy Jiore Craig and Senior Associate and Director of State Legislative Programs Ethan Smith to the position of Vice President. More
Canadian pollster Angus Reid has launched a new opinion and market research agency called Angus Reid Global, led by his former colleague Ed Morawski, who has been appointed President and COO. More
France-based BVA Group, the parent of BDRC and PRS IN VIVO, has acquired Italian market research and opinion poll specialist Doxa from Alchimia Holdings. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
A bill that could have prohibited the payment of incentives for doctors participating in market research studies sponsored by pharmaceutical companies has been defeated in Philadelphia's City Council, after inputs from the Insights Association and locally-based business leaders. More
Former Scottish National Party MP Angus Robertson has launched a polling and research organisation called 'Progress Scotland', which will examine political opinion in the country following the Scottish independence and Brexit referenda. More
US research provider Westat has appointed Jeri Mulrow as Vice President and Director of Statistical Sciences, leading more than 80 statisticians. She replaces David Morganstein who is retiring from the role after 35 years. More
The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) has launched a specialist unit to provide insight on the economic effects of globalisation and multinational enterprises. More
Respondent access specialist Maru/Blue has launched an 'Ailments Community', composed of pre-screened members across the US, Canada and the UK who suffer from a variety of medical complaints. More
In the US, healthcare MR firm inVibe Labs has hired former Cello Health Insight exec Kathryn Ticknor for the new created role of Head of Research. In addition, Mariana Posada joins as Research Manager, and Zach Rigotti as Software Engineer - both new positions. More
Respondent access specialist Maru/Blue has launched an omnibus service giving clients a 'truly representative' sample of UK citizens. More
Healthcare research specialist P\S\L Group has transferred Carolyn Chamberlain to the role of Managing Director of its healthcare tracking and testing business, Instar Europe. More
In the US, custom research and online data firm SurveyHealthcare (SHC) has appointed Mili Bhatia as Senior Vice President, Project Services, while Linda Nguyen joins as Vice President, Client Relationships. More
Ipsos has launched a tracking study called the Global Citizens and Data Privacy Survey, in partnership with not-for-profit organization the World Economic Forum. The survey aims to shed light on the lack of knowledge and trust around the use of personal data by companies and governments. More
The NPD Group is to work with the U.S. Census Bureau to improve the way retailer data is fed into the Bureau's monthly programs. More
Signoi, a platform which decodes unstructured data to derive both its implicit and explicit meaning, has launched new metrics called 'Universal Energies', which the firm claims can be used to understand the drivers of human happiness. More
In Brussels, WPP's government and public sector advisory business Kantar Public has appointed long-time Ecorys leader Roelof-Jan Molemaker as Chief Executive Officer Benelux. He will take up his role in March 2019. More
In the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is to audit the data protection practices at pro-Brexit campaigning group Leave.EU and at Eldon Insurance, the company owned by Leave.EU co-founder Arron Banks, after fining both £120k for 'serious breaches' of electronic marketing laws. More
London-based full-service agency Opinium is opening an office in Manhattan later this year, to support its US client base. More
Audience measurement agency Médiamétrie has launched a study called 'Global Audio', looking at the development and consumption of audio services in France. More
Grassroots advocacy software firm Phone2Action has launched a set of web and mobile app-based stakeholder insight and engagement tools, allowing organizations to identify, track and cultivate relationships with influencers. More
UK company The Student Room has acquired market research firm Vincent Consulting, for an undisclosed sum, and will use it as the base for a new research division, TSR Insight. More
In the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has appointed former European Data Protection Supervisor Peter Hustinx as a non-executive Director. More
MasterCard's philanthropic arm The MasterCard Centre for Inclusive Growth has teamed up with The Rockefeller Foundation charity to help non-profit, civic and government organizations uncover new insights and trends from their data. More
Media intelligence and communications specialist Cision has acquired PR analytics provider TrendKite for $225m. At the same time, Cision announced it has sold its email marketing assets to a 'strategic buyer' for $49m. More
France's data regulator CNIL has fined Google EUR 50m (£44m / $57m) for breaching European Union online data privacy rules. More
In Washington DC, customer experience and contact center consulting firm Tayor Reach Group has hired former White House Presidential executive fellow Rosetta Lue to lead its Public Sector practice. More
Kantar CEO Eric Salama is said to be recovering well in hospital, his injuries 'neither life-changing nor life-threatening', after being stabbed 'near the heart' with an 'enormous knife' by a man attempting to steal his car in Kew, London on Sunday. More
TV audience rating body BARC India has elected AAAI President Nakul Chopra as its third Chairman. More
Pollsters predicted the correct outcome of every major national election held in 2017, according to research conducted by Kantar. More
In London, Niraj Patel has re-joined healthcare research specialist P\S\L Group as Managing Director of its online physician fieldwork services arm Medefield. More
In the US, Harris Insights & Analytics has hired Erica Parker to lead its Harris On Demand omnibus business; Kenesha Brown as Vice President of Sample Acquisition; and Merrill Raman as Chief Information Officer. More
YouGov has given Ben Glanville the task of replicating the growth of its UK Data Services offering - including its omnibus - across a number of key markets, including Germany, France and the Nordics. More
In the UK, former ORC International exec Sam Dawson has launched a business called The Engaged Culture Company, which will focus on building employee engagement strategies, helping clients source engagement survey platforms, and measuring 'what matters' through pulse surveys. More
In Australia, behavioural economics specialist The Behavioural Architects (TBA) has hired former Kantar TNS exec Sam Paul as Managing Partner to open its new Melbourne office; while in Sydney, Melissa Gill has been promoted to the role of Head of Behavioural Strategy. More
Arbitron veteran Scott Musgrave has joined Nielsen Music as US Head of Radio Client Solutions, while Paul Shaver, Vice President and Head of Nielsen Music, takes on an expanded role leading the radio business in the Canadian market. More
YouGov has announced the acquisition of Sydney-based MR firm and opinion pollster Galaxy Research Pty Ltd, which will be combined with YouGov's existing Australian business under the leadership of Galaxy founder and MD David Briggs. More
Following rapid expansion of its total reader base, the New York Times is to add three senior positions, including a Newsroom Audience Director, to 'ensure its audience is at the core of its work'. More
Publisher News Corp Australia has withdrawn its newspapers from the audit of the country's AMAA and will instead advise advertisers to use EMMA, which is based on readership numbers rather than circulation. More
US-based Hispanic media firm Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) has promoted Liz Sanderson to the role of Senior Vice President, Strategy & Insights, leading the team in a newly formed Research, Insights & Analytics division. More
In London, last night's Market Research Society (MRS) awards ceremony saw The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) take home both the coveted 'Grand Prix for Greatest Impact' and the 'Innovation in Research Methods' prizes. More
Marshalled by the Insights Association, twenty-one US business associations have written to Congress urging accommodation of the Secretary of Commerce's request for an additional $187m to support the 2020 Census. More
In the US, healthcare data provider MedData Group has launched a self-service cloud-based platform called AccessHCP, providing access to data on more than two million US healthcare professionals. More
In the UK, marcoms network the Unlimited Group has combined four of its existing insight businesses to form Walnut Unlimited, which it describes as a 'human understanding' agency. More
All Global co-founder Eva Laparra has joined healthcare research specialist P\S\L Group, as Group President of its online physician fieldwork services arm Medefield. More
UK-based Zoopla Property Group (ZPG) has acquired Netherlands-based residential property market analyst Calcasa for an initial EUR 30.0m (£26.5m). More
Ipsos Healthcare has launched a syndicated study called the Severe Asthma Therapy Monitor, in the US, with other markets to follow. More
Spanish language broadcast network NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises and tech and communities business Maru/Matchbox have hooked up to launch what the firms describe as the largest insight community of its kind. More
Today we are launching a survey of the UK market research industry, in partnership with B2B specialist Circle Research. If you're a UK insights or analytics professional, we want your input! More
NY-based healthcare research specialist KJT Group has appointed former JD Power director Rick Johnson as Vice President, Consulting Services. More
London-based healthcare sector MR and marketing platform nuaxia has closed a £0.5m Series A round of funding, to accelerate product development at its technology centre in Budapest, Hungary. The firm has also upgraded its platform, and launched a 'Video Discussion Group' capability. More
Pakistan's recently established Broadcasters and Advertisers Council (BAC) has extended its official TV ratings deal with Medialogic until at least December 2021. Working with Kantar Media, the firm will expand its panel to cover urban and semi-urban Pakistan with 1,800 households in more than 40 cities. More
US research body the Insights Association, responding to a petition from the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), has urged the FCC to legalise all non-telemarketing calls to a cell phone using an autodialer, where an existing business relationship exists or where calls are free to the recipient. More
MIT (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) has launched an urban research and innovation program, which aims to advance city life in China through a range of academic and entrepreneurial activities. More
In the US, former White House Chief Data Scientist DJ Patil has joined enterprise platform DataScience.com as an advisor to its product, engineering, and R&D teams. More
Dun & Bradstreet's former UK CEO Christian Erlandson is joining GfK as Chief Customer Officer next Monday. He will take over responsibility for sales and business activities across all regions from CEO Peter Feld. More
In the US, big data ad targeting firm Gravity4 has promoted Kamal Kaur to the role of Chief Executive and Chair, replacing Gurbaksh Chahal, who will now focus 100% of his time on philanthropic goals set through his not-for-profit Chahal Foundation. More
Quality Online Research (QOR) has acquired the right to transfer the 100,000 respondents of Australia Post's 'Australian Lifestyle Survey' (ALS) to its own panel, before the ALS closes on 1st December. More
In the UK, full service agency ICM Unlimited has confirmed that MD Andy Wiseman has left the business after five years in the role. At present no information has been given as to the reasons, or his next move. More
Scientific and medical communications network Porterhouse Medical Group has launched a research division, Porterhouse Insights. Fabrice Allum, previously of Double Helix Discovery and McCann Health, joins to lead it as Managing Director. More
UK-based behavioural economics specialist The Behavioural Architects has announced 'four new significant hires' and says it has 'big plans for further expansion in 2018'. More
UK political information provider Dods Group has acquired a 30% stake in social media monitoring and analysis services provider Social360, for £1.65m in cash. More
London-based nuaxia, which offers market research, marketing services, recruitment and information services to the healthcare sector, has expanded to the US, where it has appointed former Medefield exec Brendan Egan as President, North America. More
New York-based VICE Media is rolling out its 'VICE Voices' youth insights platform and portal in the UK, to capture the opinions of UK millennials and understand what drives their attitudes and behaviour. More
In the UK, former BrainJuicer and System1 Group COO Alex Batchelor has joined behavioural research agency Watch Me Think as Non-Executive Chair. More
US-based Information Services Group has announced results for the third quarter of 2017. Revenue rose 30 percent at constant currency to $68.3m, in part due to the acquisition of Alsbridge Holdings in December. More
Ipsos Healthcare has announced the Australian launch of its syndicated Lab Mapping Study, already available in the US and the five biggest European markets. The study delivers a comprehensive picture of the laboratories involved in cancer biomarker testing. More
Health data giant QuintilesIMS has changed its name to IQVIA. From November 15th, shares will trade on the NYSE under the new name and new ticker symbol 'IQV'. More
Joe Lewis, Head of Insight at the UK's Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB), is leaving at the end of the year to set up his own audience measurement business, Measured Media Consulting (MMC). More
In the US, comScore has partnered with non-partisan political data provider L2, whose voter and commercial targeting information will be integrated with comScore's TV ratings measurement. More
YouGov Group Chief Strategy Officer Alex McIntosh has been promoted to the role of Chief Financial Officer, replacing Alan Newman who is leaving the company at the end of the year. Both McIntosh and COO Sundip Chahal will be given seats on the Board. More
US healthcare researcher RG+A has appointed Ellen Gordon as Senior Vice President, Head of Research. More
UK-based agency Future Thinking has appointed former Joint UK MD Adele Gritten as (sole) UK Managing Director, following the recent departure of Claudia Strauss. The firm has also restructured and split its client teams. More
Florida-based full-service ad agency Brown Parker & DeMarinis (BPD), which works with healthcare systems across the US, has appointed David Anastas as Director of Research & Insights. More
In the US, life science industry research and advisory firm BioInformatics has hired three key members of staff at its Arlington, VA office: Jessica McLaughlin, Vincent Slay and Elizabeth Hood. More
In London, innovation insights and analytics provider Clarivate Analytics has hired Sam Burridge for a newly created role, Director of Strategy & Transformation in its Scientific & Academic Research group. More
Australia-based media measurement firm Isentia is to cut thirty jobs in the country, moving its news monitoring services to Asia. More
Ipsos grew its Q3 revenue to EUR 434.0m, equivalent to organic growth of 4.9% and representing 'solid recovery'. Due to currency effects - a fall in the value of the US dollar and pound sterling against the euro - the reported figure was up only 0.5%. More
In the US, digital research data firm Research Now has partnered with US Hispanic membership platform SABEResPODER (SEP), to launch a platform giving researchers access to more than 750,000 Hispanic consumers across 50 US markets. More
US industry bodies the Insights Association and AAPOR have filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), seeking to clarify the legal differentiation between the intent to market and sell to individuals and the dissimilar intent to understand market needs. More
Canada's Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) is to conduct an independent Inquiry into 'underperforming and conflicting' election polling during recent municipal elections in Calgary. More
B2B research specialist Circle Research has hired Amanda Boote for the newly created role of Engagement Director, including responsibility for driving global growth and client relationships. More
With Halloween on the way, ad targeting company Turn will be looking nervously over its shoulder again after judges overturned an earlier decision regarding 'zombie cookies', and allowed a class action to proceed. The dispute looked to have been settled in January. More
US-based Prosper Insights & Analytics and e-forecasting.com have teamed up to launch a predictive analytics measure, New Consumer Confidence (NCC). More
In the UK, the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) has warned the Conservative Party that any future voter telephone calls must be rigorously checked for questions that fall outside the bounds of market research. More
In the UK, Out-of-Home (OoH) advertising business Exterion Media has added digital signage on London buses, to display geo-targeted messages relevant to their location, including nearby landmarks and shops. More
Chime Insight & Engagement Group (CIE Group) has appointed Andy Firman as Research Director in its London-based agency Opinion Leader; while Andres Mendes joins the group's digital specialist Watermelon as a Consultant in Sydney. More
London-based IFF Research has hired former Ipsos MORI exec Claire Johnson, and Aoife Ni Luanaigh, formerly of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), as Directors in its Learning and Skills team. More
Edinburgh-based agrochemical and crop protection specialist Agbioinvestor has expanded its team with four appointments; and enhanced its range of services, launching detailed reports about the crop protection and seed industries. More
Middle Eastern agency 4SiGHT has appointed former Evo Research and TNS researcher Prachi Dixit as Director, Consumer and Market Insights, Middle East and Africa. More
Democratic party pollster Stan Greenberg, Founding Partner of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR), is stepping down from his leadership role, with day-to-day management now passing to Managing Partners Anna Greenberg and Jeremy Rosner. More
In London, cultural insights agency Crowd DNA has hired Sabrina Qureshi as Online Communities Director, while Sarah Griffiths joins as a Consultant. Over in New York, Isabelle Kċge joins as a Consultant, and Senior Consultant Tom Eccles has transferred from the London office. More
London-based agency Future Thinking has appointed Michael Wagstaff as Director of Client Servicing. More
In the UK, Ipsos MORI has partnered with publisher Atlantic Books to produce a range of new titles, using the firm's insight on how people think, feel and behave to explore global beliefs and attitudes. More
YouGov has released preliminary results for the year ended 31st July 2017, with revenue up 9% on a constant currency basis to £107.0m, and adjusted profit before tax up 24% to £16.4m. More
YouGov CFO Alan Newman has informed the Board of his intention to retire by the end of the year. The recruitment process for his successor is underway. More
Research solutions and online data firm Survey Healthcare (SHC) has announced record growth in 2017 to date, including a near 50 percent increase its in production staff, now 35-strong. It has also rebranded, dropping the word 'Universal' from its corporate identity. More
In Stamford, CT, research veteran John Gilfeather is re-opening his own consultancy after six years, and will offer corporate reputation and brand measurement, B2B audiences, and public opinion, as well as training and mentoring. More
US-based behavior change company Cambridge Analytica has launched a TV targeting product, SelecTV, via its brand-focused division, CA Commercial. More
UK-based research provider B2B International has relocated its Asian headquarters in Beijing, to expand its in-house fieldwork capacity. More
DRNO's Nick Thomas wraps up his review of the 70th Congress with a general verdict - and as you may have guessed after the first three reviews, it's a good one. Not by any means unqualified however - whisper it low, he'll even have a go at the clients. Part 4 of 4. More
Contrary to what you might have concluded from our last two reports, there was lots of talk in Amsterdam about both the great trends shaping market research, and the specifics of current projects and problems. Our correspondent Nick Thomas found some gems in the latter. Part 3 of 4. More
New York-based SIS International Research has promoted Cédric Marin to Director of Operations in the EMEA region. He moves to London from NYC where he has worked for more than three years. More
Last year saw the MR industry experience its highest level of growth since 2010, according to the latest study by international association ESOMAR. More
Healthcare data collection firm M3 Global Research has acquired Gothenburg, Sweden-based healthcare specialist QQFS for an undisclosed sum. More
In the US, marijuana insight firm Cannabiz Consumer Group has added over-the-counter (OTC) medication data to its CannaUse study, to help clients understand the impact that legalization of cannabis is having on the sales of OTC products. More
Hardened cynic Nick Thomas headed to Amsterdam for last week's ESOMAR Congress, in search of inspiration. The 70-year-old (that's the Congress, not Nick) seems in Ruud good health, as we say in Holland. Part 1 of 4. More
UK-based pharmaceutical and consumer insight / marketing group Cello has reported a £2.1m fall in revenue to £78.7m for the six months to 30th June 2017. Like-for-like, constant currency gross profit increased 9.3% in the Health division but fell by 5.0% in Cello Signal. More
Former dunnhumby CEO Simon Hay has been hired to lead a new company called Outra, which will connect data, insight and opinions to target consumers based on their attitudes and behaviour. The team also includes former Tory party strategists Jim Messina and Lynton Crosby. More
In London, Kantar Public has appointed Grant Fitzner as UK Chief Executive Officer and Michael Davis as Global Chief Operating Officer. More
Omnicom-owned MR and strategic consulting firm maslansky + partners (m+p) has launched an interactive tool called Dynamic Response, which helps clients word their messages in response to issues and crises, based on analysis of previous responses. More
WPP's public sector unit The Government Practice has appointed Sean Howard as Global Managing Director, reporting to CEO Michelle Harrison. More
The Board of Governors of Indian audience measurement body MRUC has elected Ashish Bhasin as Chairman and Pratap Pawar as Vice Chairman More
In New York, consumer insights firm Simmons Research has launched the Enhanced Media Measurement Study, which will provide marketers with insights into shifts in media consumption and consumer behavior across the US. More
Emerging markets specialist Borderless Access has launched a sampling suite called HealthSight, providing access to more than 150,000 specialist physicians. More
UK-based video data mining and analysis specialist LivingLens has signed a two-year agreement to provide Cello Health Insights with video capture and analytics services. More
Healthcare market research and consulting firm Research Partnership has rolled out its Living with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) study in the US. More
Healthcare Research Worldwide (HRW) has added four new members of staff to its global management team. More
In the US, retail and healthcare data giant IRI has launched a solution called 'IRI Illness Tracking', to pinpoint consumers who suffer from cough, cold, influenza and allergy symptoms throughout the year. More
In the UK, local news publisher co-operative 1XL has launched an Audience Development division, led by audience acquisition specialist Richard Underwood. More
US public opinion specialist ALG Research has opened an office in Boston, MA - its sixth location - led by existing Partner Matt Hogan. More
GfK has announced a transformation and investment programme, aimed at sharpening its focus on customer needs, accelerating digitization and getting the company 'back on a sustainable growth path'. Plans include a 'one office per country' strategy. More
US research agency Phoenix Marketing International (PMI) has appointed former MaritzCX exec Andrew Grant as President of its European Operations. More
In the US, media intelligence specialist Meltwater has acquired real-time data analytics app Algo for an undisclosed sum. More
The UK government has set out its aims for data protection and international data flow after Brexit, in the last of its current round of positional papers. Britain will seek a close alignment with EU laws, including adherence to the GDPR from next May. More
Ipsos Healthcare has extended its Global Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Therapy Monitor to Japan. More
WPP has slashed its full-year growth forecast for revenues and net sales to between zero and 1%, as clients cut their marketing budgets. For the second quarter, like-for-like revenue in the Data Investment Management (DIM) division fell 4.6% to £669m. More
UK-based marcoms group Creston Ltd will now be known as 'The Unlimited Group' - following the theme of its earlier rebranding of operating companies using the 'Unlimited' suffix. More
Customer insights agency SKIM has appointed pharma industry research specialist Fred Church as Healthcare Team Director, based in its Hoboken, New Jersey office. More
In the UK, long-time SPA Future Thinking Director Chris Bland is joining ICM Unlimited in the role of Research Director, focused on business development. More
In the US, pharma researcher Decision Resources Group (DRG) has introduced a new methodology for analyzing and segmenting groups of healthcare providers known as Integrated Delivery Networks (IDNs). More
UK-based healthcare fieldwork agency Just Worldwide has opened an office in Malaysia, where it has appointed KarHui Tan. The firm has also hired Carrie Skinner as Director of Global Fieldwork in its Newtown, Pennsylvania office. More
In the US, pharmaceutical MR consultancy Adelphi Research Global has appointed Clarissa Guengant as Vice President of Client Services for the West Coast, based in San Francisco. The firm has also promoted four team members and appointed four Project Associates. More
US-based holding company Information Services Group (ISG) has announced results for the second quarter and first half ended June 30th 2017, with revenues up 15 percent at constant currency to $68.0m, in part reflecting an acquisition in December. More
UK-based consultancy Simpson Carpenter has appointed former ComRes Head of Healthcare Rachel Skevington Britton as an Associate Director in its fast-growing pharmaceutical and biotech division. More
New US research trade body the Insights Association (IA) has called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adapt its definition of a 'robocall' to avoid penalising legitimate users, and back up the changes with a requirement for call blockers to consult a 'white list'. More
In the US, health and wellness consumer insights agency SPINS has appointed Patrick Kelly as Senior Vice President of Customer Solutions, while AJ Rivera joins as Principal of Global Enterprise Sales. More
In Australia, insights consultancy Fiftyfive5 has launched a Social and Government offer, and appointed Mathew Densten as its Director. More
US healthcare researcher InCrowd has launched Global MicroTracker, an expanded version of its automated market monitoring solution for life science and pharmaceutical brands. More
Ipsos Healthcare has launched its Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Therapy Monitor in Europe's big five markets (Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Spain), with plans to extend to additional markets at a later date. More
In the US, business intelligence specialist Geoscape has added several new features to its multicultural marketing platform, including access to forecasted cultural segmentation and insights. More
London-based opinion and behaviour research specialist BritainThinks has hired Jessica Gibson for the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer. More
London-based insight agency Opinium Research has appointed former Hall & Partners exec Wez Eathorne as Research Director, to support its ongoing growth plans. More
Netherlands-based customer insights agency SKIM has opened an office in Gothenburg, Sweden on the campus of Chalmers University of Technology. More
In London, healthcare sector MR and marketing services platform nuaxia has launched a Video Interviewing service, promising clients access both to its one million members, and any other individual in its profiled database of 5.5 million healthcare professionals. More
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Ipsos has reported what it has described as an 'uneventful' first-half year, with revenue of EUR 833.8m, almost unchanged from a year before, and organic growth of just 1 percent. More
Health economics data specialist Context Matters and analyst IHS Markit have linked up to launch PriceCurrents, a global pricing tool for the pharmaceutical industry. More
In the UK, pharma / healthcare field services provider Survey'Log has appointed former Azure Knowledge exec Illitch Real as Director of Research Services. More
The Stagwell Group has signed a 13-year lease for two floors in One World Trade Center, where it says it will bring together its portfolio of companies including Harris Insights & Analytics and former Nielsen company National Research Group. More
Mumbai-listed MRSS India has acquired 100 percent of Market Probe Asia Pacific Pte Ltd from its US parent Market Probe Inc., in an all-cash deal. More
In the UK, the House of Lords' recently formed Select Committee on Political Polling and Digital Media has announced a 'public call for evidence' on issues relating to the effects of political polling and digital media on politics. More
Global MR groups The Research Club, Women In Research (WIRe) and MrWeb have teamed up to put the world's biggest listing of research job opportunities in front of a hugely expanded audience of potential candidates. The search is also in a new more mobile-friendly format. More
Healthcare and consumer marketing business Cello Group has acquired US-based biopharma analysis and insights business Advantage Healthcare. Cello will pay an initial $1.5m in cash and a deferred consideration of up to $3m, dependent on financial performance to June 2021. More
UK-based agency Future Thinking has appointed Mohamed Muhsin as Head of Pharma UK, while Véronique Bonrepaux-Caux joins as Head of Healthcare France. More
In the US, former Tesco exec Thomas Nielsen has joined health and wellness consumer insights agency SPINS as Strategic Advisor. More
In the UK, full-service pharma/healthcare MR firm OMR Globus has appointed former SERMO excec David Chikashua as Operations Director. More
In the US, former dunnhumby exec Peter Bond has joined health and wellness consumer insights agency SPINS as Vice President of Consumer Activation. More
In the UK, digital communications group Next15 has made its second purchase of the week - this time acquiring B2B MR consultancy Circle Research through its data and insights subsidiary, MIG Global Limited (MIG). The initial consideration is £5.21m. More
Audience measurement body BARC India has appointed Nielsen India as its primary digital measurement partner, as it looks to build its 'EKAM' cross-channel measurement solution. More
Toluna's healthcare division has partnered with healthcare-focused digital platform Treato, to gain access to the latter's users for survey research purposes. More
Surrey, UK-based Impact Research has been restructured, with Dawn Mulvey promoted to Head of Utilities, Stuart Grant heading Consumer, Monika Swift the New Generation unit and Jamie Margerison managing Healthcare, all now led by co-founder Michael Brainch as Managing Director. More
Companies' intangible assets - including the value of their brands, reputation and employee skills - should be included on balance sheets in financial reporting, according to a growing lobby of experts from both multinationals and consultancies. More
'Poly-cultural' market research and consulting firm Culturati Research & Consulting, Inc. has launched a segmentation model called The Cultural Mosaic, breaking down the US consumer population by cultural mindset and social values. More
UK-based CIE Group (Chime Insight & Engagement) has announced eight new hires, following a string of major client wins in the first half of 2017. The new arrivals include Alexis Goodson,Jennifer Peat and Jacob Barker. More
UK-based Informa Group has appointed oncology specialist Richard S. Veal as Global Director of its Pharma Consulting division. More
Suzy Aronstam, a Director of UK-based agency Future Thinking, died peacefully on Sunday 18th June, after a period of illness. More
Health data giant QuintilesIMS may be looking to divest its contract sales business for as much as $1 billion, according to a report from Reuters. More
Research associations ESOMAR, AGOF and EFAMRO have combined with three broadcasting and publishing associations to form a new Coalition for Audience Measurement, supporting the EU as it considers reform of it ePrivacy Directive. More
UK television broadcaster Channel 4 has appointed Ben Marsden as Head of Audience Research and Insight. He will take up the role in mid-July, replacing Leonie Hodge who is leaving to work as a consultant. More
Brentwood, Tennessee-based marketing agency 5by5 has acquired MR company Sightline Research + Strategies, its long-time partner. More
In Australia, Leon Bombotas, formerly Head of Data at ad agency Ogilvy, has launched his own firm, Newsroom.ly, combining web analytics, AI and data-science to help clients measure the impact of their content. More
Biopharmaceutical product strategy consultancy Prescient Healthcare Group has appointed Carolyn Dodd, Pip Keys and Jim Goldenberg to lead its Stakeholder Insights business. More
The US research industry maintained a strong annual growth rate in 2016, despite 'tepid' overall economic growth, according to this year's AMA Gold Top 50 Report. Total revenue generated for the 202 companies surveyed was $11.584bn, up 5.7%. More
In London, marcoms giant Dentsu Aegis Network has appointed Mark Keddie as its first Global Data Protection Officer, ahead of the new GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) which governs the general use and privacy of EU citizens' data. More
High profile behavior change company Cambridge Analytica has hired former Republican party execs Ben Shankle and Laquan Austion to jointly lead its political operations in Washington D.C. More
Pharma sector forecasting and insights specialist J+D Consulting has partnered with Seigo Maeda, founder of SDMJ Consulting in Japan, to support its global expansion plans. More
UK-based innovation charity Nesta has launched an interactive toolkit, to help researchers and academics experiment with randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for work on innovation, entrepreneurship and business policy-making projects. More
WPP-owned digital data collection specialist Lightspeed has partnered with youth media and broadcast company VICE Media to launch a panel called VICE Voices, through which to capture the opinions of US millennials and understand what drives their attitudes and behavior. More
Another UK General Election has come and gone, with winners and losers amongst the survey firms as well as the politicians. Once again most people seem to be stunned by the result; while the adjustments made after the last election look like the key reason they didn't get this one broadly right. Who'd be a pollster? More
France-based market intelligence solutions provider Ubiquick Group has acquired Australian telecoms industry research firm Paul Budde Communications (BuddeComm), for an undisclosed sum. More
More than a fifth (21.3%) of WPP investors voted against or abstained on the issue of CEO Sir Martin Sorrell's £48m pay package, at yesterday's AGM. However, this was an improvement on the 34% of investors who rejected the pay deal last year, and almost 60% who were against it in 2012. More
Washington, DC-based public opinion research and polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) has appointed former Democratic National Committee COO Lindsey Reynolds as Chief Operating Officer. More
In the UK, cable and satellite TV news channel CNN's commercial operations division has set up an Audiences and Data unit, which will invest in artificial intelligence and data science to replace the firm's existing research function. The new initiative is led by data scientist Mark Sear. More
Former Conservative Party election advisor Michael Moszynski is claiming that YouGov's recent polls are 'irresponsible', following its forecast of a hung parliament in the UK's forthcoming general election. More
In the US, emerging market news and analysis platform REDD Intelligence has promoted co-founder Valeria Girimonte to Group Chief Executive, managing the business from its offices in Silicon Valley and New York. More
Cambridge Analytica, which uses data to change audience behaviour, has appointed former Google and Turn exec Richard Robinson as Vice President of CA Commercial, based in the firm's London office. More
British-based benchmarking firm Towards Maturity, which operates in the professional learning and development market, has been acquired by Emerald Group for an undisclosed sum. More
US consultancy Reputation Institute has appointed Rajendra Joshi as Chief Technology Officer, with a remit including the launch of 'the world's first Reputation as a Service knowledge platform'. The firm has also secured 'a significant investment' to fuel its growth. More
UK-based healthcare MR agency Research Partnership has announced three appointments: Anne Cunningham joins as a Director in the European division, and Morten Andersen as an AD; while Sue Rees moves across into the specialist Emerging Markets Division. More
Consumer collaboration specialist C Space has launched a study called 'Speak Up Britain', to uncover the concerns driving voter indecision in the run up to the general election. More
In the US, Publicis-owned Digitas Health has appointed former comScore exec John Mangano as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Analytics. More
In New York, WPP has promoted Anas Ghazi to Chief Executive Officer of its Data Alliance business. He replaces Nick Nyhan, who will remain on the Board. More
US data firm Verisk Analytics has acquired Danish wind and solar power market intelligence and advisory business MAKE. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, Kantar Health has partnered with tech giant Nokia to develop a longitudinal cohort study, to improve understanding of the impact of 'lifestyle therapy' on diabetes treatment and patient outcomes. More
Research and insights firm Shapiro+Raj has appointed Muhammad Asim as Managing Director of its Health and Wellness Practice (HWP), based in its Chicago HQ. More
South African researchers aim to replace industry association SAARF with a new Marketing Research Foundation, which will deliver an audience currency to replace the country's discontinued AMPS (All Media and Products Survey) measure. More
In the US, multicultural marketing data software provider Ethnic Technologies has launched a new product called ACCESS India, helping marketers to connect with Indian consumers in North America, in ten distinct language and cultural groups. More
Facebook has been fined EUR 110 million by the European Commission, for providing misleading information when it acquired WhatsApp, in 2014. More
Healthcare MR agency AplusA has added an office in Munich, Germany to existing locations in France, the UK and the US; and has brought in Director Alexander Edte to head it up. More
In the UK, the Information Commissioner (ICO) has launched an investigation into how UK political parties target voters through social media. According to the ICO, if parties target individuals with political messages, they may be breaking the law. More
WPP-owned growth and business strategy consulting firm Kantar Futures is launching a programme focusing all its analytical efforts on the topic of 'the future of consumption'. More
In the US, Harris Insights & Analytics (formerly Harris Interactive) has appointed long-time WPP execs John Gerzema and Will Johnson as co-CEOs, while Jonathan Gardner joins as Chief Operating Officer. More
In the US, communications and government affairs firm The Glover Park Group (GPG) has appointed Graeme Trayner as Managing Director, working across its Research, Creative and Communications teams. More
International communication consultancy Leidar has hired former Brunswick Research exec Phil Riggins to lead its Brand and Reputation practice, whose approach combines opinion research, digital analytics and campaign methodologies. More
GfK has reported a 2.4% drop in first quarter group sales to EUR 352m, while the profit measure EBITDA fell 34.3% to EUR 29.4m. More
In the US, the SEC has fined former MDC Partners CEO Miles Nadal $5.5m in civil penalties, relating to his failure to disclose millions of dollars in expenses. Nadal has also been banned from serving as an officer or director of a public company for the next five years. More
US-based online physician community SERMO has launched a 'Drug Ratings' tool, which it says is the first global peer-to-peer prescription drug review system sourced exclusively from verified licensed physicians. More
Mumbai-based researcher MRSS India has reported a 146% increase in consolidated net profit to Rs46.3m ($720k) for the twelve months ended 31st March 2017. More
UK-based polling company Populus has appointed Ben Lloyd as Director of Corporate Reputation, leading the Reputation Research team. More
In the UK, a citizen-led non-partisan group led by Sam Jeffers and Louis Knight-Webb has launched a plug-in tool called Who Targets Me? (WTM), to identify which political parties are targeting individuals through their Facebook feeds. More
US healthcare market research firm InCrowd has appointed SaaS industry exec Rob Lubash as its first Chief Financial Officer. More
Newly merged US trade body the Insights Association has called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to recognise and clarify the distinction between market research and advertising, in comments relating to a TCPA class action against member company M3 USA. More
Leicester, UK-based MR and consultation agency Community Research has appointed Lucy Brady as Research Director. More
WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell's pay for 2017 will fall by around £22m in 2017, with further drops scheduled for 2018 and 2021. The firm, whose high-paying 'Leap' scheme had in any case expired this year, notes that it 'understands share owners' increasing discomfort' with levels of 'reward opportunities'. More
Healthcare specialist Research Partnership has expanded its US capabilities, with the opening of new offices in San Francisco and New York. More
WPP's Warren, New Jersey-based healthcare data company Lightspeed Health has appointed Shaun Hawley as Director, Global Healthcare Panels. More
Ipsos has recorded first quarter revenue of EUR 390.1m, representing organic growth of 1%, and says sales activity indicates this will increase in subsequent quarters. The group plans to announce a new programme of transformation at its June 6th Investor Day. More
US healthcare researcher InCrowd has hired Janet Bays and Kathy Relias as Vice Presidents of Business Development, while Katie Ka joins as Senior Director of Client Success. More
GfK's global Health practice has appointed Pankaj Thapar as Industry Lead for North America, while Jan Güse will move to a similar leadership role in the Germany / Switzerland region. More
Ipsos Healthcare has extended its syndicated Psoriasis and IBD Therapy Monitors into China, where it will also re-launch its Lupus Therapy Monitor. More
WPP-owned online research company Lightspeed has added its QuestionArts suite of survey design tools to its healthcare product portfolio. More
Non-profit organization Women In Research (WIRe) has added four new members to its Advisory Board - MBC's Laura Chaibi, CitiGroup Insight chief Tony Michelini, Nike exec Vanessa Oshima and MESH Experience leader Fiona Blades. More
Nielsen has begun working with Audiweb, the Italian Online Joint Industry Committee, on the terms of an agreement for further development of the country's audience measurement system. More
The Research Industry Council of Australia (RICA) is fighting the terms of a recent government decision to abolish a visa program for overseas workers, which it claims will have a detrimental impact on the country's market and social research industry. More
A consortium including ad management software firm SintecMedia has developed an advanced machine learning algorithm which it says will forecast future viewing of television programs. More
In the US, healthcare MR consultancy Adelphi Research Global has appointed Paul Teta as Chief Methodologist and Ted Noga as Director of Advanced Analytics. The firm has also hired three new project team members and promoted five existing employees. More
In the UK, Nielsen has launched an employee resource group (ERG) called MOSAIC (Multinational Organization Supporting an Inclusive Culture) at its office in Oxford, where the firm says its employees identify with 57 different nationalities. More
In the UK, former BT research head James 'JT' Turner and political and behavioural data scientist Zsolt Kiss have launched a research business called opinion.life, with ambitions to 'revolutionise' the science of polling. More
In the US, public sector-focused research provider Abt Associates has combined the capabilities of its Abt SRBI survey and research unit with its Client Technology Center, to create a new arm called the Data Science, Surveys and Enabling Technologies division. More
In the US, online community and survey tech provider Toluna has launched a service called RapidResultsRx, to help clients obtain 'quick-turn' insight from medical professionals. More
In New York, healthcare data collection firm SHC Universal has appointed former GLG exec Phil Sofia as company President. More
NY-based healthcare research specialist KJT Group has appointed former MarketVision exec Jennifer Hall as Vice President, Global Sampling and Field Operations. More
Omnicom is closing seven of the eight global offices of its consumer and cultural insight agency Flamingo, citing 'underperformance' and its need to now focus on growth opportunities in London. More
US healthcare marketing research firm RG+A has hired Joan Lorgus as Vice President for Client Development; Alex Graber as Senior Manager, Marketing Science; and Lindsay Hoover as a Research Analyst. The firm has also promoted three existing members of staff. More
TV audience rating body BARC India is rolling out a suite of digital measurement products called EKAM (Sanskrit for 'one'), to provide the industry with a single platform for measurement across TV and digital. More
In the US, Kantar Public has appointed Susan Gigli as Global Director for International Development, based in its Washington DC office. She has also been appointed to the Kantar Public Global Board. More
GfK has appointed three new members to its Supervisory Board: Thomas Ebeling, Johannes P. Huth and Philipp Freise, following its agreement with investment group KKR which is now its partner in running the global group. They replace Peter Goldschmidt, Aliza Knox and Bruno Piace. More
British polling firm ICM Unlimited is launching PECS, a new policy and campaign evaluation tool which it says combines orthodox opinion research techniques with an emotional component, to assess new policy ideas and campaign messages ahead of their public launches. More
In the UK, former GfK director Andy Stillwell has launched a specialist business-to-business market research agency called InsightB2B, which will integrate market data with analysis of buyer behaviour. More
Kathryn Gallant has been promoted to the role of Chief Executive of Cello Health Insight US, and Angie Wheeler to that of President USA. In addition Justine Trinidad, Ed Geiselhart and Kaity Arctander have joined the firm's client facing team. More
Academic publisher SAGE has partnered with the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath to launch the Public Data Lab, which will facilitate research, engagement and public debate around the future of the data society. More
The BBC's international development charity BBC Media Action has launched an online data resource, offering feedback from research conducted with more than 100,000 people in thirteen countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East over the last five years. More
Philanthropic US-based online MR panel firm Op4G has appointed James Williams as Director of Client Development, based in its Fairfield, CT office. More
Retail data firm IRI has developed a new segmentation of the fast-growing self-care industry, which it says is worth $400 billion. Eight distinct profiles can be targeted, based on consumers' motivations, purchasing habits and other behavior. More
In the US, communications and analytics software specialist Cision has acquired briefings provider Bulletin Intelligence for an undisclosed sum. More
London-based polling and research specialist ComRes has launched a new division, which will focus exclusively on supporting organisations following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. More
YouGov has reported a revenue rise of 24% to £51.4m for the six months to 31st January 2017 - equivalent to 8% on a constant currency basis. The rise was driven by 'strong growth' in the firm's subscription-based Data Products and Services business. More
Ipsos has promoted industry veteran Dean Luker to the role of Corporate Development Director, responsible for its acquisition programme in support of the company's overall strategy. He replaces Deputy CEO Carlos Harding, who passed away in December. More
Washington, DC-based polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner has promoted Vice Presidents Kristi Lowe and Elizabeth Sena to become partners in the firm. More
In the US, Bill Cash has returned to WPP-owned Lightspeed Health as Director of Business Development, after nearly two years as a Consultant at Medefield. More
UK-based pharmaceutical and consumer insight and marketing group Cello has reported a 5.4% rise in group revenue to £165.3m for the year ended 31st December 2016 (2015: £156.7m), driven by increases in both its Health and Signal divisions. More
UK-based consumer and cultural insight agency Flamingo has hired former TNS BMRB Chief Exec Desirée Lopez for a newly created role, Head of Behavioural and Social Strategy, leading its behavioural science offer and its Social Purpose specialist unit. More
In the UK, healthcare insight provider MMR International (MMRi) has appointed Colin Williams for the newly created role of Commercial Director. More
In New York, healthcare sector 'real-world evidence analytics' provider Aetion has raised $11.2m in a Series A funding round, which it will use to extend the capabilities of its platform, and to commercialize its solutions. More
The US' Association of National Advertisers (ANA) has called on seven digital giants to follow the example of Google and Facebook and replace their 'walled garden' approach to measurement with independent audits by the MRC. More
In London, ethical product industry specialist Ecovia Intelligence has been renamed 'Organic Monitor', reflecting the broader range of activities the firm is now involved with. More
ORC International has appointed former Kantar Group exec Alena Rossini as Managing Director, Singapore. More
In Springtown, Texas, patient satisfaction study specialist SurveyVitals has acquired Novaetus, which administers 'Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems' (CAHPS) surveys. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has appointed Aviva Global Inclusion Director Jan Gooding as its new President. More
In London, healthcare data collection firm SHC Universal has promoted Niraj Patel to role of Managing Director Europe. More
Sir Martin Sorrell has cemented his place as comfortably the highest paid exec in the UK's FTSE 100 companies, securing just under £41.6m in this year's pay award under the now-expiring performance-related 'Leap' scheme. Then again, what's a pound worth nowadays? More
Research and consulting firm Information Services Group has announced results for Q4 2016 and for the full year. At constant currency, full year revenues rose 4% to $216.5m, while the profit measure adjusted EBITDA fell 12% to $19.9m. More
GfK has appointed consumer goods industry exec Peter Feld as its new Chief Executive Officer. His predecessor Matthias Hartmann resigned last August due to 'differing views' on the long-term direction of the business between himself and majority shareholder GfK Verein. More
In the US, multi-disciplinary marketing research firm Aimpoint Research has appointed former Hertz exec John Huffman as Director of Research, leading its teams in Columbus, Ohio and overseeing the firm's call center. More
Ipsos has officially launched its Public Affairs division in India, under the leadership of Parijat Chakraborty, who joined the group in January. More
Manchester, UK-based Join the Dots has reported revenue growth of 26%, to £9.8m for 2016, matching its growth rate for each of the two previous years. More
Ewing, NJ-based custom research firm Zeldis Research Associates has made four promotions, including two new Executive Vice Presidents - former VPs Amy Rey and Kristina Witzling. Meanwhile Christine DiMeola becomes a VP and Monique Corchado is now Director, Finance & Administration. More
Marcoms giant WPP has reported like-for-like falls in revenue for its Data Investment Management (DIM) arm Kantar, of 1.6% in the fourth quarter and 0.9% for the full year. However like-for-like net sales, which WPP has long said are a better indicator, rose 1.5% and 0.9% respectively. More
In New York, entertainment, telecoms and media business Altice USA has acquired Audience Partners, which provides data-driven, audience-based digital ad solutions worldwide. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, specialist MR agency Reckner Healthcare has launched a fieldwork solution called QualEDGE, designed for qualitative market research with healthcare professionals. More
Andy Dexter, the founder of Truth Consulting and Principal at innovation agency Neon & Vine, has set up a collaborative initiative called Culturise, to help businesses and brands re-establish trust, authenticity, and social and cultural relevance. More
Ipsos has reported 2016 revenue of EUR 1,782.7m, virtually the same as in 2015 but representing 3 percent organic growth - currency effects cancelled out the growth in the Euros figure. More
US healthcare researcher InCrowd has launched a tool called MicroQual, which automates the process of coordinating and executing qualitative virtual research. More
Online specialist YouGov has opened an office in Manchester, to support its customer base in the north of England and Scotland. More
In the US, cognitive clinical science specialist Jvion has acquired the Healthcare IT practice of predictive analytics software firm Predixion. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), set up by the UK government and often referred to as the 'Nudge Unit', has launched a new division called BI Ventures, which will use behavioural science to build products to help solve real-world problems. More
London-based B2B agency Circle Research has promoted Client Directors Graeme Cade and Chris Wells to its Management Board. More
UK audience research body BARB has awarded its Dovetail Fusion cross-screen measurement contract to Kantar Media. The body began testing options from Kantar and Nielsen in late 2015. More
Consumer groups in the US are urging a stronger line from the Federal Trade Commission in protecting consumers from the 'great risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and data breaches'. More
In the US, life science intelligence firm Zitter Health Insights is to provide real-time monitoring of pharmaceutical manufacturer interactions with decision-makers at integrated delivery networks (IDNs). More
GfK shareholders have accepted an offer from US-based private equity firm KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) for 18.54 percent of the business. The buy is part of an agreement with majority shareholder GfK Verein to support the group's long-term growth strategy. More
Ipsos has made changes to its Asia Pacific operations, with the news that its business in China will operate as a separate region, led by Lifeng Liu as Chairman and Chief Executive. More
In the US, Bulletin Intelligence has launched a tool called AccuReach, providing a proprietary measure of actual news media readership. More
WPP has formed a new sub-holding company called WPP Health & Wellness, which will work with group companies such as Kantar, GroupM and Wunderman to use data to deliver behaviour change and better health outcomes. More
UK-based Cello Health Insight has appointed pharma sector veteran Claire Derbyshire as a Director in its European Client Services team. More
WPP's government and public sector advisory business Kantar Public has opened an office in Singapore, where it has appointed Sandra Lim as Executive Director. More
In New York, full service agency ORC International has hired former Nielsen marketer Ana Mackay-Sim as Chief Marketing Officer, responsible for overseeing brand and revenue-building marketing initiatives globally. More
Healthcare and consumer marketing business Cello Group has acquired US-based biotech asset development strategy consultancy Defined Health. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Newly rebranded Lightspeed Health has appointed Matt Titus as Vice President, Business Development, Americas, while promoting Franco Esposito to the role of Head of Business Development, EMEA. More
Polling and research specialist ComRes has opened a practice dedicated to helping organisations evaluate and develop internal comms and employee engagement strategies. The firm will also launch a Faith Research Centre later in the year, to improve understanding of religion and belief. More
Kantar Media has acquired Dublin-based media monitoring specialist Newsaccess, for an undisclosed sum. More
Chime Insight & Engagement Group has appointed nine new members of staff, including former Northstar Research exec Jack Miles as Insight Director, heading qual and quant projects across a range of sectors. More
London-based not-for-profit research organisation NatCen has appointed Roger Harding as Head of Public Attitudes. More
In a trading statement issued today, GfK said that both sales and adjusted income had fallen in 2016, in part as a result of negative currency effects. More
Financial brokerage and FTSE 250 company TP ICAP has acquired assets of MR, analytics and business consulting firm Burton-Taylor International Consulting LLC, via its data & analytics division. Founder and Managing Partner Douglas Taylor will join TP ICAP. More
WPP's Warren, New Jersey-based healthcare data company Lightspeed All Global has been renamed Lightspeed Health. More
WPP-owned marcoms network Ogilvy is setting up a Center for Behavioral Science, aiming to establish a new system for defining how audiences think, feel and behave; and to help clients improve their marketing and communications. More
In the US, healthcare research specialist KJT Group has appointed former Nielsen exec Cindy McElroy as Research Director. More
US custom research provider Zogby Analytics has set up a division called the Small Communities Institute, to support towns and villages dealing with issues such as urban economic development planning and securing grants. More
US-based Precision Opinion, which focuses on government and entertainment industry research, has expanded its Analytics and Consulting team with the appointment of Christopher Brogan as MD, and the promotion of Kevin Unter to Senior Director. More
The Stagwell Group, the investment advisory company formed by Penn Schoen Berland co-founder Mark Penn, has acquired certain custom research assets from Nielsen, including the Harris brand and Harris Poll. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In London, marketing firm Four Communications Group has acquired public affairs and corporate communications agency Insight Consulting Group (ICG), whose services include market and competitor analysis and perception audits. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Ipsos has appointed former TNS director Parijat Chakraborty as Head of its Public Affairs business in India. He will be based out of the Gurgaon office and will report to Amit Adarkar, CEO for India. More
nuaxia, the new venture from former Synovate UK CEO Peter Chopra, has officially rolled out of stealth with the launch of a short multimedia survey platform for healthcare professionals. More
Research and analytics outsourcing firm Evalueserve has launched an insight delivery platform called Pharmafusion, to support brand and pipeline strategies for the pharmaceutical and related industries. More
London-based opinion and behaviour research specialist BritainThinks has promoted Anastasia Knox, Cordelia Hay and Lucy Bush to Research Director roles, while Raphael Malek moves up to Associate Director. More
After more than 39 years at NOP and GfK, almost all of them spent running the Social Research department, Nick Moon has left the global group and will offer his services as a consultant, under the name of Moonlight Research. More
Pricing and strategy consultancy Simon-Kucher & Partners has detailed another year of rapid growth, with revenue up sixteen percent to EUR 241m, and says it plans to grow both headcount and revenue in double figures in the coming year. US growth led the way with turnover up 30 percent. More
Paragon Partnerships, a body set up by a group including major corporates, research firms and MR associations, has announced a joint initiative with worldwide research network GRBN, to help provide quality data and insights to governments and others who work towards the UN's 17 'Global Goals'. More
UK-based research and consulting firm Populus has appointed Hamish Asser to lead its Brand and Communications team, part of its Business and Consumer Insight division. More
Westminster, London-based agency ComRes has appointed former Fujitsu executive Simon Carter as CEO, and says it will announce the launch of two new business practices later this month, a Faith Research Consultancy and an Internal Communications Practice. More
ORC International has appointed Varna Arun, formerly of Frost & Sullivan, as Asia-Pacific Commercial Director based in Singapore. More
US market research associations CASRO and MRA have completed their merger, forming the Insights Association. More
Parent company Havas Advertising is to shutter California's Field Research, one of the USA's longest-established opinion pollsters. More
French newspaper Le Parisien has announced it will no longer commission its own polls, in the run-up to the country's Presidential elections, but will rely on journalists' feedback from 'working on the ground', along with references to external surveys. More
In Utah, USA, Busines Intelligence provider Numetric aims to accelerate its expansion after securing $3.75m, including $1.5m in December from EPIC Ventures. It has also appointed Greg Butterfield as Chairman. More
US-based national security specialist MacAulay-Brown, Inc. (MacB) has acquired Enlighten IT Consulting (EITC), whose solutions include big data analytics. More
This is the last edition of Daily Research News for 2016. We wish all our readers, clients, contributors and friends around the world a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. More
Harris Poll creator Louis Harris died of heart problems on Saturday, at his home in Key West, Florida. He was 95 years old. More
Former Synovate UK CEO Peter Chopra is opening a new business called nuaxia, offering market research, marketing services, recruitment, and information services to the healthcare sector. The firm has already closed a £1m seed round of funding. More
In the US, advocacy groups Consumer Watchdog and Privacy Rights Clearinghouse have filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), claiming Google broke the law when it changed its privacy policy without notice and consent. More
US healthcare researcher InCrowd has appointed former Truven Health Analytics exec Matthew Polletta as EVP of Sales. More
In Australia, magazine publishers Bauer Media and NewsLifeMedia are withdrawing from the circulation audits provided by industry body AMAA, leaving only one major consumer magazine group subscribed. More
New York-based performance analytics company Limbik is to integrate Nielsen's PRIZM classification into its platform, which tracks audience size, composition and attention paid. More
Full service agency ORC International has hired Nielsen veteran Tom Markert as Chief Executive Officer and Global Product Development Lead, based in its New York office. More
The release of 2016 data from the Indian Readership Survey (IRS) has been postponed by six months, and is now promised for the third quarter of 2017. More
US private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) is launching an offer for a substantial minority stake in GfK, and has entered an agreement with its majority shareholder GfK Verein to support the group's long-term growth strategy. More
Kantar TNS was one of the big winners at last night's MRS Awards, taking home the Grand Prix for Greatest Impact; the MRS/BIG Award for B2B Research, alongside digital data collection arm Lightspeed; and the awards for New Consumer Insights and Social Media Research (the latter with Unilever). More
MRSS India has added a Social Research Practice, and appointed former IMRB International Director Dr.Srikant Patel to lead it. More
Former Quintiles CEO Tom Pike, who led the company through its recent mega-merger with IMS Health and is now the combined firm's Vice Chairman and President of R&D Solutions, is to retire. His replacement will be Richard Staub III, while Paul Spreen will rejoin as EVP and Chief Customer Officer. More
Retail and healthcare data giant IRI is to add information from SSI's seven million US panelists to its eCommerce and millennial consumer and shopper segmentation approaches, to enhance its insight into consumer purchasing behaviour. More
Barbara Katz, President of US-based health and nutrition trends MR company HealthFocus International (HFI), is stepping down from the role at the end of the year, to be succeeded by General Manager Steve Walton. More
TV rating body BARC India has issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for firms able to provide TV viewing related consultancy services to its subscribers. More
In the US, research, strategy and integrated marcoms agency Spark has appointed former Gigaom employee Stowe Boyd as Head of Research. More
Newly merged health data giant QuintilesIMS is collaborating with a number of global pharmaceuticals firms to develop better insights into how cancer treatments are used in a real-world setting across key European markets. More
Media intelligence provider Meltwater has partnered with Jordan-based monitoring specialist Media Observer to add print and broadcast news analysis to its existing services. More
In Australia, management consulting giant PwC has paid an undisclosed sum for Strategic Intelligence Group (SIG), a specialist in infrastructure and urban regeneration. More
In New York, a group of seventeen agencies have come together to launch a 'certified-diverse' collective called Titanium Worldwide, offering a range of media, marketing, analytics, market research, focus group and communications services. More
In New Zealand, big data insights specialist Qrious has appointed David Leach as Chief Executive Officer, following the promotion of Ed Hyde to CEO of its parent company, Spark Ventures. More
Online community and survey tech provider Toluna says it has increased access to hard-to-reach patients through a 'strategic partnership' with an unnamed source. More
Dentsu Aegis Network has acquired Findr Group, the owner of full-service multicultural agency Gravity Media, which offers media services, production capabilities, consumer insights and brand strategies, as well as PR, public affairs and government relations. More
The Mozilla organisation has launched a new browser, Firefox Focus, which blocks third party tracking software by default and allows users to erase sessions with a single tap. More
Web data extraction and monitoring specialist Connotate has announced $11m in Series B funding, for us in market expansion and development of its Connotate Cloud product. More
UK-based marcoms group Creston plc is to be acquired by DBAY Advisors, a fund manager based in the Isle of Man, for 126.42 pence per share, in cash, valuing the group at around £75.8m. More
Cincinatti, Ohio-based Repass Research and Strategic Consulting has been acquired by marketing and public opinion research firm Research America Inc. Terms were not disclosed. More
Energy sector data firm Verisk Analytics has acquired The GeoInformation Group, which provides large-scale mapping services and geospatial data and analytic solutions, and is based in Cambridge, UK. More
Ipsos has announced changes in its ownership structure, designed to simplify it and ensure the company's independence over the long term - following the death in December 2014 of co-founder Jean-Marc Lech. More
A sharp fall in income for GfK's Consumer Experiences segment (-7.4%) more than balanced growth in Consumer Choices (+5.4%) in the first nine months of 2016, giving GfK as a whole a 1.7% organic decline in sales. Third quarter sales fell to EUR 355.3m while EBITDA dropped by around a quarter to EUR 43.3m. More
Stamford, CT-based research and advisory group ISG has announced financial results for the third quarter, ending September 30th, with revenues of $51.9m - up 2% at constant currency. A 6% decline in Europe was matched by rises of 5% in the Americas and 8% in Asia Pacific. More
Facebook is facing a potential civil rights lawsuit from three users who claim it has violated US laws prohibiting advertisers from publishing housing or job ads that discriminate on factors such as race, religion and gender. More
Austin, Texas-based PR measurement and media monitoring specialist TrendKite has received $16m in a Series D funding round, which brings its total raised to date to more than $35m. More
UK broadcaster ITV will be the first to use media network Havas' custom artificial intelligence system EagleAi, to provide its audience with insights into US voters' intentions prior to the presidential election result being called. More
The US Census Bureau has awarded its 2020 integrated communications contract to WPP subsidiary Young & Rubicam (Y&R), charging it with successful execution of the first-ever digital census. More
London-based Network Research has announced the launch of an in-depth syndicated research study, tracking the views of the British Public towards retirement and pensions. More
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), which represents black members of the US Congress, has condemned Facebook's use of 'ethnic affinities' advertising, which allows users to exclude groups based on race and ethnicity. More
IMS Health has allied with Beijing-based big data company Medbanks to roll out the latter's oncology-focused clinical database in China. More
In the US, presidential nominee Donald Trump is questioning a $767k invoice from his Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio, for campaign polling work the latter's firm has conducted on his behalf. More
WPP's Data Investment Management arm has reported a 12.1% increase in third quarter revenue to £655m, reflecting the lower value of the pound. On a like-for-like basis, DIM revenue fell 2%, while other divisions averaged more than 4% growth. More
Ipsos has reported a 0.9% increase in third quarter revenue to EUR 431.7m, with organic growth a 'satisfactory' 3.2% during the period. More
US-based pharma researcher Decision Resources Group (DRG) has expanded to the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, with the establishment of a consulting office in Singapore. More
YouGov has hired Ben Leet as UK General Manager, overseeing the sales, marketing and client services teams. More
Online physician community SERMO has launched a new feature called Social Surveys, through which respondents can communicate with each other on its social network about a study and related topics. More
Canada's research associations are negotiating a merger. Recently formed CAPOR, which focuses on public opinion and issue polling, is set to join with the broader-based MRIA, whose Code of Conduct changes in the Spring were the trigger for the talks. More
Tech publisher and Ziff Davis has agreed to acquire health information portal and marketing solutions provider Everyday Health for $10.50 per share in cash, valuing the company at around $465m. Ziff Davis is the Digital Media division of Internet services and media firm j2 Global, Inc. More
Broadcast, online and social media analyst Critical Mention has named a new CEO, Don Yount, and announced management changes, accompanying 'significant growth' in its user base. More
Chicago-based MR firm The Connell Group has hired healthcare researcher David Farmer as Director of Qualitative Research in its Healthcare and Life Sciences practice. More
From today, DRNO will be adding a new section focusing on more news of actual surveys - from project wins to interesting fieldwork and results. See the link above for 'Survey Briefs'. We're also, for the first time, offering advertisers a chance to sit at the very top of the news email, for one day. More
With more and more research events popping up, it's harder to make them stand out, but the recent MRA Corporate Researchers Conference managed to do just that - in part by banning both agencies and exhibitors from the first day. Tariq Mirza snuck in, and reported for DRNO from a buzzing San Francisco. More
In the US, machine learning, semantic technology and data visualization specialist Brainspace has received an undisclosed amount of funding from non-profit venture capital firm In-Q-Tel (IQT), which is itself funded by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). More
In the UK, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has hired Tom Smith, co-founder of OCSI (Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion), as Managing Director of its newly launched Data Science Campus. He will take up the position in January. More
Thomson Reuters has opened an innovation lab in Cape Town, South Africa, to drive creative conversations with its customers and partners, while collaborating and co-creating with startups. More
Kantar Health has launched a new big data platform to help clients spot oncology drug opportunities and understand the competitive landscape. Web-based CancerLandscape lets users review more than 2,000 cancer drugs covering more than 175 tumor types. More
Print and digital media company Time Inc. has appointed Judith Hammerman as Vice President, Global Data Commercialization, charged with bringing together the group's brands and businesses to drive monetization of its commercial data. More
Tokyo-based M3, Inc., the parent of healthcare fieldwork firm M3 Global Research, has reached an agreement to acquire global pharma database operator the Vidal Group from Electra Partners' portfolio company AXIO Group, for a reported EUR 100m. More
Marketing spend in the UK looks to be rising, despite the climate of uncertainty created by the Brexit vote in June, according to the IPA's quarterly Bellwether Report. More
Insight and brand strategy consultancy Flamingo has launched a new division dedicated to healthcare and pharmaceutical clients, and appointed former Hall and Partners exec Lee Gazey to lead it. More
New Jersey-based life science analytics and advisory firm KMK Consulting, Inc. has launched an independent subsidiary company, InTask, which will provide simulation platforms for use in healthcare market research. The first such tool, InTaskT, is available now and is targeted at healthcare professionals. More
YouGov has announced strong preliminary results for the year ended 31st July, with group revenue up 12% on a constant currency basis to £88.2m, and adjusted profit before tax up 46% to £13.3m. More
Healthcare research and online physician community Sermo has partnered with health information portal and marketing solutions provider Everyday Health, creating what it says is 'the largest US physician panel in existence'. More
In the US, health and communications network Havas Health and defense analytics specialist Vencore have formed a joint venture (JV) called HVH Patient Precision Analytics, to provide data and insights into the rare and niche disease market. More
Interpublic's innovation arm IPG Mediabrands has created a global media intelligence brand called Healix, which will use proprietary analytics tools to support life sciences and healthcare clients. More
Professional services and consulting giant KPMG has launched an online resource, designed to deliver insights addressing common issues concerning the public sector globally. More
Tim Britton has left his role as Head of Strategy & Transformation for PwC's r2i global data research and insight centre, to take up the position of Managing Director of the Open Research Group at academic publishing company Springer Nature. More
Nielsen has partnered with cross-cultural insights provider EthniFacts to launch a tool called the 'Nielsen Intercultural Affinity Segmentation', designed to help marketers understand how the multicultural landscape is influencing a broader set of consumers across the US. More
Recently unveiled Kantar Public has launched a new research centre, bringing together a pan-European team of researchers with expertise in political and opinion polling, social and economic trends, and migration. More
Independent agency Firefish has appointed Anita Idnani as Research Director and Stefanie Lai as Senior Research Executive, at its office in New York. More
German eye tracking technology provider SensoMotoric Instruments (SMI) has launched a new framework to enable education researchers to collect behavioral data from up to 40 students simultaneously. More
According to press reports, Aydin Mirzaee has left SurveyMonkey, two years after its acquisition of online survey and application review tools firm Fluidware, which he co-founded in 2008. His next career move is unknown. More
US-based cross-media marketing technology specialist Tapad has introduced a metric called Viewable Exposure Time (VET), to identify the optimal amount of time a consumer spends with an ad before they take action. More
In the US, Hispanic online sampling specialist ThinkNow Research has launched what it claims to be the 'first' Minority Business Owner panel. More
UK-based Chime Insight & Engagement has made more than two dozen new appointments across the business, including former Sainsbury's Customer Insight Manager Simon Rawlinson as Insight Director. More
UK television measurement body BARB has hired former Guardian News and Media Head of Research Rhiannon Griffiths as Head of Strategic Developments. More
Newly announced Kantar Public is to open a Behaviour Change Academy in Sydney early next year, and in Amsterdam in the spring. The new venture will be led by long-time TNS exec Kathy O'Donoghue. More
Life science intelligence firm Zitter Health Insights has announced that founder and CEO Mark Zitter will step down from the role and become Chairman, with current President John Monahan promoted to CEO from January 1st 2017. More
WPP's Kantar has unveiled a new global operating brand, pooling expertise to offer advice on the delivery of public policy, services and communications. More
Interpublic-owned marketing network McCann Health has launched a business called 'Consulting at McCann Health', which will offer market research through sister agency Double Helix, as well as services such as business strategy and development of digital solutions. More
WPP's healthcare panel and patient community solutions provider Lightspeed All Global has appointed industry veteran Jennifer Carrea as Chief Executive Officer. She also joins the Lightspeed Board of Directors. More
In London, Chime Insight & Engagement Group (CIE) has hired long-time GfK exec Pam Armstrong for the newly created role of Managing Director of its Opinion Leader and Chime Insight & Engagement businesses. More
Bryan Atkin, co-founder of UK research group RS Consulting, has died after a battle with leukaemia. He was 72. More
Marcoms giant WPP has launched its Government & Public Sector Practice in Singapore, to be led by Executive Director Cecilia Wong. More
WPP-owned market research and political polling specialist Penn Schoen Berland has hired Jason Boxt as Executive Vice President, overseeing growth and development of its corporate clients from a base in Washington, D.C. More
Google has acquired location-based analytics firm Urban Engines, which will be incorporated into its Maps product. More
In the US, Boston-based higher education advisory firm Eduventures has been acquired by The National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA). Terms were not disclosed. More
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has sent the government its proposal for a regulatory framework for radio audience measurement, not dissimilar to that recently set up for television metrics. More
Northumberland, UK-based success story Dipsticks Research has rebranded, bringing together no fewer than seven group companies under the new umbrella brand of DRG. More
In the UK, social and consumer trend forecasting firm the Trajectory Partnership has appointed former NatCen exec Jane O'Brien as a Director. More
London-based polling and research specialist ComRes has opened an office in Shanghai, where it has appointed former Capita exec Marc Hardwick as Commercial Director. More
US big data specialist Zignal Labs and DIY online research firm SurveyMonkey have partnered to create a cross-media analytics and survey research platform for communications, PR, social media and brand marketing professionals. More
In the US, audience analysis specialist SiteFocus has launched a cloud-based data analytics platform called Communications in Focus (CIF), which draws predictive insights from unstructured data including sentiment trends, focus groups and 'objective opinion'. More
In the US, media monitoring and analytics firm PublicRelay has expanded its multi-language content capabilities, to enable users to isolate data surrounding specific audiences and languages. More
WPP's data investment management division Kantar has re-branded its twelve operating businesses with a unifying prefix, for example 'Kantar TNS' and 'Kantar Millward Brown'. The exception is digital data collection specialist Lightspeed GMI, which now reverts to its original name Lightspeed. More
New York-based full-service agency Clarion Research has hired Double Helix US founder Jim Goldenberg as Executive Vice President, in charge of its Healthcare and Pharmaceutical division. More
Bloomberg Media has hired former Dentsu Aegis Network exec Michelle Lynn as Global Head of Data Science and Insights, responsible for leading initiatives, and managing Data and Research teams globally from its office in New York. More
Brand strategy and research agency BrainJuicer has launched a specialist unit called 'System1 Politics', which will use the behavioural science principle behind its 3Fs model (Fame, Feeling & Fluency) to forecast the results of elections. More
Consumer and cultural insight agency Flamingo has promoted Sam Gomez to the role of London co-CEO, alongside current agency head Ednyfed Tappy. The firm has also hired former Kantar exec Robert Nagadowski as its first Group Chief Operating Officer. More
Online data collection agency AskingCanadians has promoted six members of staff, including Roy Gonsalves to SVP of Sales and Amber Bartlett to VP of Sales. More
The IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics has opened a branch in Singapore, where it will build relationships in the public and private sectors, and apply analytics-driven approaches for disease modelling and insights. More
In the US, big data-driven healthcare marketing agency Serum has appointed Robert Grammatica as Executive Vice President, Managing Director, replacing Tom Reid who is remaining with the firm in a strategic advisory role. More
In the US, pharma data giant IMS Health and healthcare consultancy Quintiles have confirmed details of the new senior management team to be established following their planned merger. More
Colorado-based cannabis industry data and insight provider BDS Analytics has launched a consumer research division, dedicated to conducting studies to help better understand the range of people who buy and consume marijuana. More
YouGov has announced the opening of a new office in Chicago, as part of its continued expansion across the US. More
GfK's majority owner GfK Verein has dismissed a report published in German weekly magazine WirtschaftsWoche, which claimed the company may be considering putting itself up for sale. More
Kantar Media has promoted Steve Passwaiter to the role of Vice President and General Manager of its political ad monitoring unit Campaign Media Analysis Group (CMAG), based in Washington DC. He succeeds Elizabeth Wilner, who has left to join Airbnb as Managing Editor for Policy. More
GfK may be considering putting itself up for sale, alongside other options, according to reports in German weekly magazine, WirtschaftsWoche. More
In the US, a federal appellate court has decreed that ad technology company Turn must respond to new arguments raised by individuals in a lawsuit over privacy violations. More
WPP has reported Q2 revenue of £3.46bn, up 3.5% in like-for-like (LFL) terms. Net sales, the group's preferred measure, rose 4.3% on the same basis. As in previous quarters data investment management (DIM) lagged other divisions, with LFL revenue down -0.4% and net sales up 2.0%. More
Seed Strategy, a subsidiary of MR and training provider Burke, Inc., has acquired women's insights and innovation consultancy The Cherri Prince Company. More
The U.S. Census Bureau is preparing to release results from its first-ever Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs. More
NextHealth Technologies Inc., a Denver, CO-based provider of prescriptive analytics and consumer engagement solutions, has completed a Series A round of funding, which it will use to recruit for engineering functions and enhance its platform. More
In the US, cookie-less audience measurement specialist Tru Optik has partnered with political data provider TargetSmart, to help clients optimize political media campaigns across mobile, digital, OTT and connected TV. More
TV data collection and analytics specialist FourthWall Media has partnered with the Data Trust, to connect its second-by-second census-level television viewership data with the latter's Republican Party (GOP) dataset of more than 190 million American voters from all 50 states. More
WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell has once again topped the High Pay Centre index of FTSE 100 chief executives, after his remuneration package soared from £43m in 2014 to £70.4m. More
Research and advisory group ISG (Information Services Group) has reported a 13% increase in second quarter revenue to $60.4m, compared with $53.4m in the prior year period. More
GfK has announced that its results for the first six months of the year are 'below prior year's financials for the same reporting period', and warns it is no longer likely that group sales growth will outperform the market. More
Global management consultancy Accenture has launched an ideation and innovation studio in Washington DC, where it can collaborate and co-create with government clients. More
In the US, digital marketing solutions agency Liquidus Marketing has joined forces with a number of political data providers, to offer marketers access to audience data segments such as party affiliation, demographics and geography, propensity to vote, and past voting behavior. More
In Australia, Ipsos has set up an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group, to oversee all research and evaluation conducted by its recently formed Indigenous Research Unit. More
Life science and pharmacy industry specialist Zitter Health Insights (ZHI) has launched a new benchmarking report comparing the effectiveness of patient support programs used by millions of pharmaceutical and biotech consumers. More
In the UK, full service agency DJS Research has reported a 17% increase in annual turnover from £3.6m to £4.2m for 2015/16. More
London-based Cello Health Insight has appointed former Kantar Health exec Duncan Munro as Joint Head of 'IQ', its specialist quantitative research practice. More
Ipsos has reported first half 2016 revenue of EUR 833.6m, equivalent to 3 percent organic growth once currency effects are excluded. The result is an improvement after a flat 2015. More
YouGov has opened an office in Washington D.C., with a focus on custom, academic, public affairs and public opinion research. Amy Emmatty joins as Managing Director of the new operation. More
Energy sector data firm Verisk Analytics is buying electricity and renewables sector information provider Greentech Media and will merge it with recently acquired research and consulting company Wood Mackenzie. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
US text mining and analytics software firm Lexalytics has launched the Pharmaceutical Industry Pack, to help the sector's marketers, researchers and data analysts gain insights into unstructured data from social media, news outlets, surveys and other text. More
The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), set up by the UK government and often known as the 'Nudge Unit' is expanding with the opening of new offices in Singapore and Manchester, and additions to its existing team in Sydney. More
US-based pharma research firm Decision Resources Group (DRG) has launched an app called the 'Ask DRG Insights Platform', giving clients healthcare market data on a modular basis. More
A new marijuana market research and tracking firm called Cannabiz Consumer Group has launched in the US, where it has hired Kinesis Survey Technologies co-founder Leslie Townsend as Chief Executive Officer. More
Kantar Health is expanding its presence in Israel, where it has named Kobi Sharon as Vice President, Client Consulting. The move reflects rapid growth in the country's hi-tech life sciences industry. More
London-based data collection business ICM Direct has boosed its data services team with three new hires - Iulian Lincu, Kar-Hoo Lee and Vlad Stanculescu - and the promotion of Kumeshnie du Plessis to Data Services Manager. More
In the US, social media listening software developer Attentive.ly has been acquired by non-profit technology company Blackbaud. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In London, Kantar public sector division TNS BMRB has appointed YouthSight's former Director of Higher Education Research James MacGregor as a Director in its Qualitative team. More
DIY online survey platform SurveyMonkey has launched an election tracking polling product, giving subscribers access to polling data for the 2016 US Presidential, Senate and Gubernatorial elections. More
Netherlands-based community research software provider CMNTY has added a Virtual Reality module to its platform, to enable companies to measure consumer retail experiences, gather product feedback, and understand opinions about public spaces. More
Synovate veteran Steve Wolf has joined Phoenix Marketing International as Chief Client and Marketing Officer, with a focus on strategic business development and marketing, as well as creating new qual research products. More
Healthcare research and online physician community Sermo has promoted Eva Laparra to the role of Managing Director of Europe. More
New charity The Archive of Market and Social Research (AMSR) is appealing for those within the MR sector to get in touch regarding any historical industry material or records they hold, which might be suitable for inclusion in its collection. More
Marketing services and data analytics firm Environics Analytics (EA) has updated its core financial products, and launched four new behavioral databases examining Canadian travel patterns, environmental attitudes, social media engagement, and philanthropic activities. More
Britain believes that class divide has widened after seven years of austerity measures, according to not-for-profit organisation NatCen's 33rd annual British Social Attitudes report. More
In Florida, USA, Forte Interactive and Big Couch Media Group have merged to create a new research and marketing agency, to be known as Achieve. More
The UK has voted to leave the EU, by a margin of 51.9 percent to 48.1. What we didn't do was vote to leave 'Europe' as some have suggested. To our friends, neighbours and colleagues on the continent we send goodwill, reassurance and hope. And because we're British of course, mumbled apologies. More
A substantial sideshow to the debate that has dominated British media for the past two months has been speculation over how opinion pollsters would fare. Some even suggested that if they were badly wrong again, they might give up. Given that pressure, we think they did OK. More
Sir Martin Sorrell and other senior figures from the marketing and ad industry have been reacting to Britain's decision to leave the EU, most with alarm but some mixing this with relish for the challenge and possible long-term opportunities. More
The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) has issued two new sets of guidelines following publication of the independent inquiry into discrepancies in opinion polling for the 2015 General Election. More
Singapore-based mobile ad company InMobi has agreed to pay $950k and implement a rigorous internal privacy program to settle US Federal Trade Commission charges of large scale unauthorised location tracking, for ad targeting purposes. More
UK-based medical MR firm Field Scope International has opened an office in New York, adding the US to its existing broad coverage of Western and Eastern European markets. More
With the UK's 'Brexit' referendum vote looming tomorrow, TNS has revealed details of an Election Day Voter Panel of 200 people intending to vote. The Panel aims to investigate the reasons for the much-discussed phenomenon of 'last minute swing', apparently common in referenda and elections. More
US-based public opinion and social media analytics specialist SocialSphere has upgraded its ORBIT software-as-a-service solution to provide more detailed analysis of anonymized and aggregated Facebook topic data - including posts, likes, comments and shares. More
Apple is making widespread use of 'differential privacy' to protect individual identities while deriving useful insights from statistics. The technique involves adding incorrect 'noise' to big data, making it far more difficult to identify those supplying it. More
Reputation management technology company Qnary (pronounced 'Canary') has opened its first European offices in Madrid and Barcelona. More
US polling legend and author John Zogby has joined his sons Benjamin and Jeremy to form a new strategic planning and consulting firm, John Zogby Strategies, based in Utica, NY. More
In the UK, employee engagement and staff survey specialist IBM Kenexa has partnered with business transformation firm Emenex, to deliver end-to-end survey and consultancy services based on its Smarter Workforce suite of products. More
Online healthcare specialist 42 market research has launched an online panel for pharmaceutical research in Luxembourg. More
London-based opinion and behaviour research specialist BritainThinks has appointed Karen Clarke as Operations Director, in charge of HR and operations strategy. More
London-based agency Cello Health Insight has hired former Ipsos exec Maria Eletskaya as a Director in its European quant research 'IQ' team. More
Indian healthcare and medical fieldwork specialist KreaPlus has launched a community called Cardio+, to connect with 3,000 of the country's cardiologists and associated individuals. More
In the US, Nielsen Consumer Neuroscience has launched a suite of tools called Video Ad Explorer, which uses a variety of neuroscience technologies to predict in-market consumer sales and behavior. More
Caroline Plumb, 37, founder and Executive Chair of research and consulting firm FreshMinds, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's 90th Birthday Honours list, for her services to Business and Charity. More
Australian digital health platform iPug has launched a Research Suite, which recruits and engages targeted participants for real-time research. More
Research-based consultancy Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) has appointed Jack MacKenzie as Executive Vice President, leading its Global Media and Entertainment practice based in Los Angeles. More
Ipsos Healthcare has introduced a text analytics tool called Therapy Mining, which collects, codes and analyses data from blogs and posts on online patient forums. More
Around a third of WPP shareholders voted against CEO Sir Martin Sorrell's proposed £70m pay package at yesterday's annual general meeting in London. More
Publishing group Time Inc. has appointed Leslie Dukker Doty as EVP, Consumer Marketing and Revenue, in charge of using consumer data and analytics to reach new customers. More
The Russian state duma is to consider amendments to the country's media law which would prohibit all forms of foreign control of audience measurement, according to online reports. More
Marcoms group Creston's Communications & Insight team has reported a 12% revenue increase in revenue to £62.9m for the year ending 31st March 2016, with like-for-like revenue up 2% to £57.5 million and an acquisition accounting for much of the rest. More
Asia Pacific media monitoring group Isentia has acquired South Korea-based media intelligence firm Social Net Creator for an undisclosed sum. The firm has also completed a 'bolt-on' acquisition in Thailand and is close to finalising company buys in Vietnam and Hong Kong. More
ComRes MD Katharine Peacock has left the business to join the Brunswick Group as Director of Insight. Separately, ComRes has promoted Tom Mludzinski to the role of Research Director, overseeing the firm's political, media, sport, charity and government work. More
After three - relatively - quiet years, City of London analysts believe WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell will face increased shareholder opposition to his £70m salary and shares package at next Wednesday's Annual General Meeting. More
Australia's Roy Morgan Research has introduced an integrated electorate database, which allows analysis of attitude and opinion profiles across the country's 150 federal electorates. More
Ipsos Healthcare has launched a syndicated PD-L1 Testing Monitor, to measure and track awareness, perceptions, and detailed usage metrics around specific testing across all solid cancer types. More
London-based IFF Research has appointed Genna Kik as Associate Director and Catherine O'Driscoll as Senior Research Executive; while new graduates Poppy Curd, Leanne Buksztel and Naomi Morrice also join the team. More
London-based opinion and behaviour specialist BritainThinks has appointed former Ipsos MORI Head of Environment Research Edward Langley as Research Director, to expand its own environmental practice. More
London-based not-for-profit organisation NatCen has appointed Gillian Prior as Head of Health and Bio-Medical Surveys, while Fay Sullivan joins as Head of Health Policy Research. More
In the UK, Manchester-based research consultancy Alterline has appointed former National Osteoporosis Society exec Nina Copping as Head of Research (Health). More
Pharma data giant IMS Health has acquired a Canadian company called Privacy Analytics, which provides technology solutions for de-identifying and anonymizing structured and unstructured patient-level data. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In New York, Kantar Health has launched a mobile survey app that collects qual and quant insights from patients, to enable researchers to understand the associations between daily disease-related experiences and health-related outcomes. More
In the US, healthcare analytics provider Springbuk has secured $3.75m of Series A financing, to be used to fuel strategic hiring and product innovation. More
WPP has moved strategic consulting company Benenson Strategy Group (BSG) into the Burson-Marsteller PR and communications network. More
Healthcare specialist Research Partnership has appointed industry veteran Tom Nolte as Director, Head of Business Analytics for North America, based in its Philadelphia office. More
London-based comRes has appointed Olly Wright as Research Director, to drive its corporate client portfolio with a specific focus on employee research. More
London-based opinion and behaviour consultancy Britain Thinks is the latest agency to appoint an Advisory Board. The impressive triumvirate consists of Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein, UK McCann Worldgroup CEO Mark Lund and Mumsnet founder and CEO Justine Roberts. More
GfK has achieved 'moderate' organic growth of 0.9% during the first quarter of the year. Currency effects meant the reported sales figure declined 0.6% to EUR 360.5m versus Q1 2015. The firm's Consumer Choices sector grew strongly while 'Consumer Experiences' revenue fell. More
Dublin based agency RED C Research & Marketing has appointed Millward Brown veteran Conor Murphy as a Director. More
Research data solutions and technology firm SSI has launched a service called Smart Cell Sample, centred on a cell phone database of 480 million numbers, through which researchers can target US participants by geographic and demographic variables. More
Healthcare fieldwork agency Just Worldwide has opened an office in Japan, adding to existing operations in the US, UK, Italy, Poland and Singapore. More
US-based online physician community SERMO has grown its platform to nearly 600,000 members in 30 countries, with the addition of physicians in Germany, Austria, Poland Switzerland, Greece and Hungary. More
In the US, online physician community SERMO has launched a new tool called RealTime, to enable clients to test ideas among the firm's nearly two million healthcare professionals, within 'minutes'. More
WPP-owned Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) has appointed Democratic pollster Margie Omero to lead its US Public Affairs practice. She is based in Washington DC. More
Digital audience, brand and ad effectiveness analyst Effective Measure has expanded its coverage of the African media market into Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana, where it says there are 129.9 million Internet users. More
Procurement sector intelligence and analytics specialist Beroe has closed the first tranche of a $10m funding round, which it will use to invest in category expertise and technology, while growing company revenue. More
Stamford, CT-based Information Services Group has announced revenue flat at $49.9m for the quarter ended March 31st. The profit measure adjusted EBITDA fell from $4.6m to $3.3m, reflecting investment in new opportunities - forecasts the year were raised. More
London-based opinion and behaviour consultancy Britain Thinks has hired former Treasury and Prime Ministerial adviser Spencer Livermore as a Partner, with a remit to build a new strategy consulting offer for the firm. More
Healthcare marketing and communications giant Omnicom Health Group has agreed to acquire Pennsylvania-based agency BioPharm Communications, a specialist in multichannel marketing programs aimed at physicians and healthcare practitioners. Terms were not disclosed. More
London-based not-for-profit organisation NatCen has appointed Nancy Kelley as Director of its Policy Research Centre. She will lead a team of more than 50 researchers with expertise across a variety of policy areas including health, crime and justice, and education. More
In the US, health data management and analytics firm Innovu has raised $3m in a new round of investment funding, which it will use to drive its national expansion plans. More
Kantar Health has appointed former Double Helix exec Diana Tan as General Manager, China, with a remit to introduce new approaches to physician and patient insights, based on the firm's proprietary digital and mobile methods. More
IMS Health and healthcare consultancy Quintiles are planning to merge in an all-stock transaction which will value the combined company - Quintiles IMS Holdings - at $17.6 billion. Combined 2015 revenue for the two firms was around $7.2 billion. More
WPP has reported first quarter revenue of £3.076bn, up 5.1% in like-for-like terms. Net sales - its preferred measure - rose 3.2%. As in recent quarters however, insight division Kantar performed less well than other units, with like-for-like revenue and net sales figures flat (up 0.5% and down 0.1% respectively). More
Another Canadian has taken a top UK public sector job - this time it's not the Bank of England, but the ICO. Elizabeth Denham, who currently holds a similar role in the province of British Columbia, has been approved by Parliament as the new data protection supremo. More
Ipsos has announced organic growth of 3.7 percent for the first quarter of 2016, with revenue rising to EUR 386.9m, its best result for some time. The rise 'concerns all regions', with revenue up 4.6% in emerging economies and up 3.3% in developed markets. More
Data company Verisk Analytics is to sell its healthcare services division to an affiliate of private equity firm Veritas Capital, for a total price of $820 million. More
Dublin based agency RED C Research & Marketing Ltd has opened a UK office, in Soho, London. RED C Research UK Ltd is a joint venture between the agency and Richard Barton and Charlotte Butterworth, both of whom left MD roles at Future Thinking in February. More
News broadcaster CNBC has launched an in-house commercial agency called CNBC Catalyst, with a focus on delivering research and data to help brands shape their campaigns. To help drive this effort, the firm has hired media researcher David Evans as Head of Data and Insight. More
In the US, online conversation analyst Bazaarvoice has launched a study called the CGC Index, examining the business impact consumer-generated content (CGC) has on sales, return on investment, and long-term customer loyalty. More
The European Parliament has adopted new data protection legislation, following four years of sometimes tortuous negotiation. Meanwhile European data regulators have expressed doubts about the Privacy Shield framework for data transfers with the US, laid out in February. More
In London, kids, youth and family research specialist iGen Insight has promoted former AD Maxine Fox to Managing Director, and appointed Monika Gorasia as Insight Executive. More
Dublin, Ireland-based research agency Behaviour & Attitudes has promoted Luke Reaper to the position of Managing Director, replacing Ian McShane, who becomes Executive Chairman. More
In the UK, a team of five independent consultants has set up a 'virtual consultancy' called The Measurement Practice (TMP), to help in-house and agency comms teams maximise the insight and value from their communications research programmes. More
US-based data collection firm SHC Universal has promoted co-founder Jerry Arbittier to the role of Chief Executive Officer. He replaces fellow co-founder Michael Lefkowitz, who has held the CEO role for the past two years and is not working at SHC Universal at this time. More
IBM Watson Health has completed its $2.6bn acquisition of cloud-based healthcare data firm Truven Health Analytics, boosting the division's headcount to more than 5,000 employees. More
Indian broadcasting regulator TRAI is involved in a consultation process over the creation of what it calls a 'credible' radio audience measurement framework. More
Media and comms research specialist Millward Brown has launched a new version of its Link ad copy-testing solution, allowing B2B marketers to assess the performance of their ads against brand and sales objectives. More
In the US, online pregnancy and parenting resource BabyCenter, a division of Johnson & Johnson, has appointed Laurie Dewan as Vice President of Research, Insights and Data. More
In New York, broadcaster Turner has appointed Natasha Hritzuk in the new position of VP of Client Insights and Content Partnerships Research. The role includes overseeing research strategy and data analysis to support Turner Incite, the firm's ad sales intelligence platform. More
US public policy research firm Abt Associates has named former Nielsen data scientist Michael Link as President and CEO of its survey, opinion, and public policy research business Abt SRBI. More
Canada-based research software firm Voxco has released a manual dialing solution called 'TCPA Connect', to help US call centers address recent regulations prohibiting the use of autodialers to call cellphones without the respondent's express prior consent. More
Opinion pollsters in the lead-up to the 2015 UK General election systematically over-represented Labour supporters and under-represented Conservative supporters in their samples, according to the report of the BPC / MRS inquiry. More
UK-based group Wilmington plc has acquired healthcare and pharma analytics specialist Evantage Consulting for an initial £1.4m, with a deferred cash consideration of up to £4.6m by 2020. More
St Louis-based multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotech corporation Monsanto has appointed Nielsen CEO Mitch Barns to its Board of Directors. More
In the US, WPP has acquired healthcare and life science services firm Communications Media Inc. (CMI), for an undisclosed sum. The firm provides media investment management and non-sales force promotional strategy, planning, customer insights and data solutions. More
US boutique PR and digital communications agency Hope-Beckham Inc. (HBI) has launched a market research business in Atlanta, GA. More
Strategy and innovation agency The Sound has launched a dedicated content division called The Sound Media, which will harness the firm's anthropological and filmmaking expertise to produce documentaries and culture-focused content. More
In the US, automotive research specialist J.D. Power has developed an online app called SafetyIQ, to help auto industry users analyze vehicle safety data. More
Television measurement body BARB has launched The UK Television Landscape Report, a quarterly review of population trends and changes in how people watch TV. More
US-based energy and environment information giant IHS has announced it will merge with financial data company Markit. The all-share transaction is a mega-merger for the sector with an estimated equity value of more than $13 billion. More
UK-based online research agency YouGov plc has announced interim results for the six months ended 31st January 2016, showing revenue of £41.5m, up 13% at constant currencies, and adjusted profit before tax up by 42% to £5.0m. More
UK-based pharmaceutical and strategic marketing group Cello has announced a 7.4% fall in revenue to £157.3m for the calendar year 2015. However, profits and earnings per share rose and the Group says it has made a good start to 2016. More
Pharma researcher Decision Resources Group (DRG) has formed an alliance with Latin American prescription audits specialist Close-Up International (CUI), through which it will offer its insights and data products to clients across the region. More
Business Process Management (BPM) services firm WNS has acquired Mumbai, India-based pharma market intelligence and analytics outsourcing company Value Edge Research, in a cash deal valued at $17.5m. More
The UK's 'professional research and evidence market' has grown massively in the last three and a half years to an annual turnover of £4.8bn - up 62% - and a workforce of 73,000 professionals, according to a report by PwC for the MRS. More
WPP Chief Executive Sir Martin Sorrell has received shares worth £60m, according to reports. With salary and annual bonuses the figure is 'likely to approach £70m'. The share award is triggered by the group's success in outperforming both its peers and the FTSE 100 over five years. More
US consultancy Phoenix Marketing International (PMI) has acquired full service agency Sterling Research Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In London, news publisher the Financial Times has appointed Sacha Bunatyan as Global B2C Marketing Director, responsible for expanding audience reach, reader engagement and paid-for readership numbers. More
In the US, GfK MRI has partnered with a number of data management platforms (DMPs), to identify and launch 23 online segments for use in political ad campaigns. More
London-based not for profit organisation NatCen Social Research has appointed former TNS UK CEO Maureen Duffy to its Board of Trustees. Former UK Statistics Authority CEO Dame Jil Matheson and chartered accountant Stephen West also join as Trustees. More
London-based not for profit organisation NatCen Social Research has found its new Chief Executive. Guy Goodwin joins on 3rd May from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) where he is the Director of Social and Analysis; and is also UK Director of Social Statistics at the European Union. More
The MRBA, the UK's MR charity, has launched its Annual Fundraising Charity Auction. More
Healthcare analytics solutions provider Truven is launching an enhanced Custom Solutions offering for hospitals and health systems, promising to help hospitals improve care while reducing both cost and risk. More
In the US, mobile ad targeting specialist 4INFO has partnered with pharma audience and campaign insights firm Crossix to help healthcare marketers identify and engage with relevant consumers on their mobile devices. More
SurveyMonkey CEO Zander Lurie has announced in an internal memo that the company is making about 13 percent of its workforce - or around 100 of its 750 employees - redundant. More
In the US, pharma researcher Decision Resources Group (DRG) has acquired health plan data specialist Adaptive Software. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Stockholm, Sweden-based Tobii has reported fourth quarter 2015 sales of SEK 287 million ($US 33.5m), up 29% after adjusting for currency effects; and SEK 967 million ($US 112.9m) for the full year, up 41% on the same basis. More
In the US, mobile engagement platform provider SITO Mobile has launched a tool to enable political parties and candidates to use mobile location-based data to target audiences such as millennials and minorities. More
London-based full service agency IFF Research has appointed Rowan Foster as Research Director in its Learning and Skills team, and Siv Svanaes as Senior Research Manager and Libby Eastwood as Research Manager in its Research team. More
YouGov President Peter Kellner is stepping down from the role at the end of March, when he will continue to write and broadcast about politics and elections, while also undertaking new projects. More
Polling and research consultancy ComRes is restructuring its Board and has appointed three new non-executive directors, Clare Hayward, Simon Carter and Chris Guyver, as it 'gears up for significant growth over the next three years'. More
In the UK, digital textbook platform Kortext has launched an analytics dashboard allowing lecturers and university staff to see how students are engaging with their digital learning content. More
France's data protection authority the CNIL has given Facebook three months to stop tracking non-users' web activity without their consent, and says the company must stop certain transfers of personal data to the USA. More
YouGov is teaming up with consultancy the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) to launch The UK Economic Index, described as the first comprehensive quarterly analysis of the country's economic outlook of consumers and businesses. More
Last week, the European Commission and the US agreed a new framework for the transfer of data between the two, known as the EU-US Privacy Shield. Under this, US companies and government agencies will have new obligations to guarantee protection for personal data. More
Holding company Symphony Technology Group (STG) has sold its biopharma and consumer health research and analytics firm AlphaImpactRx to IMS Health. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Canadian opinion polling and consumer research specialist Insights West has moved its Vancouver team from Gastown to Yaletown, in order to accommodate growth in headcount, while showcasing its full-service capabilities. More
In Australia, Ipsos has appointed Sharon Barnes for the newly created role of Director, Public Affairs in its Indigenous Research Unit, focusing on research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. More
In the US, full service research and consulting firm CMI has hired Wyndy Greene Smelser to lead its Healthcare and Life Sciences practice. More
UK-based medical MR firm Field Scope International has opened an office in Belgrade, Serbia, from where it will provide respondent recruitment and telephone interviewing services. More
UK research agency Populus has promoted seven members of staff, including Laurence Stellings to the position of Director in its Reputation and Strategy division, and Daisy Powell-Chandler to Senior Consultant. More
Canadian enterprise information management specialist OpenText has launched a tool called Election Tracker '16, through which users can visually monitor, compare, and analyze media coverage of the US presidential election. More
Data science and media tech firm 4C has hooked up with Kantar Media to launch a cross-screen solution which enables political advertisers to target messages to their key voters. More
International data collection group Schlesinger Associates has merged its Advisors division with MedQuery, the Chicago-based medical recruitment business it acquired in October. Chris Lee will lead the new unit as EVP. More
GfK returned to organic growth (up 1.1%) during the 2015 financial year, after a decline of 2.0% the previous year. Reported sales increased by 6.3% to EUR 1.54bn (from EUR 1.45bn). More
Research industry body ESOMAR has teamed up with Kantar, comScore, GfK and Nielsen to launch an initiative called 'Research Choices', which aims to help the general public understand how their data is used for audience measurement research. More
Ipsos Healthcare has launched a new syndicated study called the 'Pan-Cancer Testing Monitor', which measures and tracks the usage of pan-cancer tests designed to assess a wide range of cancer types. The study currently covers the US but will be rolled out in other markets at a later stage. More
In New Zealand, the Radio Broadcasters Association (RBA) has commissioned GfK to provide official radio research services for the country. The contract sees New Zealand's commercial networks, public broadcaster and independent stations join the same radio ratings system for the first time. More
In the UK, Guardian News & Media (GNM) has outlined a three-year business plan, which includes the creation of a new Data and Insight team to support editorial and commercial innovation; and the implementation of an ad model that tracks evolving market trends. More
Healthcare fieldwork firm M3 has announced a major expansion of its global MR team, with fourteen new staff added. They include Adam Wallace, as Director, Strategic Audience Recruitment; and Dan Lockwood and Jason Cammarata as VPs Market Research. More
In the US, pharma researcher Decision Resources Group (DRG) has unified its portfolio of companies under the DRG brand name. More
African agency Sagaci Research has expanded with the opening of three new offices, in Ivory Coast, Chad and Algeria. More
Media giant Time Inc. has partnered with ad tech firm Audience Partners to launch a voter-targeted publisher platform called CampaignFocus, which provides an ad targeting tool for political and advocacy campaigns. More
Behavioural ad targeting and technology specialist Phorm has been awarded TRUSTe certification across all its online properties, eight years after facing a lawsuit for using customers' data without their permission. More
In Australia, comms group Bastion Collective has acquired Melbourne and Sydney-based research agency Latitude Insights, which will be re-named Bastion Latitude on 1st February. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
UK-based consumer and cultural insight agency Flamingo is opening its eight office next month, this time in Jakarta, Indonesia. The new operation will be headed by Adri Reksodipoetro, who was previously MD of the firm's APAC hub in Singapore. More
Yahoo has opened up its machine learning dataset to the academic research community, saying it wants to help 'level the playing field' between industrial and academic research. More
Kantar Health has promoted Michel Murino to the newly created role of Chief Executive Officer for Europe. More
Draft findings from an inquiry steered by the British Polling Council (BPC) and MRS into why UK pollsters overestimated Labour and underestimated Conservative support in last year's UK general election, suggest that unrepresentative samples led to an inability to reach enough Conservative voters. More
US-based data collection firm SHC Universal has announced a preferred partnership with niche therapy specialist Rare Patient Voice, gaining survey access to patients with rare and orphan diseases, as well as their caregivers. More
Fieldwork specialist KeyQuest Health has moved into new UK headquarters in Richmond, Surrey. The firm has also appointed Vasilis Tzikas as a Project Co-ordinator in the UK, and promoted Kelly Bowe to Project Director in the US. More
Nielsen has promoted Angela Talton to the role of Chief Diversity Officer, reporting to CEO Mitch Barns. She succeeds Dr D Sangeeta who moves into the new role of Global Client Operations Leader, overseeing all regional and client-related operations and deployment. More
In the UK, specialist healthcare data collection firm Fieldwork International has appointed Kerensa Bindoff as Deputy Head. More
Palo Alto, CA-based DIY online survey platform SurveyMonkey has appointed Zander Lurie as its new Chief Executive Officer, less than six months after hiring former HP exec Bill Veghte to replace CEO Dave Goldberg, who died suddenly last May. More
Research data solutions and technology firm SSI has launched an online voter panel with nearly a million members, to provide political researchers with broad access to the attitudes, beliefs and opinions of American voters. More
Healthcare fieldwork firm M3 Global Research has officially opened its first US research facility in Philadelphia, where it will offer access to a wide range of custom AV technology, along with MR recruiting services. More
In the US, employee-owned research agency Westat has acquired education research and technical assistance specialist Edvance Research. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, full service marketing research and insight education agency Burke Inc. has promoted Tara Marotti to the position of SVP, Head of Client Services, in charge of its entire Client Services function. More
Construction industry information provider Hanley Wood has launched a service called Metrostudy OnTarget, deliver intelligence on consumer housing preference to builders, developers and building product manufacturers. More
In the US, public opinion experts EMC Research and Hamilton Campaigns have merged under the former's name to create a firm of 40 staff with national coverage and seven offices across the south, mid-west and west. More
In the US, NBC News and SurveyMonkey have extended their polling partnership to 2018, and launched weekly online polls giving snapshots of voter behavior and attitudes throughout the 2016 election cycle. More
UK-based full service research firm Simpson Carpenter has appointed former SKIM exec Debora Corfield as Research Director in its fast-growing pharmaceutical and biotech division. More
US big data firm Palantir, whose clients include government agencies such as the CIA and FBI, has raised a whopping $880m in funding, in a round which values it at around $20bn. More
After several years of prevarication, the EU looks set to approve its raft of data protection measures, having at last agreed on the wording in mid-December. They include strict requirements for data protection compliance and heavy fines for breaches. More
Australian market and opinion specialist Roy Morgan Research was locked out of its offices in Collins Street, Melbourne yesterday, following a dispute with its landlord over a lift. However, at an emergency hearing this morning, the court granted the firm the right to re-enter the building. More
UK-based business media and insight group Progressive Digital Media is in 'advanced discussions' about the possible acquisition of healthcare business information provider GlobalData from its owners Mike Danson and Wayne Lloyd. More
WPP-owned healthcare communications firm Sudler Hennessey has acquired a majority stake in London-based System Analytic, which helps clients engage with opinion leaders in the sector. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Kantar Health has acquired CEEOR, a specialist research and consulting company in the Czech Republic specialising in analytical services for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and healthcare industries. More
In Australia, Ipsos has announced a partnership with indigenous communications and research company Winangali, aimed at increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander economic participation and providing employment opportunities and business partnerships. More
The UK government is looking for freelance user researchers and organisations with user research labs to apply to become approved suppliers. The search is part of a new procurement initiative 'Digital Outcomes and Specialists'. More
In the US, life sciences and healthcare industry consultancy HighPoint has hired former Digitas Health exec Bret Piano to lead its Analytics practice. More
In the US, WPP-owned digital research specialist Lightspeed GMI has introduced a tool called the Political Profiler, which enables targeting by political party affiliation, voter preferences and voting frequency. More
This year's MRS Awards saw UK charity StreetInvest carry off the President's Medal for its 'Growing up on the Streets' project, which has recruited street children in three African cities to provide observations on their experiences and those of other young people in their network. More
TV audience rating body BARC India has issued a global request for information (RFI), as it prepares to expand its measurement offering across all digital platforms. More
Energy Consulting group ESIA has announced the completed acquisition of Douglas Westwood Limited (DWL), whose consulting and analytical expertise for the oilfield services market will be combined with its existing oil and gas strategy division Hannon Westwood. More
London-based agency IFF Research has announced eight appointments and says it is gearing up for more recruitment in the New Year, to meet 'ambitious growth plans for 2016'. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has published its Annual League Table, with data drawn from 86 eligible organisations generating a combined turnover of more than £2.7 billion. The figure represents overall year-on-year growth of 4%. More
UK-based healthcare market research specialist Narrative Health has opened a US office in New York, which will be established and led by former Cello Health Insight exec Avanti Ananthram. More
This item was posted twice in error! See the original story from last Thursday... More
Daniel Blake has joined UK research provider Simpson Carpenter as an Associate Director in its fast-growing pharmaceutical and biotech division; and says more hires are 'imminent' to enhance the expertise and specialisms in the pharma team. More
London-based opinion research specialist BritainThinks has appointed former Labour Party exec Julia Ridpath, who previously served as MP Harriet Harman's Campaigns Advisor. More
In Australia, the government has set up a unit, which will focus on making subtle changes to government policies and communications in order to 'nudge' citizens into making better decisions and choices for themselves and others. More
In the UK, food and drinks industry R&D firm Campden BRI has opened a dedicated consumer test centre in Leamington Spa, to uncover insights about new products and provide related quant and qual consumer research. More
UK MR charity the Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA) has raised £14,000 through its 'Helping Researchers in Need' fundraising week - beating its original £10,000 target. More
The Readership Studies Council of India (RSCI) has named GroupM CEO CVL Srinivas as its new Chairman for a two-year period. More
In the US, healthcare data provider CentraForce Health has partnered with Nielsen Scarborough and Kantar Media to add further patient-centric insights to its health intelligence platform. More
Katherine Edwards, a former Director at supermarket giant Tesco, has joined London-based insight consultancy BritainThinks in the new role of Director of Stakeholder Engagement. More
Business Intelligence firm Informa has announced a deal with pharmaceutical reimbursement specialist Real Endpoints (RE) to help biopharma companies improve their understanding of health care plans and payers, and model alternative scenarios. More
UK-based research agency B2B International has launched an advice and consultancy division, and says it is looking to accelerate its expansion. More
US-based company Information Services Group has announced constant currency revenue growth of 4% for the third quarter of 2015, led by strong performances in Asia Pacific and parts of Europe including the UK and the Nordic countries. Reported revenue was $51.4m. More
Dennis Gillings, the founder of US-based healthcare consultancy Quintiles is retiring as Executive Chairman of Quintiles Transnational Holdings at the end of this year, upon which former McDonald's Chairman Jack Greenberg will take over as Chairman of the Board. More
GfK has reported 0.7% organic growth for the third quarter, with sales in Euros up 4% to EUR 371.4m. For the first nine months of the year, the group saw sales rise 6.0% to EUR 1.118bn - up just 0.4% in organic terms. More
In the US two healthcare specialists, full service researcher InCrowd and data collection firm SHC Universal have announced a partnership to give clients access to a broader community of healthcare decision-makers. More
In the UK, not-for-profit body NatCen has partnered with social policy research and development charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), to launch a panel to better understand the social and political attitudes of people on low incomes. More
In the UK, industry-owned independent measurement body the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) is launching a monthly Newsbrands service in December, reporting print and digital figures together for the first time. More
Ipsos Healthcare has rolled out its Global Oncology Monitor in Indonesia, in response to local and multinational companies' growing need to understand diagnosis and treatment trends in the country. More
Recently named Tory peer Lord Gilbert of Panteg is joining the Reputation and Strategy division of UK research agency Populus, as a Consultant helping to develop research-led campaigns for clients. More
A group of agencies in India are planning to set up a self-regulatory industry body, with the aim of improving standards in the way the country's polls are conducted. More
The US Census Bureau has opened a data center in Nebraska, to provide researchers with access to the sensitive data collected by the bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics and other federal agencies. More
WPP's audience profiling and targeting division Xaxis has teamed up with big data and predictive analytics firm Haystaq DNA to launch a targeted political advertising solution for reaching US voters across digital channels. More
The EU says it expects to replace and improve upon its suspended Safe Harbor agreement with the US within three months; the US FCC continues to consider issues surrounding Do Not Track and TCPA; and some telephone researchers find ingenious ways to survive the latter. More
ORC International has extended its long-established CARAVAN omnibus product with the launch of an Online Omnibus Survey of Hispanic consumers. More
John Wright, SVP at Ipsos Public Affairs (Canada), is retiring from the company at the beginning of next year, to focus on publishing a book with the firm's CEO Darrell Bricker. More
IBM is not just partnering with The Weather Company, but buying most of its assets. Data from its B2B, mobile and cloud-based web properties will be integrated into IBM Watson's new IoT Unit and IoT Cloud platform. More
US-based data collection firm SHC Universal has announced an exclusive partnership with rapid physician response specialist Truth On Call, promising insights in 24 hours. More
Multi-screen measurement specialist Rentrak has teamed up with cable TV ad management firm Viamedia to launch the 'Political Audience Extension Toolset', a system to help advertisers plan, purchase and manage TV inventory as the 2016 political season accelerates. More
Toronto, Canada-based data collection agency The Logit Group is to open a 100-seat call center in Wichita, Kansas, which it says should become the hub of its US operations. More
Media intelligence provider Cision has introduced new features to its PR Edition platform, including a range of influencer marketing and global insights tools. More
WPP has reported like-for-like revenue up 4.6% for Q3 2015. The insight division, known as 'Data Investment Management', was among those 'improving versus the second quarter' but once again was the only one to report a slight decline in revenue. More
Ipsos MORI has appointed nineteen-year Kantar veteran Jeremy May as Senior Director in its face-to-face fieldwork operation. More
Ipsos has reported a 3.7% increase in revenue to EUR 428m for the period from July to September, but at constant scope and exchange rates this equates to a fall of 2.2%. The decline cancels out a small real-terms rise in the first half of the year. More
Online DIY survey specialist SurveyMonkey has hired Pollster.com co-founder Mark Blumenthal for the newly created role of Head of Election Polling, based in Washington DC. More
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is restructuring its leadership along more collective lines, as it both gears up for forthcoming changes in EU data protection law and reacts to recommendations in the high profile Leveson enquiry. More
The hearing of Kantar Market Research Services' appeal against Indian government guidelines effectively banning its TAM joint venture with Nielsen has been postponed yet again, this time to February 9th 2016. More
US healthcare data collection firm SHC Universal has promoted Hilary Fischer to Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer after just two and a half months at the company. Sal Brucculeri moves up to EVP, Client Relationships and Sales Management while David Katz and Laurie Shapiro also join the function. More
Healthcare Business Intelligence (BI) provider Maitems Analytics has announced two new products for pharmaceutical companies: 360 Brand View and Continuous Pulse Survey. More
In London, Kantar public sector division TNS BMRB has appointed Hazel Wilkinson and Sally Panayiotou as Directors in its Policy and Communications practices respectively. More
YouGov has reported a 13 percent revenue rise - including organic growth of 11% - in preliminary results for the year ended 31st July. The year saw strong growth in new markets France and Asia Pacific; and a higher proportion of revenue from favoured product lines. More
US full service survey researcher SSRS and data collection specialist STR (Survey Technology & Research) have announced a merger under the SSRS brand. More
WPP has appointed the UK government's Deputy Director of Communications Sean Larkins as Director of Consulting and Capability, leading a new consultancy offer within its Government & Public Sector Practice. More
London-based opinion research specialist BritainThinks has appointed former Shelter exec Julia Pitman as Associate Director, tasked with building the firm's Charity practice. More
Healthcare fieldwork specialist M3 Global Research is opening its first studio in Philadelphia next January. The studio will provide a full-service research service for the healthcare community and the consumer goods sector. More
Cello Health has launched a smartphone and tablet app called 'Fresh Thinking', through which pharma and healthcare professionals can receive targeted thought leadership pieces, comments and insight. More
In the US, audience-centric marketing intelligence firm CentraForce has set up a new business called CentraForce Health, which will offer consumer insights to the healthcare sector through a platform called Population 360. More
International data collection group Schlesinger Associates has acquired Chicago-based MedQuery, a specialist in medical fieldwork. More
Asia / Pacific Managing Director Greg Wayman is to leave ORC International at the end of the year, and will be replaced by former Nielsen exec Oliver Rust, who joins on November 10th. More
French-based marketing services company Havas has announced the acquisition of MR group CSA and the Intervalles agency, from Bolloré Group, which is the majority shareholder in Havas itself. More
Los Angeles-based TV ad analytics specialist Ace Metrix has opened an office in Washington DC, where it has appointed industry veteran Mark Bryant as Vice President and General Manager of its new Politics & Advocacy practice. More
Indian audience measurement body BARC has partnered with French media research specialist Médiamétrie, to integrate Indian TV audience information into the latter's Eurodata TV Worldwide service. More
London-based research firm YouthSight has launched a tracking tool called SYN, to help marketers understand the behaviour of those in the 16 to 24-year-old age bracket. More
UK-based healthcare fieldwork agency Just Worldwide has appointed industry veteran Bj Kirschner as Director of Business Development, based in its New York office. More
WPP's Government & Public Sector practice has launched a 'hub' in Sydney, Australia, offering communications and research services for public sector clients in the ANZ region. More
London-based opinion research specialist BritainThinks has appointed former Opinion Leader Research (OLR) exec Lucy Brady as Research Director. More
In India, TV rating body BARC has commissioned Nielsen to conduct what it is describing as the country's largest universe estimation study on television ownership and viewing habits. More
In Sydney, TNS has promoted Anne Rayner to the newly created role of Global Head of Communications Research. More
Transportation analytics specialist INRIX has appointed former Vodafone Group Head of Analytics Chris Handley, to lead the development of its 'movement analytics' capability. More
In the US, data archive the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research is to be relocated from its current home at the University of Connecticut to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. More
Cubic Corporation company Urban Insights has teamed up with financial giant MasterCard for a new travel data platform promising to help planners and developers develop 'smarter, more inclusive cities'. More
Colorado-based cannabis industry data and insight provider BDS Analytics has officially launched with a $1.5m round of investment funding. More
In the US, broadcaster Disney|ABC Television Group has hired former Wal-Mart exec Cindy Davis as Executive Vice President, Consumer Experience. More
Guildford, Surrey-based healthcare MR and fieldwork operations firm FieldBox has hired Phil Thorpe as its first Managing Director. More
Pollster ICM breached the Market Research Society's (MRS) Code of Conduct by asking a leading question in a health poll conducted for BBC Wales, the Society has confirmed after a complaint by the Welsh Government. More
Pew Research founding Director, pollster and nonpartisan news commentator Andy Kohut died yesterday in John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore after a six-year battle with lymphocytic leukemia. He was 73. More
In the US, Spanish-language media group Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) has promoted Belia Jimenez to the role of Vice President of Corporate Research. More
Nielsen and multicultural consumer MR specialist Culturati have partnered to launch a new segmentation model, to help clients market to the Hispanic demographic in-store and elsewhere. More
In the UK, Dipsticks Research has promoted Judith Welford to the role of Head of Brand and Communications Research; and has appointed Steve Gray to oversee its FMCG Insights arm, and Paul Stallard as a Non-Executive Director. More
In the US, the AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) has set up a full-service marketing agency called Influent50, to help brands communicate and market products and services directly to those aged 50 and over. More
Ipsos Healthcare has launched a new syndicated Molecular Diagnostics (MDx) Monitor, focusing specifically on hematological malignancies. More
UK-based full service agency DJS Research has launched 'alumnus', a service allowing universities to benchmark their alumni relationship metrics against other institutions. More
TV audience rating body BARC India has confirmed that it has partnered with Nielsen/Kantar joint venture TAM India, to form a new meter management company. According to a statement issued by BARC, ratings data produced by the new firm will be the sole trading currency for the country. More
In the US, healthcare MR and consulting firm RG+A has introduced a research approach to help forecasters predict the performance of products that have complex treatment protocols. More
Dubai-based online healthcare specialist 42 market research has launched a new panel for pharmaceutical research in the Czech Republic, adding to existing offers in around 50 countries worldwide. More
Pharma data giant IMS Health has launched an app that delivers the company's materials from nineteen countries directly to Apple and Android tablets. More
Partners Kantar Media and mobile survey platform GeoPoll have announced the launch of a joint service bringing 'reliable, real-time audience measurement' to a swathe of African states. The service is currently available across Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. More
Kantar Health has partnered with Tel Aviv-based technology company Data2Life, to mine big data sources and deliver better information on drug safety. More
'Tis only a rumour at this stage, but an Indian online publication suggests that long-time rating agency and Nielsen / Kantar joint venture TAM Media Research is talking to new audience body BARC about a 'merger' - which considering their previous relations would be some turnaround. More
Healthcare panel and community solutions provider Lightspeed All Global has appointed Marie Fortier as Director, Business Development. More
GfK has reported organic growth of just 0.3% in the first half of 2015. Reported sales climbed 7.1% to EUR 747.2m, but almost all this increase resulted from the weak Euro. Adjusted operating income rose 3.7% to EUR 71.2m, and CEO Matthias Hartmann sales should pick up in the second half. More
American MR bodies CASRO and the MRA have filed a 'motion to intervene' in a court case against new telephone rules from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). More
Ipsos MORI has appointed former Kantar Health MD Jim Needell as Managing Director, Marketing. More
Information Services Group (ISG) has reported a 6% constant currency increase in second-quarter revenues. Reported revenue declined 3% to $53.4m, due to the strong dollar. Profit measures declined versus Q2 2014, with adjusted EBITDA down from $7.0m to $5.2m. More
A committee of MPs is assessing whether the UK Government is doing enough to help UK businesses make the most of their big data, while looking at issues around consumer data protection and privacy. More
Media research specialist GfK MRI has set up a new Innovation team, to explore emerging trends in TV viewing. Kevin King joins the team as SVP Mobile Measurement and Trends; while Karen Ramspacher becomes SVP Consumer Insights. More
In the UK, full service market and social research agency Bright Blue Research has named Paul Cussell Head of Digital, and Kerry Robinson as Research and Digital Strategy Manager. The firm has also made a number of promotions and appointed graduate Sam Willcocks. More
London-based IFF Research has announced five new hires - Sara Dobie and Sam Morris as SREs, graduate trainees Conor Healy and Jeffy Henderson, and Mark Lynch as Marketing Executive. Three employees are also promoted. More
Polling firm Gallup has agreed a $12m dollar settlement fund for a class action lawsuit claiming it called cell phones using an autodialer without consent. Gallup says it has never auto-dialled a respondent on a cell phone. As DRNO understands it, US law now doesn't care if that's true or not. More
Pharma research giant IMS Health has reported second quarter revenue up 5.2% on a like-for-like basis, allowing for currency changes and the acquisition of assets of Cegedim. Reported revenue was up 12.0% to $742m, equivalent to a 24.6% rise at constant currency. More
In the US, ad tech company Audience Partners has received a second patent for its platform, which enables political advertisers to target digital advertising utilizing voter data across any electronic device. More
WPP's Wunderman Health business has acquired a majority stake in Brussels-based full service digital healthcare agency ABS Creative, whose services include strategy, user experience, creative, design and data analytics. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
WPP and buyout specialist Provident Equity Partners are in 'advanced discussions' to buy UK marcoms group Chime Communications for around £350m. More
Analytics pioneer dunnhumby has launched a new division to bring its customer science techniques to the US healthcare sector. More
We apologise for the inconvenience. More
US data collection firm SHC Universal has appointed former Kantar senior exec Hilary Fischer as SVP - New Venture Acquisition. In this role, she will focus on global product development and corporate acquisitions, while expanding the business development team into Europe. More
German communications scientist and former WAPOR President Professor Wolfgang 'Wolf' Donsbach died on Tuesday following a heart attack. He was 65 years old. More
Multi-mode healthcare data collection company Glocal Mind has developed panel and process management software, to help clients and in-house teams automate a number of business areas. More
In the US, housing and property data specialist RealtyTrac has appointed Rob Barber as Chief Executive Officer for its data file licensing business, replacing Jamie Moyle who becomes Chair of the Board's Innovation Committee. More
Canada-based social media analyst Engagement Labs has completed the acquisition of Word-of-Mouth specialist Keller Fay Group, for an undisclosed amount. More
Digital data collection specialist Research Now has launched a panel through which political researchers can capture American voters' perceptions of current issues, along with insights into political trends such as candidate perception, voter turnout, and campaigns. More
Ipsos has reported half-year revenues up 10.2% in Euros to EUR 832.9m. Given that the Euro has lost around 20% of its value against the dollar and 10% against the pound in the last 12 months, this equates to a real-terms decline of -0.4%. Profit measures showed a slight improvement. More
The Board of New York-based circulation body the Alliance for Audited Media (AAM) has approved plans to enhance its Media Intelligence Center database, and to expand reporting options for US and Canadian newspapers. More
WPP-owned market research and political polling specialist Penn Schoen Berland has named Curtis Freet and Jon Penn Chief Executive Officers in their respective units. More
In Australia, TNS has expanded Robyn Rutley's role to include oversight of its Social and Government teams in Sydney and Brisbane. More
US healthcare researcher InCrowd has appointed business development veteran Art McKee as Vice President of Strategic Alliances. More
Cello Health Insight has strengthened its European quant research 'IQ' team with three appointments: Massimo Bufi joins as a Director level Senior Methodologist and Lisa Rollins as an RE; while Richard Kunzmann is promoted to Director. More
Canada-based privacy specialist Nymity is to open a European headquarters in London, helping companies comply with fast-changing privacy and data protection laws including the upcoming and long-awaited / delayed EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). More
British-based technology company Privitar, a specialist in big data security, has closed a seed funding round of more than $1m from investors including the two most recent former CEOs of Reuters. More
Internet standards body the World Wide Web Consortium has published a first draft document setting standards for the implementation of browser-based Do Not Track requests - and invited comments over the next three months. More
ISP-level ad targeting company Phorm has announced change at the top as it enters a new phase in its development. Out goes company founder and long-time CEO Kent Ertugrul, along with CFO Andy Croxson, and in comes former Arbitron exec Timothy Todd Smith as the new Chief Exec. More
Welsh agency Beaufort Research has been bought by its management, with the help of a £220,000 loan from Finance Wales and funding from Bibby Financial Services. Directors and new owners Fiona McAllister and Chris Timmins have run the company since founder Peter Stolle retired in 2007. More
Healthcare research veteran Alberto Herreros has been appointed Managing Director of fast-growing strategic consulting and analytics company Maitems, with a remit to broaden its portfolio of clients in Europe and the US. More
WPP-owned Kantar is consolidating its activities in Israel by transferring Millward Brown's country license to TNS. The group says this will help it expand its presence in the market and provide better service both for local and global clients. More
Ad targeting firm Phorm in its accounts for 2014 has once again reported a colossal operating loss - this time $37.9m (2013: $35.1m) - and tiny revenues of $351k (2013: $280k). The company has closed its operation in Turkey to focus on China, the US - and Russia where some revenue is now arriving. More
WPP has taken steps to become the first international marcoms group to conduct business on the island of Cuba. More
Full service MR group CMG (Cross Marketing Group), parent of Kadence International, has set up a global healthcare research company called Medilead, based at the Group's Tokyo headquarters. More
UK-based RS Consulting, part of the Cello Group, has rebranded as Bright Blue. The new brand unites and replaces the four separate identities which have until now made up the RS Group - Consensus Research, Leapfrog, mruk and RS Consulting. More
Omnicom-owned Hall & Partners Health is moving Research Director Gerald Lombardi, Ph.D from New York City to its Tokyo office, launched a year ago. More
UK audience research body BARB has awarded its newly combined Establishment Survey and Panel Recruitment contract to Ipsos Connect, from January 2016 for an initial three years. This combination replaces two previous contracts and follows a successful pilot study by BARB in 2014. More
In the US, the FCC has approved proposals to restrict the use of autodiallers, which the Marketing Research Association (MRA) believes will 'seriously harm survey, opinion and marketing research conducted by phone'. More
In the UK Nik Harta, formerly a Director of agency markettiers4dc and the founder of its research division Opinion Matters, has left to form his own full-service research and marketing agency, Yolo Communications. More
The British Polling Council (BPC) has urged the House of Lords to reject a private members bill brought by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock this week, aiming to regulate opinion polls, in the light of apparent high profile errors in the Scottish referendum and general election. More
Pollster Anzalone Liszt Grove (ALG) has opened a Midwest office in Chicago, and moved Brian Stryker from its Washington, DC office to lead it. In addition Lisa Grove, a company Partner stationed in Hawai'i for five years, moves to a new office in the island state's capital. More
Recently formed London agency Red Dot Research has rebranded as 3GEM Research and Insights, aligning itself with a sister company, 3GEM Media, specialising in PR. More
Mark Penn, co-founder of Penn Schoen Berland and currently a senior exec at Microsoft, is leaving to found an investment company, Stagwell Group LLC, focused on digital marketing services. More
Nice, France-based healthcare fieldwork agency QualWorld, which was launched eighteen months ago by four former WorldOne execs, has opened a US business, based in Pennsylvania. More
UK television measurement body BARB has announced two new appointments to help deliver its expanding range of services: Paul Smith joins as Project Manager and Sonja Ajdin as Research Manager. More
In New York, former Harris Poll head Regina Corso has launched her own full service research company, focused on research specifically designed for public release. More
In the UK, publisher and conference organiser Solar Media has hired Finlay Colville, previously Head of NPD Solarbuzz, to lead its recently formed Solar Intelligence division. More
Healthcare MR and consulting firm RG+A has named Kevin M. Kelly as its new EVP and Chief Operating Officer, charged with integrating the firm's strategy and planning, business development, CRM, project management and business operations. More
Ipsos Public Affairs has hired Reputation Institute veteran Leonard Ponzi in the newly created role of SVP and MD of its US corporate reputation practice. More
WIN/Gallup International, the worldwide association of independent market research and polling firms, has announced the election of its new Board Members. More
UK-based healthcare specialist Adept Field Solutions has appointed Jennifer Steinberg as Operations Director for its newly established team in the US. More
The American Marketing Association has teamed up with research body CASRO to produce this year's AMA Gold Top 50 report, ranking US research suppliers. The report suggests total US research revenue for 192 surveyed firms grew in real terms by 1.6% in 2014. Four companies grew revenue by more than 40 percent. More
US pollster Mervin Field, who founded both the Field Research Corporation and public opinion survey 'The Field Poll', died in Marin County on Monday, after a brief illness. He was 94 years of age. More
Around 20% of WPP's investors refused to endorse CEO Sir Martin Sorrell's £43m pay package at this afternoon's Annual General Meeting - quite a lot, 'though quite a lot fewer than in some previous years. More
Marcoms group Creston has reported a 5% increase in annual revenue for its Communications & Insight businesses, to £56.2m. However, headline profits before interest fell slightly to £8.1m from £8.3m last year, due in part to the weakening Euro. More
According to reports in the UK press, marcoms giant WPP will face a shareholder rebellion over CEO Sir Martin Sorrell's £43m pay package at tomorrow's AGM. More
As the British Polling Council commences its inquiry into how UK pollsters underestimated or completely missed the Conservative lead over Labour during the run-up to last month's general election, ComRes says it has developed a solution to predict who is more and less likely to vote. More
US-based energy and environment intelligence specialist IHS has transferred Chairman Jerre Stead to the role of Chief Executive Officer, following a mutual decision between the company and President & CEO Scott Key to 'end their relationship'. More
Mobile segmentation and analytics specialist Swrve has opened a European Data Centre, where it will retain customer mobile data within the borders of the European Union, to eliminate the risks associated with transferring app users' personal data overseas. More
Cello Health Insight has overhauled its online pharmaceutical community platform eVillage with the addition of new tools, functionality and a new, mobile-responsive design. More
In the US, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is due to vote on June 18th on new proposals which the Marketing Research Association (MRA) says 'could seriously harm survey, opinion and marketing research conducted by phone'. More
Ipsos Healthcare has launched a syndicated study to highlight the impact on cancer treatment of 'biosimilars' - versions of drugs created by a different manufacturer following patent expiry. More
Marcoms network MDC Partners and its digital strategy agency Doner have launched a specialist multicultural business called Cultura United Agency, offering full-service ad and PR expertise driven by insights across Hispanic, African American and Asian audiences. More
The British Polling Council (BPC), supported by the MRS, has named the members of its 'task force' who will oversee an independent inquiry examining how UK pollsters underestimated the Conservative lead over Labour during the run-up to the recent general election. More
US-based consumer insights and innovation consultancy scenarioDNA has been issued with a patent for its proprietary method for online and offline 'culture mapping', developed to understand the relationship between culture and brands. More
In the US, pharma researcher Decision Resources Group (DRG) has acquired membership-based hospital research specialist Healthcare Business Insights (HBI). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the UK, Midlands-based specialist public sector agency Community Research has appointed former Opinion Leader consultant Kate Waller. More
US-based healthcare data giant IMS Health has closed its secondary public offering of approximately 58 million shares of common stock by existing shareholders, at a price to the public of $27.50 per share. More
UK-based consultancy Nunwood, which specialises in customer experience management and feedback technology, has been acquired by accounting and advisory giant KPMG. More
US patient satisfaction and measurement solutions specialist Symphony Performance Health (SPH) has acquired health plan survey data provider The Myers Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
GfK has reported first quarter sales of EUR 362.5m, an 8.2% rise of which 6.8% is the result of currency effects, and just 1.3% is organic growth. However, operating income and margins were up. More
Research and advisory group ISG (Information Services Group) has reported a 5% increase in first quarter revenue to $50.5m, from $48.2m in the same period last year - despite a negative impact equivalent to $3.7m as a result of currency changes. Profits also jumped. More
WPP sister agencies TNS and Kantar Media have partnered with emerging markets mobile survey platform GeoPoll, to deploy a new range of research products and services across Africa. More
Virginia, US-based business information and analysis specialist Neustar has appointed former Adobe exec Carl Steffens as Vice President of Demand & Field Marketing. More
The British Polling Council, supported by the Market Research Society (MRS), is setting up an independent enquiry to look into why UK pollsters underestimated or completely missed the Conservative lead over Labour during the run-up to yesterday's general election. More
Digital data collection specialist Research Now has launched a Dermatology Panel, to provide insights into practices, treatments and attitudes regarding the health of hair, nails and skin. More
An anonymous $10m donation has been given to Princeton University, to help it establish a new faculty called the 'Daniel Kahneman and Anne Treisman Center for Behavioral Science and Public Policy'. More
In the UK, international healthcare specialist Adept Field Solutions has appointed former All Global Chief Operating Officer Kerensa Bindoff as Project Director. More
Pharma data giant IMS Health has acquired healthcare big data analytics specialist Dataline Software. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Nielsen has made available content from more than 3,000 Harris Polls dating back to the early 1970s, through a new interactive web site aimed at media execs, researchers, pollsters and academics. More
Ipsos Healthcare has introduced its syndicated services to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), to help drug companies better understand region-specific disease dynamics and physician prescribing habits, and plan for the launch of pharmaceutical drugs. More
Edelman Berland, the research and analytics business within PR giant Edelman, has appointed Catriona Muspratt-Williams as Head of Singapore, and Andrew Chapman as Head of Australia. More
Research organisation The Reputation Institute has appointed Ed Coke as Director of Consulting Services and Jason Stokes as Vice President of Sales - both for the UK and Ireland. More
In the UK, Ipsos Healthcare has launched the 'EquityVision Normative Database', which contains seven years' worth of Rx pharma brand health and brand equity research. More
Indian TV audience measurement body BARC has launched its measurement service, and rolled out the first set of results. More
Texas-based telephone data collection specialist ReconMR has acquired acquired Voter Consumer Research Houston (VCR Houston), boosting its strength in political and public policy research. More
SurveyMonkey CEO Dave Goldberg died on Friday whilst on holiday in Mexico with his family, apparently as a result of an accident in the gym. He was 47. More
Sir Martin Sorrell, the CEO of marcoms giant WPP, received a 44% increase in 2014 pay, bringing his salary package to almost £43m. This makes Sorrell the highest-paid FTSE 100 CEO, with a pay package more than twice the size of the second highest earner*. More
WPP-owned marcoms network J.Walter Thompson has launched a global business intelligence practice, offering a combination of research, innovation and data analytics across its global network. More
North of England-based agency DJS Research has launched Chatter Zone, an online market research community for parents, kids and teens. More
UK-based companies Creston Group and Future Foundation have partnered to combine the former's market research and neuroscience services from its ICM Unlimited, Marketing Sciences Unlimited, and Walnut Unlimited companies, with the latter's consumer trends and insight offer. More
In the US, marcoms agency Woodruff Sweitzer is buying marketing and PR firm Confluence, whose portfolio of services includes market research, digital, design and illustration, and online and off-line specialist content creation. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
UK television broadcaster Channel 4 has promoted Charlie Palmer to the role of Head of Viewer Relationship Management, to drive the consumer-facing element of its data strategy. More
Manchester, UK-based mobile research tech firm RealityMine is expanding its syndicated TouchPoints and passive measurement business to 20 new markets worldwide; simultaneously securing rights to the TouchPoints name and the services of the co-founders of USA TouchPoints. More
Pharma data giant IMS Health has announced results for the quarter ended March 31st, with revenue up 7.0% at constant currency, to $632m and profit also jumping - adjusted EBITDA was $216n, up 9.8% at constant currency. More
UK-based Chime has announced eight new appointments in its Insight & Engagement Group (CIE), spanning its Facts International, CIE Commercial, Watermelon, Cherry Picked and Opinion Leader businesses. More
Global PR and comms firm Burson-Marsteller has launched StudioB - billed as 'a fully integrated, real-time, data-driven center of creativity, content production and distribution' - in the US, with worldwide expansion to follow. More
WPP has reported like-for-like first quarter revenue growth across all its business sectors except for the Data Investment Management (DIM) division, where revenue fell 1.4% to £558m from £566m in the prior year period. More
Ipsos has reported 0.8% organic growth in revenue for the first quarter of 2015 - though measured in Euros revenue was up 10.6% to EUR 379.6m. More
In the US, pricing intelligence specialist Market Track has acquired eCommerce price monitoring specialist NewMo. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
UKOM, the cross-industry organisation set up to oversee the measurement of online audiences, has renewed comScore's contract to act as its exclusive partner for online media audience measurement in the UK. More
Big data-driven content marketing and live publishing platform ScribbleLive has acquired influence marketing specialist Appinions, for an undisclosed sum. More
Research and technology firm Instantly is to build a research panel focused on South Asian audiences in the UK, on behalf of ethnic audience research specialist Quant Edge Ltd and known as Multi Cultural Britain Think. More
The team responsible for online quiz tool Qzzr has rolled out a standalone product called Pollcaster, which allows users to create and embed social media polls on their web sites. More
US-based direct marketing and targeting giant Harte Hanks has sold its B2B research businesses Aberdeen Group and Harte Hanks Market Intelligence to subsidiaries of private equity firm Halyard Capital. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Twitter is planning to cut off access to its data 'firehose' - the stream of tweets and related information it currently provides to third party vendors. More
Kevin Tyrrell, Operations Director at UK agency 20/20 Research, has had his request to set up a new political party called the Ukulele Independence Party thrown out by the Electoral Commission, which ruled that the name was too similar to that of the UK Independence Party (UKIP). More
In the UK, NatCen Social Research has appointed Phil Doggett as interim Chief Operating Officer, replacing CEO Penny Young who is leaving in in mid-May to join the House of Commons. More
IBM is to invest $3 billion over the next four years to establish an Internet of Things (IoT) unit, which will capitalize on the company's expertise in gathering, combining and making sense of real-time data gathered from a variety of sources. More
In India, broadcast audience measurement body BARC has appointed Dr Sumit Chowdhury as Technical Advisor, as it prepares for the launch its new audience measurement system next month. More
A lawyer for the European Commission has told European citizens to close their Facebook accounts if they want to protect their private information from being accessed by the US intelligence services. More
UK-based research group RS Consulting has announced seven promotions, including Lorena Arrospide, Rhiannon Jones and Danielle Rodgerson who all move from Senior Research Consultant to Research Manager. More
Australian telecoms company Telstra has acquired UK-based healthcare data analytics specialist Dr Foster. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, the Sydney Morning Herald says 'market sources' value it at £20 - 25m. More
Ahead of May's general election, London-based opinion research specialist BritainThinks has partnered with The Guardian newspaper on an initiative called 'Battleground Britain', which will examine undecided voters' opinions in five key constituencies across the UK. More
Today we're launching a new recruitment site, 1potato, dedicated to opportunities for data and analytics professionals. Many readers and users of MrWeb / DRNO have been asking for something like it for years, and with the big data / data science boom, the time should be ripe. More
IT services provider Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has launched a smartphone app called ElectUK, which allows users to track, analyse and visualise Twitter conversations about the forthcoming general election. More
Population intelligence and analytics specialist AirSage has purchased Israel-based road traffic information provider Decell Technologies. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Susan Shaw, the co-MD of GIM Suisse, has been elected as President of the Swiss Association of Market and Social Research (Verbands der Schweizer Markt- und Sozialforschung, or vsms). More
UK-based online research firm YouGov has announced interim results for the six months ended 31st January, with revenue up 11% year-on-year to £36.2m - up 10% in organic terms - and adjusted profit before tax up from £3.0m to £3.5m. More
Customer and employee research specialist ORC International has appointed brand and innovation specialist Kevin Ford, previously Director of Research at NatCen, in the newly created role of Head of Markets and Products Research in Europe. More
Software company Cision has acquired San Mateo, CA-based social media analytics specialist and content marketing platform Viralheat, for an undisclosed sum. More
Laurence (Larry) Gold, the former publisher of market research industry journal Inside Research, has died at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer. More
UK paper The Financial Times has hired Havas content chief Renée Kaplan for the newly created role of Head of Audience Engagement. She will take up the post in May. More
UK-based online specialist BrainJuicer has decided to close its office in Italy, which has made a 'significant' loss. The group as a whole published its formal results yesterday, confirming it had grown revenue just 1% in 2014, to £24.65m. More
Research organisation The Reputation Institute has appointed Valient Market Research founder Scott Upham as Vice President of US Measurement Consulting, while Stephen Hahn-Griffiths joins as Vice President of US Strategy Consulting. Upham also retains his role at Valient. More
New York-based social media analyst Dataminr has raised $130m in growth capital in a Series D financing round led by Fidelity Management and Research Company. More
US-based research and consulting firm Vivisum has unveiled Brand Builder, a 'holistic market research solution' combining qual and quant inputs to help pharmaceutical clients optimise their product launches. More
Media intelligence provider Meltwater has launched a new solution monitoring and distilling online information for decision-makers in corporate communications and other functions. The service tracks editorial, blogs and social media postings. More
Pharma MR specialist Instar has appointed Art McKee in Philadelphia to head up its new US business unit, and Manfred Eberlein in Hamburg to oversee its new European business division. The firm has also hired ten new research and delivery team members. More
In the US, healthcare data specialist Lightspeed All Global has appointed John Daly and Jacki Spear as directors in its Business Development team. More
Research and advisory group ISG (Information Services Group) has reported fourth quarter revenues of $53.2m, up 4% at constant currencies. Full-year revenue was flat at $209.6m, with growth in Europe balancing declines in the Americas and Asia Pacific; but adjusted EBITDA rose 5% to $23.2m. More
Bangalore-based news aggregator app NewsHunt has acquired mobile big data platform Vauntz. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In Japan, research and online panel provider GMO Research (GMOR) has added access to more than 74,000 physicians to its Asia Cloud Panel, through a partnership with medical research panel specialist MedPeer. More
Energy sector data firm Verisk Analytics is to acquire Edinburgh-based research and consulting company Wood Mackenzie for £1.85 billion in cash (around $2.8bn). More
In the US, four Democrat senators have re-introduced a bill that if passed, will provide consumers with the right to stop data brokers from using, sharing or selling their personal information for marketing purposes. More
UK newspaper The Guardian teamed up with word-of-mouth (WOM) consulting firm Keller Fay to assess conversations taking place about the UK's 2015 general election. More
In London, Kantar public sector division TNS BMRB has promoted Bruce Hayward to the position of Head of Research. More
In London, Kantar public sector division TNS BMRB has promoted Ben Toombs to the role of Head of Qualitative and Communications Research, while making Caitlin Connors his deputy. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has elected Crispin Beale, CEO of Chime Insight and Engagement, and Danny Russell, UK General Manager of Business Intelligence at Telefonica, as its new joint Chairmen, replacing Richard Silman who took on the role last April. More
In the UK, OnePoll, which specialises in conducting online polls for PR purposes, has acquired panel provider 2Brewarded. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In London, Kantar public sector division TNS BMRB has promoted Mark Peters to the position of Managing Director, and Sarah Cheesbrough to Head of Policy. More
Surrey-based Media Marketing Research International (MMR) has partnered with technology firm Klood to launch an online listening and analysis solution called Brand Data Intelligence (BDI), for use across the healthcare sector. More
US industry body the MRA says it 'broadly shares' the goals behind President Obama's new Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights, but that in its current form the proposed legislation is 'too vague to endorse' and the Bill is 'likely going nowhere fast.' More
MR agency B2B International has expanded its UK headquarters in Bramhall, Manchester and revealed a five-year plan to double its annual turnover to £15m. More
Former SSI and Greenfield Online exec Ryan Hopper has joined research technology and panels specialist OMR Globus as Managing Director, Healthcare. More
This month sees the return of the annual auction to help researchers who have fallen on hard times, run by the UK's Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA). Prizes include MR conference and football tickets, as well as access to the culinary skills of one of the industry's best known salespeople. More
The White House has appointed Dr DJ Patil as the first US Chief Data Scientist, to help 'maximize the nation's return on its investment in data'. More
Ipsos has reported a 2.2% increase in fourth quarter revenue to EUR 500.7m - a rise it describes as a 'timid return to growth' reflecting more favourable foreign exchange trends - and 'slight' organic growth of 0.8%. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has named Chief Operating Officer Debrah Harding as Managing Director, to reflect her enhanced role and responsibilities. More
London-based ComRes has partnered with The Daily Mail to deliver a programme of polling and political analysis, including extensive coverage in the run-up to the general election in May. More
In London, Ipsos Healthcare has appointed IMS Health veteran Omar Ehsan as Head of Emerging Markets and Global Clients. More
Booming audience measurement firm Rentrak has appointed political industry veteran Carol Davidsen, previously Director of Integration and Media Targeting for the Obama for America 2012 campaign, in the role of Vice President of Political Technology. More
Retail and healthcare data giant Information Resources Inc. has formed an alliance with MR and management consulting firm Kline & Company, to serve consumer healthcare clients including over-the-counter (OTC) drug companies. More
According to reports in the Australian media, Prime Minister Tony Abbott's government is considering canning the country's census, and replacing it with a smaller sample survey. More
NatCen CEO Penny Young is leaving the organisation to take up the position of House of Commons Librarian and Director General, Information Services. More
London-based BDRC Group has launched BDRC Americas, a joint venture with Washington, DC-based full service researcher Fusion Analytics, which merges into the new company. More
ORC International has launched an off-the-shelf customer centricity tool, allowing client companies to assess and improve their performance. More
Pharma research and data giant IMS Health has announced results for the quarter and year ended December 31st 2014, including revenue up 6.2% to $678m in Q4 and 5.9% to $2,641m for the full year on a constant currency basis; and adjusted EBITDA up 8.5% and 9.5% respectively. More
YouGov has confirmed former Chief Strategy Officer Alex McIntosh as its new UK CEO, replacing Tim Britton. More
Five months on from its last adjournment and more than a year after the announcement which triggered it, Kantar Media Research's appeal against Indian government guidelines affecting its TAM TV audience measurement service has been postponed once more, this time until May 12th. More
WPP's global Government & Public Sector practice has introduced a team tasked with driving excellence in communications and research for European Union institutional clients. More
US-based technology specialists Invoke Solutions and Academic Management Systems (AMS) have merged to create a new company, serving both the market research and academic sectors. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Mehmet Xhambazi and Abdi Saïd, co-founders of Response Fusion and former directors of OnePoll, have set up a new London-based company called Red Dot Research, which specialises in multimode online MR and panel provision, as well as PR research services. More
Roy Morgan Research has partnered with big data insights specialist Qrious to offer clients an in-depth understanding of the trends, needs and wants of New Zealanders, and the communities in which they live. More
UK-based Kadence International has reported a 14% increase in gross global half year revenues to $16m, driven by growth in its US and Indian operations. More
In Singapore, customer and employee research specialist ORC International has appointed Smitha Kuppa as Senior Research Director of its Qualitative practice, and Nellie Yeoh as Senior Consultant, Employee Research. More
US-based information and analytics firm IHS has acquired Aberdeen, Scotland-based Rushmore Reviews, which provides information services for the oil and gas industry. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In Brisbane, Australia, Ipsos has appointed Kathy Benson as Strategy & Research Director, and Kylie Brosnan as Director of Ipsos Public Affairs, while Anna Eden moves from the Perth office to take up the role of Senior Client Services Director. More
UK agency Opinion Matters has hired former Market Research Society (MRS) director Jennifer Sproul for the newly created position of Head of Client Services. More
Public sector research specialist Richard Abraham has relocated from the UK to Sydney, Australia, to take up the role of Director - Social & Government at TNS. More
Healthcare fieldwork firm M3 Global Research has introduced a new service to provide market research to physicians who are attending specific medical conferences. More
GfK has reported a 2.9% drop in annual sales to EUR 1.451 billion from EUR 1.495 billion the previous year. Currency effects accounted for a 0.9% reduction: in organic terms, sales were down by 2.1%. More
London-based newspaper marketing body Newsworks has embarked on the second phase of a formal process to find suitable partners for a new audience measurement system. More
In the UK, industry body the Market Research Society (MRS) is marking Data Privacy Day by reporting nineteen organisations to the Information Commissioner's Office for 'selling under the guise of research'. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has appointed non-practising barrister Dr Michelle Goddard as Director of Policy and Standards, to work alongside other regulatory authorities and public and professional trade bodies to ensure best practice across the sector. More
Cleveland, Ohio-based healthcare big data firm Explorys is to recruit eighty people, growing its headcount to more than 200. More
Global energy market analyst PIRA Energy Group has promoted COO Gemma Postlethwaite to be its new Chief Executive, allowing founder Dr. Gary N. Ross to move to the role of Executive Chairman. Ross will also continue to lead the company's oil group. More
Software giant Microsoft has acquired Israeli legal text analysis firm Equivio for a reported figure of between $150m and $200m. More
In the UK, healthcare specialist Research Partnership has appointed Dr Moniola Olusanjo as Compliance Manager. More
YouGov UK CEO Tim Britton has left the company after seven years, to pursue 'the next stage of his career'. He is replaced on an interim basis by Chief Strategy Officer Alex McIntosh. More
In London, Kantar Media has hired former BBC director Margo Swadley for the new role of Managing Director, UK TV & Video Measurement. More
Life science industry research and advisory firm BioInformatics has launched a cloud-based analytics tool called Interactive Market Intelligence, through which end users can filter, create and export views of data. More
US-based pharma researcher Decision Resources Group (DRG) has appointed Mark Luck Olson as President, Global Consulting Services. More
Healthcare fieldwork firm M3 Global Research has announced the appointment of eleven new members of staff - nine in the US and two in the UK. More
SPA Future Thinking's French subsidiary has launched a pharmaceutical healthcare division called Future Thinking Pharma, in Paris, which will be led by Béatrice Chemla, the founder and CEO of healthcare MR agency Listening Pharma. More
UK-based business-to-business agency B2B International has opened an office in Singapore - its third location in the Asia Pacific region. More
Desiree Lopez has been promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer of public sector specialist TNS BMRB, along with a seat on the TNS UK Board. More
Philip (Phil) Converse, Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Political Science at the University of Michigan, died on December 30th in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at the age of 86. More
Maryland, USA-based healthcare analytics technology company Inovalon Holdings Inc has filed with US regulators to raise up to $500m in an IPO. More
New York City MR firms UniversalSurvey and SurveyHealthCare have completed an equity and debt funding round, for use in developing their current platforms and for planned M&A activity. More
Public opinion research association WAPOR has named Patricia Moy as its new President, replacing two-year leader Alejandro Moreno. More
From all of us at MrWeb and Daily Research News to all of you, our readers and friends around the world, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks for your support in 2014! More
Customer and employee research specialist ORC International has promoted Craig Young to the new role of Managing Director in charge of its Australian business. The firm has also promoted Mia Wong to SVP Customer Research Asia, based in Hong Kong. More
Long-time Associated Press pollster Michael Mokrzycki died suddenly on Friday evening of what is thought to have been a heart attack. He was 52 years old. More
In the US, full-service custom marketing research company Burke Inc. has acquired innovation and 'growth acceleration' specialist Seed Strategy. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In London, newspaper marketing body Newsworks has appointed former Havas exec Denise Turner as Director of Insight. She will take up her new post in early 2015. More
Online research specialist Macromill has formed a joint venture (JV) with medical information provider CareNet, in Tokyo, to provide marketing research services across the medical sector. More
In Edinburgh, Queen Margaret University (QMU) has opened the Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation, which will use a range of nutritional analysis, shelf life testing, consumer focus groups and taste panels to help businesses develop healthier products. More
Customer, employee, and market strategy research specialist ORC International has launched an online communities division, and appointed former Communispace exec Jennifer Adams to lead it. More
In London, Guardian Media Group has appointed Charlotte Putnam as Audience Director, in charge of the newspaper's Commercial Insight, Consumer Insight, and Primary Research functions. The paper has also hired ITV's Sonia Sudhakar as Director of Digital Growth. More
Hispanic market specialist ThinkNow Research has appointed former uSamp exec Heather Scrittorale as Director of Business Development for Sample, while Greg DeLacy joins as Business Development Manager. More
UK-based marketing services group Cello has acquired US full service healthcare researcher Promedica for an initial $700k in cash, and up to $1.8m more dependent on financial performance in the next three years. More
Marcoms group Omnicom has acquired Washington DC-based DDC Advocacy, which uses data-driven insights to conduct advocacy campaigns for business and nonprofit clients. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
London-based polling and research specialist ComRes has hired five new members of staff, including former Ipsos MORI exec Rob Melvill as Research Team Leader in charge of its FMCG and Food & Beverage practice. The firm has also promoted Tom Clarkston to Research Team Leader. More
Attendees at last night's MRS Awards ceremony in London saw Ipsos MORI and biopharma client Amgen scoop both 'The Grand Prix Award for Greatest Impact' and the 'Healthcare Research' prizes for their work highlighting patient experience for Psoriasis sufferers. More
An EU Working Party has published new Guidelines on the 'Right to be Forgotten', intended to help search engines to implement the ruling by the EU's Court of Justice (ECJ) in May, which required them to consider requests from individuals for the removal of links to information about them. More
Healthcare specialist Krea has become the Indian member of Global Market Research, an alliance of accredited independent MR companies. More
Ipsos has announced that its Co-President Jean-Marc Lech died this morning in Paris, after suffering from a 'serious health issue' since the summer. More
Multi-screen measurement specialist Rentrak has completed its acquisition of the US-based TV measurement assets of Kantar Media, in an all-stock deal worth about $128m - c.$30m more than was initially anticipated. More
Australian professional MR association AMSRO has become the first body to have its privacy code registered by the Australian Privacy Commissioner under new legislation. More
Norfolk, UK-based consultant Simon Anholt - the man responsible for the Anholt Nation Brands Index - has launched an ambitious worldwide political organisation, Good Country. More
UK agency Simpson Carpenter has announced two appointments catering for 'recent expansion and anticipated growth in 2015': Weiwei Yang joins as a Senior Research Manager in the pharmaceutical division and Charlotte Donald as an RE in the Major Studies team. More
Australian market and opinion specialist Roy Morgan Research is moving to new offices in Kent Street, Sydney on December 8th, after 27 years at its previous location. More
Ipsos Healthcare has announced the US launch of a new study, Oncology Molecular Diagnostics (MDx) Lab Mapping, which delivers a picture of the laboratories involved in cancer biomarker testing. More
Marcoms holding group Creston has reported a 5% increase in half year revenue to £37.3m, and announced an international partnership with German-owned Serviceplan Group. More
DIY research firm SurveyMonkey is to collaborate with employee-owned US research stalwart Westat and non-profit organization the Pew Research Center, to examine non-probability sampling, along with various means of gauging data quality. Results will be made publicly available. More
In the UK, healthcare researchers Martin Schlaeppi and Craig Scott have launched Greensand, a new agency focused on the medical device market. More
Stakeholder intelligence and engagement advisory firm GlobeScan is opening an office in Cape Town, South Africa. More
Roy Morgan Research has appointed former Ipsos Australia Chief Exec and AMSRO President Hugh Amoyal as its new Deputy CEO. The firm has also given Head of Client Services Howard Seccombe the new role of Chief Digital Officer. More
Healthcare panel provider M3 Global Research has promoted Roni DasGupta to the role of President of Market Research, Americas and Anton Richter to MD of Market Research, Europe, as it looks to 'accelerate its global growth'. More
TNS has announced the appointment of Will Galgey, formerly of The Futures Company (TFC) as UK CEO from mid-January 2015, following the departure of Maureen Duffy earlier in the week. Separately, Michelle Harrison will become Global Head of Political and Social at the beginning of the year. More
In the UK, Kantar Media has admitted to a problem with its published BARB viewing data for July-September, requiring it to reissue certain audience data files. More
UK-based Kadence International has officially opened a Middle East office, in Dubai, which will be staffed by local quant and qual researchers. The company is also planning to open a second office in the region, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. More
In the US, Nielsen has secured a perfect score of 100% on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which provides a national benchmark survey of corporate policies and practices relating to LGBT workplace equality. More
In the UK, The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has set up a research community called 'Big Voice', through which small firms can provide their opinion and feedback to government organisations and national policymakers. More
Marcoms holding company Creston plc has created a new umbrella brand called Creston Unlimited, adding the suffix to the names of all its group companies including ICM and Marketing Sciences. More
UK-based Kadence International has today been sold to full service Japanese MR group CMG (Cross Marketing Group) for an undisclosed sum. More
UK TV broadcaster Channel 4 has identified a new demographic it calls the 'Proactives', an audience segment said to have more money, more influence and a higher propensity to trial. More
UK radio and television audience measurement veteran Tony Twyman died last Friday, 31st October, at the age of 82. More
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has selected comScore's Digital Analytix audience demographics platform to provide analytics across its entire range of digital content - including web, mobile and video - for both domestic and global services. More
Customer and employee research specialist ORC International has appointed industry veteran Jon Harding as Executive Vice President - US Business Development, and also hired Patricia Hughes and Joe Mann as Vice Presidents, Client Solutions. More
Ipsos Healthcare has launched a new syndicated project, the Biosimilar Impact Study, to help clients understand the potential impact of launches of these drugs, which are rival companies' versions of original products, hitting the market as patents expire. More
Healthcare data and performance benchmarking specialist Truven Health Analytics has acquired Joan Wellman & Associates (JWA Consulting), which focuses on helping clients develop 'lean' management systems; and Heartbeat Experts, provider of opinion leader and stakeholder analytics. More
Peter Scott, Chairman and CEO of marcoms group Engine, is leaving the company following its recent acquisition by ORC's Chicago-based backers Lake Capital. More
Information Services Group has announced third quarter revenue up 3% in constant currency terms, to $53.3m. Revenues in Europe rose strongly (up 10% to $19.7m) while elsewhere they were flat or fell back. More
In the US, medical fieldwork firm MedQuery has launched a new service called Fast Track, which guarantees to recruit any type of physician to a qualitative research study in one week. More
UK-based 72Point, the parent of OnePoll, is expanding to the US market with the launch of an office in New York, offering a range of content-led marketing and social media products. More
In the US, social media prediction specialist Consensus Point has hired Brad Marsh as President and Chief Executive Officer, freeing up Linda Rebrovick's time to focus on her campaign to become the next mayor of Nashville, TN. More
UK audience research body BARB has extended Kantar Media's TV measurement panel contract and RSMB's contract for survey design and methodology until the end of 2018. The organisation will also combine two of its main research contracts from January 2016. More
In the UK, identity intelligence solutions specialist GBGroup has acquired consumer insight and anti-fraud specialist CDMS Limited (which trades as Transactis) for £6m. More
Sampling, data collection and analytics specialist SSI has partnered with US Hispanic media firm Univision, to access 56 million Hispanic Americans through a new digital survey panel called żQué Crees? (What do you think?). More
US-based information and analytics firm IHS is to acquire two subsidiary firms from retail researcher the NPD Group: flat-panel display specialist DisplaySearch and solar energy MR business Solarbuzz. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Pharma research and data giant IMS Health has announced results for the quarter ended September 30th, with revenue up 5.4% (constant currencies) to $656m, driven by a strong performance in technology services (up 10.8%). Profits were also healthy - adjusted EBITDA increased 10.5% to $221m. More
UK-based insights consultancy Simpson Carpenter has appointed Emily Hunt, former Director of Insights and SVP at Edelman Berland, as Head of Strategic Insights and Innovation - and a member of the Board. More
In the UK, the Health and Social Care Information Centre has extended NatCen Social Research's contract to deliver its Health Survey for England study for four more years until 2019. NatCen will deliver the survey in collaboration with University College London. More
Denmark's VIA University College has partnered with Canadian crowdsourcing firm Chaordix, to build an innovation community called VIA Connect, through which businesses can hook up with thousands of students, as well as researchers and tutors. More
Ipsos has reported third quarter revenue of EUR 412.7m, representing marginal organic growth (0.2%) year-on-year. The decline in reported figures slowed to 1.4%. More
In Australia, Fairfax Media will be publishing political polls again through a partnership with Ipsos, after Nielsen pulled out of its contract with the publisher earlier in the year. More
In the UK, Kantar Health has recruited five new members of staff for its Epsom, Surrey-based team, including former TNS exec Hazel Haskayne as Group Director. More
UK-based medical fieldwork specialist KeyQuest Health (KQH) has opened an office in New Jersey, US. The new operation is led by Miina Rafinski, who previously served as Client Services Director at Olson Research. More
A call centre has been set up at HMP High Down Prison in Surrey, where up to twenty inmates will gather information from the general public for market research purposes. More
Nigeria - much in the news spotlight this week for other (positive) reasons - could soon have a new living standards index and a more standard definition of socio-economic class: a major breakthrough for data collection and analysis in the country. More
In the UK, marketing budgets were revised up for the eighth consecutive quarter, reflecting continued confidence in the business outlook, according to the Q3 2014 Bellwether report from ad association the IPA. More
In Washington, veteran survey researcher and political scientist Michael Dimock has been promoted to President of the Pew Research Center, effective today. More
Kantar public sector division TNS BMRB has made two senior appointments, Keith Bolling as Head of National and Official Statistics Surveys and Gillian Prior as Head of Longitudinal Studies - on the back of strong growth in the two areas. More
Healthcare fieldwork specialist Krea has taken the unusual step of turning what began as a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative into a separate division of its company. 'CAN DO' provides opportunities for people with disabilities and will offer data collection along with archival and scanning services. More
Online research specialist YouGov has reported preliminary results for the year ended 31st July 2014, with revenue up 10% in constant currency terms, to £67.4m, and adjusted profit before tax rising 12%. More
DIY online research firm SurveyMonkey has announced a partnership with broadcast and digital news provider NBC News. The deal has two aims: to deliver in-depth assessments of public opinion and attitudes; and more generally to explore best practice in online survey research. More
In the US, full service marketing research and insight education agency Burke Inc. has promoted John Thomas to the newly created position of Managing Director of its Burke Healthcare division. More
Twitter is donating $10m over the next five years to help The MIT Media Lab create a new division to explore how people use social media networks. More
Facebook has introduced strict research guidelines, in response to a recent revelation that the firm had conducted a psychological experiment in which it manipulated users' news feeds to assess the impact on the mood of their subsequent posts. More
Former Ipsos Hong Kong MD Darlene Lee has joined the New York office of WPP-owned market research, political polling and strategic consulting firm Penn Schoen Berland (PSB). More
In the US, Michael J. Hennessy Associates (MJH), a full service healthcare MR and communications firm, has acquired CURE Media Group, publisher of a cancer patient magazine with more than one million readers. The buy will strengthen its research division, HRA. More
How much is a piece of personal data worth? According to a study conducted by mobile giant Orange, consumers' price tag is around £13 for a single piece if it is shared with a brand they already know, and £15 for organisations they have not dealt with previously. More
California-based residential property information and analytics provider CoreLogic has sold its Collateral Solutions and Field Services business units to property maintenance specialist Mortgage Contracting Services (MCS) for a possible total of $45m. More
US-based fieldwork provider Schlesinger Associates has launched a new service to connect those seeking healthcare insights with 'world-class thought leaders'. More
Life science research and advisory firm BioInformatics LLC has announced the acquisition of LA-based analytical equipment research specialist Strategic Directions International (SDi). More
A suit filed in the U.S. District Court of Northern California claims that Arbitron - now Nielsen Audio - made calls and left messages for consumers, contrary to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). More
NY-based full service life sciences researcher KJT Group has appointed David Luery, formerly of Phoenix Healthcare, as Managing Director, Global Research. More
US physician network Doximity has added two new Vice Presidents: Emily Peters in the newly created role of VP Marketing Communications, and Peter Alperin, MD, as VP, Connectivity Solutions. More
WPP's digital network VML has agreed to acquire Shanghai-based social media monitoring specialist Teein. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
According to a number of reports in the media, WPP is in 'advanced talks' regarding the possible acquisition of some divisions of Brazilian research agency IBOPE Group by its Kantar arm. More
Canadian public opinion polling and consumer research specialist Insights West has launched an online community, comprising 2,100 British Columbians of Chinese and South Asian ethnic descent. More
In the UK, not-for-profit body NatCen Social Research has appointed former Kantar Head of Field Sophie Ainsby to lead its 1,200 strong field force. More
In the US, recently merged PR software providers Vocus and Cision have acquired social media listening and engagement software specialist Visible Technologies. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Omnicom-owned healthcare marketing agency Adelphi Worldwide has acquired London-based healthcare brand and research agency The Planning Shop international (TPSi), for an undisclosed sum. More
In the US, Houston-based housing industry research and analysis specialist Metrostudy has acquired real estate research consultancy New Home Trends, thereby expanding its geographical coverage to the Pacific Northwest region. Terms were not disclosed. More
WPP division Kantar Health has acquired Brazilian healthcare research company Evidências, for an undisclosed sum. More
Ipsos has appointed Hagop Harmandarian as its new MD in Saudi Arabia, replacing Samir Tass who is leaving after three years in the role. More
Washington, DC-based polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) has promoted James Morris, a former speechwriter for UK Labour Leader Ed Milliband, to the position of Partner in its London office. He is the company's fifth Partner. More
In London, YouthSight has appointed former Cint exec Ross Pinnegar as Panel Services Manager, replacing Tatenda Musesengwa who has been promoted to the role of Client Services Director. More
In the UK, Julia Godfrey has re-joined global healthcare specialist The Research Partnership in the newly created role of Research Director, working in the firm's Therapy Watch division. More
Indian medical fieldwork specialist Krea has today launched DIAB+, which it says provides access to 'the entire Diabetes ecosystem of India'. This includes access to diabetologists, endocrinologists, clinicians and hospital and laboratory decision makers. More
Arthur H. White, co-founder of the research business that became Yankelovich, has died aged 90, in Stamford, Connecticut, from complications following a stroke. More
Records leaked by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden have revealed that NSA has built a database called ICREACH, through which intelligence staff from across the US government can access information about private e-mails and phone records from people around the world. More
Kantar has partnered with US non-profit agency disABILITYincites to create what is described as the country's largest panel of consumers with disabilities. More
CIE, the Insight & Engagement Group within UK firm Chime, has reported first half operating profit up 22% to £1.4m, and a 5% increase in operating income to £4.2m. However, revenue was flat at £5.37m compared with £5.35m in the prior year period. More
Hall & Partners has made four New York appointments in its specialist Health division, including Ariella Evenzahav as Director, US Oncology Center of Excellence. More
WPP's data investment management division (DIM) has reported Q2 net sales of £436m and revenue of £611m, the latter up 2.6% in like-for-like terms but well below the overall group growth of 10.2%. More
Eye tracking specialist Tobii Technology has raised $15m (SEK 100m) to support its continued expansion in existing and new markets, and specifically its acquisition of speech-generating tech firm DynaVox Systems. More
St Louis, Missouri-based big data analytics firms evolve24 and Sherpa Analytics have merged, promising clients enhanced applications for consumer and market insights, as well as program effectiveness measurement. Terms of the deal were not confirmed. More
In London, KPMG and Imperial College have partnered to create the 'KPMG Centre for Advanced Business Analytics', fuelled by a $20m investment from the management consulting giant. More
San Francisco-based audience measurement and digital advertising firm Quantcast has promoted former Yahoo! exec Matt White to Managing Director of its UK operation, replacing Phil Macauley who has moved up to the position of EMEA MD. More
Digital data collection specialist Research Now has launched a panel focusing on women's health - initially in Germany, with the US, Canada and the UK following rapidly. More
Research Now Healthcare has launched a Mental Health Panel, providing access to a targeted audience of over 350,000 panelists in the US and Canada who have been diagnosed with one or more of a list of conditions. More than 27,000 caregivers are also available. More
Strategic insight and innovation consultancy The Futures Company has appointed multicultural strategist and lifestyle trendwatcher Valeria Piaggio as VP of Multicultural Insights for its U.S. Yankelovich Monitor. More
Online research specialist YouGov has promoted Sundip Chahal to the newly created role of Group Chief Operating Officer. More
In London, research firm YouthSight has appointed James MacGregor as Director of Higher Education Research, responsible for developing new business, new products, project delivery, and representing the firm on Higher Education issues. More
Former Arbitron CEO Sean Creamer has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of sports, media and entertainment venue business The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) in New York. He takes up his new role on September 1st. More
GfK has reported a 1.6% organic decline in sales for the first half of 2014, to EUR 697.9m, magnified to 4.2% by currency effects - but says that it is now seeing the positive effects of the 'strategic realignment' plan it has been pursuing. More
Australian not-for-profit body The Newspaper Works has appointed Brian Rock, formerly of Network Ten, as Research and Insights Manager. More
In the US, pharma research giant IMS Health has unveiled a cloud-based sales performance solution called Nexxus Mobile Sales. The product combines continuously updated industry and customer data with expert decision support tools for sales reps. More
In the UK, Populus co-founder Andrew Cooper is to join the House of Lords. Cooper was Prime Minister David Cameron's Director of Strategy for two years until rejoining the research firm in October 2013. More
US-based holding company Information Services Group (ISG) has announced results for the second quarter and first half ended June 30th, with revenues down 3% year-on-year in constant currency, at $54.9m. More
UK data protection watchdog the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has spoken up in qualified support of the European Court's recent ruling, which it says is not a 'Right to be Forgotten' but a reasonable task for Google to address on a case by case basis. More
Hall & Partners has strengthened its new Tokyo office with the appointment of Yukiko Obata as an Account Director within the Japan Health Team. More
UK based consultancy The Futures Company is opening an office in Shanghai, its second Asia-Pacific location after Singapore - and appointed former Ogilvy & Mather exec Kunal Sinha to lead it. More
US healthcare analytics and insights provider the National Research Corporation (NRC) has reported results for the second quarter of 2014, with revenue up 7% to $24.0m and net income up 18% to $4.1m. More
Brazil's Justice Ministry has rebuked the country's largest telecoms company Oi and fined it $1.6m for tracking and targeting-related privacy violations. It's apparently a 'first-of-its-kind' for the country, but it's eerily reminiscent of the first time we heard the name of Oi's partner company, Phorm. More
Two announcements from Ipsos: the Loyalty division has a new syndicated study providing benchmark data on consumers' views across 23 sectors in 30 countries; while Canada's Ipsos Reid will work with the country's Sporting Goods Association (CSGA) to track trends in equipment, clothing and participation. More
ORC International is to join two partner firms in 'a next generation marketing services company' with annual revenues of c.$400m, following the acquisition of marcoms group Engine by ORC's Chicago-based backers Lake Capital. Partner firms will keep their separate identity. More
In the UK, a House of Lords committee has reported that the ECJ's search engine 'right to be forgotten' ruling is 'unworkable' and says it is 'wrong in principle'; while Google has told the EU that implementing it is a hard task, and has asked for clarification on how it should decide cases. More
In the US, sentiment and influence analytics specialist Global News Intelligence (GNI) has been acquired by big data technology firm Novetta Solutions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In Australia, industry body The Readership Works and agency partner Ipsos MediaCT have added geo-targeting capabilities to the emma cross-media newspaper and magazine readership survey, to help users with hyper-local marketing and media planning. More
Policy and strategy consultancy ComRes has announced four hires, including former Ipsos MORI exec Nick Allen, who will lead services for transport, energy, utilities and planning clients; and two promotions. More
GfK has added three more African countries to its annual 'GfK Roper Reports Worldwide' consumer trends study, allowing businesses to tailor their offerings to specific target markets, geographies and 'psychographic segments' within the continent. More
Nielsen has reported a 15% increase in second quarter 2014 revenue to $1.59bn - excluding acquisitions the figure was still a very respectable 4.4%. Q2 profit fell to $76m from $426m due to fees for re-financing long-term debt, but Adjusted EBITDA was up 16.2% to $460m. More
Pharma research giant IMS Health has reported a 6.1% increase in second quarter revenue to $662m. However, due to a number of one-off charges and expenses the firm suffered a Q2 net loss of $200m, compared with net income of $8m in the prior year period. More
Professional services firm Ernst & Young (EY) is to acquire Australian full service agency Sweeney Research. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the UK, Ipsos MORI's Social Research Institute (SRI) has appointed three senior directors, including Sam Clemens who previously served as NatCen's Head of Health and Wellbeing. More
Ipsos has reported a 5.9% drop in first half revenue to EUR 756m, with currency effects responsible for most of the fall (5.1%). In organic terms, second quarter decline all but wiped out the modest gains of the first quarter, giving overall H1 organic growth of 0.1%. More
Morocco's joint industry committee CIAUMED has awarded GfK a contract to deliver an electronic TV audience measurement (TAM) service. The agency has also won an extension of its radio audience contract in Switzerland. More
The MRA's Research Industry Index study (RII) has maintained a score of 100 or higher for four straight quarters, for the first time since its launch in 2007. According to the MRA, this is a strong indication that the industry has recovered from the recession. More
In India, Nielsen/Kantar joint venture TAM Media Research has launched a mobile app called 'TAM India', which will provide subscribers with access to weekly top line television audience measurement (TAM) data on their iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices. More
In the US, global non-profit research-based consultancy InterMedia has appointed former GfK SVP Christopher Fleury as President and CEO. More
Ipsos Co-Chairman Jean-Marc Lech has temporarily stepped down from his role following what has been described by the company as a 'serious health issue'. More
Nielsen is integrating RDA Research's geoTribes segmentation tool into its Consumer and Media Insights (CMI) service, to provide a 360 degree view of the New Zealand consumer. More
Ogilvy & Mather has opened a third office for its behavioural sciences practice #ogilvychange, this time in Singapore. More
Cello's Healthcare division has continued its recent expansion with the appointments of Zahidah Ahmad and Sunil Sharma as Directors. More
In Germany, four former senior GfK execs have founded Exevia, a new healthcare market research agency based in Nuremberg. The four are Norbert Schell, Ulrik Scheuermann, Andrea Gock and Roland Herterich. More
UK-based media and marketing insights specialist Ebiquity has reported total revenue growth of 8% at constant currency - reported revenue was up 7.2% to £68.5m (2013: £64.0m). The firm has also announced a business restructure. More
In London, the BBC has appointed GfK's Head of Innovation Nick North to lead its Audiences teams. He will take up the role on 15th September. More
The High Court in Delhi has once again adjourned Kantar Media Research's appeal against new government guidelines imposed on its TAM TV audience measurement service. The case will now be heard on 26th August. More
London-based Opinion Leader has hired five new members of staff, including Jane Buswell as Insight Director and Daniel Taylor as Senior Research Executive. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has launched a sugging/frugging hotline through which organisations and members of the public can report unsolicited calls which contravene its Code of Conduct. More
The UK's newspaper industry is to appoint a strategy consultant to advise on the building of an audience measurement system to reflect the way people now read newspapers - across print, laptops, tablets and mobile. More
The Futures Company has re-launched its US Yankelovich MONITOR, adding new content to provide what it describes as the first unified multicultural and general market consumer insight service in the marketplace. More
US-based pharma researcher Decision Resources Group (DRG) has enhanced its Marketrack medical technology tracker with purchase order data and pricing analysis, delivered through an interactive dashboard. More
Media analytics strategist Dana Chinn has been named Director of Norman Lear Center's Media Impact Project (MIP); an initiative for collecting, developing and analysing approaches for measuring the social impact of the media. More
A new research and business consulting firm, DelveInsight Business Research, has opened in New Delhi, focused on the healthcare sector. More
UK-based Cello Health Insight has appointed Marie Innes as a Director, based in its head office in London. Her remit includes managing international client accounts on both quant and qual studies. More
In the US, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) have created a tool called Encore, to monitor the accessibility of web pages around the world, determine what's being blocked, and identify ways to get around restricted access. More
In the US, ad tech company Audience Partners has received a patent for proprietary technology allowing political campaigns to use voter registration records and other data to target digital advertising. More
US data collection agency MRops has appointed three former WorldOne execs to roles in its offices in London, Hong Kong and Philadelphia. More
Creston-owned full service agency ICM has promoted Sarah Perry to the role of Head of Development, and Gina Moore to Field Director. The firm has also hired Jenifer Curren as a Research Manager and Kate Bewick as an Associate Director. More
ITWP, the parent company of online community and survey technology provider Toluna, has acquired Harris Interactive's European arm from Nielsen. As part of the deal, Nielsen will take a minority share in ITWP. More
UK data regulator The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is planning to investigate Facebook's recent psychological experiment, in which the firm manipulated users' news feeds to assess the impact on the mood of their subsequent posts. More
North of England-based online panel firm ResearchBods has opened its first overseas office near Melbourne, Australia; and appointed David Gibbs to lead it. More
Washington, DC-based polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) has partnered with Canadian public affairs strategist Don Guy to open an office in Toronto. More
Australian agency I-view has appointed John Leahy as Commercial Director, responsible for the implementation of its commercial strategy. More
Customer and employee research specialist ORC International has opened an office in Sevres, south west of Paris, where it has appointed former Ipsos exec Anne Lavielle to head up the new operation. More
US-based social media analytics specialist newBrandAnalytics (nBA) has introduced a cloud-based tool called Pulse, to provide clients with minute-by-minute real-time data on trending topics and conversations that impact their brand and product perception. More
In the US, pharm data giant IMS Health has announced its intention to acquire information solutions and CRM businesses from Cegedim, for around EUR 385m ($520m) in cash. More
YouGov has launched a 'next day GB omnibus service', with a sample of 2,000 adults, running each day at noon and promising results by 4pm the following day. The firm says it is 'the only such offer of its kind in the sector'. More
Kantar Health has launched PINNAKLE, billed as an integrated, holistic brand marketing solution helping pharma companies maximise the success of their brands and tap into 'unrealized brand opportunity'. More
Canadian broadcast measurement body BBM Canada has changed its name to Numeris. More
In the US, travel-based IT solutions firm Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) has set up a new subsidiary called Urban Insights Associates, which uses big data and predictive analytics software to help public transportation agencies improve the operations of their transit networks. More
UK-based Trinity McQueen (formerly Brass Insights) has appointed former Illuminas exec Mike Roderick as Research Director, tasked with expanding the agency's activities in the financial services, utilities and B2B sectors. More
Australian industry body The Readership Works has enhanced its 'emma' readership survey with the addition of a new engagement metric, designed to demonstrate a reader's unique relationship with specific printed newspapers - including regional dailies - and magazines. More
The US state of Mississippi is suing Experian over allegations that the firm routinely violates consumer data protection laws. More
Customer and employee satisfaction specialist ORC International has appointed four new members of staff in its Singapore office. More
UK research firm Cello Health Insight has launched a continuous staff development programme called BUILD, and promoted Leyla Itani and Helen Porter to lead the initiative. More
In the UK, 'destination management firm' Indestinate has been named one of the five winners of a contest run by government body IC tomorrow, for a platform using near real-time and historic location data to deliver personalised travel experiences. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) is preparing to update its Code of Conduct, which was first issued 60 years ago as a means of reassuring the general public and other interested parties that research is carried out in a professional and ethnical manner. More
Spanish-language broadcasting group Univision Communications has fired an executive at its KSCA-FM (101.9) station in Los Angeles for using a number of Nielsen's Portable People Meters (PPM) to inflate audience ratings. More
In Sydney, Australia, BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) has appointed former Nunwood/TLE researcher Joe Lynch as Head of Research and Consumer Insights, starting in August. More
Facebook has announced that it will begin tracking users' behaviour on other web sites as well as its own, in order to target advertising more effectively. An opt-out will be available, in addition to the option to see why an ad has been served, and to edit one's own advertising profile. More
Madeline McMahon, Director Strategic Market Research at Double Helix US, died suddenly on June 7th after a cerebral hemorrhage. She was 35 years old. More
Healthcare MR consultancy Adelphi Research UK has announced three promotions and two new appointments. Caroline Coe and Jo Thompson are both promoted to Research Director; Emma Tweats becomes an RM, while Kris Barker returns and Steve Loasby joins the company. More
US full service agency CMI has launched a tool called yPrescribe, to help users understand why physicians are prescribing one brand over another, and whether specific brands are even being considered. More
Canadian pollster Angus Reid, most recently the co-founder of research community and survey tech specialist Vision Critical, is retiring as the firm's Executive Chair, in order to set up an independent public opinion research organization he will call the Angus Reid Institute. More
In London, Fox International has promoted Christian Brent to the newly created role of Senior Vice President of Global Research and Audience Strategy for Fox International Channels (FIC). More
Creston's insight division - which comprises Marketing Sciences and ICM - has reported a 7% increase in annual revenue to £12.9m. The remainder of the Group by contrast saw a slight decline in revenue and profit. More
In London, online specialist YouGov has promoted Paul Marshall to Director in the Media & Technology team, and Simon Mottram to Lead Consulting Director. In addition, James Starkie has re-joined the firm as Business Development Consultant in the Reputation team. More
Kantar Media has acquired a majority stake in Precise Media Group Holdings Limited, which provides monitoring and evaluation services to the PR and communications industries. The price and details of the percentage of shares bought have not been disclosed. More
Four weeks on from the European Court's landmark decision granting individuals a 'right to be forgotten' in search results, Google says it is receiving about 10,000 requests for removal each day; and will reportedly flag up removed items in searches, as well as reporting regularly on their total volume. More
UK-based division Cello Health Insight has appointed former YouGov exec Dan Brilot as Digital Director, to help drive development of the agency's suite of digital offerings. More
Nielsen is once again the 'official market research supplier' for an Olympic Games, adding Rio 2016 to London 2012 and Beijing 2008. More
mruk, the social research firm within RS Consulting group, is returning to Scotland with the opening of a new office in the centre of Glasgow, to support a growing number of Scottish clients. More
Big data giant Cloudera, which two months ago announced a massive $740m in financing from chip maker Intel, has acquired a data security start-up, Gazzang, for an undisclosed sum. More
US firm Metrostudy, part of the Hanley Wood group, has launched Builder Insight, a GPS-enabled housing intelligence program giving access to research and market analysis for builders on the go. More
This week sees the launch of the 'first ever' overnight television ratings service in a number of African markets. Mobile survey platform GeoPoll will bring the data to countries including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda in time for the viewing and advertising bonanza of the World Cup. More
In the US, analysis provider WCG and the Health Data Consortium (HDC) have announced a partnership to track and analyse health data conversations on digital media. The deal will offer the latter's members and users greater understanding of current perceptions and trends, using real-time data. More
UK firm The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has partnered with Dutch consulting engineer Fugro, integrating its own survey and consultancy services with Fugro's data on highway condition and construction for the benefit of global clients. More
Nielsen has announced it will stop its political polling in Australia at the end of July, specifically the monthly Fairfax Nielsen Poll, which has been running for the past nineteen years. More
UK-based research and consulting firm Populus has launched a 'Future Parliament Panel', comprising a group of MPs who are considered well placed to retain their seats at the 2015 general election, combined with candidates hoping to win new seats. More
Multi-screen measurement specialist Rentrak has partnered with Republican-focused online advertising, fundraising, e-mail marketing, and data management firm Targeted Victory, to target likely voters based on their off-line viewing habits. More
Health information and management solutions firm ZirMed has acquired California-based Intelligent Healthcare, which offers a proprietary population health management analytics platform. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
GfK has appointed two new Senior Vice Presidents in its North American Health team: former TNS Healthcare US President Paul Barnes, and former Eli Lilly consultant Cheryl Mulherin. More
In the US, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has hinted that it will push for stronger data security laws, and does not believe that self-regulation by the online advertising industry will prove sufficient. More
Strategic insight and innovation specialist The Futures Company has strengthened its Asia Pacific team, based in Singapore, moving Radha Patel from the London office to the role of Director of Consulting, and hiring Tara Hirebet as Senior Consultant. More
San Francisco-based predictive intelligence firm 6Sense has launched out of stealth mode with $12m in Series A funding. More
In the US, polling and real-time insights platform CivicScience has rolled out a new forecasting methodology called 'Expectation Science', to help make predictions about consumer markets and media consumption. More
In London, former ORC employee research exec Phil Pringle has joined global management consultancy Hay Group, as Senior Consultant in its Employee Opinion Research division. More
GfK has announced results for the first quarter, with an organic decline of 0.7% in sales, reported as EUR 334.9m, a decline of 3.5% due to currency effects. However the Group said it achieved 'a significant increase in all profit indicators', and has confirmed its forecast for the year. More
A ruling this week from the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) places requirements on search engines with offices in the EU to consider requests from individuals for the removal of links to certain information about them. More
TNS has promoted Chaitanya Reddy to the newly created role of Political & Social Director, Mekong Region, adding Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar to his existing responsibility leading Political & Social research in Vietnam. More
US-based data collection company Schlesinger Associates has appointed Matt Campion as an Executive Vice President, charged with developing its quantitative client portfolio in healthcare and expanding its service solutions across the group. More
Kantar is reportedly working with London-based software firm Onzo Ltd to investigate ways of gathering and analysing smart meter data on household energy use. More
Cello Group has acquired healthcare communications agency iS Healthcare Dynamics for an initial c.£2.5m in cash and shares and additional performance-related payments of up to £3.3m. At its AGM today, the Group also reported 'strong trading in the first quarter'. More
Ipsos Public Affairs has made three senior management changes in its US team: Clifford Young has been promoted to President and John Vidmar to Chairman of the division in the US, while Julia Clark takes on additional responsibilities as VP leading the team in Chicago. More
John Pullinger, currently the House of Commons Librarian and DG of Information has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, and National Statistician, succeeding Jil Matheson who retires at the end of June 2014. More
London-based IFF Research has added two more new directors: Pamela Bremner will strengthen the firm's work in the employment & benefits and health & lifestyle sectors, while Danny Millar joins as Interviewing Services Director. More
IMS Health has acquired Belgian-based business intelligence tech company Forcea, with the aim of enhancing its performance management capabilities for hospitals and life sciences clients. Terms were not disclosed. More
Cheshire, UK-based agency DJS Research has announced its twelfth consecutive year of growth, with revenue up 32% to £2.9m. More
The Omnicom-Publicis merger has been called off. Unforeseen complexities had slowed the progress of the $35bn deal (£20.65bn) to the point where the two parties apparently felt it was distracting and unsettling their businesses. Publicis CEO Maurice Lévy has also suggested it was becoming an Omnicom takeover. More
Research and advisory firm Information Services Group (ISG) has announced results for the quarter ended March 31st. Revenues slid 5% to $48.2m (reported and constant currency), with a sharp rise in Europe (up 15% to $19.8m) more than counterbalanced by falls of 14-15% in the Americas and Asia Pacific. More
Pretoria-based full service agency Ask Afrika has appointed former Nielsen MD Ken McArthur as company Chairperson. More
US-based analytics provider Symphony Health Solutions has launched a service providing weekly views of pharmaceutical sales and prescription activity, which it claims is the 'first' weekly audit of US institutional sales and overall market activity. More
WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell saw his annual pay package rise by nearly two-thirds to £29.8m in 2013, from £17.5m the previous year, boosted by a plan linked to the company's share price and performance. More
UK-based Cello's Health division has launched a product called FutureScope, to help clients understand likely future market dynamics and customer needs within each therapy area. More
In the US, physician network Doximity has closed a $54m Series C investment round, bringing the company's total funding to $81m. More
In the US, New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan has signed into law a bill clearing the way once again for legitimate political polling in the state, following years in which an over-broad definition of push polling made it almost impossible for researchers to work there. More
D3 Systems, known for its research in some of the world's most dangerous environments, has added five execs to its team: Kerry Brown, Alicia Boyd, Jessica Beaird, Kyle Block and April Bethune. More
Medical MR firm Field Scope International has expanded its panel of registered Nurses, and now has access to over 5000 across the UK and 'similar figures' in the other big four EU nations. More
WPP's Data Investment Management (DIM) division saw revenues fall 3.8% to £566m in the first quarter of 2014, while net sales dropped 4.5% to £406m. More
Ipsos has reported a 4.5% drop in revenue to EUR 343.3m in the first quarter of 2014, compared with EUR 359.6m a year previously. However organic growth - at constant scope and exchange rates - was 1.5%, in line with the performances recorded in the third and fourth quarters of 2013. More
UK insight and communications group Creston says it is expecting a drop in revenue to £74.8m for the year ended 31st March 2014, compared with £75.2m a year earlier. More
Six companies including researcher / analysts IRI and Rentrak have formed a consortium running a cross-industry study to drive thought leadership and best practice in marketing to Hispanics. More
In the UK, the BBC is looking for qual, quant and specialist agencies for its new research roster. Successful agencies will be appointed for a four-year term. More
Creston-owned full service agency ICM has promoted Head of Qualitative Research Iain Carruthers to its Board, and given existing Director Alex Knight a wider remit as Insight Division COO and CFO. More
In the US, Civis Analytics - which was launched last year by President Obama's former Chief Analytics Officer - is integrating its predictive targeting capabilities with Rentrak's local television ratings, to provide insights into corporate and political ad campaigns. More
US marketing consultancy Priority Metrics Group (PMG) has set up a research division called Xperience, to help healthcare professionals measure and analyse data from patient experience surveys. More
In the UK, specialist social research agency TNS BMRB has appointed former Office of Public Management (OPM) exec Robin Clarke as a Director in its London office. More
Policy and strategy consultancy ComRes has launched a number of new services in preparation for May's European Parliament elections and next year's UK general election. More
In the UK, the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) set up by the government and commonly known as the 'nudge unit' has received a £2.9m grant from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to set up a research centre in England focused on improving adult literacy and numeracy levels. More
Marcoms giant WPP has launched a global Government & Public Sector Practice to drive 'excellence' in government communications. The new initiative is led by Dr Michelle Harrison, who is also CEO of the group's TNS BMRB agency. More
Online data collection agency AskingCanadians has expanded its business into the US with the launch of AskingAmericans, offering access to more than ten million consumers. More
Video analytics firm Vidiro, ebook consumption and reader behaviour specialist Jellybooks, and GPS-driven retail offer app Tempster are among the winners of the 'Digital Innovation' competition organised by government-funded IC Tomorrow. Winners receive funding and mentoring. More
IMS Health has proceeded with its IPO, raising $1.3bn, and shares have risen by 15 percent on its trading debut. More
Lincoln, Nebraska-based patient insights and healthcare analytics specialist the National Research Corporation (NRC) has announced that its President and Chief Operating Officer Susan Henricks has resigned from the company. The firm has not given a reason. More
Washington DC-based voter targeting digital ad firm CampaignGrid is adding a mobile capability, allowing clients to target registered voters with video and display ads on mobile browsers and in apps on their smartphones and tablets. More
London-based agency IFF Research has appointed Martin Marine as Financial Services Director, while promoting Alistair Kuechel and Angus Tindle to Director level. More
Twitter has announced two further acquisitions in the field of 'social TV', French startup Mesagraph and UK firm SecondSync, both of which provide analysis of social media chat concerning TV programmes. Terms were not disclosed. More
Custom pharma research specialist Double Helix is celebrating its tenth anniversary in the US with the opening of an office in San Francisco, and has appointed Madeline McMahon to head it up. More
US-based Directions Research Inc. (DRI) has announced five promotions, including Dan Argo to Director IT, Security & Compliance; and 24-year company veteran Eric Groeschen to Senior Data Consultant. More
Dubai-based 42 market research, a specialist in full service online research for healthcare clients, is adding a panel in The Philippines. More
Online research specialist YouGov has reported a 9% increase in revenue to £32.6m for the six months to 31st January, while adjusted operating profit was up 31% to £2.9m. The company made a loss of £400k, reportedly because of costs relating to two acquisitions made during the period. More
The Independent newspaper's parent company ESI Media has awarded brand tracking specialist Nepa the contract to co-create a consumer panel called indyViews, which will provide a platform for readers around the UK to air their views. More
UK-based medical market research agency Purdie Pascoe has expanded to the US, appointing former Ipsos Healthcare exec Muhammad Asim as Senior Vice President in Chicago, and Josina 'Hector' Habegger as an Associate Director in San Francisco. More
Britain's National Statistician has recommended to the Board of the UK Statistics Authority that the country's ten-year census is retained, but moved online from its previously paper-based format. More
Pharma research giant IMS Health is preparing to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the next fortnight, which could value the company at around $7 billion. More
Despite a drop in annual revenue from £13.6m to £11.0m, Chime's Insight and Engagement (CIE) division has reported a 19% rise in operating income to £9.1m for the year 2013, while operating profit increased 29% to £2.8m. More
In the US, trend analyst Bottlenose has partnered with broadcast intelligence company Critical Mention, to deliver a combined view of real-time trends across TV, radio, social media platforms, online news and blogs. More
In the US, online research community builder Communispace has launched a new business unit dedicated to healthcare clients; and has named VP Corey Schwartz as its Managing Director. The firm says more such 'sub-brand' launches may be in the pipeline. More
Nielsen has set up a new Multicultural Growth and Strategy team, to provide market understanding of, and deliver strategies to reach multicultural consumers. Mónica Gil has been promoted to lead it, as Senior Vice President and General Manager. More
IC Tomorrow - which is part of the UK government-funded Technology Strategy Board - is launching a 'data innovation' contest, offering five small companies the chance to win up to £25k each for ideas which will help businesses extract value from data. More
In the UK, Chancellor George Osborne has announced funding of £42 million over five years for a new institute dedicated to ensuring Britain 'leads the way' in the use of big data, named after Second World War codebreaker and computing pioneer Alan Turing. More
NYC-based Hispanic media group Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) has appointed Marshall Cohen as Executive Vice President of Corporate Research. More
In London, Simon Glanville has rejoined healthcare & B2B specialist RONIN Corporation, as UK Managing Director. More
Australian research body AMSRO has launched a 'Trustmark', guaranteeing its members' adherence to ethical standards including data protection and respect for privacy. More
On Tuesday, renowned investigative psychologist Professor David Canter described how his commercial use of cluster analysis, combined with his development of what is now known as geographical offender profiling, led to the conviction of a serial murderer. Mel Crowther reports. More
Media research veteran Jack Wakshlag has announced that he is stepping down from his role as Chief Research Officer of Turner Broadcasting System, at the end of March. More
Online research pioneer YouGov has appointed Bianca Bruhn as CEO of its Nordic business, based in its Copenhagen office and with responsibility for the firm's operations in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. More
London-based media evaluation specialist Salience Insight has agreed to acquire the US operations of media content analysis pioneer CARMA International. More
Research-based PR consultancy PRIME Research has hired Richard Bagnall for its newly created role of Chief Executive Officer in the UK and SVP of PRIME Research Europe. Bagnall will focus on developing the firm's business domestically and throughout the world. More
In the UK, the Market Research Benevolent Organisation (MRBA) is hosting its annual online charity auction, to raise funds for industry personnel who are in need of financial help. More
Abt SRBI, the survey and data collection arm of US-based healthcare and government researcher Abt Associates, has appointed Elizabeth Teehan as Chief Operating Officer, replacing co-founder Al Ronca who will retire in July after 32 years with the company. More
San Francisco-based educational analytics firm BrightBytes has raised $15m in a Series B round of investment, earmarked for global expansion. More
Ipsos Healthcare has extended its Molecular Diagnostics (MDx) portfolio to Japan and Australia, where it will initially focus on oncology, with other therapy areas to be rolled out in the coming months. More
In the UK, Royal Mail has appointed former Aegis Media exec Antony Jones as Head of Insight for its MarketReach business, while Diana Rhodes joins the division as Mail Strategy and Planning Director, to lead the planning and data teams. More
Screen metrics specialist Rentrak has partnered with data and technology provider i360 to provide insights into 'pro-free-market' political audiences, and help Republican and conservative organizations develop more effective campaign strategies. More
The High Court in Delhi has given further breathing space to TAM and to the Indian ad industry, previously threatened with a ratings blackout for much of the year, by adjourning until July the hearing of the appeal brought by Kantar Media against new government guidelines. More
Research and advisory firm Information Services Group (ISG) has reported an 8% increase in fourth quarter revenues to $53.4m, and a 10% rise in full-year revenues to $211.0m. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has announced that its next President will be Camelot Group CEO Dianne Thompson. She takes up the position at the beginning of April when Rita Clifton completes her five-year term. More
In London, Omnicom-owned brand and communications research consultancy Hall & Partners has promoted Abigail Stuart to the newly created role of Global CEO of its Health division. More
The Financial Times has agreed to publish monthly polling updates conducted by UK research and consulting firm Populus, in the run-up to next year's general election. More
UK policy and strategy consultancy ComRes has appointed Tom Mludzinski to the new post of Head of Political Polling, effective today. Previously Deputy Head of Politics at Ipsos MORI, Mludzinski will lead ComRes's Political and Media Team. More
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) has announced the opening of an office in New York City; and the appointment of Graeme Trayner, formerly a Partner at Brunswick Group in London, as VP leading the office and the firm's corporate consulting practice worldwide. More
UK-based marketing services group Cello has unified its health-oriented agencies under the Cello Health brand, bringing together five existing businesses. More
In India, a number of opinion polling agencies have been caught on camera agreeing to manipulate poll data or supply misleading results in exchange for cash, according to an undercover investigation conducted by broadcaster News Express. More
ORC International has re-located its Singapore office to bigger premises in preparation for the launch of its new Strategy Research practice, which will focus on helping businesses drive organizational growth across the Asia Pacific region. More
Swiss market and opinion research firm ISOPUBLIC has changed its name to Léger Schweiz, after the Canadian Léger Group, its majority shareholder. More
WPP's Data Investment Management Division (DIM) has reported a 3.6% increase in annual revenue for 2013. More
Ipsos has reported a 4.3% decline in annual revenue to EUR 1.71bn, from EUR 1.79bn in 2012. The company blames the fall on exchange rates, its partial withdrawal from Eurozone countries like Greece and Portugal, and the sale of its Los Angeles-based film testing arm. Organic growth was 0.8%. More
India's Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) has commissioned Dutch watermarking and fingerprinting tech solutions provider Civolution to underpin its TV audience measurement contract, recently awarded to French firm Mediametrie. More
Indian healthcare and medical fieldwork specialist Krea has launched a new service, ONCO+, based around a panel of 3,000 of the country's oncologists. More
Innovation company 3M has agreed to acquire US-based healthcare analytics and Business Intelligence provider Treo Solutions, for an undisclosed sum. More
TAM Media Research has applied to the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) for registration as a television ratings service provider, in accordance with stipulations made when a court postponed the implementation of new government guidelines just over a week ago. More
The New York Times (NYT) has hired mathematician Professor Chris Wiggins as its first ever Chief Data Scientist, tasked with creating a Machine Learning division which will help the group uncover information about the way readers consume its content. More
The Readers Studies Council of India (RSCI) has temporarily suspended findings from its latest Indian Readership Survey (IRS), following complaints by several members of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) who claim it contains 'shocking anomalies'. More
US marketing and communications specialist HCD Research has set up a business unit which will use integrated psychophysiology and traditional cognitive research tools to tailor campaign messages to the needs of professionals in political, policy and advocacy roles. More
comScore is enhancing its Validated Campaign Essentials (vCE) product with the integration of ethnicity data from Batanga Media's digital content for US Hispanics and Latin Americans. More
An Indian court has given ratings agency TAM a lifeline, postponing some provisions of the government's recent policy guidelines which would have left the company in breach and the country without audience currency for most of the year. More
The UK government's Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) commonly known as the 'nudge unit' has been spun-off into a mutual joint venture, with innovation charity Nesta, the unit's employees and the government each owning a third of the new business. More
In the US, behavioral analytics firm BehaviorMatrix has been granted a patent for its system for classifying, measuring, and quantifying human emotions, and perceptions in social media communications. More
US-based fieldwork group Schlesinger Associates has launched a new panel called PayerPlus, which offers access to executive-level clinical and business decision makers and influencers across the healthcare market. More
North of England-based DJS Research has launched a population segmentation tool called Localise, which uses street level census data to create profiles matching a required region. More
GNS Healthcare, which provides analytics and services based on massive quantities of patient data, has completed a $10m Series B round of financing, earmarked for expanding the business. More
Nielsen has today announced today that it has completed its tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Harris Interactive, and that the acquisition should close today. More
UK insight and communications group Creston plc has issued an interim management statement for the last quarter of 2013, reporting an increase in headline profit (PBIT) and a levelling out of its revenue, which had dropped four percent in results for the previous six months. More
GfK's sales have dipped back below the EUR 1.5 billion mark, not helped by a strengthening of the currency: the 2013 figure fell by 1.3%, from EUR 1.514bn in 2012 to EUR 1.495bn in 2013 despite modest organic growth of 0.8%. Adjusted operating income crept up by 1.5% to EUR 190m. More
In Mexico, research firm De la Riva Group has launched a new firm called SocialDecode, which combines measurement of social media TV ratings with intelligence about individuals who share their opinions as they watch TV. More
GfK has signed a five-year contract with Saudi Media Measurement Company (SMCC) to introduce the 'first ever' electronic television audience measurement (TAM) service to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. More
US customer and employee engagement specialist PeopleMetrics has spun off its healthcare custom market research business into a separate company known as Reason Research, which has been acquired by four senior staff at the firm. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
UK-based research and consulting firm Populus has launched a London Omnibus, to enable clients to tap into the attitudes and opinions of Londoners on a variety of issues such as transport and tourism, housing, cost of living, politics and wellbeing. More
US company Precision Opinion, which provides market research field services to the entertainment industry and political polling for the government, has appointed Emily Carothers as Director Panel Operations. More
UK pregnancy, baby and parenting club Bounty has extended its partnership with custom panel provider EasyInsites to launch the 'Word of Family' panel; building on its existing 39,000-strong 'Word of Mum' opinion panel to provide insights into the rest of the family. More
Pharma researcher Thomas Gleissner has set up a new agency called Research Excellence, in Frankfurt, offering customized market research services to clients in the pharmaceutical, medical technology, and medical device sectors. More
In India, TV ratings regulator BARC has confirmed rumours that French company Médiamétrie is its official technology partner, and will provide licences to BARC to use its TV metering system. Meanwhile the country faces the prospect of having no audience ratings at all until October this year. More
Data collection and sampling solutions provider SSI has added a further three countries - Brazil, South Korea and New Zealand - to its QuickThoughts mobile data collection platform; and has launched a new business sample source for researchers, SSI B2B inSSItes. More
Expanding UK-based agency BDRC Continental has created two new divisions, Commercial and On the Move, and promoted Ian Stevens and Matt Costin, respectively, to lead them as Managing Directors. Five other promotions include Richard Smith, who becomes a Director and joins the Board. More
In the US, public opinion and political polling specialist ALG Research has promoted four of its execs to Partner status. More
Nielsen has increased its offer to buy Harris Interactive from $2.00 to $2.04 per share, valuing the company at around $118.9m. More
Nielsen's copyright suit against radio broadcaster Saga Communications - begun by Arbitron pre-merger - will not now go to trial until July 2015. A federal judge in Delaware has scheduled the case, following the firms' failure to reach an out-of-court agreement. More
Public policy consultant Mercury has appointed polling experts Tony Fabrizio and Bob Ward to lead its corporate polling operation, based in its Florida and Washington DC offices. More
UK-based insight and communications group Creston has hired former TNS CEO Pedro Ros for the newly created role of Head of Strategic Insight. More
Marketing services giant Publicis Groupe has acquired Washington, DC-based PR agency Qorvis Communications, for an undisclosed sum. The buy includes public affairs analyst Clarus Research Group. More
Havas Global CEO David Jones will leave the company to co-found and lead a new tech start-up to launch next month, combining 'social media and social responsibility'. Yannick Bolloré will take on the role of Global CEO of Havas and Andrew Benett, Co-President Havas Worldwide, becomes CEO of the ad network. More
UK-based insight and communications group Creston Plc has announced the retirement of CEO and founder Don Elgie, with effect from 31st March 2014. Elgie will 'pursue a career of non-executive roles', and will be succeeded by current COO and CFO Barrie Brien, who has been with the Group since 2004. More
The Indian government has announced it will regulate television ratings agencies in the country, requiring them to register with the I&B Ministry within 30 days, and raise sample size to a minimum of 20,000 panel homes - potentially a blow to Nielsen/Kantar joint venture TAM. More
In Nice, France, four pharma research colleagues from WorldOne have launched a new independent fieldwork agency, QualWorld, specializing in qual market research for the healthcare industry. More
In Paris, former Publicis exec Adrien Cusinberche and PR Guillaume Aoust have set up Fauve, a social media analysis and ad agency for brands active in emerging markets. The firm's first tool is a big data analytics service called Lynx. More
Online research specialist YouGov has extended its reach to China and South East Asia through the acquisition of Asian MR and tech firm Decision Fuel (DF). YouGov will pay an initial sum of £0.6m, but the full deal is expected to total $5m before 2017. More
Research and polling firm Gallup has closed its office in Budapest, Hungary, after 24 years in the country. According to local press reports, twenty employees have been made redundant, and client contracts are now being managed from the London office. More
Healthcare fieldwork firm M3 Global Research has opened a new office in Rochester, New York, while appointing four new members of staff in the US and five in London. More
Consumer electronics giant Sony has unveiled a wearable device called a 'SmartBand', containing a 'life-tracking' sensor which logs users' day-to-day activities. More
Marcoms network MDC Partners has acquired a majority partnership interest in language and communications research specialist Luntz Global, thereby extending its own Consumer Insights and Analytics practice. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, pharma researcher Decision Resources Group (DRG) has acquired Cambridge, Mass-based life sciences data analytics and business intelligence company Relay Technology Management. Terms were not disclosed. More
Nielsen has appointed former Edelman exec Katie Burke as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, responsible for the firm's internal and external communications, content development, digital marketing and industry relations. More
Pharma research giant IMS Health Holdings has filed a registration with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange. More
In the US, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has given its approval to a new method for obtaining parents' verifiable consent for online collection and use of children's personal information, developed by technology firm Imperium. More
MRS President Rita Clifton has been made a CBE in the UK's New Year's Honours List for 'services to the advertising industry'. More
Dominique Shu has joined Houston, Texas-based marketing agency Unleaded Communications as Market Research Director. She joins from consulting firm Decision Strategies where she was Principal of Market Intelligence. More
Healthcare analytics specialist Trinity Pharma has raised $15m in growth capital, and says it will expand its sales and delivery teams, further develop its AgileM mobile analytics platform, and double its employee headcount with the opening of offices in New Jersey and California. More
Rupert Murchoch's News Corp group is paying EUR 18m (c.$24.6m) for Dublin-based social media news agency Storyful, which offers a combination of journalistic expertise and proprietary technology, including social media dashboards and other real-time discovery tools and feeds. More
Retail data giant IRI has launched a new report called SilverLink, which segments the US population aged 50 and older, based on demographics; attitudes on topics such as aging, health and wellness; and shopping and lifestyle habits. More
David Pemsel, Guardian News and Media's former Chief Commercial Officer, has been promoted to Deputy CEO, tasked with expanding UK services including marketing and audience insight, advertising and sales. More
Australian publisher Fairfax Media has acquired property data and mapping provider, Property Data Solutions for around $AUD 30m in cash - and will combine it with its existing property data business, Australian Property Monitors (APM). More
UK audience research body BARB has announced a deal with information services group Experian, allowing customers to analyse potential TV channel splits and schedule choices using the latter's Mosaic geodemographic groups. More
UK-based insight and communications group Creston plc has announced that Keith Bates is to step down from the role of Head of Creston Insight, seeking 'new challenges' outside the Group. More
Ipsos Healthcare has launched a multi-client Lupus Therapy Monitor in the top 5 EU markets - the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. More
Market research industry legend Jack Honomichl died in Barrington, IL on Sunday at the age of 85, after a long illness. More
IMS Health has acquired Swedish life sciences advisory and analytics firm Pygargus for an undisclosed sum. More
Palo Alto, CA-based DIY research specialist SurveyMonkey has appointed former Washington Post (WaPo) polling chief Jon Cohen as Vice President of Survey Research. He will take up the new role on January 6th, 2014. More
Two years on from its launch, YouGov's French office has announced a substantial expansion of its staff, to date adding Jean-Romain Lehr as Marketing & Business Development Manager, Diane Thebaudeau as Research Manager and Lucie Schweizer as Research Executive. More
Former OECD Ambassador Karen Kornbluh has joined Nielsen as Executive Vice President of External Affairs, leading the firm's government and public affairs services, and overseeing privacy strategy, corporate social responsibility and multicultural market development. More
Healthcare fieldwork firm M3 Global Research has expanded its Qual department with the appointment of Alan Mavretish as Vice President of MR and the promotion of Brooke Allen-Watson to US Qualitative Manager. More
Ipsos Healthcare has appointed Tom Nolte as Global Head of Innovation, based in the US, to drive the creation and delivery of solutions addressing emerging issues across the industry. More
Indian audience measurement body BARC met over the weekend to decide between short-listed suppliers for its television ratings contract. With no official announcement as yet, some reports suggest French firm Mediametrie has been chosen, with a contract to be signed this week. More
Former GfK exec Serra Bozkurt has launched Plus Research Solutions (PRS), a healthcare market research agency based in Istanbul and serving both pharmaceutical and consumer health clients and international research agencies. More
UK-based insight and comms group Creston has reported results for the six months ending 30th September. Overall revenue fell 4.0% year-on-year to £35.7m, and headline EBITDA from £5.4m to £4.6m, but the Insight division grew revenue by ten percent to £6.1m and improved profitability. More
Hard to believe, but on Friday 29th November, DRNO's publisher MrWeb is celebrating 15 years in business. More
In Australia, Roy Morgan Research has partnered with property and lifestyle publisher REA Media, to combine the latter's online property search data with information from its own Single Source face-to-face survey of over 50,000 consumers. More
London-based consultancy BritainThinks has appointed Lucy Bush, previously of research agency Define, as an Associate Director. More
London-based research firm YouthSight continues to expand with the appointment of Josephine Hansom as Head of Brand, Policy and Professional research, plus other appointments and an office move. More
Nielsen is to buy Harris Interactive for around $116.6m, or $2 a share. The deal was unanimously approved on Monday by the Board of Directors of Harris, which has recently improved profits despite a continuing slide in its revenues. More
Researcher and electoral pollster Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) has announced the launch of its first Middle East office. More
Abt SRBI, the survey and data collection arm of US-based healthcare and government researcher Abt Associates, has promoted Andy Weiss to the new role of Chief Business Officer, overseeing all business groups and practices. More
Ipsos Australia has appointed Luca Vittaloni as Head of Insights & Strategy - Western Australia, based in its Perth office which is moving to new premises within the city. More
WEGO Health, an online network of consumer health opinion leaders, has hired Ross Fetterolf as Senior Vice President of Innovation in charge of its Truvio mobile research platform. More
The US Census Bureau has been accused of faking data used to calculate the national unemployment rate, during the final month of the 2012 presidential election campaign. In response, the Bureau says it does not believe that there was a 'systematic manipulation' of the data. More
Industry veteran Jon Harding has left US data collection agency MRops after just seven months, to lead the sales team for Harris Interactive's Custom Solutions. More
GfK has reported a 4% drop in sales to EUR 361.4m during the third quarter 2013, from EUR 376.7m in Q3 2012, driven by what the firm describes as the 'considerable impact' of negative currency exchange effects. Like-for-like, sales were down by around 1.5%. More
GfK has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with four Brazilian television broadcasters: Band TV, Record, RedeTV! and SBT, to bring its audience measurement services to the country. The planned initial contract will have a five-year timespan and a value of more than $100m. More
Harris Interactive has reported 'flat' first quarter fiscal 2014 results, with revenue down 1.9% to $32.4m, from $33m in the prior year period, driven by declines in the US and German operations, offset by results in Canada, France and the UK. More
In the US, ThinkNow Research has launched Omnibus Plus+, a monthly Hispanic customer omnibus allowing comparison with results for the population as a whole. More
Nearly a third (30%) of UK MPs would support a ban on the publication of opinion polls in the run-up to general elections, according to a recent survey carried out by ComRes. More
UK-based insight and innovation consultancy The Futures Company has opened an office in Singapore, which will act as a hub for clients across Asia Pacific. More
Online MR software company Confirmit has promoted Tore Haggren to the role of Senior Vice President, Voice of the Employee (VoE). More
Miami-based healthcare analytics and insights specialist QualMetrix has acquired Visual Intelligence's (VI) healthcare analytics platform for an undisclosed sum. More
Echo Research founder and former CEO Sandra Macleod has joined corporate reputation and brand research consultancy Reputation Dividend as a Partner and Director. More
In the US, customer and employee research specialist ORC International has appointed Natasha Kennedy as Senior Vice President, in charge of its Strategy Research Solutions team. More
UK-based research and consulting firm Populus has reported a 52% increase in revenue to £5.86m for fiscal year 2013. During the period, pre-tax profits rose from c.£360k to just under £550k. More
Ipsos has continued the restoration of the Fieldwork International name, dropping the Ipsos Healthcare Field Services brand from its data collection businesses in Hong Kong and Spain. More
In the US, Ipsos Healthcare has launched another in its syndicated Global Therapy Monitor series, this time covering Hyperlipidemia. Coverage will include drug share, future prescribing intentions and attributes that drive doctors' decision-making. More
WPP has reported third quarter revenue growth of 3.2% in its 'Data Investment Management' (DIM) businesses, to £617m, and growth of 2.6% to £1.8 billion for the first nine months of the year. More
Ipsos has announced a 5% drop in third quarter revenues to EUR 418m (Q2 2012: EUR 440m) - the result of a 6.8% negative currency effect. The decline was partly offset by 1.8% organic growth during the period. More
Internet companies including Facebook, Google, and Yahoo! could face fines of up to EUR 100m (£84.8m) if they break consumer data protection rulings agreed by the EU Civil Liberties Committee yesterday. More
YouGov's Middle Eastern subsidiary has expanded its team in Dubai with five new staff, including Ali Draycott who joins as Commercial Director MENA. Also joining are quallies Milos Bugarcic and Hend Abdel Sattar, and quant researchers Isaac Thiga and Nidhi Sharma. More
IT solutions and managed services provider Logicalis has launched a predictive analytics package called Student Analytics, to help UK universities and higher education establishments drive their student retention and engagement strategies. More
The UK Government has confirmed the fifteen agencies on its new Strategy & Planning roster, which will provide public sector organisations with a range of marcoms support including campaign strategy development, trend forecasting and target audience identification. More
Real-time marketing analytics provider Anametrix has introduced a multichannel segmentation and predictive analytics tool for media and publishing companies. More
Online research and polling firm YouGov has reported an 8% rise in group revenue to £62.6m for the year ended 31 July 2013. UK, US and Middle East companies all saw substantial growth. More
Manchester, UK-based marcoms agency Foundry Communications has appointed former McCann strategist Julie Neilson to lead its Research & Planning division. The firm has also opened 'virtual offices' in Dundee and Birmingham, and affiliate offices in Europe, the US and Asia. More
In the US, Hispanic consumer insights agency ThinkNow Research has hired former Q-Insights Director of Operations Lara Fordis to head its Qualitative Research Division. More
In the UK, oil and gas production and power generation company Centrica Energy has appointed former IoD Senior Economic Advisor Corin Taylor as Head of Communications Research. More
Andrew Cooper, Founding Director of UK research & strategy consultancy Populus, is returning to the company after a two-year leave of absence in which he served as Director of Strategy for PM David Cameron. More
Canada's Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) has dismissed a complaint against Ottawa-based Nanos Research by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), concerning a poll used to promote legislation opposed by unions, in 2011. More
Research Now has launched its first 'condition-based' panel, to provide access to 336,000 people in the US and Canada who have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity. More
TNS BMRB, the division of Kantar providing specialist social research and insight on public policy for government and not-for-profit clients, has expanded its qualitative practice with a number of recent senior level appointments, following a year of growth. More
Speculation in the papers suggests that Nielsen's $1.3bn merger with Arbitron could finally get approval today from the FTC, perhaps with an agreement to license technology to comScore. However, at time of going to press, nothing further has been announced. More
Google is looking at a system which would replace 'cookies' with a system of anonymous identifiers for individual consumers, according to an official of the company. More
Ipsos Healthcare has launched a range of 'syndicated patient journey studies', giving a holistic view of the end-to-end patient experience including the whole buying process. The first to launch is 'OncoJourney'. More
Global MR industry turnover grew by 3.2% to $39.1 billion in 2012, according to ESOMAR's latest Global Market Research Report. During the year, strong performance was seen in Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America, countering 'sluggish' performances elsewhere. More
Insight and marketing group Cello has reported a 14.3% revenue rise to £71.5m for the six months to 30th June 2013, up from £62.6m in the prior year period. Gross profit increased 7.9% to £34.4m. More
Customer experience management consultancy Nunwood has appointed twelve new members of staff at its London and Sydney offices, on the back of several new business wins from clients including British Airways and the Post Office in the UK and Suncorp Bank & Insurance in Australia. More
IMS Health has partnered with the Life Sciences division of BroadReach Healthcare, to offer advisory services, commercial solutions and market measurement for life sciences clients operating in Africa. More
Publishing giant Gannett has appointed media veteran Judy Vogel as Vice President of Research, responsible for leading corporate research and addressing ad sales, digital, editorial and brand strategy. More
Technology MR firm ABI Research has opened an office in Geneva, Switzerland, to expand its focus on international policy relating to cybersecurity and telecoms issues, while supporting joint research initiatives with its partner the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). More
Ipsos MORI Scotland has been commissioned by television channel STV to provide its News unit with a series of six opinion polls charting the views of Scottish voters in the run up to the independence referendum in a year's time. More
Barcelona-based electronic election voting software developer Scytl has launched an online conversation monitoring tool, developed specifically for electoral commissions and political parties. More
In Germany, qual specialist The Psyma Group has set up a new 'Energy & Infrastructure' research division, led by former GfK leader Marion Krämer-Bongartz. More
In the US, data consulting company ContributionLink has launched an election forecasting tool called DecisionLink, which uses historical political information, advanced modeling techniques and data science to predict the likelihood of potential outcomes in elections. More
UK-based research and consulting firm Populus has developed a new political classification system to determine which voters matter to which party, and identify the issues that are most likely to influence individuals in the 2015 general election. More
Marcoms group STW has acquired a majority stake in Colmar Brunton Australia, the country's largest independently owned market research agency. The amount of the investment was not disclosed. More
DIY online survey firm SurveyMonkey is introducing features that will enable US healthcare providers who use its software to collect sensitive patient feedback to comply with the HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act). More
Nielsen is said to be in negotiations with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding its acquisition of ratings giant Arbitron, with talks centering around a concession involving the combined company licensing measurement technology to rival comScore and other parties. More
In the UK, financial sector corporate affairs and public policy consultancy Cicero Group has acquired political comment monitoring service Yatterbox. Exact terms of the deal, which value Yatterbox at a 'significant six-figure sum', were not disclosed. More
US-based InCrowd, which provides real-time market intelligence to the pharmaceutical industry, has launched a DIY product called InCrowd Answers. More
Canadian polling firm Leger has acquired healthcare and consumer insights specialist IFOP North America. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In Australia, audience measurement firm Roy Morgan Research has hit out at industry body The Newspaper Works' plans to offer its new emma newspaper and magazine readership survey free for the next 12 months, describing the move as 'predatory pricing'. More
Brand tracking researcher Nepa has built a consumer panel for the London Evening Standard, allowing Londoners to air their views on events and issues affecting their lives in the capital. More
In New York, customer and employee satisfaction specialist ORC International has hired Jeff Cox as Senior Vice President of US Business Development, and Richard Catrone as Executive Vice President of Global Operations. More
TNS has been retained for The European Commission's $85m framework contract to deliver the Standard Eurobarometer studies for the next four years, seeing off competition from Ipsos, Gallup and GfK. More
The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) has proposed two money-saving options to replace the ten-year paper-based UK Census - either moving it online, or using existing administrative data combined with a 'rolling' annual survey conducted among 4% of the population. More
UK-based research and consulting firm Populus has appointed Andy Barker as Head of Qualitative Research and Ian Bramley as a Director, focusing on the media sector. More
In the US, sample and data collection company SurveyHealthCare has opened a new office in Pocatello, Idaho, adding to its existing presence in New York. More
In the US, mobile and web-based healthcare data/analytics and physician community platform Quantia has raised $10m in a Series B round of financing. More
In the US, healthcare qual specialist Psyma International has opened a West Coast office in the Pacifica region of California. More
In Canada, business information firm APOS has sold its Location Intelligence Solutions (LIS) division to Galigeo, a firm which combines location-related data with business information. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, Republican pollster Scott Rasmussen has left the company bearing his name, following 'disagreements' over its business strategy. He has since set up a new venture called Rasmussen Media Group, to develop and invest in digital media opportunities. More
Lidiya Yordanova, who was recently fired from her role as Director of Bulgaria's state-owned polling agency the National Centre for the Study of Public Opinion (NCIOM) over claims of nepotism, is planning to initiate a lawsuit against her dismissal. More
Marcoms group Chime has reported a 'strong' half year for its CIE (Insight & Engagement) arm, with operating profit up 33% to £1.2m, compared with £0.7m in the first six months of 2012. Reported revenue of £5.35m for the division is almost unchanged from H1 2012. More
WPP's research and insight arm Kantar has acquired US research and consulting firm the Benenson Strategy Group (BSG). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Harris Interactive has reported a 5% drop in revenue for the year ended June 30th, to $140.3m; but adjusted EBITDA growth of 25% to $15.3m, leading CEO Al Angrisani to describe fiscal 2013 as a 'pivotal year' in the firm's turnaround process. More
Healthcare fieldwork firm M3 Global Research has appointed All Global's former European Director of Operations Kerry Haynes as a senior member of its team. More
UK prisoners at HMP Oakwood near Wolverhampton and Drake Hall in Staffordshire are being paid to work in call centres inside their prisons. The Centre for Crime Prevention has described the move as 'incredibly naïve'. More
Austin, Texas-based start-up TrendKite has raised $1.2m in a Series A round of funding, which it plans to use to extend its media measurement and monitoring platform and grow its technical and sales teams. More
IMS Health is to acquire the assets of Toronto-based Diversinet, including intellectual property, software and customer contracts, for around $US 3.5m. More
Ipsos - via its Hong Kong office - has launched a platform integrating data from different stages of the staff recruitment process, branded as the Candidate Experience Optimizer (CEO). More
According to reports, India's Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) has shortlisted five bidders for the technology section of its soon-to-be-launched television ratings system. TAM Media Research is not said to be amongst them, although both its backers, Nielsen and Kantar, are. More
The City of London Corporation, which provides local authority services to the business district around St Paul's, has ordered marketing agency Renew to stop collecting data using devices in recycling bins in the Square Mile streets. More
The Board of UK-based media and marketing insights firm Ebiquity says it is reviewing options which could include a sale of the company, in response to interest from 'various parties'. More
In the UK, insight and innovation consultancy The Futures Company has promoted Deputy MD Henry Tucker to the role of EMEA Managing Director, replacing Sarah King who is transferring to a new position at Kantar. More
In Canada, pharma MR and consulting group iData Research has launched an online platform through which medical device companies can access global medical, dental and pharmaceutical market data. More
GfK has announced organic revenue growth of 1.7% in the first half of 2013, with sales totalling EUR 728.6m, and a 'particularly profitable' Q2, with adjusted operating income up 15.7 percent. More
Ipsos Healthcare has announced the global launch of a new research framework, EquityVision, which builds on its BrandVision product to 'link the major sources of commercial equity in the multi-channel healthcare marketing environment.' More
US-based research and consulting firm Benenson Strategy Group (BSG) has promoted Mitch Markel to Principal in its New York office and Amy Levin to Principal in its Los Angeles office. More
The world's 25 largest research firms reported a 'better than expected' 2012, thanks in large part to syndicated services and global acquisitions, according to industry authority Jack Honomichl. More
Research and advisory group ISG (Information Services Group) has reported what Chairman & CEO Michael Connors describes as 'an all-time record quarter', with revenues up 10% to $55.6m from $50.5m in the prior year period. More
Patient insights and healthcare analytics specialist the National Research Corporation (NRC) has reported an 8% increase in second quarter revenue to $22.4m. More
London-based full service agency IFF Research has launched a Health & Wellbeing (H&W) division, to provide a range of services from patient satisfaction tracking surveys and health and lifestyle studies, to more niche studies involving hard-to-reach audiences. More
In New York, GfK Consumer Experiences has named Justin Edge as Managing Director of Health, and Tom Neri as EVP of Financial Services, to head the respective North American client teams. More
Media monitoring and measurement company CyberAlert has announced a comprehensive radio monitoring service for public relations and marketing clients. More
UK-based DJS Research is launching an online research community for education professionals in all parts of the sector, backed by the Prince's Teaching Institute and managed on a day-to-day basis by Elliot Simmonds. More
In India, WPP-owned IMRB has expanded its household consumer panel to reflect changes taking place across the country. More
In Manila, Philippines, the country's Supreme Court has ruled that research firms Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia are entitled to withhold the identities of their clients, at least for the present, despite a contrary order from the Commission on Elections (Comelec). More
Family-run research business Survey Marketing Services (SMS), based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, is being handed over to the next generation, as its two founders Joy Maxwell and Judith Scrivener retire. More
In the UK, full service agency Tpoll has launched a tool to help councils produce resident engagement surveys. More
In the UK, NatCen Social Research has promoted Kirby Swales to head up its Income and Work team, leading sixteen methodological researchers who specialise in employment, skills and income studies. More
Insight and comms group Creston is expecting revenue for the three months to 30 June 2013 (Q1) to be 'slightly lower' than for the same period in 2012 - down 5% in like-for-like terms. However, the firm's Insight division expects to report an increase in revenue during the period. More
The US Census Bureau has launched an interactive tool to help users find basic demographic and economic statistics for every congressional district in the US. More
Following a 2.7% fall in first quarter revenue, Ipsos has reported a 0.4% rise in its second quarter figures. However, negative currency effects meant that total first half 2013 revenues fell by 4% to EUR 803.7m. More
UK-based business-to-business agency B2B International has reported its 'best ever' half year, with revenue up 70% to £3.1m during the period. More
UK not-for-profit body NatCen Social Research has bolstered its team with the appointment of four qualitative research specialists. More
Online panel provider Borderless Access has introduced a proprietary health & wellness panel, adding to an existing range of niche audience and business market research panels. The new offering covers five countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and Mexico. More
The New Hampshire Attorney General's office has launched an appeal in an attempt to salvage what MRA Director of Government Affairs Howard Fienberg calls 'a misguided law [which] purports to combat deceptive campaign advocacy techniques, but actually just targets bona fide research.' More
Ipsos Healthcare has extended its syndicated Cardiovascular Therapy Monitor Portfolio with the addition of a Monitor covering Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation (SPAF). More
Jon Cohen, who has led the Washington Post's (WaPo) polling operation Capital Insight for the past seven years, is leaving to join the Pew Research Center in the newly created role of Vice President of Research. More
Seattle-based innovation and idea management software company IdeaScale has expanded to the east by opening an office in Washington D.C., through which it will support its federal clients. More
Gallup has agreed to pay $10.5m to settle charges that it overbilled the US Mint and State Department by overstating billable hours. Former Gallup exec turned whistle-blower Michael Lindley is to receive $1.9m for his part in the case. More
Ipsos has filed a lawsuit in London's High Court against Aegis, claiming that the marcoms giant failed to disclose tax and fraud probes at Synovate, before it sold the company for £525m ($792m). As a result, Ipsos is seeking up to £65.8m ($100m) in compensation from Aegis. More
Media and publishing industry analyst Simba Information has merged its Education Group with US school market intelligence firm Education Market Research (EMR). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Kadence International has reported a 35% year-on-year increase in net revenues to $27m for the year ending 30th June 2013. Business in Indonesia, the US and Singapore was particularly brisk. More
Chris Eynon has retired as Head of TNS BMRB Scotland after an MR career spanning more than thirty years. He has been replaced by Katherine McIsaac in the firm's Edinburgh office. More
Life sciences MR consultancy KJT Group has hired Finnish pharma researcher Nicola Guerra as Director of European Practice, based in its Amsterdam office. More
US Latino panel SusOpiniones has launched SusPing, a qualitative research app that takes brands 'directly into Latino lives' through their iPhones and Android smartphones. More
In the US, pharma data firms NexGen RxMarketing and Meta Pharmaceutical Services have merged. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, business intelligence technology firm Geoscape has opened a new division to provide multicultural market research, integrated with its existing data resources and analytics expertise. More
In Shanghai, TNS has appointed former Ogilvy & Mather (O&M) exec Dr Michael Griffiths as Qualitative Research Director and Global Expert in Ethnography and Culture. More
WPP's consumer insight and data arm Kantar has acquired Bangladesh-based full service agency Sirius Marketing & Social Research, which specialises in customised social, media and consumer research. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Former Total Politics magazine Commercial Chief Jeremy Halley has joined British polling and research specialist ComRes, in the newly created role of Business Development Director. More
YouGov has launched an eGov Satisfaction Survey (eGSS) in the United Arab Emirates, in order to monitor how UAE nationals and expats view the online services they receive from public institutions. More
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has told Google to change privacy policies which it says provide insufficient information to users and are therefore in breach of the country's Data Protection Act. More
Newcastle, UK-based full service firm Explain Research has reported an 8% growth in sales revenue, to £1.04m, for the financial year ending March 31st 2013. More
India's fair trade regulator the CCI has asked the country's broadcasters, media buying and ad agencies to send feedback in the next two weeks on their views of audience measurement agency TAM Media Research, as it investigates claims of unfair practices. More
Paul O'Meara is returning to Ipsos Healthcare as Head of Autoimmune Therapy Monitors, based in NYC. He replaces Sabina Heinz who moves to head up the company's Diabetes, Cardiovascular and Respiratory portfolios, along with a number of new monitors. More
UK not-for-profit body NatCen Social Research has hired former Hall & Partners innovation specialist Kevin Ford as Director of Research, to head the organisations six research departments. More
While turnover in the UK market research industry is still 'fragile', the sector has reported a slower decline in the past twelve months according to research conducted by the Market Research Society (MRS). A majority of firms expect growth in 2013. More
In the UK, specialist social research agency TNS BMRB has won a £17m contract to deliver the next three waves of the 'Understanding Society' household study, which is claimed to be the largest social research programme of its kind in the world. More
Nielsen has launched beta trials of its Cross-Platform Campaign Ratings tool in the UK with brands including Unilever and Mondelez International (formerly Kraft Foods), agencies Aegis, OMG and Universal McCann London, and several publishers and ad networks. More
UK-based consumer and cultural insight agency Flamingo is opening a sixth international office next month in Mumbai, adding to bases in London, New York, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. More
Data collection specialist Ipsos Healthcare Field Services has returned to its former name, Fieldwork International, in Italy. More
Not-for-profit bodies NatCen Social Research and RTI International have signed a three-year agreement through which they will aim to share knowledge and expertise and build their research capacity and capabilities. More
UK-based Kadence International has launched in Vietnam - the fifth Asian country in which it now has a presence - with offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi; and has appointed Ivy Trang as Country Head, leading a team of nine. More
Pharma brand and communications specialist Hall & Partners Health has launched a 'patient experience framework', PatientPulse, looking at what people 'feel', 'think' and 'do' before, during and after treatment. More
In the UK, the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) has embarked on a qual/quant research project to find out how consumers move from one device to another as they navigate along the path-to-purchase. Consumer agency Firefish will be using its Fisheye approach to support the initiative. More
Cello-owned Insight Health US has opened an office in Chicago, where it has appointed former Hall & Partners exec Angela Wheeler as CEO. More
Ipsos Healthcare has launched its Molecular Diagnostics (MDx) Monitor in Europe. The service, gathers data from a wide range of stakeholders including drug-treating physicians and pathologists, will begin with coverage of oncology and be rolled out to other therapy areas. More
Analysis conducted by industry authority Jack Honomichl points to a 'weak downward trend' in the research sector in 2012. A total of $9.5 billion was spent in the US on the sector, which is defined as including marketing, advertising and public opinion research services. More
Dataminr, a Twitter analytics firm serving the financial and government sectors, has raised $30m, which it plans to use both to accelerate growth in its current markets and to expand into new verticals. More
The Insight division of UK-based Creston has reported a 13% drop in revenue for the financial year ended 31 March 2013 - to £12.1m from £13.8m in the prior year period. The group says this was partly driven by a 'challenging' fourth quarter at the ICM Group. More
Echo Research founder and former CEO Sandra Macleod is leaving the company to act as a consultant, advising boards and executives on their approach to reputation management. More
US information and analytics firm IHS Inc is to acquire automotive research specialist R.L. Polk & Co. for $1.4bn. The deal will be funded 10% by equity and the remainder in cash. More
Energy market information provider ICIS is to acquire Tschach Solutions, a carbon market analytics firm based in Karlsruhe, Germany. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
President Obama's former Director of Data Ethan Roeder has returned to political training specialist New Organizing Institute (NOI) as Executive Director, replacing co-founder Judith Freeman who left at the end of March. More
British polling and research specialist ComRes has appointed Chris Townsend OBE, the former Commercial Director of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), as a non-executive Director on its Board. More
Ipsos Marketing has appointed Sophie Goddard to lead its partnership with Bounty, the UK pregnancy, baby and parenting club. More
London-based opinion research specialist BritainThinks has appointed former Ipsos MORI exec Anastasia Knox as Research Lead. More
The American Marketing Association (AMA) has opened its first overseas office, in Shanghai, China, and will offer a marketing training and certification program for Chinese marketers, developed by agreement with Chinese authorities. More
Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo! - arguably the five biggest names on the Internet - have written to UK Home Secretary Theresa May, warning they will not co-operate with plans to store personal data on online behaviour, according to a letter leaked in The Guardian newspaper. More
In the US, a coalition of advertising trade bodies have filed papers in support of digital audience specialist comScore, as it appeals against a decision to open a privacy case against it to class action status. More
President Obama has appointed social science research specialist John Thompson to lead the US Census Bureau, replacing Robert Groves who left last August to take up the post of Provost of Georgetown University. More
Pharma specialist Double Helix Consulting has appointed former Deloitte exec Callum Bir to lead its Asia Pacific consulting business, based in its Singapore office. More
London-based social and consumer trend forecasting firm the Trajectory Partnership is moving to larger offices, to meet the demands of its growing list of clients. More
In the US, the Marketing Research Association (MRA) has appointed Nestle Purina PetCare insights exec Jill Donahue as its 2013-2014 Chairman. More
Pharma data giant IMS Health has announced the acquisition of US marketing technology provider 360 Vantage, with an eye to extending its commercial Software-as-a-Service offer for life sciences and healthcare clients. More
In Moscow, independent polling agency the Levada Centre faces the threat of closure, according to its head Lev Gudkov, after government officials insisted it register as a 'foreign agent', involved in political activity and in receipt of foreign funds. More
In India, Nielsen / WPP joint venture TAM Media Research has set up a 'vigilance desk', headed by a former senior policeman, and a 'transparency panel' of regulation experts, aiming to guarantee the impartiality of its methods and ratings. More
In the UK, fieldwork division ICM Direct has expanded its Bedford Call Centre by 20 percent, responding to 'increased client demand for fieldwork services'. More
New York-based full service agency Radius Global Market Research (Radius GMR) has acquired Profile Marketing Research (PMR) for an undisclosed sum. More
In the UK, OnePoll, which specialises in conducting online polls for PR purposes, has acquired London-based opinion polling agency Response Fusion for 'a six-figure sum'. More
Healthcare consultancy Double Helix has opened an office in Munich, where it has appointed Thomas Becker as 'Head of Germany for Global Market Research'. More
In the UK, Cello-owned healthcare agency Insight Research Group has launched a Digital Business Team, to help clients understand the impact of new digital channels. Research Director Damian Eade will lead the new initiative. More
Healthcare consultancy Double Helix has put together an APAC market research team, which will be led by former IMS Health exec Diana Tan and will work out of its Singapore offices. More
In the UK, a partnership between Ipsos MORI and mobile phone company EE is in the public eye after the Sunday Times said data on EE customers was being offered to the Metropolitan Police. Both EE and MRS Code-compliant Ipsos MORI have confirmed that the data is aggregated and anonymised. More
GfK has issued an ad hoc statement on preliminary figures for the first quarter, showing organic sales growth of only 0.6 percent, and adjusted operating income and margin down on Q1 2012. However the global group says order levels are good and it should meet annual forecasts of 3-4 percent sales growth. More
Veteran pollster Charles Franklin is joining the Marquette University Law School on a full-time basis, as Professor Of Law And Public Policy, with a remit to boost the school's standing in the field of political polling. More
Specialist healthcare fieldwork consultancy Ipsos Healthcare Field Services has returned to its former name, Fieldwork International, in the UK. More
In the US, social media monitoring and analytics firm Crimson Hexagon has partnered with technology integrator MicroTech to analyse social media users' engagement with government organizations at the federal, state and local levels. More
Harris Interactive has reported third quarter revenue down 2% to $33.6m, and bookings down 13% to $34.4m. However, profits climbed and operating income was $1.1m, compared with a loss of $371k a year previously. More
The UK government has launched a competition to find a commercial firm to help spin out its Behavioural Insights Team or 'Nudge Unit' into a separate joint venture. The resulting unit will be part-owned by Whitehall, with the partner putting in new investment, and employees becoming shareholders. More
In the US, the University of Southern California's Norman Lear Center has received a $3.25m grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which it will use to develop a system for measuring the social impact of the media. More
US research giant IMS Health has acquired social media analytics firm Semantelli for an undisclosed sum. More
Ipsos Healthcare has announced the launch of SEES, a range of disease-specific syndicated ethnographic studies, examining patients' experience and views. Initially available in the UK, France, Italy, Spain and the USA, the firm says the studies will 'bring to life the day-to-day challenges of living with a chronic disease'. More
Healthcare research specialist the Research Partnership has expanded its US operations with new offices in Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco; to be led respectively by Claire Richardson and new arrivals Christine Naegle and Birgit Eschmann. More
Protagonists in the US debate about the protection of online consumer data appear to be pursuing at least three conflicting strategies, with ad industry trade group the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) deflecting criticism from senators onto browser makers Microsoft and Mozilla (Firefox). More
California-based CoreLogic, which provides information and analytics about the real estate and mortgage sectors, has acquired home price monitoring firm Case-Shiller in a deal valued at $6m. More
TLE (formerly The Leading Edge) has launched a new methodology called 'TLE Social', designed to help organisations measure how their brand is impacted by their reputation in areas such as sustainability, community fabric, climate change, child labour and animal welfare. More
Ipsos has reported a 5.3% drop in first quarter revenues to EUR 359.6m, which equates to a 2.7% drop at constant scope and exchange rates. The firm says these figures reflect a decrease in commercial activity in the final quarter of 2012. More
UK-based consumer insight and strategic consulting firm Future Foundation has expanded its international operations to Stockholm, Sweden, with the opening of a new office led by former GfK leader Anders Brogren. More
Howard Briskin, the COO of Washington, DC-based polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR), is stepping down from his position at the end of the month. CFO Ismael Savadogo will take over the COO responsibilities while continuing in his existing role. More
Rayid Ghani, the former Chief Scientist for the 'Obama for America' data analytics team, has joined the University of Chicago, in a role which will involve exploring the use of data to solve complex social problems. More
UK-based insight group Creston plc has issued a trading update covering the year ended 31st March 2013, ahead of full year results which are due on 12th June. Group revenue was flat at £75m, but Creston said the recovery in its Insight division continued during the second half. More
The Editor of The Guardian newspaper's Datablog and Datastore online resources, Simon Rogers, has quit his job to join Twitter in the US as the firm's first Data Editor. James Ball will step into his shoes in the UK. More
UK research agency ICM has launched a new polling system called 'Rapid Response', which it says will deliver same-day results on breaking national news stories. More
WPP-owned Kantar Health has launched a new solution called 'CancerMPact Future Trends and Insights', which can be used to explore the potential changes in oncology treatment practices in the US, Western Europe and Japan. More
Ipsos Healthcare has given Jackie Ilacqua the additional role of Global Head of Syndicated Services, alongside her existing position as President of Global Oncology. More
In the US, public sector-focused research provider Abt Associates has appointed James Gribble as Senior M&E Strategy and Business Development Lead, to oversee the Evaluation practice within its International Health Division. More
Reports in the UK press suggest that Andrew Cooper, co-founder of polling firm Populus, is leaving his position as an advisor to PM David Cameron, possibly as a result of differences with Australian election specialist Lynton Crosby. More
Miami-based healthcare analytics company QualMetrix has named co-founder Adam House as its Chief Executive Officer. More
WPP's media investment management group GroupM has expanded its line-up of multicultural insights services and brought them together in one until called GroupM Multicultural, led by Hispanic media specialist Gonzalo Del Fa. More
UK consumer specialist Incite has launched a dedicated Behaviour Change practice, which will use multiple disciplines - including behavioural economics, neuroscience, health psychology and CRM - to help brands influence the behaviour of consumers. More
In Canada, Ipsos Healthcare has rolled out a tumor-specific oncology monitor focusing on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), planned as the first in a series of syndicated, cancer-specific monitors. More
London-based brand and comms research specialist Hall & Partners (H&P) has made two senior hires in its European healthcare team: ex-Kantar Health exec Chris McPartland and former medeConnect Research Director Lucy Ireland. More
Healthcare research specialist WorldOne has secured $35m in funding, most of which it will use to expand its Sermo online physician community. More
David Thorpe, the VP of Strategy and Analysis at marketing agency network SapientNitro, has taken a one-year secondment to join the UK Cabinet Office, where he will serve as Deputy Director of Digital Policy in the Government Digital Service (GDS) team. More
In the Tuesday pre-lunch slot at the recent Conference, speakers addressed the issue of how location-specific information can help us with business planning. DRNO News Editor Mel Crowther reports on how these technologies are being used to help us understand transportation issues. More
US-based healthcare and government researcher Abt Associates has promoted Scott Royal to the new position of President and CEO of its survey research and data collection arm, Abt SRBI. More
Social researchers can draw fascinating insights into complex political and cultural issues - yet so often see them reduced to soundbites and two-dimensional summaries by the media. We promise not to do the same as News Editor Mel Crowther reports on this session from Tuesday last week. More
Online community engagement platform MindMixer has acquired VoterTide, which uses social media insight and news analysis technology to activate audiences around political campaigns, non-profits and special interest groups. More
Tuesday's lunchtime keynote speaker Simon Rogers is Editor of the Guardian newspaper's online data resource, and he and his team generate editorial through a combination of raw numbers and the insight journalists bring to it. DRNO's News Editor Mel Crowther watched with her pen poised. More
Scott Laing and Chris Robson, the co-founders of MR and data science firm Parametric Marketing, have joined the new Product Strategy and Analytics division of customer and employee research agency ORC International. More
Last week's MRS Conference in London featured two sessions focused on big data. Interesting, high powered... and ultimately frustrating, but perhaps only because it's too large a topic, already, not to have its own conference. Nick Thomas reports. More
Online research and polling firm YouGov has reported strong results for the 6 months ending January 31st, the first half of its financial year, with like-for-like revenue growth of 5% and adjusted profit before tax up by 16% to £2.6m. More
In the UK, BI and segmentation specialist CACI has unveiled what it calls 'a radical new approach to describing consumer behaviour, breaking away from the use of census data for development of its geodemographic segmentation tool Acorn. More
The Governor of Utah is ready to sign a bill designed to combat 'push polls', but which the MRA and AAPC claim will actually threaten legitimate polling. More
Juniper Consulting Group (Junicon) has appointed Michael LoPresti as Managing Director of its Tokyo-based healthcare marketing research and consulting company Junicon K.K. More
TNS will run the Eurobarometer Qualitative studies for the EC and European Parliament for another four years. 'Believed to be the world's largest qualitative research programme', the EUR 18m win saw TNS beat competition from Ipsos, GfK and Gallup. More
Healthcare fieldwork firm M3 Global Research has hired eight former employees of Epocrates, following the latter's acquisition by electronic health record provider athenahealth, and the subsequently closure of its QuickRecruit service. M3 has also made ten further appointments and three promotions. More
US professional body the MRA (Marketing Research Association) has voiced concerns about legislation before Congress concerning the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS). The bill would make answering the survey's demographic questions voluntary. More
A new agency called Wess Digital has been set up in the UK, to offer political parties and campaign groups access to data on people's political voting preferences and their support for specific issues-driven campaigns. More
TNS has officially opened an office in Yangon, Myanmar (Burma), claiming to be the first international consumer insights consultancy to secure a licence to officially conduct business in the country. More
Healthcare research giant IMS Health has acquired Seattle-based technology firm Appature, which offers clients a patented cloud-based marketing software platform called Nexus. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
GfK has hired Chris Fabber to oversee the merger of its US panel operations business, including panels acquired with Knowledge Networks in 2011. More
Dubai-based online healthcare specialist 42 market research has launched new healthcare panels in Sweden, Norway and Finland. More
GfK has confirmed a 10.2% increase in 2012 sales to EUR 1.5 billion, exceeding its target of 9%. 'Strong' organic growth of 3.1% is cited as a key reason for beating the target. More
UK-based research and consulting firm Populus has added mobile-only households to the sample for its telephone-only omnibus. More
Healthcare research and information giant IMS Health is to consolidate a number of its San Francisco offices into one site, and has reportedly leased the entire seventh floor of the 38-story block at 425 Market St. from May onwards. More
Research and advisory group ISG has reported an 11% increase in fourth quarter revenues to $49.5m, while operating income was $1.7m, compared to an operating loss of $59.9m in Q4 2011. For the full year, gains in the Americas more than cancelled out a decline in European business. More
TNS BMRB has appointed Gerry Harrison as Director, to lead its Qual practice in Edinburgh. More
Ipsos Marketing has announced a strategic partnership with Bounty, the UK's largest parenting club. The deal gives Ipsos clients access to Bounty's 37,000 strong Word of Mum Panel, comprising mums-to-be, new mums and those with pre-school age children. More
Ipsos has reported 2012 revenues of EUR 1.8bn, up from EUR 1.4bn in 2011, but disappointing given the addition of Synovate. Accustomed to rapid growth, the group blamed the stall on politicians, the integration process and competitor poaching of senior staff. Profits however remained solid. More
Marc Litvinoff has resigned from his role as President and CEO of customer and employee research agency ORC International, and is being replaced by former Knowledge Networks CEO Simon Kooyman, who will take up his new position on Friday. More
Trajectory Partnership's former Head of Research Katie Shearn has re-joined London-based full service agency Opinion Leader as Research Director, to help expand the company's reach in the financial services and public sector markets. More
Matt Knoeck has re-joined Harris Interactive as Senior Vice President, Healthcare, responsible for increasing the company's presence in the sector and with a particular focus on stakeholder research. More
Online charity fundraising site Goodsearch has partnered with social media sampling firm Peanut Labs to launch an initiative called Goodsurveys, through which participants can take short surveys while earning funds to support their favorite cause. More
Canadian polling firm Leger Marketing has acquired Researchology, a Toronto-based market research company which works across the pharmaceutical sector. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Here are the best set of mean salary stats for the UK MR industry you're ever likely to see. Best as in good, solid bases and careful compilation; and the average rise is not bad either. But there's one shocker, and it doesn't take a great analyst to spot it. MrWeb's Nick Thomas continues our celebrations for job no. 100,000. More
In the US, predictive analytics specialist Clockwork has named Joseph Berti as Chief Executive Officer, to lead the company as it plans the launch of its asset lifecycle management platform. More
US defence technology contractor Raytheon has developed a tool which it claims can model the future behavior of social media users, while tracking their physical movements. More
John 'Jack' Jones, the founder of the Market Research Bureau of Ireland (MRBI), died suddenly last Saturday at the age of 91. More
Market research was once said to be 'recession-proof', but we don't hear that quite so often these days. Are we in a 'double-dip'? And in our new, more cautious mode, who are we recruiting and how many of them? Nick Thomas looks at the stats for 2005-12 as we celebrate our 100,000th job ad this week. More
New York-based Radius Global Market Research has opened three new offices, in Detroit, Chicago and Princeton, NJ, focusing respectively on work in the automotive, Rx-pharma and financial services industries and led by newly appointed VPs Jeff Zboril, Kathleen Relias and Glenn Staada. More
Gallup has brought in political scientist Dr Michael Traugott to help review its polling processes, following problems with its tracking of the recent US presidential election. More
Seven managers of pharma market intelligence and insight specialist NHiS have sold the company to business information and training organisation Wilmington Group, for a possible total sum of £9.35m. More
Omnicom-owned Hall & Partners Health, which focuses on healthcare and pharma brand marketing and comms research, has promoted Soumya Roy to the role of Managing Partner, in charge of the US team based in New York City and Chicago. More
Harris Interactive has once again reported a drop in revenue and a rise in profit. Fourth quarter revenue fell 5% to $37.1m, but 18 months into its 'business turnaround' initiative, company profits have risen 81% to $2.9m. More
Nielsen and Arbitron have voluntarily agreed to provide the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with additional time to review Nielsen's proposed takeover of the radio ratings giant. More
The Access Partnership has made key appointments on both sides of the Atlantic. Kevin Mayo joins as EVP of its US office in Philadelphia, and Pascal King as Global Director at its London HQ. Thalia Nikoglou and Ahmed Edathodu have also joined as Consultants. More
UK-based business research specialist B2B International has reported its best ever year, with 2012 turnover up 28% to £5.1m. North America and Europe led the way. More
US research associations MRA, PMRG and CASRO are celebrating success over regulations implementing the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, published late on Friday by the CMS. Following a five and a half year lobbying campaign, MR respondent payments are specifically excluded from reporting requirements. More
London-based Behavioural Economics (BE) specialist The Behavioural Architects has appointed Gill O'Hanlon and Rachel Abbott as Director and Associate Director respectively. More
UK MP Maria Miller says that advertising should be regarded as the 'oil in the machinery' of a recovering market, following the release of an Advertising Association/Deloitte report that has highlighted the sector's £100bn contribution to the UK economy. More
Preliminary results indicate that GfK's full-year revenue rose 10.2% in 2012, to approximately EUR 1.5bn, with organic growth of 3.1%. More
Consumer information publisher Mintel has launched a new trend forecasting tool called 'Mintel Futures', which draws on a set of six key trends to identify the largest areas of business opportunity. More
UK pharma researcher and communications consultancy Mash Health Limited and its US business Mash Health, Inc have been acquired by the UK's Cello Group plc, for an initial consideration of c.£0.6m. Separately, Cello has reported 'solid full year performance' for 2012. More
The UK-based Market Research Society (MRS) has chosen today - officially Data Privacy Day - to launch a new kite mark scheme, Fair Data. The mark identifies organisations which 'collect, use and retain personal data properly and ethically'. More
In the UK, Cello healthcare agency Insight Research Group has launched 'IQ', a new practice dedicated to high-end quant market research. Directors Philip Dunn and Gracie van Kemenade will head up the new business. More
Difficult environments specialist D3 Systems has added eight execs to its team, including six Assistant Research Analysts, plus Statistician David Rae and Controller Kelley Milligan. More
UK group Chime Communications has announced five appointments in its Chime Insight & Engagement Group (CIE), including three at London-based Watermelon Research. More
Ipsos Healthcare's Gareth Phillips has relocated from Singapore to London, to take up the position of Managing Director UK & Head of Western Europe. More
After a twenty-year partnership, USA Today and Gallup are going their separate ways, citing differences of opinion and a 'changing and evolving' relationship. The paper says it is already well advanced in talks with a replacement pollster. More
North of England full service agency Dipsticks Research Ltd has announced the promotions of James Dickie to Head of Brand and Communications, and Dr Judith Welford to Head of its Public Knowledge division. More
President Obama's former Director of Digital Analytics Amelia Showalter has launched her own digital and quant consultancy, promising to bring what she describes as Obama's campaign's culture of 'rigorous testing and data analysis' to campaigns, organizations and companies. More
In the US, public opinion research firm Anzalone Liszt Research (ALR) is merging with Democratic pollster Grove Insight. More
In the UK, mobile network O2 has lost its Marketing and Consumer Director Sally Cowdry to National Lottery operator Camelot, where she will take the same title, with a role including consumer insight. She joins her new employer in 'a few months' after helping O2 with the transition. More
New York-based Insight Health US, a part of the Cello Group, has hired former Hall & Partners leader Kathryn Gallant as joint CEO. She replaces Avanti Ananthram who moves to the London HQ of parent company Insight Research Group, for the new role of Head of International Development. More
Specialized healthcare and reimbursement consulting firm DK Pierce & Associates has appointed Janet T. Serluco, formerly of ICORE Healthcare, as Senior Consultant, Managed Markets. More
In Canada, panel and research technology specialist Vision Critical and research-based marketing consultancy Academica Group have teamed up to launch a new panel called StudentVu, which offers clients access to the opinions of university and college students. More
The publisher of the Washington Post newspaper has spun off its polling operation as a separate company called Capital Insight, which will offer polling and qual/quant research services to external clients while continuing to conduct studies for the paper. More
UK-based market research agency ICM is relocating to parent company Creston's new Soho headquarters, along with the group's two other London-based agencies TMW and Nelson Bostock. More
Global customer and employee research agency ORC International has acquired Cincinnati-based consumer specialist MRSI (Marketing Research Services Inc.) from market research network the MVL Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Brazilian football legend Ronaldo has joined comms giant WPP as an intern, apparently in a bid to learn about the world of advertising. More
In London, healthcare research specialist The P\S\L Group has appointed sector veteran Bob Douglas as Chief Strategy Officer. More
In New York, Ipsos Healthcare has appointed former TNS Healthcare leader Siva Narayanan as Senior Vice President, in charge of the firm's Evidence Generation, Value and Access portfolio. More
Australia's government spent a record amount on market research last year - some $AUD 35.25m (US $36.7m or £22.8m). Allowing for inflation there was a slight dip in real-terms spending, but nothing like that for other areas of expenditure. More
In the US, real estate information and marketing services company Hanley Wood has acquired Metrostudy - a provider of research, analytics and consulting to the housing industry - for an undisclosed sum. More
Education and training solutions provider Tribal Group plc has completed the acquisition of Redhill, UK-based i-graduate (International Graduate Insight Group Ltd), which provides education benchmarking and student experience research. The deal is worth up to £7.5m. More
Tulsa, Oklahoma-based media company PennWell Corp. has acquired energy sector database and intelligence services including TransmissionHub and GenerationHub from Colorado-based Energy Central. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
US research body the MRA has filed comments with the FTC objecting to proposals from the privacy group EPIC over a settlement with data firm Compete, Inc regarding web tracking violations. MRA says the proposals could seriously impact the whole research profession. More
In accordance with plans announced in November and ratified by shareholders last month, WPP has returned its tax headquarters to the UK. The group also announced it has taken a twenty percent stake in Buenos Aires-based digital marketing specialist Globant. More
Public opinion research association WAPOR has published results of its largest ever international study of Freedom to Publish Opinion Poll Results, and says that despite the continuing spread of polls, 'major governmental impediments to the free flow of public opinion surveys remain common'. More
According to research conducted by Conversion Voodoo, Americans prefer the term 'Merry Christmas' to 'Happy Holidays' by two to one (64% v 31%). More
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has adopted final amendments to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), to give parents greater control over the personal information that web sites and online services collect from children aged under 13. More
Research and advisory group ISG (Information Services Group) says it has added 100 staff in India during the last 15 months, doubling its headcount there. More
Nielsen has announced it is to acquire Arbitron for around $1.26 bn, or $48 per share of common stock. The transaction has been approved by both Boards and is subject to customary closing conditions. More
Nielsen and Twitter have reached a multi-year agreement to produce a new metric, the 'Nielsen Twitter TV Rating', for the US market, covering the reach on Twitter of conversation about TV programmes. The first figures will be commercially available from the fall of 2013. More
Washington, DC-based research and consulting company Heart+Mind Strategies has appointed Don Hawk, Ph.D., previously of Wirthlin Worldwide and Harris Interactive, to expand its healthcare business and strategic offerings. More
Paul Fisher has resigned from his role as CEO of IAB Australia, and in March will become Managing Director for Nielsen Media across the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) regions. More
GfK NOP, ABA and Research Bods scooped three of the major categories at this year's MRS Awards ceremony held in London last night, while mobile crowdsourcing innovator Nathan Eagle received the inaugural MRS President's Medal. More
Alan Gould, the co-founder of ad effectiveness measurement firm IAG Research, has stepped down from the Board of Harris Interactive, citing increased responsibilities at venture capital firm Greycroft Partners. More
US-based financial analysis firm Navigant Economics has acquired economic advisory firm AFE Consulting. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Panel exchange operator Cint has partnered with Delta Marketing Dynamics (DMD) and extended its existing collaboration with ImpactRx, in order to expand its access to the opinions of US healthcare professionals. More
US provider Healthcare Research & Analytics (HRA) has appointed Oleh Denysyk as President, replacing John Maglione who is moving to an undisclosed 'new role' in the company. More
US-based Decision Resources Group has made its first overseas purchase, acquiring UK health economics consultant Abacus International. Terms were not disclosed. More
Research consultancy Double Helix has announced seven appointments in its London office. Among them, Rebecca Walker joins as an AD, while Rebecca Da Cunha is promoted to Director and Shaz Iqbal to AD. More
UK-based YouGov has moved its SVP & International Head of Omnibus Ray Martin from London to New York, where he will lead the launch of US Omnibus services. More
Canadian professional body the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) has censured pollster Campaign Research for what it calls 'a blatant contravention' of the Professional Responsibility provisions of the MRIA code of conduct. More
Canada has a new pharmaceutical data tracking specialist, TH!NK Business Insights, with a first offering due in January 2013. More
In London, specialist social research division TNS BMRB has opened a 'Centre for International Development Research', which will draw on methodological expertise from across the group in order to help clients bring about policy change on an international level. More
Research veteran Subramaniam (Subra) Iyer has been appointed Joint Director of two Mumbai-based sister companies, healthcare data collection specialist MedField India and full service agency FieldGlobal. More
In the US, the Pew Research Center has promoted pollster Michael Dimock to the role of Director of its 'Center for the People & the Press', replacing founder Andrew Kohut who announced his resignation earlier in the year. More
In New York, Harris Interactive has appointed research veteran Robert Clark as Senior Vice President with a focus on client advocacy and development. More
Former mruk MD Jim Law has launched a new agency in Glasgow, Scotland, called Wild Heather Digital Research, which aims to combine a technological focus with sound research methods. More
GfK has reported 'a significant sales increase' of 9.8% to EUR 1,096.8m in the first nine months of 2012, with much of the rise however due to currency effects and acquisitions. Q3 revenue was up 11.3% to EUR 376.7m. EBITDA fell 18.5% to EUR 50.6m. More
WAPOR, the World Association for Public Opinion Research, has issued a statement in response to proposals by two of Mexico's political parties, regarding the regulation of pre-election polling. More
Third quarter revenue at US-based Information Services Group (ISG) has fallen to $46.5m, down 2% in constant currency terms. A good performance in the US was more than off-set by a 15% fall in Europe and 17% in Asia Pacific. More
Healthcare fieldwork firm M3 Global Research has appointed three new members of staff in London. More
UK-based Illuminas has appointed former Holden Pearmain Healthcare Director Dan Coffin to lead its new global Healthcare practice. More
Big data analytics and software firm AutoGrid Systems, which helps utilities and end-user clients to control their power consumption and costs, has raised $9m in funds from Silicon Valley investors. The company has also publicly launched a grid-based data mining tool, Energy Data Platform (EDP). More
Harris Interactive has reported a 12% drop in revenue to $33m for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, from $37.8m in the prior year period; but has turned loss into profit as it continues its 'turnaround' and 'rightsizing' activities. More
US-based healthcare specialist MedSpan Research has appointed Michael Epstein as Director, Research Services. His duties will include opening and leading the company's second office, in Rochester, NY. More
US pharmaceutical data start-up i3 Analytics has appointed a leadership team led by President and CEO Will Zerhouni, following the public roll-out of its flagship Biopharma Navigator tool. More
Visitors to the US presidential candidates' web sites are being tagged by technology used to identify unique users and track their online behavior, causing concern in a report issued by watchdog organisation CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington). More
Hettie Han has rejoined Kantar Health China as Director in Beijing, from where she will work alongside the global team to grow the firm's multi-client and consultancy business across the region. More
Marcoms group Chime has hired Lord Coe as Chairman of its sports marketing arm, CSM Sport & Entertainment. The firm has also entered into an 'option agreement' to buy Coe's 93% interest in CLG, a firm which acts as a vehicle for his earnings from speeches and appearances. More
Medical tech intelligence specialist Millennium Research Group (MRG) has extended its Marketrack product to track the performance of brands by stock keeping unit (SKU) in US hospitals. More
Former Ipsos Health MD Emily Peasgood has joined market research consultancy Incite as Principal in its Health Team. More
With just three days to go before elections in the country, political party 'Ukraine-Forward!' has taken out a lawsuit against two polling firms, claiming that results of a pre-election poll were deliberately distorted to reduce its share of the vote. More
Ipsos has reported 9-month revenues of just under EUR 1.28bn, up 45.1% on a constant currency basis since gobbling up Synovate a year ago. The firm says now that the integration is complete, it will 'resume its focus on growth' and on meeting its service quality and profitability targets. More
In the US, Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS) has appointed former Nielsen exec Howard Shimmel as SVP of Advertising Sales and Sports Research. More
Ipsos MORI and King's College London are to bring together some of their researchers to develop new studies and maximise learnings from existing research. More
Indian television measurement body TAM is suspending publication of its viewing data from week 41 (October 7th) onwards, for 8 weeks while four of the country's biggest cities switch over from analogue to DAS. More
Former AGB and TNS director Dr Stephan Buck died on the 3rd October at the age of 75, after a three-year battle with cancer. More
Two Americans have been awarded this year's Nobel prize for economics, for work on accurate matching of agents - for example students with schools or donors with needy patients - and the extension of this into the understanding of markets. More
In the US, the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) has launched the 'Data-Driven Marketing Institute' (DDMI), in order to lobby against what it describes as 'needless regulation that could hamper consumer marketing and stifle innovation'. More
Ipsos has launched a qualitative practice called Fusiona within its Ipsos UU business, promising to help clients connect with Hispanic consumers at a 'deeper level'. More
UK marcoms group Chime Communications has acquired pharma market access and data provider pH Associates (PHA) from its owners Kate Peperell and Lesley Howell, for an initial consideration of £6.92m. More
UK-based YouGov has reported a 4% increase in revenue to £58.1m for the year ended 31 July 2012, up from £55.1m in the prior year period. The US and UK businesses saw strong performances, more than off-setting the effects of disposals in Germany and the end of a major contract in Iraq. More
Lieberman Research founder Seymour 'Sy' Lieberman, died on October 1, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. More
In the UK, Impact Research has appointed Holden Pearmain's former Pharmaceutical Director Jamie Margerison to lead a new healthcare division, Impact Healthcare. More
France's former President Nicolas Sarkozy has been accused of misusing public funds to pay for private opinion polls on issues such as his relationship with his wife, former supermodel Carla Bruni. More
The Belgium-based Center for Body Language has developed an online system which uses webcams to analyze facial expressions, and claims thereby to be able to predict the outcome of the US presidential elections. More
A redefined UK MR sector is 50% larger than previously estimated and worth more than £3 billion a year, according to an independent review conducted by PwC on behalf of the country's MRS (Market Research Society). More
WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell and MORI founder Sir Robert Worcester have been appointed as patrons of the Market Research Society (MRS), alongside dunnhumby founder Clive Humby and social commentator Peter York. More
Recently launched Hispanic analytics and modeling agency Luminar has introduced a service which build a picture of Latino voters using voter registers and data on media use, digital interactions and transactions. More
In the UK, Louise Tamblin has re-joined Kantar Health as Group Director, after a stint serving as Head of Research at the now closed Strata Research. More
Research consultancy Kadence International has recorded 'dramatic growth' in Indonesia, where revenue rose 120% to $5m for the year 2011-12. Overall, company revenue has increased for the tenth consecutive year, with sales up 15%, and net revenue has doubled in the last four years to $20.1m. More
Global marcoms agency Draftfcb has acquired pharmaceutical marketing company Hudson Global for an undisclosed sum. More
US-based healthcare marketing agency MicroMass Communications has formed a new behavioral science practice, focusing on identifying ways to motivate patients and other audiences to adopt behaviors that lead to better health outcomes. More
Crowdscoured media specialist Against All Odds Productions is to release data from a new global study, the 'Human Face of Big Data', for general consumption. Currently underway, the project aims to combine passive and contributed data from 'millions' of individuals worldwide. More
Dataminr, a Twitter analytics firm serving the financial and government sectors, has raised $13m in a Series B round of financing. These new funds will be used to secure new clients, while further developing the firm's technology. More
The UK government's Behavioural Insights Team or 'Nudge Unit', set up by Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010, is to sell its expertise in the fields of behavioural economics and psychology to governments and institutions around the world. More
Online sampling and data collection firm Research Now has begun the expansion of its medical MR capabilities to Europe with the launch of a UK healthcare panel. More
The UK's Observer newspaper has partnered with London-based full service agency Opinium Research to launch a new political poll ahead of the party conference season. More
IBM has launched a global social sentiment analytics service to help cities around the world measure and understand public opinion on issues and services such as public transport and education. More
Online research specialist YouGov has promoted Dr Michael Wagstaff to the new position of Head of Research, to oversee the 'full spectrum' of research services the company provides. The firm has also promoted Adèle Gritten to the role of UK Commercial Director. More
Michael Berland has left WPP-owned MR and political polling specialist Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) to join PR giant Edelman as CEO of a newly-named research and analytics business, Edelman Berland, into which the group's existing research firm StrategyOne will be integrated. More
Former Ipsos Reid President Steve Mossop has launched a full service agency called Insights West, based in Vancouver and servicing private and public sector clients across Western Canada. More
US-based healthcare specialist Predilytics has raised $6m in Series A funding, which it will use to expand its products and grow operations with a focus on analytics, IT, app development and account management. More
Kantar Health has promoted Graeme Jacombs to the position of Managing Director of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), responsible for regional strategy, local business planning and client support. More
In the UK, research industry veterans Andrew Smith and Andy Booth have set up a full service agency called Firebrand Insight, which will tap into the sector and technique specialisms of a core team drawn from membership of the Independent Consultants Group (ICG) network. More
Twitter has introduced interest-based ad targeting for its Promoted Tweets and Promoted Accounts campaigns, while Facebook is to allow brands to use their consumer data to reach users through the site. More
In the UK, research and measurement consultancy StrategyOne - which is part of the Edelman PR network - has appointed former ICM Research Director Emily Hunt as Director of Insights, to lead its primary insights function. More
US-based government intelligence specialist Deltek has been acquired by private equity investment firm Thoma Bravo, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.1 billion. More
The US Census Bureau has partnered with technology and marketing services consultancy Sapient to launch its first mobile app, which provides real-time information on sixteen key economic indicators. More
WPP-owned market research and political polling specialist Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) has opened its second Indian office, in Mumbai, following its launch in Gurgaon last year. More
The US federal government has this week joined in a civil lawsuit filed by a former employee of the Gallup Organization, claiming that the company inflated exec time and quotes in work for bodies including the US Mint and State Department in 2007-9. More
Online sampling and data collection firm Research Now has begun the international expansion of its healthcare panel with a Canadian launch. More
India's News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has asked the government to suspend reporting of TAM data, in the light of the ongoing row between broadcaster NDTV and Nielsen and WPP's joint venture. Meanwhile Nielsen is reportedly the front-runner for the forthcoming RSCI readership measurement pitch. More
Indian broadcaster NDTV has hit out against a statement issued by WPP yesterday, and its use of the word 'hypothetical' to describe NDTV's claims of ratings fixing at the TAM Media Research joint venture. More
WPP is considering proceedings against Indian broadcaster NDTV for defamation, following the latter's claims that staff at its TAM Media Research joint venture took bribes in exchange for overstating television ratings. More
A group of companies has launched a new service called Dominican Pulse, to gauge opinion among the residents of the Dominican Republic on subjects ranging from public affairs issues and politics, to music and culture. More
US-based research giant IMS Health has acquired PharmaDeals, which provides online information about business transactions, licensing, and mergers and acquisition activity across the global pharmaceutical industry. Terms were not disclosed. More
In the US, healthcare business analytics provider Streamline Health Solutions has acquired Meta Health Technology, which offers information management solutions for hospitals, clinics, physician group practices, and long-term care facilities. The deal is valued at $15m. More
Harris Interactive has reported an 8.2% decline in revenue to $147.5m for the full year fiscal 2012 - a majority of which the firm says was part of a 'right-sizing' plan. More
UK government social scientist Barbara Adams OBE, a pioneer of public consultation research, has died in London at the age of 89. More
In the UK, former Ipsos Health Research Director Mike Holland has joined schools marketing specialist the National Schools Partnership as Head of Research. More
Eric McDowell, the founder of Alaska-based research and consulting firm McDowell Group, died on Monday in hospital in Seattle, following a brief illness. He was 69 years old. More
US-based research giant IMS Health has acquired benchmarking solutions and analytics company TTC, which helps life science firms plan for and negotiate the costs of clinical trials. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Creston-owned ICM Research has filled three newly created positions with the appointment of Peter Cornick as Project Director in the Government and Social Research unit, Eulalia Pereira as Research Manager in the Qual team, and Tim Robinson as an RE in the Financial Services team. More
Healthcare research specialist WorldOne has integrated data from online patient data specialist Treato into its own MedLIVE FastReponse market intelligence platform, promising clients access to aggregated real-time patient feedback. More
GfK has reported a 9.1% increase in sales to EUR 720.1m for the first half of 2012, most of which comes from currency effects and acquisitions. Organic growth of just 1.7% results from a healthy 4.2% rise in the Consumer Choices business combined with flat performance from Consumer Experiences. More
The U.S. Census Bureau has announced the appointment of Johns Hopkins University professor Thomas A. Louis as the new Associate Director for Research and Methodology and Chief Scientist, effective January 7, 2013. More
In the US, Spanish language media company Entravision Communications Corporation has launched a new big data analytics and modeling business called Luminar, to help clients predict US Latino consumer behavior. Franklin Rios leads the new division as President. More
Following Indian broadcaster NDTV's legal action against Nielsen and Kantar Media Research over bribery claims, the Indian government has now stepped in with its own investigation. More
American public opinion pollster and author Scott Rasmussen has signed up to host a nationally syndicated TV show called 'What America Thinks', which will draw on his data on the latest political, economic, business and lifestyle issues. More
UK charitable trust The Nuffield Foundation has appointed Ministry of Justice Chief Researcher Teresa Williams as Director of Social Research and Policy. She takes up her new position on 29th October. More
French ad network Havas has increased its stake in UK-based insight and communications group Creston to more than 6%, just days after buying a 5% share of the business. More
YouGov has recorded a 'solid trading performance' for the year ended 31 July 2012 in an update issued by the London Stock Exchange. More
International publishing firm Gannett has named former Omnicom exec Emma Gilding as Vice President of Brand Research and Strategy in New York, responsible for delivering consumer, brand and market insights. More
Ipsos Healthcare has appointed Richard Clarke as Global Business Development Director for Syndicated Services, based in Kuala Lumpur. More
Dubai-based News Group International (NGI) has acquired UK-based Report International and US PR and social media research specialist KDPaine & Partners, and will add them to its measurement company, Salience Insight, while maintaining them as distinct brands. More
TV and video ad analytics provider Ace Metrix has launched a real-time measure of the effectiveness of campaign, issue and advocacy ads, in the run-up to the US Presidential election. Twitter, meanwhile, has unveiled its own Political Index, weighing up the sentiment of Tweets that mention Obama or Romney. More
Pharma market access consultancy WG Consulting has opened its first US office, in New York, and appointed Charlotta Norgaard to lead it. More
Indian broadcaster NDTV is suing Nielsen and Kantar Media Research over claims that staff at the firms' joint venture TAM took bribes in exchange for overstating ratings. According to the suit, this practice has damaged NDTV's business to the tune of around $810m in the past eight years. More
UK-based insight and communications group Creston has reported slow revenue growth of 1% for the second quarter of the year, impacted by a poor performance from its research agency ICM. More
US-based healthcare data and analytics provider Symphony Health Solutions has appointed former IMS Health exec Bill Nelligan as Chief Executive Officer. More
The US Census Bureau has launched an API to help developers customise access to its stats into web and mobile apps, with the aim of helping the public view details of America's changing population and economy. Coverage includes demographic, socio-economic and housing statistics. More
UK-based market research agency Firefish has reported a 23% increase in turnover to £7.7m for the past 12 months, and has appointed former Hall & Partners exec Majbritt Rijs as Head of Quantitative. More
US-based research and measurement consultancy StrategyOne - which is part of the Edelman PR network - has appointed Fergus Clarke as Head of its Middle East and North Africa division. More
Online advertising data analytics specialist AdMaster has raised an undisclosed amount of funding in a Series B round led by WI Harper and followed on by GSR Ventures. More
Ipsos has reported a 53.4% increase in first half revenues to EUR 837.0m, reflecting the integration of Synovate into its financial statements. More
In London, specialist social research division TNS BMRB has hired former NatCen director Carli Lessof as Director of Development, and former EdComs Research Director Desiree Lopez as Head of Qualitative Research. More
Las Vegas-based research firm Precision Opinion has launched a recruitment drive through which it hopes to find an additional 200 members of staff for its call center in Las Vegas. More
Peter Ventimiglia has re-joined US research and measurement consultancy StrategyOne, as Executive Vice President and geography lead for Washington DC. More
UK broadcasting measurement body BARB is to expand the circulation of its Web TV meter, adding another 500 homes to its core panel, currently just 100-strong. The system measures TV viewing via laptops and PCs. More
The FCC's proposed new Do Not Call registry could be 'a boon and not a burden' for US survey researchers, according to the MRA's Howard Fienberg. More
YouGov co-founder and CEO Stephan Shakespeare has been named as chair of the Data Strategy Board for the UK government's Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) More
Healthcare research specialist WorldOne has acquired US online physician community Sermo, which boasts 130,000 members, a strong client list and its own discussion and crowdsourcing platform. More
ORC International has added two new online sample options, geographical and 'generational' targeting, to its CARAVAN omnibus survey suite, offering interviews with a representative sample of US adults within any one state, top metropolitan area or age generation. More
MR association ESOMAR has launched a guide to help researchers comply with the recently introduced EU cookie law relating to the capture of online visitor information. More
Global market and employee research specialist ORC International has expanded its team with the appointment of four new members of staff in the US, and a senior exec in the UK. More
Research group Cello has revealed that it has spent £600k in the last year on consolidating operations and reducing headcount in its Research and Consulting division; and is now splitting its business into two new divisions. More
Harris Interactive has closed its Princeton, New Jersey office, as part of an ongoing review of its leased office space needs. More
US information and analytics provider IHS has received the go-ahead from the Federal Trade Commission to proceed with its $135m acquisition of engineering information resource GlobalSpec - its fifth buy this year. More
The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) is setting up a network called Research Aid, to provide charities with access to market researchers on a pro bono basis. More
WPP-owned market research and political polling network Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) has appointed government bureaucrat Ashok Kapur as Head of its Policy Group for South Asia operations. More
UK public sector intelligence specialist Kable, which provides research, forecasts and analysis of the ICT market, has been acquired by business information firm Progressive Digital Media Group (PDMG). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, M3 Global Research has appointed healthcare research veteran David Deutsch as Head of Syndicated Products, while eRewards' former CMO and Chief Panel Officer Bill Russo has joined as President of Market Research. More
London-based opinion specialist BritainThinks has appointed former Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) researcher Rana Baroud as Research Lead at its offices in Somerset House. More
In the US, an ad association President has told a Senate committee web companies must be allowed to collect basic visitor data; while the FCC has proposed new Do Not Call rules affecting autodiallers; and Canada's privacy commission has clarified its support for opt-out based protection. More
US-based Blackbaud, Inc., which provides services for not-for-profit organisations, has launched 'Social Score', a service giving its clients insight into their supporters' social media activities and influence. More
A coalition of US research associations and professional bodies have called on the Obama administration to defend the use of respondent incentives in federal surveys. More
The UK government has confirmed that the temporary spending controls it imposed on public sector advertising, marketing, communications and research budgets during its first year in office, will now become a 'permanent feature', until at least the next general election. More
In the US, data-driven pharma marketing consultancy RMi has launched an analytics tool, IntelliScore, which tracks and analyses physicians' receptivity to and engagement with marketing methods and brand messages across a variety of channels. More
UK-based pharma research firm Double Helix is to be acquired by Interpublic company McCann Health. More
In the US, Democratic pollster Alan Secrest is closing his company for financial reasons. More
The Trust Alliance, the recently formed standards and guidelines partnership for online healthcare data collection has greatly expanded its membership with the signing up of three new firms, Medimix, Toluna and UniversalSurvey (SurveyHealthCare). More
PR Newswire, known for its press release services but increasingly focused on providing multimedia content and measurement platforms, has launched a web and social media monitoring platform for China. More
The BBC's former Director of Media Engagement, Marketing and Audiences Simon Lloyd has joined Virgin Atlantic as Marketing Director. More
UK-based researcher SPA Future Thinking has introduced an ethnographic tool called See-Me, which it claims 'bridges the gap' between actual and recalled consumer behaviour. More
UK Market Research Society (MRS) President Rita Clifton is leaving her role as Chairman of branding consultancy Interbrand London, to set up her own private office and to take on additional non-executive roles. More
In Shanghai, Ipsos Healthcare has appointed IMS Health veteran David Twinberrow as Head of Syndicated Services, Asia Pacific, charged with leading the planned expansion and development of the firm's Therapy Monitor portfolio across the region. More
Facebook has acquired Israeli facial recognition technology firm Face.com in a cash and stock deal reportedly valued between $55m and $60m - and immediately prompted a response from a number of privacy groups. More
The fifty largest research firms reported a 5.1% increase in US-based aggregated revenues to $9.2 billion in 2011, according to the 39th annual report by industry authority Jack Honomichl. More
US-based charity-focused panel specialist Op4G (Opinions For Good) has appointed Frank Nappo as President and CEO, and Chris Stearns as CTO; and hired former Toluna execs Frank Hayden - as COO - and Archie Ignacio, as North American VP of Client Services. More
WPP is in talks to acquire a stake in media monitoring and analysis specialist Press Index, in a deal which would involve buying 87% of the outstanding shares in the company from its founders and other sellers. More
WPP shareholders have voted against a proposed 60% increase in CEO Sir Martin Sorrell's pay package. Separately, WPP says its Consumer Insight arm has been 'stable' in the first four months of 2012, with a 3.3% revenue rise adding to the group's £3.2 billion turnover. More
The Insight division of UK-based Creston has reported a 7% drop in revenue to £13.8m for the year ended 31 March 2012, compared with £14.8m in 2011. During the period, headline pre-tax profit was almost halved from a year ago at £2.1m, down from £4.1m. More
Researcher Mark McCrindle has resigned from the AMSRS (Australian Market & Social Research Society), following an investigation into claims that his company McCrindle Research overstated sample sizes in surveys the agency conducted for its own PR purposes. More
US data broker Spokeo has paid $800k to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges that it sold consumer profiles gathered from the web and from social media data, without first taking the legal steps required to protect the individuals concerned. More
The US Congress is considering a bill to ensure federal agencies treat paid research respondents as at most independent contractors, and not as employees of research companies. More
MR bodies AIMRO (the Association of Irish Market Research Organisations) and BAMOR (Bulgarian Association of Marketing and Opinion Researchers) are the latest to join the European Research Federation (efamro). More
In the US, Scarborough Research is adding nationwide voter data from political data provider TargetSmart Communications to its own consumer database, to enable agencies, politicians and lobbyists to examine consumer behavior relevant to specific election issues. More
In the US, Charleston Police Department (CPD) is using IBM Predictive Analytics to help officers accurately evaluate and forecast crime patterns. More
Los Angeles-based app developer 24x7digital has been accused of collecting personal information from children and passing it to a third-party company without parental consent. New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa filed a suit this week alleging a breach of the country's COPPA laws. More
Research consultancy Kadence India has appointed former Hansa Research General Manager Maninder Khurana as Vice President - Consumer Insights. More
Thomson Reuters has completed the $1.25 billion sale of its healthcare data, analytics and performance benchmarking arm to private equity firm Veritas Capital, which has renamed the business Truven Health Analytics. More
Ipsos MORI has transferred Rob Myers from his role as President of Marketing in the US, to the post of Managing Director for Ipsos Marketing in the UK. He replaces Susan Malcolm who is relocating to Australia for personal reasons. More
In the UK, Creston Group company ICM has introduced a new online methodology for predicting election results, the Wisdom Index, which it is running for the Sunday Telegraph. More
In New York, Kantar Health has partnered with online physician community provider Sermo to offer research services to life sciences companies. More
Online sampling and data collection firm Research Now has integrated Experian's latest Mosaic USA consumer lifestyle segmentation data - some of it drawn from the 2010 census - into its US research panels. More
In the UK, telephone research specialist Facts International has appointed former Lake Market Research execs Sharon Greenslade and Adam Wyles as Project Directors in its Client Services team, with a remit to further develop digital fieldwork capability. More
Janet Harkness, Director of the Gallup Research Center and a leading figure in the development of cross-cultural research methods, died on Monday in Germany at the age of 63. More
The UK's ICO (Information Commissioners Office) has apparently made significant last-minute relaxations in its guidance regarding changes to the new EU cookie law. Separately, ESOMAR and EFAMRO have attended meetings of the Council of Europe regarding EU data protection plans. More
Public sector specialist Dods Group Plc has announced preliminary results for 2011, with revenue down to £15.3m from £16.1m in 2010, and profit margin and adjusted earnings steady. The group is still waiting on clearance for its takeover of intelligence provider DeHavilland. More
In the US, The Census Bureau has launched two new products which provide detailed data on 'Race, Tribal, Hispanic and Ancestry Groups.' The data sets contain social and economic data and housing characteristics for hundreds of groups at numerous geographic levels. More
UK not-for-profit body NatCen Social Research has appointed Nick Shanahan as Director of Finance and Business Planning, starting in July. Shanahan is currently Deputy Director of Finance and Operations at the Natural Environment Research Council. More
In the UK, brand engagement and communications company Hall & Partners has announced a series of promotions in its specialist Health division, including Lee Gazey to Managing Partner. More
Recent formed standards and guidelines partnership The Trust Alliance has been joined by online US physician network Epocrates. More
State-run business development agency Enterprise Ireland has opened a new Market Research Centre to support Irish companies in developing their export plans. More
Polish MR association OFBOR and Lithuanian body LRSTA have joined European research federation efamro. More
Twitter has announced its support for the US FTC's Do Not Track initiative, which restricts how third parties collect and store data about browsing behavior. More
Valient Market Research has opened a new regional office in Williamsville, New York to support a growing client base in the Buffalo-Niagara region. More
Mumbai, India-based pharmaceutical product manufacturer Piramal Healthcare is to acquire US-based pharma research firm Decision Resources Group (DRG) for around $635m. More
UK marcoms group Chime Communications has acquired a 51% share in Harvey Walsh Limited (HWL), a company which provides market access and data services to the pharmaceutical industry and the NHS. Chime has paid an initial consideration of £2.19m for the stake. More
GfK has reported an 11.3% increase in sales to EUR 345.1m for the first three months of 2012, with organic growth of 4.9%. Adjusted operating income rose 10.2% to EUR 33.5m. The firm says its new 'Own the Future' corporate strategy has contributed to the healthy figures. More
Private equity firm Symphony Technology Group (STG) has acquired patient and physician data provider Source Healthcare Analytics; and will combine it with its existing pharma offer to form a new division called Symphony Health Solutions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
UK-based reputation analysis specialist Echo Research has promoted Ben Lloyd and Sam Knowles to Joint MDs, allowing CEO and founder Sandra Macleod to focus on growing global client relationships and operations across parent company Ebiquity. More
In Ghana, west Africa, the Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC) says plans to set up an independent media monitoring body are being frustrated by lack of funds. More
In the US, WPP-owned insights and innovation consultancy Added Value Cheskin has adapted its online qual platform AV-id to widen its coverage of the US Hispanic market. More
US-based MarketVision Research has appointed health care veteran Kendall Gay as Vice President of Qualitative Research, leading its qual health care team. More
UK-based insight agency Nunwood has announced the acquisition of California-based training and change management consultancy Retention Specialists Inc. Nunwood already has US offices in Los Angeles and New York. More
In the UK, GfK NOP has appointed Martin Grimwood as Divisional Director for its pensions and asset management client business. He joins following an eighteen-year career at ORC, via a short stint at TNS-RI. More
New Zealand's research and media communities have begun discussions over the way election polls are conducted and the influence they exert over voting, with a public forum held at the country's Parliament this evening. More
Online healthcare specialist WorldOne has announced the appointment of Eva Laparra as MD Southern Europe. She joins from Vision Critical in Spain. More
In the US, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered fourteen advertisers of alcoholic beverages to provide information on their online marketing and data collection practices, for use in its annual study on the effectiveness of guidelines for reducing marketing to underage audiences. More
Harris Interactive CEO Al Angrisani has reiterated his confidence in the firm's turnaround program, after reporting a drop in net loss to $300k for the three months ending 31st March, from $2.3m a year earlier. However, during the period, revenue fell 8% to $34.1m from $37.0m last year. More
Canadian sources are suggesting that almost half the c.5,000 people working at the country's national information office, Statistics Canada, may be at risk of redundancy. More
Solar energy and photovoltaic industry specialist NPD Solarbuzz has hired Wolfgang Schlichting as Research Director, Downstream Markets; and promoted Finlay Colville Ph.D. to VP leading its solar research team. More
US event-based research firm Healthcare Research & Analytics (HRA) has appointed healthcare consulting and client-side specialist G. Matthias Prinz to lead its consultative custom research business. More
UK-based group Creston plc has issued a trading update for the year ended 31 March 2012. Like-for-like revenue increase is only 'marginal', although the reported figure is up 11% to £75m and the group says it has completed its programme of reducing operating costs. More
Kantar Health has launched its self-reported patient database, National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), in Russia, where it will collect information representative of the adult urban population. More
Las Vegas-based Precision Opinion has announced the addition of a hundred new CATI stations - its fourth expansion in four years. More
In the UK, market intelligence consultancy PFA Research has relocated within Cornwall from its original offices in Bodmin to the Tremough Innovation Centre (TIC) in Penryn. The company cites advances in technology which allow a more decentralized business model. More
Ipsos has reported a 46% increase in first quarter revenues to EUR 379.9m, reflecting the addition of Synovate's business. However, it admits the need to integrate the two businesses has slowed expansion: volume of sales was down slightly on Q1 2011, and organic growth of just 2% is expected this year. More
A pollster from the Marist Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO) has been credited with saving the life of a New York City woman, who was slipping into a diabetic coma when he called to interview her one night last week. More
Information giant Thomson Reuters has sold its healthcare business to private equity firm Veritas Capital in a cash deal valued at $1.25 billion, following a ten-month search for a buyer. More
Healthcare market research provider Cegedim Strategic Data (CSD) has integrated practice-level NHS GP prescribing data for England into its MultiView analysis software platform. More
US-based Phoenix Marketing International (PMI) has appointed veteran researcher Howard Parr as a Group Director in its Phoenix Healthcare team, based in Richmond, Surrey, UK. More
In the US, IMS Health has acquired San Francisco-based software firm DecisionView, which helps life sciences organizations plan and track patient enrollment for clinical trials around the world. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
After nearly twenty years at Nielsen Claritas, Drake Bassett has left the research industry to take up the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the not-for-profit organization Palmer Home for Children. More
In the US, local forum site Topix has launched a new mobile and online platform called Politix, through which Americans can follow news about the 2012 election, share their opinions with their social networks and fellow voters, and track opinion across the country. More
Digital measurement specialist comScore and data technology provider i360 have partnered to provide insights into the online behavior of the US voting public. More
The Indian government is taking advantage of current trade talks with the EU to press for 'data secure' status for the country. Officials said India had made significant changes in its data protection laws and that restrictions - which limit the inflow of outsourcing work - should be lifted. More
Kantar Health has announced two senior promotions in its Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region (APMEA). Graeme Jacombs becomes Deputy MD for the region while Dr. Vince Grillo is promoted to General Manager, Singapore and Malaysia. More
Nielsen has partnered with The University of Chicago Booth School of Business to offer a historical perspective on consumer purchases to all US-based academic researchers. More
IBOPE Zogby (formerly Zogby International) has been re-named IBOPE InteligŞncia, a name which the firm says better reflects its parent company IBOPE Group's geographic reach in the Americas and globally. More
Dr Robert Groves, the 23rd Director of the US Census Bureau, has resigned his position in order to take up the position of Provost of Georgetown University in late August. More
Following the acquisition of Synovate, Frank Guo has been promoted to the position of Director, Healthcare China for Ipsos Healthcare, in charge of the division's business across the country. More
US healthcare marketing research firm Roger Green and Associates (RG+A) has launched the Health Payer Council (HPC), an online research and co-creation community through which clients can access medical and pharmacy directors from US medical insurers. More
In the UK, online healthcare data collection firm WorldOne has appointed Harris Interactive veteran Neil Phillips as Vice President of Quality. The firm says that in addition to enhancing its own procedures, Phillips will contribute to improving quality standards across the industry. More
In the US, communications consultancy Brunswick Group has appointed former StrategyOne President Robert Moran as a Partner, to lead the expansion of its Insights and Opinion Research practice in the Americas. More
Marcoms giant WPP has acquired US-based social mobilization company Crowdverb, which monitors and analyzes social media data to identify relevant crowds of voters, consumers and activists. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the UK, broadcaster Channel 4 has appointed former Red Bee Media exec Clare Phillips for the new role of Head of Audience Research and Insight, leading a team which provides support to the programming, marketing and strategy teams. More
Online research firm YouGov plc has announced interim results for the six months ended 31 January 2012, with organic revenue growth of 12% and adjusted profit before tax of £2.2m. YouGov expects to pay its first dividend, when full year results are out. More
In London, Creston Group company ICM has finalised a series of senior appointments and a major re-organization with the promotion of Operations Director Neil Sykes to the Board and the appointment of David Reeves as Production Director. More
Harris Interactive has been told it can continue trading on the NASDAQ stock exchange, after achieving the necessary share price of $1+ for more than ten consecutive days. More
Recently established online physician research body The Trust Alliance has produced guidelines for post-field reporting by healthcare data collection firms. More
In the US, social media analytics specialist SocialMatica has introduced a dashboard which integrates social media sentiment and traditional media polling, to measure the popularity of each Republican candidate taking part in the GOP (Grand Old Party) primary election. More
In the US, ratings giant Arbitron has agreed to pay $400k to settle a lawsuit in California in which it was alleged to have under represented black and Hispanic listeners in California, Los Angeles and San Francisco. More
US-based online sampling and technology company uSamp has introduced a proprietary Hispanic panel with more than 100,000 members, adding to its existing global panel of around 7.5 million respondents. More
US market research consultancy RDA Group has reported a 16% increase in revenue to $17.5m for 2011. More
In the US, ImpactRx has acquired San Mateo, California-based pharma and biotech competitor AlphaDetail. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
UK consultancy Brand Potential has introduced a panel of 'opinion leaders' called The Fringe, with members ranging from TV presenters and DJs to a previous Masterchef winner. More
Online healthcare data collection firm WorldOne has expanded its network in Asia with the opening of a new office in Shanghai, China, adding to its existing presence in Hong Kong and Tokyo. More
Yesterday afternoon the MRS Conference in London saw public sector researchers discussing the ever-growing policy challenges with which research can help. Endangered species? Our News Editor Mel Crowther thinks not. More
Following yesterday's FTC clearance for its acquisition of two former SDI Health subsidiaries, inVentiv Health's MR and analytics division Campbell Alliance has announced the formation of a new subsidiary, Encuity Research, and the appointment of Michael Turner as its General Manager. More
... and 'the Oompa Loompa of Ethnography'? Features Editor Teresa Lynch on a strange and wonderful Tuesday afternoon at the MRS Conference in London. More
Online sampling and panel exchange firm Cint has announced a new partnership with UK online parenting community Netmums Ltd, giving its clients access to an 'unrivalled' number of individuals in the 'Mothers of Babies' category in the UK. More
In the US, the FTC has approved inVentiv Health's acquisition of two SDI Health promotional and medical audit businesses from IMS Health; while separately, inVentiv is to acquire outsourcing solutions firm Kforce Clinical Research. More
Research and public policy advisor Applied Analysis has acquired Las Vegas-based real estate research specialist SalesTraq, according to reports. Financial terms were not disclosed. More
Business information giant D&B has announced the temporary suspension of operations of its Chinese subsidiary Shanghai Roadway D&B Marketing Services Co Ltd., pending investigation of allegations of violations of the country's data privacy laws. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has announced that former GfK NOP Head Phyllis Macfarlane will become its new Chairman in April, following the completion of Vanella Jackson's two-year term. More
For the year 2011, UK-based research group Cello has reported 'continuing strong performance' with revenue up 7.2% to £133m and a 6.6% increase in gross profit to £64.3m, driven by its Research and Consulting division. More
Non-profit body The Mozilla Foundation, developer of the Firefox browser, has launched an add-on tool to provide a real-time visualization of web sites tracking users' online behavior. More
British Prime Minister David Cameron has appointed Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales as a consultant for a new crowdsourcing initiative, designed to encourage the public to get more involved in policy-making. More
In London, Freud Communications founder Matthew Freud has bought a 3.23% share in online polling specialist YouGov for approximately £2.26m. More
Global information services giant Experian has strengthened its consumer data operations in North America with the acquisition of public data aggregator Court Ventures. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, the Board of Harris Interactive has authorized a share repurchase program of up to $3m of the firm's common stock over the next 24 months, funded with cash generated from operations. The firm's share price passed the $1 mark this week for the first time in 10 months. More
In the US, a federal judge has decided that online measurement firm comScore does not yet have to disclose confidential information - such as the names of its clients - to web users who are suing the company over privacy violation claims. More
In London, Ipsos MORI has hooked up with the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, to 'transform' the way it visually represents its client data in presentations and other communications. More
Information Services Group (ISG), the firm started by former VNU boss Michael Connors, has announced 2011 revenues of $184.4m, re-passing 2008 levels after two years in the doldrums. However the firm posted another large quarterly operating loss - $59.9m - for a goodwill write-down. More
London-based OpinionPanel - which specialises in the youth, student and young professionals sectors - has been re-named YouthSight, which it says reflects a broadening of its range of services from its original student panel focus. More
UK Group Chime Communications has reported a 17% revenue hike for its Insight and Engagement division (CIE), to £12.1m for the year 2011. Operating income rose 8% to £7.9m. More
Four German associations are backing a new radio ad campaign to promote the public's participation in market and social research surveys. More
Ipsos has reported a 19.5% increase in revenues to EUR 1,362.9m for the full year 2011 following its acquisition of Synovate last October, while net profit soared 30% to EUR 86.1m. For 2012, the firm is anticipating what it describes as 'a year of construction'. More
Louise Fraser, the former MD of full-service agency Progressive, has set up her own consultancy, Jump Research, in Edinburgh. More
US pollster John Zogby has joined his son Jonathan at JZ Analytics as a Senior Analyst. In his new role, he will be overseeing a series of 2012 presidential election surveys, designed to track public opinion of the primary and general election candidates. More
In New York, Nielsen has teamed up with business membership and research association The Conference Board to launch a non-profit organization called The Demand Institute, with a mission to provide insight into how consumer demand is evolving around the world. More
In the US, political data services provider Catalist has teamed up with online research agency iModerate to launch 'Voter Insider' - a political research tool that can identify fraudulent respondents. More
Survey Sampling International (SSI) has enhanced its QuickTake DIY survey tool to meet the needs of political and public affairs researchers in this year's American election, by adding access to US registered voters through its audience selection criteria. More
Tamer El Naggar, the former CEO of Synovate Middle East & North Africa (MENA), has joined TNS as Chief Executive Officer of its North Africa business. More
Viggle - the company behind a tool which automatically identifies which TV shows users are watching - has acquired San Francisco-based Loyalize, whose technology allows brands to conduct real-time polls among viewers of live TV shows. Terms were not disclosed. More
In the UK, insight and communications group Creston has scrapped the role of ICM Group Chairman, held by Justin Sampson, in a bid to reduce operating costs following 'lower than expected sales'. ICM Group will now be run by its Board of Directors. More
Bertram ('Bert') Russick, the former owner of Minneapolis-based polling specialist Mid-Continent Surveys, died on Thursday January 26th at the age of 90. More
According to reports in the press, the BBC's Director of Marketing & Audiences Helen Normoyle is leaving the broadcaster in May, to become Chief Marketing Officer at furniture retailer DFS. More
UK agency Optimsa has appointed six new members of staff at its London and Leeds offices, following a number of recent client wins. More
US research and measurement consultancy StrategyOne, part of the Edelman PR network, has appointed Pauline Draper-Watts as Executive Vice President in charge of its Communications Measurement and Analytics group. More
Healthcare CRM and data services company Cegedim reported a 4.2% like-for-like fall in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2011, to EUR 256m; and a fall of 2.8% for the full year, to EUR 911.3m. More
Ipsos MENA has launched an online panel in Egypt, and will follow up with one in the UAE later this month. More
Troubled agency Harris Interactive has announced second quarter results, with net income rising to $1.6m from $0.3m in the prior year period; but revenues falling 13% to $39.1m from $44.9m. More
In New Zealand, online specialist Horizon Research has acquired the ShapeNZ public polling service from the Sustainable Business Council (SBC). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Following its acquisition of Synovate, Ipsos has appointed a new management team in Poland, led by Kurt Thompson, Synovate's former CEO for Central/Eastern Europe & the Middle East. More
London-based opinion specialist BritainThinks has appointed former Manning Gottlieb Insight Manager Stephen Saw as Research Lead. More
Manchester, UK-based B2B International is to open an office in Chicago, adding to its New York business opened in 2008 and helping the business research specialist service clients in the mid-west and beyond. More
GfK has announced revenue up 6.2% to EUR 1.374 billion in 2011, in preliminary figures released today. Almost all (5.8%) was organic growth. Operating income grew relatively little due to specific items including write-downs and recruitment of a new CEO. More
US research provider D3 Systems has acquired 'a significant share' of Nairobi, Kenya-based Infinite Insight, which operates 'throughout Africa'. More
In separate developments today, two companies - digital advertising firm CPX Interactive and device identification tech specialists BlueCava - have announced new tools for circumnavigating the Euro Cookie Directive, to be enforced from May 25th this year. More
Creston has reported 'good' third quarter revenue growth in its Insight division, following the addition of new clients in the first half of the year. However, the Board says it anticipates a decline in Q4 and will make changes to reduce operating costs accordingly. More
US firms HealthLink Dimensions and Billian's HealthDATA have formed a strategic alliance, which will combine the former's hospital-affiliated physician information with the latter's data on the inpatient, outpatient and long-term-care markets. More
British polling and research specialist ComRes has hired former KRC director Pru Shelton to manage its quant research team. The firm has also made two senior promotions and is increasing the size of its London-based office to accommodate its plans for growth over the next few years. More
WPP-owned international communications consultancy Hill+Knowlton Strategies has launched a new unit called Research+Data Insights (R+D Insights), offering both data analytics and primary research. More
Pharma market research giant IMS Health has acquired Bangalore-based PharmARC, which specializes in analytics and other services for the life sciences industry. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
US consumer privacy organization TRUSTe has secured a $15m Series C financing round, earmarked for expansion of its product suite, which helps companies handle customer data from online ads, cloud services, mobile apps and web sites. More
In an interim trading statement, research group Cello has announced a 'solid' full year performance for 2011 and says its growing focus on the resilient pharmaceuticals sector is 'paying off'. More
WPP-owned PR giant Burson-Marsteller has acquired a majority stake in Finnish reputation management consultancy Pohjoisranta, which offers a range of research services including reputation surveys, competitor analyses and stakeholder studies. Terms were not disclosed. More
US-based cleantech specialist Pike Research has launched the 'Smart Cities Advisory Service', which will provide market intelligence and insights for city officials, service providers and vendors seeking to create more 'liveable' urban environments. More
WPP-owned healthcare panel and data collection agency All Global has appointed Hilary Fischer as Chief Operating Officer, US, and Kerry Haynes as Director of Operations, Europe. More
London-based consumer insights specialist Incite has appointed former Ipsos leader Sarah Phillips as Head of its healthcare practice. More
UK marketing budgets were revised up for the second successive quarter, according to the Q4 IPA Bellwether survey - despite a fall in business optimism to levels not seen since 2008. More
IMS Health has found a home for two of SDI's product lines, after the Federal Trade Commission determined they must be sold for competition reasons following IMS' acquisition of SDI. US healthcare consultancy inVentiv has acquired the businesses for an undisclosed sum. More
Market data specialist Deutsche Bĥrse has acquired the 'China Consumer Sentiment Survey' (CCSS) from Intage Hyperlink Market Consulting (Shanghai), a subsidiary of Japanese market research firm Intage. The deal closed in December for an undisclosed amount reported to be less than $1m. More
Nunwood has announced three appointments in its London headquarters - including former Holden Pearmain AD Louise Hawley as Qual Account Director. More
UK political information provider Dods Group has agreed to acquire DeHavilland Political Intelligence, which offers services to monitor and track political issues. The deal is valued at £12.8m. More
US-based firm InCrowd - which offers market research to the life sciences sector - has secured an undisclosed amount of Series A seed funding, which it will use to expand its real-time research platform for the healthcare sector. More
In London, GfK Healthcare has appointed Ben Walton as Head of its UK operations, responsible for the support and development of business across the country, in addition to managing and expanding the executive team. More
Online healthcare data collection firm WorldOne has partnered with Physicians Interactive (PI) to provide clients with access to what it describes as the 'largest' panel of physicians in the US. More
Information Services Group (ISG), the acquisition vehicle set up by former VNU boss Michael Connors, has merged its individual corporate brands into one integrated business under the ISG name. More
Ipsos has launched its first online panel for the Middle East, in Saudi Arabia. The move coincides with the opening of Ipsos Interactive Services (IIS) MENA, lead by Director Nader Kobeissi, in the region. More
US energy and environment intelligence specialist IHS Inc. has reported a 27% increase in revenue for the fourth quarter, to $371m, with organic growth of 9.4 percent; and a 25% rise (8.7% organic) in revenue for the year ended November 30, 2011, to $1.326 billion. More
Healthcare market research solutions provider Medimix Europe has moved its London operation to new offices in the City, close to St Paul's Cathedral and the Museum of London. More
Google has launched an election site ahead of the 2012 presidential race, through which users can track candidates' popularity based on numbers of Google searches, Google News mentions and YouTube video views. More
Market research sample providers Epocrates and M3 Inc have partnered to create what they describe as 'the world's largest physician and healthcare provider panel' comprising 1.7 million panellists. Separately, M3 owned network Doctors.net.uk has promoted Dr Tim Ringrose to the post of CEO. More
Social statistician and NatCen co-founder Professor Sir Roger Jowell died on Christmas Day after a heart attack, at the age of 69. More
In New York, Kantar Health has appointed Debbie Warner as Vice President in charge of its Oncology Commercial Strategies team, which provides information and analysis on the influence of sector stakeholders. More
London-based social and consumer trend forecasting firm the Trajectory Partnership has appointed former Henley Centre Chairman Bob Tyrrell, as a Director specialising in analysing and interpreting social change. More
The team at MrWeb would like to wish all our readers and friends around the world a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. More
In Canada, communities specialist Cambridge Healthtech Associates (CHA) has appointed Dawn Van Dam, former CEO of market research consultancy Health Connexions, as its General Manager, in charge of day-to-day operations. More
Former Opinion Leader researcher Rebecca Addis has become joint owner of Community Research - the specialist public sector agency founded by former ORC International Director Rachel Lopata. Addis takes up her new role in January. More
In New York, ad technology firm appssavvy has raised $7.1m in a series A round of funding, and plans to use it developing targeting solutions based on user actions such as voting in a poll, checking into a location, or leaving a comment. More
Reports in the Turkish press claim that the country's Television Audience Research Committee (TAK) has severed its agreement with AGB Nielsen, following claims that staff at the firm leaked a list of panel members to TV producers who then bribed them in order to manipulate TV ratings. More
In the UK, ICM Research has launched a 'Crisis Management' analysis service, to help clients predict the likely public response to crises such as bad publicity; and to measure and track the effect of the crisis while it is still ongoing. More
Harris Interactive is to request a hearing to avoid delisting from the Nasdaq Stock Market, after its shares failed to repass the market's $1 threshold in 180 days since its last warning. More
Canada's professional association the MRIA is looking into a number of complaints about the conduct of Campaign Research Inc., a Conservative pollster accused of carrying out biased and misleading surveys regarding voting intentions. More
In the UK, Creston-owned ICM Group has strengthened its data collection and field services with the promotion of Neil Sykes to Operations Director in the UK, and Rebekah Joseph as Field Director at subsidiary Fieldwork UK. More
Italy's competition watchdog the Antitrust Authority has fined TV ratings agency Auditel EUR 1.8 million ($2.3m) for abusing its 'monopoly position' and using 'anticompetitive' practices, following a complaint made by Rupert Murdoch-owned broadcaster Sky Italia. More
Multi-screen measurement specialist Rentrak has added a segmentation based on political outlook to its TV Essentials and StationView Essentials ratings services. More
Raymond Hill has stepped down from his role as CEO of contract drug research organization PPD Inc with a $3.065m payment, just three months after leaving his previous position at pharma market research giant IMS Health. More
French PR and reputation management agency Augure has acquired Spanish online and social media monitoring specialist iMente. Exact terms were not disclosed, but Augure recently completed a 5 million Euro investment round to finance the deal. More
In the UK, publishing and events group Centaur Media plc has acquired data and analytics firm Venture Business Research Limited (VBR), which focuses on the clean energy and global security sectors. More
In the US, MarketVision Research has announced the appointment of Joel Schindler PhD as Vice President with a focus on its Pharmaceutical Division. He joins from the healthcare market research company Biovid. More
GfK has acquired US-based consumer specialist Knowledge Networks. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the UK, Creston-owned ICM Research has hired former Synovate exec Tom Bailey as Head of Analytics, while Ruth Moyer joins the Technology team and Matt Draper the Financial Services team, both as Research Directors. More
Healthcare panel and data collection agency All Global has partnered with patient community host Inspire.com, to provide its clients with access to 'difficult to reach patients' across a number of therapeutic areas. More
In the US, The Poynter Institute - which provides journalists with online and multimedia training - is to launch a study of reader engagement with news and advertising on mobiles and tablets. Data will be collected by a variety of means including eye tracking, surveys, media diaries and observations. More
YouGov has appointed former TNS Digital manager Dan Brilot as Media Consulting Director, based in London, with a remit to introduce new methodologies and products to the team's international client base. More
In the US, full service agency IDG Research Services has partnered with behavioral consultancy The Motivation Factor to launch a program which adds personal engagement and motivation measurement to its employee surveys. More
Ipsos has announced its new senior leadership line-up for the UK, following the Synovate acquisition. Former Synovate senior execs Dave Hannay, Hilary Worton, Paul Stamper, Deborah McCrudden and Yusuf Ramadan are all included in CEO Ben Page's team. More
WPP is to acquire US firm The Glover Park Group, which advises on public and government affairs, digital and other advertising and brand strategy, and conducts opinion research. More
Washington, DC-based polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner has opened a digital division, led by Anna Greenberg and offering social media analytics, strategic consulting, and modeling & micro-targeting services for communications, as well as web development and online ad services. More
In London, pharmaceutical specialist Insight Research Group has appointed Dave Bostock as Research Operations Director and promoted Natasha Barretto and Jenny Service to roles in its online community for health professionals, eVillage. More
Following its acquisition of Synovate, Ipsos has promoted Grant Bertoli to the position of CEO for South East Asia (SEA), and confirmed the appointment of Synovate's Singapore MD Miranda Cheung as MD of Ipsos in Singapore and SEA. Senior European and US roles have also been finalised. More
In the US, health information tech firm Remedy Health Media has acquired HealthCentral, a provider of online clinical and patient community resources and tools. Terms were not disclosed. More
IBM veteran Matthias Hartmann has officially taken up the post of Chief Executive Officer of GfK, replacing Professor Dr. Klaus L. Wübbenhorst who has stepped down. More
UK-based group Creston Plc has announced results for the six-month period to 30 September 2011. While the group as a whole prospered, the Insight division - which includes the firms Marketing Sciences and ICM - saw year-on-year revenue decline 3% to £7.5m. More
US healthcare specialist G & S Research has moved to new headquarters not far from the old, on the north side of Indianapolis. More
Global information services giant Experian is to acquire UK consumer data specialist 192business Limited, subject to approval by the Office of Fair Trading. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition will be funded from Experian's existing cash resources. More
Six former employees of Harris Interactive in Hong Kong have set up Anovation Asia, a new full service agency which is majority owned by data specialist Anovation. More
US-based mobile phone intelligence firm Carrier IQ has withdrawn its threat of legal action against security researcher Trevor Eckhart, who claimed last week that the firm's software logs actions taking place on a phone without users' intervention or control. More
In the UK, the Central Office of Information (COI) has achieved a 68% reduction in its marketing spend to £168m for the 12 months to 31 March 2011, ahead of the department's closure next March. More
London-based OpinionPanel has launched two new omnibus services in the UK - the first covering young professionals in their first five years after leaving university and the second covering those aged between 16 and 24. More
In the UK, brand and communications research specialist Hall & Partners has appointed pharma researcher Lee Gazey as a Partner in its health business, to spearhead the division's growth in quant research while focusing on the use of digital and social media. More
George Gallup Jr, who helped lead the public opinion polling firm founded by his father until his retirement in 2004, has died of cancer at the age of 81. More
In the US, global PR agency Ketchum has appointed research veteran Don Bartholomew as Senior Vice President of Social Media Research, tasked with managing its Global Research Network's operations in the South and Midwest. More
UK polling firm Populus has appointed another two former ICM directors, Gary Muncaster and Chris Menzies, just two months after ICM founder Nick Sparrow joined the firm as a Special Advisor. More
Online healthcare fieldwork firms All Global, M3 USA and Medefield have partnered to launch 'The Trust Alliance', which will promote trust in online physician research through advanced industry standards and the development of best practices. More
In New York, trade organization the Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau (CAB) has partnered with BigInsight parent firm Prosper Business Development, to launch a new resource to provide advertisers and publishers with insights on African-American consumers. More
In the US, Horsham, PA-based pharma and biotech consultancy Healogix has announced the appointment of Tim Edbrooke as President and Chief Operating Officer. Company Founder Harris Kaplan will remain as CEO and work in a strategic capacity. More
US-based STRATMARK, which offers direct marketing services for non-profit clients, has appointed former Merkle exec George Zhang as a VP charged with developing its new analytics offerings. More
Millward Brown has opened a new office in Munich, Germany, adding to its existing presence in Frankfurt and Hamburg. More
In the US, the Center for Economic Studies at the US Census Bureau has opened a research data center (RDC) in Atlanta, where researchers can go to conduct statistical analysis using unpublished Census files. More
In the US, retail analysis giant SymphonyIRI has launched a new segmentation model called EconoLink, which groups shoppers into specific profiles based on their attitudes and behavior with regard to the economic downturn / recession. More
In the US, newly-launched and politically neutral firm VoterTide is to roll out an app which measures how online buzz is impacting real-world politics. More
In the US, start-up healthcare information firm Real Endpoints (RE) has announced plans to acquire a majority stake in New Jersey-based market research agency Reimbursement Intelligence. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In Poland, opinion and social research specialist TNS OBOP is to merge with ad hoc research provider TNS Pentor in early 2012. More
In Canada, Ipsos has promoted Luc Durand to the position of President, responsible for all its client service operations in Quİbec. More
GfK has reported a good performance for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011. Q3 organic sales growth was 5.2% and the adjusted margin was up slightly on Q3 the previous year to 15.7%. Sales in the first 9 months of the year totalled EUR 999m - up 7.1% (7.0% organic). More
In Australia, the government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard has increased its spend on MR, with £33m laid out in 2010/11. More
Nunwood has announced details of four recent promotions and four appointments in its offices in London and Leeds, continuing its rapid growth. More
In Australia, global healthcare group Cegedim Strategic Data (CSD) has launched a Nurse Practitioner online omnibus called NPReach. More
GfK Healthcare is rolling out its syndicated TCD physician studies, until now focused on the US and Europe, to Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC). The studies will offer local market treatment perspectives across cardiovascular, psychiatry, respiratory and rheumatology/pain specialisms. More
In the US, Patient Recruiters International (PRI) has launched an online patient community called GoHealthPanel, which can be used either for market research or to assist with clinical trials. More
US-based Market Probe has announced the acquisition of Richard Day Research Inc. (RDR), a specialist in financial services and pharmaceutical research based in Evanston, IL. More
Philip Gould, Baron Gould of Brookwood, the pollster who reshaped the image of the Labour party with the aid of focus groups, has died of cancer aged 61. More
TNS has acquired the remainder of Polish firm OĊrodek Badania Opinii Publicznej sp.z.o.o. (OBOP) from Telewizja Polska S.A. (TVP), Poland's public broadcasting corporation. The research giant already owned 60% of the company. More
Asian agency Majestic MRSS has launched 'Ethnostream' - a tool combining ethnography with video-streaming technology - in India and 13 other countries. More
Information Services Group (ISG), the acquisition vehicle set up by former VNU boss Michael Connors, has reported a 52% increase in third quarter revenues to $48.9m, from $32.2m in Q3 2010. More
Following its recent acquisition of Synovate and in line with plans to withdraw the Synovate brand in January, Ipsos has restructured its team in China. Five 'Combined Country Managers' will ready the businesses for integration while ensuring they run separately until the end of the year. More
London-based full service agency Opinium Research has launched a new division focusing on the healthcare sector. More
In the US, pharma market research firm ImpactRx has appointed former IMS Health VP David Gascoigne, to lead the development of its Consulting and Analytics practice as EVP Consulting Analytics, Innovation and Alliances. More
In the US, Qessential Medical Market Research has acquired an 1890's farmhouse in the historic town of Exeter, New Hampshire, where it has re-located its growing team. More
Harris Interactive has reported a 3.5% increase in first-quarter revenue to $38.3m. Bookings however were down 11% for the quarter and CEO Al Angrisani says the firm is still facing 'major challenges' with sales. More
US-based MR association CASRO has finalized its Social Media Research Guidelines, which aim to provide an 'ethical framework' for research conducted in the social media space and for associated privacy expectations. More
Tamara Deprez, the former Head of online agency Yahoo! Maktoob Research, has joined media content analyst Salience Research as its General Manager in Dubai. More
PR and research firm Brunswick Group has opened a third Chinese office in Shanghai, and appointed two un-named 'senior individuals' to expand its investor relations and research capabilities in Hong Kong. More
Online sampling and data collection specialist Research Now has launched a new screening tool incorporating Dun & Bradstreet's D-U-N-S numbers, to provide additional information about B2B respondents. More
In the US, the Federal Trade Commission says the parent company of IMS Health must sell two product lines if it is to proceed with its acquisition of rival data provider SDI. More
MPs on the UK Parliament's Justice Committee have argued for tougher action on breaches of the Data Protection Act, including custodial sentences. More
The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) has appointed client side marketer Jane Frost, CBE in the new role of Chief Executive. She joins from HM Revenue & Customs where she spent five years. More
Ipsos - now the world's third largest market research company - has reported organic growth of 6.0% for the first nine months of the year, with revenue rising to EUR 845.8m. Growth slowed slightly in the third quarter and the firm is hunkering down for tough economic times ahead. More
Online measurement firm comScore has failed in a bid to dismiss a privacy case against it, or to have it moved to a court on its home turf of Virginia. A federal judge said the case should go ahead and should remain in an Illinois court local to one of the plaintiffs. More
In the USA, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is considering revisions to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which would require parental consent for the collection of 'persistent identifiers' used to build data on online behavior or for targeting ads. More
The Australian Market & Social Research Society (AMSRS) is conducting an investigation into the methods and claims of member company McCrindle Research after a critical report on last Monday night's Media Watch television programme. More
Online ad targeting company Phorm has arranged a £30m equity placing with institutional and other investors including its existing NED Mark Schneider. The funds will enable it to repay earlier borrowing and to proceed with its fledgling businesses in a number of countries. More
Online specialist YouGov has today announced the launch of YouGov France, based in Paris, and appointed Julien Chevignon to lead it. More
Opinion specialist BritainThinks has launched an international division called WorldThinks, which will have a specific focus on reputation research. More
David Primrose has returned to Paisley's RFM Research as Director of Market Research, following the recent closure of Edinburgh-based George Street Research. More
London-based IFF Research has promoted five of its team members, including Ben Davies who takes up the role of Director. More
Kantar Health has added five new tumor types to its CancerMPact Treatment Architecture China platform, to provide analysis of the current clinical management of cancer across the country. More
Ipsos has completed its acquisition of Synovate for £528.8m - up £3.8m from the previously agreed figure of £525m - to form the third largest market research company in the world. More
In the UK, YouGov has announced preliminary results for the year ended 31 July 2011, with revenue growing 26.9% to 56.1m and adjusted operating profit 39.5% to £5.3m. The results reflect organic revenue growth of 9% as well as US acquisitions. More
YouGov has appointed technology research specialist Steve Ingledew as Managing Director, San Francisco, in its US custom division YouGov Definitive Insights. More
Global pharma data collection specialist WorldOne has appointed former Medefield MD Gerald Wackert as MD for its recently opened German operation. More
California-based Democrat pollster Andrİ Pineda died last Tuesday at the age of 46, reportedly jumping to his death from Pasadena's Colorado Street Bridge. More
Harris Interactive's results for the fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2011 show a further decline in revenues in real terms, and a significant rise in operating loss. Recently appointed Interim CEO Al Angrisani says there is 'not going to be a quick or easy fix' for the company's problems. More
Canadian newspaper research body NADbank has partnered with Nielsen to launch an 'Integrated Newspaper Planning Tool', which combines analysis of a newspaper's print and web site reach to assess overall impact. More
In New York, pharma data collection specialist WorldOne has appointed Mergemarket co-founder Richard Hall as Chief Operating Officer, focused on managing and expanding the firm's operations. More
P\S\L Group company Instar has rolled out its online pharma quant research service Instar OnDemand in Europe and Asia, and appointed former Synovate Healthcare exec Jean-Olivier Marty to spearhead the launch. More
David Ashton has left his position as Research Lead at public opinion specialist BritainThinks after just eight months in the role, to join the Hong Kong office of Brunswick Research, the opinion research practice of PR firm Brunswick Group. More
Former Nielsen exec Christine Earl has been granted a federal appeals court ruling to press ahead with her discrimination case against her former employer, who she claims sacked her because of her age and health problems. More
In the US, customer relationship marketing (CRM) specialist Merkle has opened a new social media measurement division, 'Merkle Connect'. More
Fast-growing agency Nunwood has relocated its London HQ to premises in King's Cross, to accommodate growing staff numbers following a number of new contract wins. More
York, UK-based agency Qa Research is opening a new office in Glasgow, to enhance its service for potential new clients in Scotland More
TNS has taken its TRI*M Reputation Manager product into the digital sphere, to help clients analyse online media and take appropriate action. More
Kadence International has appointed Andy Grout and Neil Rees as Insight Directors, both based at the company's headquarters in London. More
In the US, healthcare research group P\S\L has appointed Michael Spedding to the newly created role of Domain CEO, Market Research. A former CEO, Geographies at Synovate, Spedding recently founded investment firm PharmaGems. More
Kantar Health has rolled out its international self-reported patient database - the National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) - in Brazil. More
UK polling firm Populus has appointed ICM founder Nick Sparrow as a Special Advisor, providing guidance on business growth and methodological innovation. More
In the US, pharma market research firm ImpactRx has acquired 100% of TargetRx, which helps pharmaceutical companies understand the drivers of physician behavior. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
The market research industry has returned to growth following two 'very challenging years', according to ESOMAR's Global Market Research 2011 report. Global turnover rose to US $31.2 billion in 2010, representing a total year-on-year growth of 5.2%, or 2.8% allowing for inflation. More
The Research & Consulting division at UK insight and marketing group Cello has seen a 6.0% increase in gross profit to £19.6m and a 16% rise in headline operating profit to £3.7m for the first six months of the year, despite a 1.3% drop in revenue to £31m. More
In the US, online community SodaHead has launched a free polling analytics tool called 'Advanced Voting Demographics', which offers results broken down by individuals' specific characteristics. More
Edinburgh-based George Street Research has entered liquidation after more than two decades as a significant player in Scottish MR. More
Tokyo-based firms AIP Corporation and M3, Inc. have announced an alliance - including a share transfer - to deliver global healthcare research centred in rapidly growing Southeast Asian countries. More
In the UK, online pollster YouGov has teamed up with Cambridge University to launch a not-for-profit thinktank, through which 'world-class thinkers' can connect with public opinion research. More
Ipsos is planning to issue around EUR 200m worth of new shares, to part-fund its acquisition of Synovate. More
Healthcare data collection agency WorldOne has secured a $25m investment, which it plans to use to accelerate global expansion and fund development of new business lines. More
In a move bound to raise a few eyebrows, the Cabinet Office has commissioned The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to study the motives behind those involved in the recent UK riots. More
YouGov has significantly strengthened its senior team with the hiring of Phil Rance and Andreas Sperling, formerly in leadership roles at Research Now and Millward Brown respectively; and the promotion of Tim Britton from CEO, UK to CEO, EMEA. More
In the UK, a request to the University of Stirling by tobacco firm Philip Morris International for raw survey data, under the Freedom of Information Act, has drawn angry responses from the University and other quarters. More
In the UK, Community Secretary Eric Pickles today removed the requirement for councils to gather sensitive demographics when conducting surveys about council services. More
In the US, the Associated Press (AP) and the National Opinion Research Centre (NORC) at the University of Chicago have joined forces to launch The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. More
The UK's largest mutual retailer, the Co-operative Group, has appointed former MasterCard Advisors chief Neil Carden to the new role of Director of Insight and Planning. More
Santa Ana, CA-based CoreLogic, Inc., which provides information and analytics for the real estate and mortgage sectors, is receiving advice about a possible sale or merger, as a result of the 'challenging economic environment and current market conditions'. More
In London, full-service consultancy Simpson Carpenter has strengthened its Major Studies, Retail and Healthcare & Pharmaceutical teams, with four new appointments. More
Brand and communications research specialist Hall & Partners has entered the South African market through a partnership with Cape Town and Johannesburg-based marketing consultancy Yellowwood. More
UK marcoms group Chime Communications has reported a 20% rise in revenue for the first six months of the year, but has warned that while its quant business maintained a 'good performance', its qual business is unlikely to return to profit until the fourth quarter. More
In the US, healthcare specialist Evolution Marketing Research has appointed former GlaxoSmithKline researcher Blaine Cloud as Senior Director, in charge of its consumer research and consulting practice. More
The world's 25 largest research firms had revenues of $18.8 billion in 2010, up 4.9% on the previous 'dismal' year - a 'very healthy turnaround' according to industry authority Jack Honomichl. However, 'real' revenues were not quite back to their 2008 levels, and some companies continued to shrink. More
In the UK, Robin Hilton and Jonathan Clough - who previously worked at youth research and marketing strategist Dubit - have formed a new online panel firm. ResearchBods offers specialist panels for consumer; online qual; and research among youth, kids and families. More
Specialist research firm eyetracker has announced a deal with Royal Mail's Mail Media Centre to create what it calls 'Europe's first omnibus eye tracking research service for the Direct Mail industry'. More
UK success story FreshMinds has appointed Annette Mĵller as its new Managing Director, following the departure of Alistair Leathwood, announced last month. More
GfK has reported sales of EUR 660.1m in sales for the first half of 2011, reflecting 8.0% organic growth year-on-year. Adjusted operating income rose 16.8% (organic 18.0%) to EUR 83.9m. The Group has also announced the acquisition of a 25% stake in US firm MBI. More
Nunwood has relocated its New York operation to larger premises in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, to accommodate 'significant staff growth'. More
Echo Research has been appointed as the lead contractor for the provision of EU-related media analysis for the European Commission (EC). The four year contract is valued between EUR 4 million and EUR 7 million. More
In the US, performance assessment specialist UMS Group has acquired Research Reports International (RRI), which provides technology monitoring, MR and competitive intelligence, and regulatory tracking. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Online specialist YouGov has moved its US CEO Doug Rivers to the role of Chief Innovations Officer, with a seat on the plc Board. The firm has also promoted Definitive Insights co-founder Doss Struse to the position of President of YouGov America. More
Information Services Group (ISG), the acquisition vehicle set up by former VNU boss Michael Connors, has reported its 'second best revenue quarter', fuelled by 51% growth versus the same period in 2010. More
Following lobbying by US MR association CASRO, the District of Columbia's Board of Pharmacy has agreed to revise its regulations, which previously demanded the disclosure of payments made to physicians in exchange for participating in market research. More
Norwegian online media intelligence firm Meltwater has acquired US social search engine IceRocket, in a bid to extend its online conversation monitoring and analysis tools. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Information Services Group (ISG), the acquisition vehicle set up by former VNU boss Michael Connors, has moved into larger offices in Bangalore, India in anticipation of rapid growth over the next two years. More
The three missing fieldworkers from Mexican polling firm Parametria have been released fit and well following their disappearance on Monday, just hours after six from research firm Consulta Mitofsky also turned up unharmed. More
Six field workers from Mexican polling firm Consulta Mitofsky have been found safe, after vanishing on Saturday in the violent state of Michoacan. However, three employees from research firm Parametria are still missing. More
The co-founders of North of England-based Dipsticks Research, John and Fiona Raglan, have announced they are stepping back from the day-to-day management of the business, which will now be run by their former Operations Director Ivor Knox. More
In India, the MRSI (Market Research Society of India) has elected Ashok Das, the MD of Hansa Research, as its President for the next two-year term. More
In the US, following last year's imprisonment of Youth Research President Karen Forcade for falsifying data in connection with child safety tests on cigarette lighters, her colleague Joyce Serventi and two of the firm's former contractors have also been convicted. More
Healthcare communications agency OPEN Health, a subsidiary of UK-based Chime Communications, has announced the opening of a new market research and brand planning arm, OPEN Plan. Cory Inglis will lead the new division as MD. More
Insight and communications group Creston has reported year-on-year revenue growth in the quarter ending 30th June of over 12%: however like-for-like revenue growth was just 2%. Creston made positive noises about the progress of its Insight division but did not release figures. More
In the US, physician panel specialist ImpactRX has upgraded its POP (point-of-promotion/point-of-prescribing) survey tool, to provide 'more streamlined' processing, faster client turnaround and more granular data capture. More
Fresh from announcing its deal to buy Synovate, Ipsos has achieved organic growth of 6.3% in the first half of the year, reporting a 5.6% increase in revenues to EUR 558.2m. More
The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) has approved a new service, designed to simplify the audit process for Canadian newspapers with circulations below 30,000. More
Ipsos has agreed to acquire Synovate for £525m (EUR 595m), creating the world's third largest market research company. The deal is to be funded with cash, new debt financing, and a rights offering to Ipsos shareholders. More
In the US, Decision Resources has acquired consulting and MR firm PharmaStrat, a specialist in reimbursement and organized customer segments for biopharma manufacturers; and has also announced a change of name. More
TNS has been awarded the Flash Eurobarometer contract by the European Commission and European Parliament, beating four rival bidders. The four-year contract could be worth up to EUR 60 million. More
Arbitron has today announced second quarter results ahead of many analysts' expectations, with revenue up 8.4% year-on-year to $95.7m. With costs up just 1.1%, profits jumped: EBITDA was up 52.5% to $19.7m. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) is seeking input for a new white paper, 'Online Data Collection and Privacy', which aims to set out legal and ethical parameters in this area and clarify the market research sector's standpoint. More
In London, GfK NOP has appointed former YouGov director Neil Thorington as Deputy MD, GfK Financial, with a particular focus on implementing new digital research tools and techniques. More
Following the recent uprising in Egypt, a human rights charity is calling for help to establish eight public opinion polling centres across the country, from which it will gauge citizens' reactions to topics such as the role of the police in the new Egyptian state, and the place of religion in politics. More
Anzalone Liszt Research (ALR) - which specializes in Democratic Party polling - is opening a third office in New York City, in order to expand the business' growing non-political work. The new operation will be led by Partner Jeff Liszt. More
In London, global ad firm M&C Saatchi has acquired the remainder of social media agency Human Digital, having taken a 25% share in the firm in March. Terms of this phase of the deal were not disclosed. More
Manchester-based full service social research agency Vision Twentyone, which was co-founded by Rochdale's Labour MP Simon Danczuk, has gone bust owing more than £222k. More
Research consultancy Kadence International has opened 55 fieldwork offices across India, staffed by 225 new permanent members of staff supported by more than 700 telephone and face-to-face interviewers and supervisors. More
In Germany, opinion research agency dimap has upped its stake in polling specialist Infratest dimap from 26% to 49%. Infratest dimap is a joint venture formed by dimap and TNS Infratest, which holds the remaining 51% share. More
German user and brand research specialist Eye Square has opened a Social Media Unit (SMU) at its headquarters in Berlin, from which it will conduct and further develop behaviour-based social media user research platforms. More
In the United Arab Emirates, Tamara Deprez is to leave her post as Head of online agency Yahoo! Maktoob Research at the end of July. She has not yet decided what her next career move will be. More
Harris Interactive is planning to sub-let excess space in its US premises in Norwalk, Connecticut and Portland, Oregon, as well as in its UK offices in Brentford, Middlesex, in order to reduce costs. More
Kantar Health has promoted Werner Guminski to the position of CEO, Commercial Strategy, a role including responsibility for innovation. He most recently served as the firm's CEO, Global Practices. More
In the UK, a group of 13 MPs have tabled a motion expressing concern about online privacy, with particular reference to WPP's plans to build a database of half a billion Internet users for behavioural ad targeting purposes. More
Database giant Infogroup has sold off its global market research arm ORC International to a group of the firm's senior managers, backed by Chicago-based private equity firm Lake Capital Management. Terms were not disclosed. More
US-based consumer specialist Knowledge Networks has acquired Garcia Research Associates (GRA), a firm which focuses on measuring the growing influence of Latinos on commerce and society in the US. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Jennifer (Jenny) Bowen, co-founder of the MRBA (Market Research Benevolent Association) and a former Chair of the MRS, died suddenly earlier this year at the age of 78. More
ORC parent Infogroup has begun a programme of staff redundancies across a number of its US offices. While a report in one publication suggested 140 employees would lose their jobs, CEO Clare Hart has denied that this is accurate. More
In the UK, PR firm Brunswick Group has appointed Phil Riggins as a Partner in its Opinion Research Practice, Brunswick Research. More
The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has experienced a 90% fall in recorded traffic to its web site, following its implementation of the new EU Directive obliging all companies to seek informed up-front consent from visitors to the site for using cookies. More
Following the implementation of a joint venture late last year, market research consultancy DVL Smith Ltd and management consultancy Driving Growth (DGL) have merged. The new company will operate as DVL Smith. More
European physician community Networks in Health has announced an alliance with Australian counterpart e-healthspace.com.au , expanding its medical research resource by 9,000 doctors. More
Panel exchange operator Cint has announced new partnerships with operators of student panels, the UK's National Union of Students (NUS) and Student Beans, and Irish student panel W5. More
Stockport, UK-based researcher B2B International has promoted Julia Cupman and Oliver Truman to its Board of Directors. Cupman leads the firm's North American strategy and operations, while Truman takes over as the Head of IT and Technology. More
GfK is to restructure its business following a major review, and from next January will operate through two new divisions, 'Consumer Choices' and 'Customer Experiences', under the new tagline: 'Own the Future'. More
In the US, the Obama administration has shelved controversial plans to mystery shop the offices of more than 4,000 doctors to report on the difficulty of getting appointments. More
Kantar is to roll out MarketTools' TrueSample quality solution across its network, following the breakdown of the Promedius Group, the not-for-profit quality consortium it launched with GfK and Ipsos less than a year ago. More
UKOM, the cross-industry organisation set up to oversee the measurement of online audiences, is to begin a major review of its main audience contract next month, allowing time to consider 'major changes' before the end of the contract - currently with Nielsen - in December 2012. More
Global research association ESOMAR has issued a warning to its members about an online research firm called The Research Express, following complaints about the firm's sub-standard levels of service and its refusal to return deposits. More
In the UK, legal sector market research specialist Acritas has reported a 'record' 60% rise in turnover to £1.6m for the year 2010. The firm is now planning to secure work in China as part of its worldwide expansion. More
In the US, the Supreme Court has overturned a Vermont law which banned the use of physician prescription information for marketing purposes. The reform had been driven by IMS Health, SDI, Source Healthcare Analytics and a US pharma research association. More
In London, GfK HealthCare has appointed former Adelphi International Research MD David Mackenzie as Global Head of Country Strategic Development, liaising with local teams across the firm to develop new and existing clients. More
In the UK, the government has confirmed it will scrap the 65-year-old Central Office of Information (COI), and in the meantime has cut its annual marketing and advertising budget by nearly 70% to £170m. More
Vin Gupta - the founder of ORC-parent Infogroup - has asked a Delaware-based judge to dismiss claims from former shareholders that he was in breach of his duties during the firm's $468m sale to private equity group CCMP Capital Advisors last year. More
In the US, WPP-owned brand and marketing insight consultancy Added Value has made four new executive management appointments across its technology, intercultural, futures and qualitative practices. More
UK-based Creston has reported a 7.5% decline in its Insight Division revenue to £14.8m for the year ended 31 March 2011 from £16m last year, while headline profit before interest and tax dropped from £4.9m to £4.1m. However, other divisions helped the group as a whole to grow. More
Consumer agency NORM Market Research has launched the 'TalkToParents' panel, comprising more than 2,300 Swedish parents of children between the ages of nought and six. More
Harris Interactive's former President and CEO Kimberly Till is to receive a $900k severance payment, while former CFO Pavan Bhalla gets $127k. More
US-based innovation consulting firm Cheskin Added Value has appointed Martin Cerda, the founder of Hispanic research firm Encuesta, as Strategic Director in its Quantitative/Business Consulting division. More
Healthcare data collection agency WorldOne has opened an office in Bern, Switzerland - its twelfth location worldwide. The firm has also promoted Corinne Dulles to lead the new operation as Managing Director. More
Dubai-based YouGov Siraj has announced the launch of a proprietary, research-only online panel in Pakistan. More
Marketing services giant Publicis Groupe has agreed to acquire Genedigi Group, one of China's largest independent PR and marcoms agencies, and will align it with its flagship PR business MSLGROUP. Genedigi also boasts an in-house market research centre. Terms were not disclosed. More
Kadence International has opened a full service office in Mumbai, headed up by Executive Director Rohit Churamani - and plans another shortly for Chennai. More
Information giant Thomson Reuters is planning to sell its Healthcare business, which provides data, analytics and performance benchmarking services to companies, government agencies and healthcare professionals. More
In the US, the Nasdaq Stock Market has given Harris Interactive another notice of a possible delisting, following a drop in its share price below $1. This news follows last week's shake-up in the firm's leadership, and the departure of Chief Finance Officer Pavan Bhalla. More
Data and analytics giant Experian Marketing Services has partnered with Kantar Media to provide clients with analysis of their audiences by household attributes such as income levels. More
Consumer specialist Knowledge Networks (KN) has set up a new practice outside Washington DC, offering solutions to PR firms, non-profits and trade associations; and hired Christopher Moessner to lead it. More
In the US, Texas Tech University has received an anonymous $1.2m donation to enable it to establish a free market research institute. More
The Bank of England has revealed in an article in its latest 'Quarterly Bulletin' that it is using Google 'Insights for Search' to gather information on the state of the British economy. More
US professional body the MRA will relocate its headquarters from Connecticut to Washington, DC from December 1st this year. The move is expected to strengthen its advocacy of the industry, consolidate staff and give it access to better resources. More
In the UK, online research specialist YouGov has issued a number of new shares as part payment for the acquisition of the remaining 49% of YouGovStone, the opinion leader panels joint venture it established in 2007 with networking guru Carole Stone. More
In New York, Kantar Health has promoted Jade Cusick to lead its US Marketing Insights practice, of which he was previously COO. More
Physician-patient feedback firm InfoMedics has expanded with the opening of an office in Paris and appointments to boost its European, Latin America and Asia Pacific regions. More
In Australia Auspoll, the social research company which is part of The Photon Group, has promoted David Stolper and Darry Nelson to Senior Research Partners, on the back of a series of new business wins. More
Healthcare data collection firm WorldOne has opened an office in Hamburg; and announced the appointment of Rhona Himmelmann as Business Development Manager in Germany. More
The Board of Aegis Group has confirmed that it is in talks with Ipsos about the possible sale of its market research arm Synovate. Analysts suggest a price of around £500m and the combination would create the world's fourth largest research agency. More
The BIG Conference Committee is not known for its lack of confidence, and it didn't shy away from the challenge of organizing a stimulating morning after the night before on Friday 13th of May. Teresa Lynch, Features Editor was in her seat when many were not. More
US polling firm Research 2000 is to pay 'several thousand dollars' to political weblog The Daily Kos to settle a lawsuit in which it was claimed that some or all of the research the agency conducted for the site was 'fabricated or manipulated beyond recognition'. More
London-based qual agency Firefish has launched a specialist children and families research consultancy, 'The Pineapple Lounge'. The service will be led by Emma Worrollo, who specialises in kids, teens and mother-and-baby research. More
In the UK, international healthcare data collection agency Adept Field Solutions has moved to larger offices in Kingston-upon-Thames, where it has appointed former QUIT and Synovate Healthcare exec Andrew Stripp as Senior Project Manager. More
CIE - the newly named Research & Engagement Division of UK-based marcoms group Chime has appointed four new team members, including former BT researcher Tricia Whitby, who joins as Research Director at Opinion Leader. More
UK agency ETHNOS - which conducts research with people from minority ethnic communities - has rolled out a new panel with more than 20,000 members. More
The Research & Engagement Division of UK-based marcoms group Chime has announced the launch of the Trust Accelerator, a new tool which allows businesses to identify their trust ratings. The division is also rebranding as CIE. More
In London, independent full service research firm IFF has announced the appointment of two Research Managers, Camilla Huckle and Briony Gunstone, as well as four new graduate trainees. More
medeConnect Healthcare Insight, the MR division of doctors.net.uk, is the leading force in a new alliance, Networks in Health, billed as the largest alliance of professional physician communities in Europe. The firm has also hired Nicola Miles in a senior Business Development role. More
In the UK, media and marketing analytics firm Ebiquity has acquired TCRG Holdings Limited, the parent company of reputation specialist Echo Research. The deal is worth an initial £3.5m in cash, and up to £10m if Echo achieves certain targets over the next two years. More
In the US, Harris Interactive has partnered with mobile commerce services firm Sybase to launch mobile research capabilities which work across each of the three primary mobile platforms. More
In the US, Steve Lombardo has returned to public opinion specialist StrategyOne as Global Chief Executive Officer, following the acquisition of his company Lombardo Consulting Group (LCG) by his new employer. The firm has also appointed Matt Norquist to lead its New York office. More
From November, Nielsen will produce all US local ratings for Hispanic TV programming using the same ratings panels used for English language stations. More
Kantar Health has appointed former IMS Health researcher Simon Li as General Manager, China, based in Shanghai. More
In the UK, full service agency FreshMinds has made nine new appointments on the back of what it describes as 'record results' with turnover growing by more than 20% in the past six months. More
Kadence International has appointed Nielsen veteran Barry Ooi as Managing Director of its operations in Malaysia. More
In Australia, Researchwise founder Julie Houston has launched Nitty Gritty, a consultancy focused on 'social marketing' - campaigns which effect behaviour and attitude change in society. The firm will help clients develop their ideas and approach using research, evaluation and training. More
Healthcare specialist M3 Global Research has relocated its UK focus group facility to Hammersmith, London, and opened an office in Princeton, New Jersey. More
Nunwood has appointed Alan Bergstrom as its new Head of Brand & Comms Strategy, dividing his time between Madison, Wisconsin and New York. More
WorldOne, the international specialist in healthcare data collection, has announced the opening of an office in Mexico City, and appointed Roberto Varillas, co-founder of Acertiva, as MD for the country. More
TNS-BMRB, the social research arm of Kantar, today announced the appointment of Ben Toombs, previously a Director at independent qual specialists Cragg Ross Dawson, as Qualitative Director. More
Strategic communications specialist KRC Research - part of the Interpublic Group of Companies - has appointed Bradley Honan as its new CEO, effective immediately. He was most recently an SVP at Edelman's research company StrategyOne. More
Full-service healthcare agency Evolution Marketing Research has reported an 11% increase in 2010 sales revenue to $12.5m. More
WPP's global trend research firm The Futures Company has appointed former COI brand and innovation specialist Phil Soanes as a Director in the UK. More
In the US, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has called off its three-year investigation into Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM) device, and claims that it undercounted minority listeners. More
India's Market Research Society (MRSI) has partnered with the country's MRUC (Media Research Users Council) to launch a new socio-economic classification system, reflecting changes in consumer attitudes and economic outlook over the past three decades. More
In the US, Harris Interactive has brought back its former Chief Operating Officer Al Angrisani to advise it on turnaround strategy, following a 9% revenue drop in quarterly revenue. More
Graham Brown and Justine Lukas, currently Associate Directors at UK research provider Opinion Leader, are leaving to join the Management Board of Creston-owned ICM Research. More
Ipsos has reported first quarter 2011 revenues up 9.8% to EUR 260.1m, from EUR 236.9m in the prior year period - equivalent to 6.2% organic growth. More
London-based social and consumer trend forecasting firm the Trajectory Partnership has expanded its Glimpses online insight resource with the addition of a subscription service including trends across twenty countries. More
In the US, Scarborough Research has partnered with multicultural consumer intelligence provider Geoscape to offer in-depth information about Hispanic consumers' buying power, brand loyalty and media preferences. More
Insights agency Nunwood has reported an 18% rise in first quarter revenue to £2.8m, compared like-for-like with sales in the prior year period. More
Australian market research and polling company Roy Morgan Research is to open an operation in India, following the roll out of its Single Source survey across the country. More
Cincinnati-based MarketVision Research has launched a monthly video feedback tool, through which it will engage with people from all regions of the US about current events and topics. More
In the US, private equity firm Symphony Technology Group (STG) - the parent of retail market intelligence giant SymphonyIRI - has acquired a majority interest in physician panel provider ImpactRx. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. More
TNS has opened an office in Miami to serve regional clients across Latin America. The operation will be led by industry veteran Gustavo Alvarez, who joins as Regional Accounts Director, Latin America. More
In the UK, Infogroup-owned ORC International has launched a new Data Solutions group, which will help clients handle large amounts of complex research and administrative data. More
French-based global healthcare group Cegedim has reported results for the full year ending December 31, 2010, with revenue up 6% like-for-like to EUR 926.7m and operating income of EUR 107.2m, down 3.9%. More
Today sees the launch of a new syndicated study of the impact of cultural diversity on UK consumer attitudes. 'Culture Watch' will be led by senior brand strategist Kate Wilson and conducted by ICM Research. More
In the US, the firm behind patient management platform MyMedLeads.com has launched a mystery shopping service called MysteryShopperMD, to uncover how medical practices field online and telephone patient enquiries. More
WPP's global trend research firm The Futures Company has re-appointed former Henley Centre employee David Teague as a Director in the UK, leading its 'future-facing' quantitative team. More
Media research specialist Vivien Marles has joined global research-based consultancy InterMedia as Managing Director of its new Kenya office, which will open at the beginning of May. Her previous roles include Head of Research and Planning at the BBC. More
In New York, GroupM Interaction's COO John Montgomery has been named Chairman of a new American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As) committee on Internet privacy. More
UK-based insight and consulting company Cello Group plc has announced the acquisition of pharmaceutical specialist Red Kite Consulting Group Limited, which will be merged with Cello's existing pharma consulting business, MSI. More
ORC International has launched a new practice within its Healthcare and Pharmaceutical division, focusing on FDA and Regulatory practice for the sector, and headed by Chief Research Officer Dr. Morris S. Whitcup. More
UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) Chairman Sir Michael Scholar has urged Government Minister Eric Pickles to re-consider plans to scrap the 'Citizenship Survey', describing it as 'too valuable to be lost'. More
In the US, crowdsourcing specialist txteagle has raised $8.5m in Series A funding, which it will use to roll out a market research and advertising platform designed to reach consumers in less developed countries via text message. More
In the US, online research community builder Communispace has partnered with media network Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) to launch a joint consumer insight community focusing on the Hispanic market. More
In the UK, medical market research agency Purdie Pascoe has re-located its office within London SW11, and appointed Debbie Higham as Research Director. More
In London, trend-based marketing insights consultancy SCB Partners has appointed Margaret Frazer as its Senior Research Director, with responsibility for the development of research methodologies and a team of 18 research and brand professionals. More
UK-based pollster and online MR firm YouGov plc has agreed to acquire Portland, Oregon-based Definitive Insights (DI), for an initial consideration of $1m and further performance-related payments adding to an anticipated $4.8m. YouGov also announced half-year revenue up 26.8% with an improved profit margin of 8.1%. More
UK communications regulator Ofcom is the latest public body to announce it is looking for spending cuts, with market research one of the areas slated for review. Meanwhile another government body has relaunched an R&D grant scheme for small business, 'though with a reduced budget. More
In the UK, Synovate has appointed Hilary Worton as Head of Healthcare Custom. She joins from Aequus Research where she was Commercial Director, responsible both for existing clients and generating new business. More
In the US, physician panel provider ImpactRx has appointed former Merck exec Mark Degatano as Senior Vice President, Client Services Operations; and has expanded its range of specialist iPhone panels with the addition of pulmonologists. More
Enterprise software and information solutions provider Deltek has acquired Washington Management Group (WMG) for $26m in cash, bringing the latter's FSI and FSI Consulting businesses together with public sector intelligence firm INPUT, acquired last September. More
In the US, the Media Rating Council (MRC) has accredited the monthly average-quarter-hour radio ratings data produced by Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM) in 11 more markets. More
In the US, online reputation monitoring firm RatePoint has appointed Keith Cooper as President and Chief Executive Officer. More
Cegedim Relationship Management - a division of French pharma and healthcare data supplier Cegedim - has partnered with mobile analytics app provider MeLLmo to develop a worldwide mobile CRM analytics service. More
Kantar Health has appointed Jim Needell as Managing Director for the UK. He joins from sister company Worldpanel, where he was most recently Commercial Director, UK and Ireland. More
In the US, the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) has modified its requirements for qualifying US and Canadian consumer magazines as replica digital editions, to account for publications produced on software for tablet devices like the iPad. More
Research provider Kadence International has appointed Barbara Gourley as Insights Director and a member of its UK Board, responsible for building, leading and mentoring the UK quant research team. More
Tuesday's afternoon sessions at the MRS Conference included a fascinating one - says our Features Editor, Teresa Lynch - on the subject of 'Behavioural Economics - enough talk. Where's the payback?' More
In the US, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sanctioned ad targeting company Chitika for installing cookies on users' machines just ten days after they had opted out of tracking. More
Chancellor George Osborne is working hard to persuade Sir Martin Sorrell to move WPP's tax base back from Ireland to the UK, according to reports in the Daily Telegraph. More
Healthcare data collection specialist WorldOne has completed the expansion of its London office. More
In the UK, a review undertaken to decide the future of the COI has called for the department to be axed and replaced with a Government Communications Centre (GCC), responsible for keeping a tighter rein on advertising and marketing spend. More
Australian app developer Julian Dunham has launched PollMate: a free quant research tool which promises anyone with a question the chance to obtain answers, opinion, or feedback from iPhone users. More
Richard Bitner Wirthlin, President Ronald Reagan's former Chief Strategist and Pollster, died at his home in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, a day after his 80th birthday. More
Global business-to-business market research and intelligence specialist B2B International has opened a sales office in Brussels. The firm has also added new recruits in the UK, US and China. More
In the US, healthcare evaluation body The Beryl Institute has partnered with agency Catalyst Healthcare Research to gather information on what US-based hospitals are doing to improve the patient experience. More
In New York, youth specialist The Sound Research has opened a new Diversity Unit to provide research and consultancy on diversity and the 'Millennial generation'. The Unit will be led by qual/quant researcher Dr Vanessa Anderson. More
UK-based insight and marketing group Cello has reported flat revenue for the year 2010 (£59.9m), but also a return to operating profit of £5.5m from a 2009 loss of £1.5m. Cello has also announced it will buy US healthcare communications company MedErgy HealthGroup from its owner DVC Worldwide. More
In the US, Survey Sampling International (SSI) has launched a new healthcare sampling business to support health-related market research projects. Company veteran Chris DeAngelis has been appointed to head the new division. More
Research technology firm Vision Critical has reported continuing rapid organic growth in 2010: total revenues rose 36% from 2009 levels, on a constant currency basis. The year also saw the launch of three new web-based products and the hiring of 185 new employees. More
Panel and survey technology provider Toluna is planning the launch of a Tunisian site, 'in support of the country's nascent democracy'. More
Brazilian research agency IBOPE Group has rebranded public opinion polling and market research firm Zogby International in preparation for entering the US market, following its acquisition of 51% of the company from pollster John Zogby last year. More
Newspaper publishers in Australia have agreed to start reporting daily circulation data through industry body The Newspaper Works. Daily figures have previously only been released for Saturday and Sunday editions. More
Supermarket giant Tesco has refused to pass on its Clubcard data to the UK Government, which is requesting companies hand over their customer data as part of a plan to help compile the national census. More
In the UK, Jim Law, the former Managing Director of Cello-owned social research agency mruk, has opened a new research consultancy in Glasgow, offering a full range of qual and quant services to clients in both the private and public sectors. More
In the UK, the Central Office of Information's Chief Executive Mark Lund is to leave in May after two years in the role, to set up a new private sector company. More
UK-based medical professionals' network doctors.net.uk has partnered with coliquio, a firm which runs online physician communities for the German speaking countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. More
US-based Treliant Risk Advisors - a strategic advisory firm focused on the financial services sector - has appointed customer satisfaction research specialist Paul Lubin to its Compliance team to lead both its mystery shopping and self-testing divisions. More
US-based facial recognition technology firm Affectiva has been awarded a grant to develop an online version of its software, which enables computers to recognize human expressions and deduce emotional and cognitive states. More
In the US, consumer research specialist Experian Simmons has partnered with the Latinum Network to tap its understanding of Hispanic consumers. More
In the US, Crowdtap has officially launched a 'consumer participation network', enabling marketers to access targeted crowds of influential consumers for real-time market research and ideation on a self-service, pay-per-action basis. More
In the US, employee solutions firm Globoforce has launched a semi-annual survey to provide insights into the current 'pulse' of the US worker, by tracking employee recognition, appreciation and satisfaction. More
B2B International has reported 2010 revenue up to £3.8m from £3.5m in 2009, driven by its US subsidiary which saw 58% year-on-year growth during the period. The company's UK/mainland Europe operation grew 8%. More
WPP-owned global trend research consultancy The Futures Company has appointed former Orange exec Patrick Harris as a Director in its UK operation. More
Pharma services group P\S\L has appointed former Synovate M&A leader Peter Chopra to a newly created position, Chief Strategy Officer. Research companies are likely to be among its initial acquisition targets. More
San Diego-based data collection, analysis and ethnography firm Luth Research has announced a 50% increase in revenues in 2010 and, in the same period, an additional 47 full time staff. More
Ipsos has reported a 20.9% increase in 2010 revenues to EUR 1,140.8m, compared with EUR 943m the previous year, while for the period, net profit climbed 25.7% to EUR 66.2m. More
In Germany, full service agency and polling specialist Forsa Society for Social Research and Statistical Analysis (Forsa) has acquired certain parts of market research agency Marplan, which filed for bankruptcy last year. The purchase price was not disclosed. More
Andrew Cooper - the co-founder of UK polling firm Populus - has taken leave of absence to become Director of Political Strategy at 10 Downing Street, working directly for Prime Minister David Cameron. More
In the UK, media research veteran Roger Gane is to retire from his post as Research Director at RSMB in March, after a 40-year career in the market and media research sectors. More
In the UK, market information specialist CACI is to hold a service on Thursday 10 March to remember the life of Gordon Cousland, a consultant with the firm who was killed in the Domodedovo Airport suicide bomb attack in Moscow in January. More
In the UK, The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has partnered with the Market Research Society (MRS) and Royal Statistical Society to launch a best practice guide for using statistics in communications and in the reporting of research results. More
In the UK, three former directors of brand and communications specialist Hall & Partners have set up a new research agency called Monkey See, which specialises in the use of behavioural economics. More
US-based Information Services Group (ISG), the acquisition vehicle set up by former VNU boss Michael Connors, has acquired Public Sector specialist STA Consulting. Terms were not disclosed. More
Media ratings giant Arbitron has extended CEO William Kerr's employment agreement for a further year to January 2013, in recognition of the leadership role he has played during a year of 'extraordinary events'. More
In the US, eCGlobalPanel has announced the re-launch of its U.S. Hispanic Panel after a two and a half year gap. More
Global news and information giant Thomson Reuters has returned to revenue growth in 2010, but with heavy investment and acquisitions saw a 7% drop in underlying profit and is reportedly preparing to make hundreds of job cuts in its global Markets division. More
UK-based Ipsos MORI has appointed Dr. Denise Fairhurst as Head of Employee Relationship Management, while parent company Ipsos has appointed Sonia Pall as its new Country Manager and CEO in India. More
In the UK, the Newspaper Society's Head of Research and Insight Keith Donaldson has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Joint Industry Committee for Regional Media Research (JICREG), which provides readership currency for the UK's regional printed press and associated web sites. More
Property sales and marketing consultancy The Marketing Group of New England (TMG) has branched out with the launch of a focus group product for residential developers. The service aims to help them design and build the right product for the current market. More
Pharma and biotech researcher AlphaDetail, based in San Mateo, California, has announced 2010 revenues up 30% to more than $18.5m. More
Graham Williams, co-founder of media specialist M-Lab Research, has joined London-based market research agency BDRC Continental as Research Director. More
Global news provider The Financial Times has launched an online research service giving fortnightly analysis and insights into the resources, infrastructure and consumer behaviours that are driving expansion across Brazil. More
In the UK, B2B International has taken a 50% stake in Leeds-based Frank Communications, to enable it to provide design, advertising and marketing services to its existing market research clients. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the state of Hesse, members of Germany's far right-wing National Democratic Party have been banned from collecting census data following its call on members to volunteer for census-taking duties. More
AOL has agreed to buy fast-growing US-based news site The Huffington Post for $315m including around $300m in cash. More
Google marketing exec Wael Ghonim, missing since early in the protests in Egypt ten days ago, has been released, according to reports on Arab TV stations and other sources. More
Ad agency subsidiary Lowe Philippines (LP) has launched Crowdder, billed as 'the country's first web-based real-time insight crowd sourcing application'. More
Wael Ghonim, Google's Head of Marketing - Middle East & North Africa (MENA), is missing in Egypt after attending a conference in Cairo last week. More
In New York, Kantar Health has appointed Susan Suponcic as Senior Vice President of Global Market Access. More
UK-based insight and communications group Creston has reported like-for-like revenue growth of more than 6% for the nine months to 31 December 2010. More
In the US, research technology specialist Decipher has partnered with public opinion consulting firm DHM Research to develop custom online panels to help public sector organizations, nonprofits, foundations and universities engage with their communities. More
In the US, software and services firm Blackbaud has acquired database and analytics provider Public Interest Data Inc (PIDI). Both organisations focus on the nonprofit sector. More
In the UK, London Underground Ltd (LUL) has been criticised for spending nearly £1m on the recruitment of 'fake' passengers by GfK to mystery shop its service. More
The US office of market research and insight agency Kadence International has reported a 98% increase in insight-driven revenues to $1.4m for the last six months of 2010, compared with the same period in 2009. More
In the US, Convio - a marketing agency which focuses on the nonprofit sector - has acquired analytics and predictive modeling firm StrategicOne for around $5m in cash and an additional performance-related figure of $1m payable over three years. More
In the UK, former BBC digital strategist James Micklethwait has been hired by commercial broadcaster ITV for the newly created role of Director of Product Strategy, overseeing product development, audience research, and web analytics. He starts in April. More
Tokyo-based online specialist Research Panel Asia (RPA) has added a Japanese consumer behavior database to its 'LifeStyle Index' ASP service, previously focused on China. More
Harris Interactive has announced revenue up 2% at constant currencies to $44.9m, along with a small profit, for the second quarter of its fiscal year 2011. More
Harris Interactive has appointed Nathalie Perrio-Combeaux and Patrick Van Bloeme as co-CEOs of its UK operations, replacing Robert Salvoni whose position as President, International has been eliminated as part of a 'shake-up' of the UK business. More
Washington, DC-based APCO Insight - the research consultancy arm of comms agency APCO Worldwide - has launched a specialized healthcare research division, led by Chrystine Zacherau who has re-joined the firm as Vice President. More
In the US, product innovation consultancy gravitytank has launched a mobile research app and web platform called dScout, that connects researchers with consumers in real-time. More
Chicago-based C&R Research has launched a shared online community called ParentSpeak, which engages parents of children up to 18 years old, drawing insights from their interaction for client-sponsored research. More
London-based pharma specialist Strata Research has hired Kantar Health's former Group Director Louise Tamblin as Head of Research, a role spanning customer relationships, research delivery and overseeing the development of new techniques. More
US firm SurveyAnalytics rolled out a new method of surveying public opinion in real-time during President Obama's State of the Union address last night - combining smartphone-based feedback with comment from social media sites. More
In the UK, market research and insight agency Kadence International has appointed Marcus Boyland as Insight Director and Board Member. More
CACI Managing Consultant Gordon Cousland has been named as one of the victims of yesterday's suicide bombing which took place in Moscow's Domodedovo airport. He is one of two Britons and at least 35 people in total killed in the attack. More
UK-based independent IFF Research has launched an SME Omnibus which it claims is the fastest turnaround telephone business omnibus in the UK. More
A strategic alliance has been announced between UK-based medical professionals' network doctors.net.uk, and Global Mİdia Santİ, owner of Egora, a similar community comprising physicians and other health professionals in France. More
In the UK, Chime Communications' Research & Engagement Division has hired Rosy Goodrick, Winston Chesterfield and Laurence Palfreyman for Opinion Leader in London, and Caroline Holman and David Winstone at Facts International in Kent. More
GfK Custom Research North America has appointed Angelina Villarreal as Vice President, Multicultural Research, working on strategies for the Hispanic, Asian-American and African-American consumer segments. More
In its 2010 pre-close update, UK-based Cello Group has recorded a 'strong second half' for its market research and consulting business, and says it expects to report a 20% plus like-for-like rise in operating profits. More
In the UK, custom healthcare specialist Insight Research Group has launched an online pharmaceutical MR community called 'eVillage', to help brands engage with a wide array of healthcare professionals ('HCPs'). More
In the UK, Ipsos Health has appointed Mike Holland as Research Director, to focus on the continued development of key metrics for the pharmaceutical sector. More
In the US, antitrust charges brought by Sunbeam Television against Nielsen have been dismissed by a Florida federal judge. More
Synovate has appointed Paul Stamper, formerly Deputy Managing Director of TNS Opinion in Brussels, as Head of Qualitative Research based in London. More
In the UK, the government has formed a roundtable of experts - including YouGov's CEO Stephan Shakespeare - to advise on its review of the future of the COI (Central Office of Information). More
In the UK, former TNS Healthcare colleagues Steve Lowery and Philippa Hammerton have launched Red Leaf Research - a full service MR consultancy with specialist expertise in the healthcare and consumer sectors. More
In the UK, a group of CEOs led by Paul Lindley, the founder of ethical children's food firm Ella's Kitchen, has called for tax relief on investment in consumer insight aimed at developing new products and services. More
In the US, sports broadcast measurement specialist Repucom has acquired Image Impact, which measures brand placement in mass media programming. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
UK-based agency Nunwood has recorded double digit growth in 2010, with a 10% rise in revenues to more than £11m ($17.6m). The firm has also announced two senior management changes. More
In the UK, medeConnect Healthcare Insight, the market research division of Doctors.net.uk, has appointed Anna Garofalo as Managing Director. More
In the UK, Creston-owned ICM Research has appointed former Leapfrog Research exec Rupert Blackwell as a Board Director, responsible for creating a broader awareness of its qual research offering. More
In the UK, marcoms consultancy Smye Holland Associates is planning further overseas expansion in 2011, following the appointment of Onno Jol as General Manager of its operations in The Netherlands. More
The first set of results from the 2010 US Census are just in, showing the total population up 9.7% to 308m since 2000, with the Western and Southern states growing relative to the NE and Mid-West. A strong response rate meant the Census came in under budget by $1.7bn. More
In the US, Sam Decker, the former CMO of word-of-mouth agency Bazaarvoice, has co-founded a firm that helps consumer brands use real-time conversations, commentary and insights culled from millions of social media activities taking place around the globe. More
In the UK, former Ipsos directors Sam McGuire and Alison Bigsby have founded a full service market research agency, Samson Research. More
In the US, healthcare information specialist HIMSS Analytics has appointed Marc Holland as Vice President, Market Research, a role encompassing product management and management of data collection and quality. More
The MRUC (Media Research Users Council) has partnered with Australian market research firm Roy Morgan Research to launch a single source survey in India. More
In the US, Attorney General William Sorrell has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to review a decision previously made by a court in Vermont, which allows the collection and use of prescriber-identifiable data for marketing or promoting prescription drugs. More
The U.S. Census Bureau has for the first time released 5-year estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS), making available social, economic, housing and demographic statistics for every community in the country. More
In the UK, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has again deferred its decision on whether or not to charge Phorm and BT over the trial of tracking technology in 2006-7. More
GfK has appointed Joe Staton as Director and General Manager for its Roper Consulting business, responsible for the day-to-day running of the London office, and for innovation in its global consumer trends and insight offer. More
Nielsen has announced that it is shutting down its diary-based radio ratings service in the US, from the Fall 2010 period. The firm said in a statement that the decision will not impact its international radio measurement services. More
US-based cleantech market research and consulting firm Pike Research has opened a European HQ in London, where it has recruited a number of industry analysts and business development staff. More
Andy Dexter's agency Truth scooped the blue riband Best Agency award at last night's annual MRS bash in London. A noisy crowd at the capital's Lancaster London Hotel saw Verve take the Best Newcomer, while innovative agencies Firefish and BrainJuicer took three and two awards respectively. More
Arbitron's week has had its ups and downs but its leaders will enjoy their weekend in the knowledge that its biggest client Clear Channel Radio has signed up for PPM and diary ratings for another five years for a reported $538m. The ratings firm's share price has leapt accordingly. More
CASRO has issued a statement responding to the 'Rush Bill', the federal privacy legislation currently under review in the US. The 'sorely needed' framework holds no nightmares for researchers, the association believes, but has room for improvement and clarification. More
In the UK Keen as Mustard, a marketing and PR agency focusing on the MR sector, has appointed StopGap's Emma Long as a consultant, as well as designer Jeff Ceriello. Both will be based in London. More
In the US, consumer specialist Knowledge Networks (KN) has partnered with mobile survey technology provider Techneos to roll out a solution that uses smartphones both for traditional information gathering and for 'on the go' and 'in the moment' research. More
In the US, research and consulting firm IDC Energy Insights has launched three new global research programs, focused on quantifying and tracking the Smart Meter, Photovoltaic Module and Solar Inverter markets. More
A cross-industry group comprising six of Australia's leading online, marketing and ad industry bodies has been formed to develop industry guidelines and standards on online behavioural advertising (OBA) in the country. More
Web metrics company Quantcast and software firm Clearspring have agreed to pay $2.4 million to settle class-action lawsuits claiming they used Flash cookies to track web users without their permission. Separately, online privacy faces a new threat, 'history sniffing'. More
In the US, the IAB has responded to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) recent call for a 'Do Not Track' mechanism to be included in web browsers, with a warning that the solution would require 'reengineering' of the Internet's architecture. More
Ipsos Nigeria has partnered with local news provider THISDAY to conduct political polling in advance of the April 2011 elections. Ipsos says this is the first time a research agency has conducted political polling in the country on such a large scale. More
Less than three months after joining Nunwood to lead its new Los Angeles office, industry veteran Jane Ormiston has left to take up the post of EVP of Marketing Insights North America for online specialist YouGov. More
In the US, cleantech market intelligence firm Pike Research has opened an office in Washington DC, from where it plans to 'get closer' to players in the energy industry and in government. The firm is also planning to open an office in London in the near future. More
US firm PeopleBrowsr has released a research platform which enables users to access demographic data, real-time and historical mentions, sentiment analysis and viral analytics for any keyword. More
In China, US citizen Dr Xue Feng has appealed against an eight year prison sentence imposed on him by the Beijing High People's Court, for obtaining market research data about China's oil industry that it says contains state secrets. More
In London, Opinion Leader Research (OLR) has appointed industry veteran Neil Russell to lead the continued expansion of its quantitative offer. More
In the US, Insight Research Group has re-located its Insight Health US team to new offices in Midtown Manhattan, where it has made four appointments. More
Word-of-mouth research and consulting firm Keller Fay is to roll out its proprietary TalkTrack panel in the UK, following its launch in the US in 2006. More
UK-based marcoms group Creston has reported a 2% decline in first half revenue for its Insight division - which it describes as a 'resilient performance' against a backdrop of government cuts which have affected both its research agencies, ICM and Marketing Sciences. More
In the US, The Better Advertising Project (BAP) - formed by ad and marketing associations to help self-regulate behaviourally targeted advertising - has secured a $9.5m investment, earmarked for development of its Assurance Platform. More
In the UK, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has asked the Department of Health (DoH) for clarification about its online data sharing agreement with Facebook. More
WPP has raised its 2011 growth forecast, with Martin Sorrell suggesting the group will also be able to raise its dividend. Separately, the group has reportedly invested in a new consultancy venture launched by former Business Secretary Lord Mandelson. More
In the UK, the government's review of the function and future of the Central Office of Information (COI) is to be conducted by Matt Tee, the Permanent Secretary for Government Communications, who will report back in January. More
Pharma and healthcare insight firms SDI and Cegedim Strategic Data (CSD) have announced the joint launch of a tracker for sales activity in the oncology therapies market. More
In the US, technology firm Kurani Interactive - developer of the Opinionaided iPhone market research app - has secured another $275k in funding. More
In the UK, Prime Minister David Cameron has launched a £2m consultation to develop a new measure of people's social and environmental wellbeing, as opposed to just their wealth. More
Former Sky News journalist and Arsenal Football Club aficionado Jem Maidment has joined the London office of insight agency Nunwood as Head of Communications, responsible for all internal and external comms globally. More
In the UK, Labour MP Tom Watson has complained to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley about a code on the NHS Choices web site, which enables Facebook and other firms to track the medical conditions users have searched. More
In the US, research firm Heart+Mind Strategies has opened 'The Richard B. Wirthlin Center for Applied Values-Research in Marketing and Communications' - in honor of President Reagan's former pollster Dr Richard Wirthlin, who is a member of its Advisory Board. More
In Scotland, full service agency Progressive has appointed social market research specialist Scott Brand as Research Director. More
WPP-owned global trend research consultancy The Futures Company (TFC) is relocating Lloyd Burdett to its New York office, where he will take up the position of Head of Consulting in the US. More
Arbitron has announced that Spanish-language broadcasting group Univision Radio has signed multi-year contracts for its PPM (Portable People Meter) ratings services in twelve markets. More
London-based EMS Research is to be acquired by M3 USA, the parent company of medical panel specialist MDLinx. M3 says the deal will create 'the largest verified provider of physicians and other healthcare professionals in the world'. More
Wi-fi data accidentally collected by Google's Street View cars will be deleted 'as soon as possible', according to the office of the UK's Information Commissioner. Separately, US and UK privacy policy unfolds and is criticised; and Tim Berners-Lee expresses fatherly concern. More
Global PR firm Weber Shandwick has launched a social media crisis simulator, FireBell, which offers those clients who dare 'an authentic, real-time experience of being under attack on social media channels'. More
Nunwood has promoted Andy Moore to the position of Global Managing Director, with responsibility for the firm's operations across the European, US and APAC regions. He takes over from Phil Rushfirth, who is moving to Los Angeles to drive the US business. More
US-based chip manufacturing giant Intel has acquired Canadian out-of-home (OoH) audience measurement technology developer CognoVision for an undisclosed amount. More
Kadence International has reported a 59% increase in global revenues to $4.2m for the first quarter of its new financial year - the period between July and September of 2010 - compared with the same period in 2009. More
In the US, ethnic and multicultural specialist Ebony Marketing Research (EMR) has partnered with ethnic data supplier List Service Direct (LSDI) to enable it to tap into targeted lists for telephone studies. More
US qual and quant medical MR specialist Evolution Marketing Research has made Michael Heasley a Partner in the firm, in recognition of his 'exemplary performance and stellar customer service'. More
In the US, WPP-owned PR giant Burson-Marsteller has launched a new subsidiary called PivotRED, to deliver communications advice based on research and data. More
In the UK, Cello-owned agencies RS Consulting and mruk are to work in closer partnership, creating what they describe as a 'research powerhouse' for the public sector. Both brands will continue to operate separately. More
In the UK, YouGovStone has launched a service to conduct online research with Members of Parliament in Westminster, providing omnibus and bespoke survey options for research buyers. More
In Leeds, UK, three former Nunwood Board directors have founded full service agency Boxclever. More
WPP is merging its business advisory and public opinion research firm Public Strategies with its international communications agency Hill and Knowlton (H&K), to offer joint capabilities in public affairs, research, digital and financial services. More
In the UK, Chime's Research and Engagement division - which includes Facts International, Opinion Leader Research, CaucusWorld, acefieldwork, Naked Eye and Brand Democracy - says it is expecting increased profit in the second half year. More
In the UK, PR and comms consultancy Twelve Thirty Eight has appointed qual veteran Clare Wade as Research Associate, responsible for all consumer insights underpinning its campaigning and corporate responsibility work, as well as new product announcement planning. More
A new Netherlands-based research firm is targeting the 'hard to reach' consumers of the GCC region. VNDLGY (pronounced 'Vondology') uses a network of carefully recruited 'TrendSpotters' to provide qual feedback on trends and innovations in the region. More
GfK has announced third quarter organic sales growth of 9.2%, up from an already strong 8.0% in the second quarter and 5.3% in the first quarter; and adjusted operating income up 27% to EUR 48.5m. More
UK research veteran David Smith has teamed up with management consultants Adam Riley and Jennifer Del Carlo to form Evolution Research, which will offer syndicated sector reports combined with consultancy services. More
Caroline Plumb, co-founder of UK research agency FreshMinds, has been named in the UK government's new line-up of Business Ambassadors. More
In the UK, the coalition government has proposed amendments to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), taking a tougher line with ISPs looking to monitor their customers' online movements, as in the much discussed BT / Phorm trials. More
The BBC has announced it will re-tender its market research framework contract, compiling a roster of providers for use over a term of two years beginning with the third quarter of 2011. More
Nineteen prominent US pollsters have published an open letter expressing concern about the proliferation of dubious polls and their 'sometimes uncritical' coverage by the media. More
In the UK, experienced social and market researchers Jon Batterham and Tom Levesley have launched a new agency - Chrysalis Research - specialising in education, employment and skills, and health. More
In New York, Scarborough Research has announced the launch of PRIME Lingoâ˘, a new web-based software platform giving non-specialist users desktop access to data including consumer lifestyles, cross media consumption, sports interest and demographics. More
In the UK a subsidiary of courier company TNT has been accused of potentially providing burglars and identity thieves with a goldmine of personal information about survey respondents. The BBC's Watchdog programme says Doordrop Media's approach runs counter to data protection laws which demand such information is handled securely. More
India's Federal Government has been asked by the Kerala regional government to 'investigate' a door-to-door survey asking Muslims for their views on sensitive questions concerning religion and politics. Interviews were by TNS for Washington-based Princeton Survey Research Associates (PSRAI). More
Research and measurement consultancy StrategyOne (S1), part of the Edelman group, has opened a Brussels office to focus on public affairs work at the EU and national levels. Antoine Harary, Director for Continental Europe, will head it up. More
Healthcare data collection specialist WorldOne has appointed former marketRX executive Nina Hogan as Manager US Panel Strategy and Development. More
Ahead of its official financial report which will be published on 15th November, GfK has announced a 10.8% revenue increase to EUR 931m for the first nine months of 2010 (prior year: EUR 840.2m), of which 7.4% is attributable to organic sales growth. More
In Canada, pharma market research firm IntrinsiQ Tendler has promoted Anthony Aversano to the post of President, with responsibility for day-to-day operations. More
In the UK, Jim Law, the Managing Director of Cello-owned social research agency MRUK, is to leave the firm next year as part of a move to cut costs following public sector budget reductions. More
Ipsos has reported a 27.9% increase in Q3 revenues to EUR 283.6m, compared with EUR 221.8m in the prior year period. The firm is already projecting that for the first time, annual revenues will exceed the one billion euros mark. More
In New York, GfK's trend consultancy division GfK Roper Consulting has partnered with futurist firm Weiner, Edrich, Brown (WEB), to deliver consumer trends insights through a number of combined services. More
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi and Gallup have partnered to create an independent centre for social research and analysis. More
In the UK, Colin Auton has been promoted to the position of Managing Director at Ci Research, replacing Ian Font who becomes Chairman of the firm. More
Virtual community and social game teen site Habbo Hotel has introduced the Habbometer; a new monthly poll to find out what teenagers 'think is hot' and what they 'think is not'. More
In the US, journalist blog site Mediabistro has launched 'Election Tracker'; a Facebook fan tracking tool for the 2010 midterm elections. More
In the US, Mountain West Research has been fined $20,000 for an illegal push polling project it conducted in July on behalf of Democrat politician Paul Hodes. More
In the UK, consumer analysis and market information firm CACI has launched Vital Statistics - an online interactive demographic service, to help marketers understand the characteristics of people living in particular areas of the country. More
In the US, corporate comms specialist Qorvis has launched an analytics tool that evaluates recent online conversations around a brand or company, in order to define brand reputation. More
Kadence International's Managing Director Kieron Mathews is relocating to the firm's North American office, to develop the company's presence across the US market. More
The BBC has axed the role of Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences (MC&A) held by Sharon Baylay, and integrated her team into an expanded division led by COO Caroline Thompson. More
Washington, DC-based polling firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner has opened its first European office in London, managed by Labour Party Leader Ed Milliband's former speechwriter, James Morris. More
Online ad trade association IAB Europe has warned its members they should not use technology that 'respawns' cookies after consumers have deleted them, calling it unacceptable and probably illegal. More
In the UK, Chime company Opinion Leader has hired Dominic Scott-Malden as Research Director, to boost its expertise in advertising research. Catherine Plews also joins the firm as Senior Research Executive. More
In Australia, Newspoll founder Sol Lebovic is back in business as an independent consultant, advising clients on the design, conduct and analysis of opinion polls and market research surveys. More
YouGov has announced preliminary results for the year ended 31 July 2010, with a good second half performance bringing full year results in line with expectations after a fall in late 2009. One-off items led to a substantial reported operating loss of £9.6m (2009: £0.7m). More
Clothing retailer Gap has initiated a crowdsourcing project following a backlash from customers posting on social media sites, about its newly re-designed logo. More
In the UK, online marketing research specialist OnePoll has appointed consumer trend authority William Higham as Managing Director. More
US-based firm Health Strategies Group has launched a suite of sales and marketing intelligence tools to help marketers with brand development, business planning and benchmarking. More
Yahoo! has acquired Dapper, a technology firm which enables advertisers to automatically target consumers with products, offers, and messages relating to their search or user history. Terms were not disclosed. More
Nunwood has opened an office in Sydney, Australia, headed by former BBC researcher Anna Thomas who joins the company as Joint Managing Director, APAC. Meanwhile Ann Thompson is promoted to Joint MD based in Auckland, NZ. More
Insight firm RONIN has expanded its medical panel offering to Latin America, through the recruitment of medical professionals in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Mexico and Venezuela. More
MR outsourcing firm Ugam Research Solutions has partnered with medical information provider Physicians Interactive Holdings (PIH), combining its own data collection services with PIH's panel of 170,000 US physicians. More
In the US, a group of 33 crowdsourcing companies has joined forces to create a trade organization to serve as a resource for practitioners, customers, researchers and - eventually - the 'crowd'. More
In the US, Harris Interactive has named Pavan Bhalla as its new Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, replacing Robert Cox who left the firm last year. More
In Mexico, full-service research firm Pearson Marketing & Opinion Intelligence has developed a methodology to evaluate educational institutions including private and independent schools. More
In the US, the IAB and other trade associations are gearing up to launch a new body to be known as the Digital Advertising Alliance; and have unveiled an icon designed to reassure consumers that behavioral ad companies comply with accepted standards. More
UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has published its response to a recent consultation on silent calls, which includes rule changes and clarifications. More
In the US, the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) has appointed former Procter & Gamble senior exec Ted McConnell in the new role of Executive VP - Digital. More
In the UK, healthcare fieldwork agency WorldOne has acquired data collection agency Field Facts UK. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the UK, The Advertising Association and Turner Media Innovations have set up a web site to help practitioners from the wider marketing community understand the ethical rules which apply to conducting research with children. More
In the US, enterprise software and solutions specialist Deltek is to acquire public sector intelligence firm INPUT in an all-cash deal worth $60m. More
The IAB and other digital and ad industry bodies are working with the EU Commission to develop a pan-European self-regulatory framework for behavioural targeting of ads, following a meeting last week over the future of the practice. More
US-based NeuroFocus is to publish 'NeuroStandards', a set of principles for conducting EEG-based, full-brain measurements as part of market research studies. More
Broadcasting association The Norwegian Radio Industry has awarded TNS Gallup a three-year contract extension to measure electronic radio listening in the country. The contract will now run until late 2013. More
NetBase - which creates tools to measure consumer opinion and behavior in social media - has joined forces with netnographer Professor Robert Kozinets to develop an online community through which market researchers can discuss and share best practices around measuring online buzz. More
GfK is restructuring its healthcare management team under a single brand with the appointment of Stephen Hearn to the newly created post of Global Head of GfK HealthCare, and the transition of Richard Vanderveer from CEO of the division to a consulting role. More
Kantar has linked its Worldpanel scanned FMCG household purchase data with data from Kantar Media's TGI consumer insight survey. The resulting service, TGI Worldpanel, promises clients a detailed understanding of the link between media consumption, consumer attitudes and UK purchasing. More
In the US, technology and media company Active Network has launched a panel of consumers with an active lifestyle, via an alliance with research firm Survey.com. More
In New York, the ARF has announced an 'unprecedented' project examining biometric and neurological research methods, which it says will 'provide much-needed transparency' in the emerging area. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) today launched two separate sets of draft guidelines: one on research with children and young people and one on online research. More
London-based online agency Opinium Research has announced four appointments. The arrival of Jeremy Marshall, Paul Crooke, Gregory Absalom and Ross Leibbrandt will help the firm to expand following strong results in the summer. More
US firm Echometrix has paid $100,000 to settle a case with New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo over accusations of 'deceptive' selling of information about children's online activity to third parties for market intelligence purposes. Separately, this week another US firm was also accused of mobile tracking without permission. More
George Terhanian, Harris Interactive's long-time European chief and more recently in charge of its US Centers of Excellence, is to leave the firm at the end of the month 'to pursue another career opportunity'. More
Media intelligence firm VMS has released the latest version of its InSight software platform, which allows users to view and analyse news and advertising content and corresponding audience data from a wide range of new and traditional media types via a single, customizable portal. More
Former Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) pollster Mark Feierstein has been confirmed as Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). More
In the UK, Creston-owned ICM Group has appointed BT's former research head James Turner and Optimisa's former CEO Andrew Wiseman to its Board, while announcing that MD Matt Burn and Director Gary Muncaster are about to leave the company. More
Market research and consulting group Cello has reported good overall growth, but says a slowdown in public sector work for its Research and Consulting division will mean redundancies there. More
Harris Interactive has introduced the Body Mass Index (BMI) Speciality Panel, to provide clients with information about underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese US adults. More
Insight consultancy Nunwood has opened a new office in Los Angeles, and appointed former GfK exec Jane Ormiston to lead it as Executive Vice President, reporting to the company's global HQ in London. More
In the US, Arbitron veteran Pierre Bouvard is to leave his role of EVP of Cross-Platform Services at the end of September, after 23 years with the firm. More
Management training consultancy Franklin Covey has launched a web analytics tool which measures levels of consumer trust in industries and companies, based on conversations in social media. More
In the US, Sagient Research Systems has added the Thought Leader Opinions (TLO) service to its pharma and biotech analytics tool BioMedTracker, to provide subscribers with direct access to expert opinion on specific disease areas. More
In the US, ahead of the November midterm elections, mobile app developer Handmark has launched ElectionCaster, an app that delivers instant access to the latest political news and polling information. More
In the US, HCD Research has launched a syndicated service to help pharma marketers qualitatively understand the sentiments of consumers and physicians towards their and their competitors' brands. More
In India, full service research agency Market Xcel has launched an omnibus, providing access to respondents in 12 cities across the country. More
In the UK, The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is examining the process which mobile and broadband provider TalkTalk uses to monitor its customers' web browsing habits. More
Global financial services PR agency Cognito has launched a service that enables clients to monitor their media profile and compare themselves to the competition. More
US-based HCD Research has partnered with the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO) to measure voter sentiment in the run up to the forthcoming fall elections. More
In the UK, full service agency SPA has been acquired by private equity firm Next Wave Partners as part of a plan to merge it with Future Thinking, in which Next Wave holds a 60% stake. More
In the UK, media communications specialist Elizabeth Filippouli has launched Global Thinkers - a branding, media intelligence and PR agency designed to help clients manage and analyse their online reputation. More
Dubai-based research firm YouGov Siraj and pan-Arab broadcaster Al Aan will work together to develop a groundbreaking survey examining the socio-economic outlook of Arab consumers via weekly and monthly polls. More
In the US, TV ad analytics specialist Ace Metrix has hired Jeffrey Stewart as Vice President of Operations, responsible for all research-related operations. More
In the US, M/A/R/C Research has partnered with sentiment analysis specialist WiseWindow to use the latter's MOBI (Mass Opinion Business Intelligence) web measurement technology. More
Healthcare data collection specialist WorldOne has opened an office in Tokyo, to be led by Katsuhiko Niga and Takahito Asano. More
IFF Research founder and former Market Research Society Chairman Lord McIntosh of Haringey died on Friday at the age of 77, after a battle with cancer. More
Sacked Infogroup founder Vinod Gupta has formed Database101 - a new company already boasting a team of twenty-two, including seven of his former colleagues. More
Dubai-based online healthcare specialist 42 market research has expanded its services into Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela, as part of its strategy to provide access to healthcare decision-makers worldwide. More
Aegis Group plc has announced a significant improvement in its 2010 interim results. Total revenue rose 4.2% to £663.3m, representing organic growth of 3.2%. The upturn in large part reflects a rebound at MR arm Synovate. More
The Futures Company has hired two Senior Vice Presidents in the US: Steve Levine as SVP, Future-Facing Research & Consultancy and Christine Baskin as SVP, Research & Consulting. More
US public sector intelligence consultancy INPUT has released a new product, designed to analyze government suppliers and their position in the federal contracting market. More
Harris Interactive has announced fourth quarter and full-year fiscal 2010 results. In the latter, revenue fell fully nine per cent, showing the scale of problems, but operating loss of $56.4m in fiscal 2009 was all but wiped out following moves to restructure and stabilize the business. More
A lawsuit filed in a California court accuses content sharing specialist Clearspring and clients including a Walt Disney subsidiary and Warner Brothers of using Flash cookies to track the actions of children. Clearspring says the suit is 'factually inaccurate' and it does not collect personal information. More
B2B International is about to open an office in Regent's Place, London, from where it will focus on sales and project delivery in the South East of the UK and mainland Europe. More
The South African Marketing Research Association (SAMRA) has launched an initiative to attract a wide range of newcomers to the industry. More
A new iPhone app has been launched by two LSE researchers, to track how happy users are and understand how their feelings are affected by their immediate environment. More
The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) has urged its members to boycott the United States Postal Service (USPS) 'Voice of the Employee' surveys, to prevent management from 'manipulating the results' during forthcoming contract negotiations. More
Pharma market research giant IMS Health has appointed Ari Bousbib as its new Chief Executive Officer, replacing David Carlucci who will continue to serve in his other role as Chairman for a transition period. More
GfK has raised its 2010 sales and income expectations following a 12.3% rise in second quarter sales to EUR 328.7m, and a 9.4% rise in first half sales to EUR 609.6m. The firm now expects a 6% rise in sales for the year, which is double its original projection. More
Australian market research consultancy Fiftyfive5 has appointed semiotics specialist Dr Rob Engels as a Qualitative Consultant, to help shape the firm's qual offer using semiotics, cultural trends and ethnography. More
In the UK, marketing services firm PharmaGems has appointed healthcare MR veterans Allan Bowditch to its Board, and Kathryn Jones as an Advisory to its Board. More
UK-based healthcare communications and market research company InforMed Direct has been acquired by Irish pharma firm United Drug in a deal worth £11.4m cash, with an additional £5.9m to be paid on agreed profit targets during the next three years. More
New York-based full-service firm Target Research Group has opened a new healthcare division, headed by research veteran Heidi Balkema. More
In the UK, the Labour party has been criticised by the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition government, for running up market research and polling bills of more than £30m last year. More
New Scientist is a publication full of scientific scepticism and not particularly renowned for its love of marketing or market research. So if it says, 'I'm convinced this time there's something in it', we should perhaps listen. MrWeb's Nick Thomas interviews the magazine's Deputy Editor, Graham Lawton. More
UK-based online research specialist YouGov has expanded its presence in the US with the acquisition of marketing and research consulting firm the Harrison Group. More
Cegedim Dendrite - the division of French pharma and healthcare data supplier Cegedim which provides CRM solutions for the life sciences industry - has partnered with competitor TAKE Solutions to expand its presence to India. More
Marcoms giant Ogilvy & Mather China has appointed Dr Michael Griffiths for the newly created role of Director of Ethnography in its consumer insights and trends unit Discovery. More
CIMM, the coalition of US firms formed last September to promote innovation in TV and cross-platform video audience measurement, is to fund the rollout of the IPA's UK TouchPoints study in the US. It will be fielded by the Media Behavior Institute (MBI) in partnership with GfK MRI. More
In the UK, the future of public-private partnership Dr Foster Intelligence is under review by the Government, to ensure it provides patients with 'quality information and data' on all aspects of healthcare. More
Interactive research and technology firm Vision Critical has announced results for the first half of 2010. On a constant currency basis, total revenues rose 43% versus a year earlier and CEO Angus Reid says the company is 'on track to earn approximately $70 million in revenue in 2010'. More
In the US, leading online firms including AOL, Yahoo!, MySpace and MSN are under pressure from two senior politicians to reveal details of their privacy practices, including installation of cookies on visitors' computers, and other tracking activity. More
In the Philippines, the government of President 'Noynoy' Aquino has signed an order creating an extensive Communications Group ('ComGroup') with the aim of getting closer to its people using traditional and new media. Functions include the control and supervision of market research and opinion polling. More
Arbitron has revealed the cost of its various legal battles of the past two years, in a 10-Q filing for the SEC. In all, two securities law civil actions commencing in 2008, and various 'interactions' with government over the commercialization of the PPM, have cost it around $9.1m to date. More
Professional research bodies across South America, Canada and the US have come together to establish a new pan-American research alliance, with the aim of supporting and improving the 'business and integrity' of market, opinion and social research. More
In the UK, Kantar-owned TNS-BMRB, which offers insight for government and not-for-profit clients, has launched a mixed mode research programme to prompt new thinking and best practice for tracking social trends across multiple modes of research. More
US pharma marketing and sales group PDI has reported that second quarter revenue has more than doubled to $33.5m. However, revenue in its TVG market research unit, slated for closure or sell-off, declined because of a decrease in the number of projects. More
Two former employees of UK agency Holden Pearmain have launched their own company, Impact Research. Darryl Swift and Michael Brainch will focus initially on clients in the utilities, retail and FMCG sectors. More
The UK's Central Office of Information (COI) has announced a reduction in staff numbers from 737 to 450, as a result of the government's freeze on non-essential advertising and marketing spend, and the consequent reduction in its workload. More
Gary Langer, the veteran Polling Director of US broadcaster ABC, has left to run his own firm, Langer Research Associates, which will take over management of the media giant's ABC News/Washington Poll from its own News Polling Unit. More
In Hong Kong, smart card payment systems provider Octopus Cards stands accused of breaching the privacy of millions of its customers. The charges include sale of personal data without permission to research companies including Asia Pacific agency Cimigo. More
Kadence International has reported a ten percent increase in revenue to $12.8m for the financial year 2009-10, which it says has been fuelled by a rise in demand for its services across all seven offices. More
UK-based online researcher YouGov has announced that operating profit for the year ended 31 July 2010 was 'significantly ahead' of the prior year period. The firm has also appointed Camilla Parker Bowles' nephew Ben Elliot as a non-executive Director. More
Google and In-Q-Tel, an investment vehicle which forms part of the CIA, have both been revealed as backers of Recorded Future, a company tracking and analysing Web content to report on trends and make predictions about future events. More
Global research group Ipsos has reported a very strong performance for the first six months of 2010, with revenue up 18.1% to EUR 528.8m (organic growth 7.7%) and adjusted net profit up 33.7% to EUR 32.0m. More
In the USA, the FTC appears once again to be pondering the idea of an online 'Do Not Track' option for consumers, along the lines of existing Do Not Call legislation. More
Newly announced agency BritainThinks has already hired two further team members and is looking for two more. 'Though currently working for a number of clients, the company is planning a full launch in two months' time, including product announcements, web site and central London offices. More
In Canada, marketing firm the Bristol Group has entered voluntary receivership and been bought out of it by rival firm M5. Bristol's research company Omnifacts is to merge with M5's MarketQuest. More
In the UK, the Central Office of Information (COI) has reported a fall in spending on advertising, marketing and research in the past year, and has warned of more substantial cuts to come. More
UK group Chime Communications plc has appointed Toluna exec Mark Squires as Group Operations Director for its Research & Engagement Division. Meanwhile the Division's former bosses Viki Cooke and Deborah Mattinson are to launch a new consultancy called Britain Thinks. More
'Push Polls', which often masquerade as impartial research but are in fact geared to influencing voters close to election time, are again in the spotlight in the US, after accusations by the New Hampshire Republican Party. More
Dollars continue to chase firms launching software to measure social media and facilitate advertising on it, while MR firms in growing sectors are also targets for investment. More
PR research specialist Surge Research, Inc. has announced that its omnibus survey will now run daily. More
Munir Sheikh has resigned as Chief Statistician of Statistics Canada over the Government's plans to scrap the mandatory long-form census questionnaire. The old system will be replaced by a shorter version which opponents claim will exclude hard-to-reach respondents. More
Panels and research technology firm Vision Critical and its public affairs practice Angus Reid Public Opinion have launched a new diagnostic approach to providing clients with a comparative view of their corporate reputation. More
UK-based healthcare research specialist Adelphi Group and German healthcare comms consultancy 'face to face GmbH' have partnered to launch a new qual and quant agency - Adelphi Germany - offering healthcare and pharma research from its base in Cologne. More
In the UK, specialist social media agency Yomego has launched a new tool, 'social media reputation' (SMR), which promises brands insight and analysis into their reputation across 29,000 social media channels. More
Pharma market research giant IMS Health has expanded its IMS Oncology Analyzer market measurement tool to provide anonymized patient-level information across several additional cities in China. More
WPP-owned global trend research consultancy The Futures Company (TFC) has appointed a new management team following the resignation of its CEO Sian Davies, Executive Chairman Crawford Hollingworth, and Global MD Sarah Davies. More
The US Congress has today approved sweeping reforms of the country's financial system, but rejected a provision giving the government extensive regulatory control of industries including market research via the FTC. The MRA had argued the clause could have 'threatened the entire research profession'. More
Debate over the Canadian government's scrapping of the long form of the census is intensifying, with opponents pointing to an almost complete lack of complaints about the supposedly 'intrusive' survey, while supporters claim opposition comes from 'vested interests'. More
Online healthcare and pharma market research specialist OmniPanel has expanded its operations in Latin America, with the opening of an office in S£o Paulo, Brazil. More
ESOMAR has revoked Tom Anderson's status as its US representative, following his public criticisms of the introduction of ISO quality standards to the US. The body is now urging its global representatives to sign a charter agreeing they adhere to its 'mission and values'. More
In Canada, Corporate Research Group (CRG) has voluntarily repaid more than $300k to government procurement agency Public Works Canada (PWGSC), following an audit which found that it had kept insufficient records about some of its government contracts. More
Infegy - the developer of social web analytics platform Social Radar - has opened a European sales and support office in Birmingham, UK, and appoined Gray Dudek as European Managing Director. More
Harris Interactive has expanded its Asia Sales division with the appointment of Kevin Huang as Vice President of Sales, and the promotion of Amrita Banta and Asha Choksi to the posts of SVP of Sales and SVP of Research respectively. All three are based in Singapore. More
Australian marcoms and research group Photon is struggling to raise the necessary finance to recapitalise, and faces going out of business if it fails to renegotiate $AUD 176m worth of earn-out payments due to owners of some of its 50 agencies. More
London-based Opinion Leader Research (OLR) has appointed former Social Democratic Party researcher Sarah Horack as Research Director, in charge of its Political, Social and Public Policy research team. More
In Canada, the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) has lobbied the federal Government to reverse its decision to eliminate the mandatory long-form census questionnaire and replace it with a shorter version which the MRIA claims will exclude hard-to-reach respondents. More
In the US, data giant Infogroup has appointed Marc Litvinoff as President of its research division, Opinion Research Corporation (ORC). More
In the UK, the radio audience measurement body RAJAR has appointed Jerry Hill as Chief Executive Officer, following the departure of Sally de la Bedoyere in May. More
One of the world's oldest surveys, the UK's national Census, may be axed according to comments by Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude. The March 2011 survey, for which preparations are far advanced, will still take place at an estimated cost of £482m. More
Consulting, engineering and technical service firm Tetra Tech has announced a definitive agreement to buy the US-based international development consulting business practice of London-based PA Consulting Group. More
India's plans to set up independent nationwide audience research along the lines of the UK's BARB have taken another small step forward with the formal registration of the new Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC). More
Harris Interactive has announced a new financing plan reducing its lenders from five to one and extending its revolving line of credit by three more years to 2013. Separately, marketing services firm SPAR Group has secured a $6.5m revolving credit facility for growth and possible acquisitions. More
US-based data collection agency Universal Survey and its partner Survey Healthcare have established physician and healthcare professional panels across the major European, Asian, and Russian markets, in addition to their existing US and Canadian panels. More
GfK has become the first foreign market research company to be granted a license to open a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia. The firm has also opened a branch in Kenya, acquired the outstanding shares of GfK Mode in India and GfK Kynetec in the UK, and increased its stake in Shopping Brasil. More
In the US, online news and opinion site the Huffington Post (HuffPost) has acquired opinion poll platform Pollster.com from YouGov Polimetrix. Terms were not disclosed. More
Sampling solutions specialist SSI (Survey Sampling International) has introduced a new interactive tool called SSI ClicKnowledge, designed to deliver metrics on 30 countries through colourful maps and tables. More
Behavioural ad targeting firm Phorm has placed 1,176,000 new common shares on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, in a bid to raise around $3m, which it plans to use to expand its service in Brazil and other future markets. More
In the US, social media monitoring specialist beRelevant has introduced a market research service to extract and prioritize the collective knowledge of large numbers of people. More
In the US, the Marketing Research Association (MRA) has defended the need for confidentiality in marketing research, in response to the government's demand for marketing research information to be handed over by tobacco giant Phillip Morris. More
Chairman and founder of MORI Sir Robert Worcester has been appointed President of the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) in the UK. More
London-based Purple Market Research has introduced a new suite of customised research and consultancy services to help clients monitor the behaviour and views of consumers and businesses on green issues. More
Central London-based Jigsaw Research has appointed Monique Rotik as Director in charge of the Media and Communications practice, and a member of its senior level research team. More
In the UK, the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA) has partnered with Opinionpanel Research to provide a new research resource, 'The Learner Panel', offering cost effective high quality access to those in various forms of Further Education. More
In the US, The Planning Shop International (TPSi) has launched a new Oncology Business Unit (OBU), staffed by a team of market research professionals who are specialists in both the oncology therapeutic area and its associated brands. More
Behavioural ad targeting company Phorm has reported a 40% drop in operating loss to $29.7m from $49.8m last year, following positive foreign exchange caused by the appreciation of the US dollar against sterling. More
Markos Moulitsas, founder of US political weblog The Daily Kos, is to sue polling firm Research 2000, claiming that some or all of the research it conducted for his web site was 'fabricated or manipulated beyond recognition'. More
UK-based B2B International has expanded its China operations with the opening of a new office in Shanghai, to meet its growing requirement for market research among Chinese and international companies with headquarters in the city. More
Healthcare data collection specialist WorldOne has opened an office in S£o Paulo, Brazil, to further expand its capabilities in the region. More
In Spain, Nueva Investigaci³n has acquired fellow healthcare researcher Compass Research, for an unspecified sum. More
Infogroup shareholders have OK'd the company's $460m sale to CCMP Capital Advisors, with 87 percent of the firm's 57.9 million shares accounted for in the vote but an unspecified majority approving the deal. More
In the US, Qmarkets.net, a provider of prediction markets software, has received government funding for the development of its second generation collective forecasting platform, due for release in August. More
Horsham, PA-based Verilogue has announced an upbeat start to 2010. The healthcare insights and analysis firm now employs more than 35 specialists. More
Las Vegas-based polling firm Precision Opinion has announced its third major expansion in the past three years, with the addition of 135 jobs. More
Infogroup is set to proceed with its shareholder meeting tomorrow - voting on the firm's proposed acquisition by affiliates of CCMP Capital Investors LLP - after a Delaware court declined to issue an injunction which might have delayed it. More
Are mobile surveys more intrusive? Will ICE change the face of online panels? Why don't we entirely trust Neuroscience? And should we now be a bit less worried about Google? From today, join the debate on the big issues in our MRT section. More
London-based social and consumer trend forecasting firm the Trajectory Partnership has acquired the GLIMPSES trends database from research, consultation and communication charity The Tomorrow Network. Terms were not disclosed. More
Eyetracking pioneer Tobii Technology has announced the launch of Tobii Glassesâ˘, which the firm says look and feel like modern eyewear, allowing subjects to walk around freely collect eyetracking data in 'mobile, natural settings'. More
Dallas, US-based M/A/R/C Research has announced two senior hires: Clay Dethloff as SVP, Qualitative Services and John Cheneler as SVP of Medical Services. More
US investment firm Cardinal Value Equity Partners has sold nearly 2 million Infogroup shares, in advance of a shareholder vote at the end of this month which will determine whether the firm should be sold to CCMP Capital Advisors. More
In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has demanded that cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris hands over all the market research it has conducted or possesses on how consumers react to the firm's planned changes to Marlboro Lights packaging. More
Creston-owned ICM Group has appointed Justin Sampson as Chairman, replacing ICM founder Nick Sparrow who resigned in February after 21 years with the firm. More
In the UK, WPP-owned Kantar Media has developed a predictive tool to provide insights into how consumers will react to newspapers introducing paywalls on their web sites. More
In the US, the Marketing Research Association (MRA) has secured an amendment to the Colorado Pharmaceutical Transparency Act exempting incentive payments for health care practitioners who participate in MR projects from a more general ban. More
A modest 38% of England fans will throw World Cup 'sickies' this month, costing the UK c.£1bn in lost work - but not in vain, as it can be scientifically proven that England are going to win. Yes, predictably, we are inundated with stats, and our Features Editor Teresa Lynch will bottle only the finest for you. More
In the US, Twitter has acquired analytics firm Smallthought Systems, to offer commercial organizations additional insight into the data collected from its site. Terms were not disclosed. More
In the UK, online medical network Doctors.net.uk - parent company of medeConnect Healthcare Insight - has hired Gareth Thomas for its newly created role of International Development Director. More
Sony Computer Science Laboratories (Sony CSL) has developed a prototype eye tracking and recording device which can capture everything a user sees. More
Nielsen is to track South African consumers' lifestyle habits and engagement during the imminent World Cup, using BlackBerry devices. Participants will compile mobile diaries including photos and captions, giving a detailed picture of their movements and interaction with the tournament. More
Pharma specialist The Research Partnership has appointed Philippe Pouliot as Associate Director in its Philadelphia office and Kah Huey Loh as Research Director for its Singapore operation. More
Nielsen has filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $1.75bn in an initial public offering (IPO), which it will use to pay down debt and for 'general corporate purposes'. More
Industry association IAB Europe has partnered with Google to launch a new tool which provides agencies and advertisers with consumer information across 27 countries and 36 product categories. More
Database giant and ORC parent Infogroup has sent a letter to shareholders recommending that they vote in favour of the firm's sale to private equity firm CCMP Capital Advisors, at a special meeting to be held on June 29. More
In the US, Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) and ratings giant Arbitron have entered into a settlement agreement following their dispute about the latter's PPM (Portable People Meter), which SBS claimed was undercounting its ethnic minority listeners. More
Ipsos has rolled out its Social Research Institute globally, to provide clients with an international understanding of social policy and research methods, while drawing on the firm's extensive knowledge of social research conducted in the 64 countries where it has offices. More
Two UK regulators, the Competition Commission (CC) and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), have issued a set of guidelines for companies submitting consumer surveys to them as evidence, 'to ensure they are fair and representative'. More
Sybase, Inc. has announced a new release of its Sybase IQ analytics server, offering full text search, query federation and web-enabled analytics. The product promises to help companies unlock the unstructured information held in everything from e-mail to contact-center notes to news articles and social media. More
Online medical network Doctors.net.uk has today announced a strategic alliance with Medcenter Holdings Inc., an online healthcare marketing company in Latin/Central America and Iberia, for cross-selling and co-marketing. More
The second day of the BIG Conference opened on a beautiful May morning with a champagne breakfast. Our Features Editor Teresa Lynch reports from Wales on some papers arguing researchers can't go back to how they were; and some dancing which suggests they will keep trying. More
Tucson, AZ-based MR firm Marketing Intelligence 'will close' at the end of the month after more than a decade in business, according to press reports. More
In California, renewable energy consultancy SolarVision Co. has announced the broadening of its practice areas to cover more emerging technologies and markets. More
Synovate Korea has promoted Mr TaeHoon Kim to lead its Healthcare Division, effective this month. More
UK newspaper the Financial Times has become the first national daily to opt out of the online circulation analysis of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABCe). The FT says volume traffic measures have become 'less relevant to its advertisers and clients'. More
By dint of starting on a Wednesday night, the conference of BIG, the UK's b2b research group, is the only one on the circuit which manages two out of two mornings-after-the-night-before. Our Features Editor Teresa Lynch waits for skies and heads to clear, and reports. More
In the US, the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy has issued a clarification confirming that survey research companies can legally conduct market research with health care practitioners in the state. The move follows lobbying by MR associations CASRO, MRA and PMRG. More
Researchers at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem have devised an algorithm that recognises sarcasm in text - potentially vital to companies analysing online sentiment in social media and other sources. More
In Canada, the public broadcaster's ombudsman has cleared pollster Frank Graves of any wrongdoing, after accusations that he worked as an adviser to the Liberal Party and was unfit to provide impartial polls to broadcaster CBC. More
Kantar Health has announced the expansion of its Treatment Value Practice into Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and appointed Dr. Pali KollĦth as Regional Director, CEE and Treatment Value Practice, based in Budapest, Hungary. More
GfK Custom Research North America has lengthened the name of its GfK Roper subsidiary, adding 'Corporate Communications' to emphasize the division's full range of services. More
London-based full-service agency IFF Research has promoted directors Katie Oldfield and Rob Irving to its Board of Directors. More
Process efficiency specialist OpenConnect and media analytics firm the Global Language Monitor (GLM) have teamed up to launch the Healthcare NarrativeTracker Index⢠(NTI), which will use social media-based monitoring to better understand the issues driving healthcare reform. More
In the US, Bernard (Bud) Sherak - a former Chairman of Market Facts and a pioneering developer of advertising market research tools in the late '50s and early '60s - has died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 91. More
Global information services giant Experian is divesting part of its UK database marketing activities to form a new consumer and media insight business with its client British Sky Broadcasting (Sky). Terms have not been disclosed. More
GfK claims to be back on track with an increase in both Q1 sales and income. During the first quarter of 2010, the global group reported a 6.1% sales increase to EUR 280.9m from Q1 2009, up 5.2% in organic terms. Income rose 71.2% to EUR 25.3m during the period. More
The Research and Engagement Division of UK-based Chime Communications has returned to profit in the first half of 2010, following a restructure initiated by recently appointed CEO Crispin Beale. More
Ipsos says it is confident in its ability to return to 'significant and profitable growth' in 2010, after reporting a 14% rise in first quarter revenue to EUR 236.9m, compared with EUR 207.3m in the prior year period. More
In the US, JD Power and Associates has appointed former Harris Interactive exec Dr Richard Millard as head of its healthcare practice. More
A dissatisfied investor has claimed Infogroup is making corporate filings using 'selective financial data that may not present an accurate picture of the value of the company' to justify its sale to CCMP Capital Advisors. More
At a conference recently the closing panel was asked 'What happens if PaddyPower get this one right and we don't?'. The consensus was that we couldn't be blamed for this one since it was 'too close to call'. As it was, pollsters did pretty well, as did two former researchers who are now MPs. More
In Canada Tony Chapman, founder and head of creative agency Capital C, is to launch a 'one-stop global market research and product development firm'. Launch Labs will merge private, public and academic sector expertise to strengthen the country's place in the digital revolution. More
Synovate Healthcare has acquired Netherlands-based Firm United Healthcare (FUH), a consultancy which offers market research, marketing and communications support to firms in the health market. More
Harris Interactive has announced improved results for the third quarter of its fiscal 2010, with bookings well up on 2009 and operating loss cut from $7.3m to $0.9m year-on-year. However, President and CEO Kimberly Till says the company 'still has more work to do' to complete its recovery. More
London-based Opinion Leader Research (OLR) has appointed Royal Mail's Head of Business Intelligence Sinãİad Jefferies, to lead its research and insight business. She will take up the newly created post in early summer. More
Opinion Research-owner Infogroup is proposing to secure a $365m secured credit facility, which it will use to part-fund its $635m takeover by affiliates of CCMP Capital Advisors. More
In the US, data collection and online panel firm Focus Pointe Global (FPG) has partnered with drug safety service iGuard.org to launch the FPG Patient Panel, which will provide access to consumers for research specific to particular medications and chronic conditions. More
Nielsen is said to be preparing to trade as a public company, inviting a number of investment banks to underwrite an initial public offering (IPO) which could be worth up to $21bn. More
In the US, the Audit Bureau of Circulations' interactive unit ABCi has teamed with California-based Verve Wireless to audit newspaper content, to provide publishers and advertisers with independently verified mobile usage data generated from apps, e-readers and mobile browsers. More
Manfred Eberlein, currently Country Manager for Synovate Healthcare in Germany, has been named as the company's new 'Leader' for Western Europe. More
Internet and mobile technology firm Presenter has launched an opinion poll as a platform through which physicians in China can voice their opinions. More
In the UK, LibDem leader Nick Clegg was seen as being the 'most persuasive' of the three party leaders, in last night's televised Leader Debate, according to feedback from the 'MESH Election Experience Monitor'. More
In the UK, text mining specialist Linguamatics is using natural language processing technology to analyse general election-related tweets and group those with the same meaning. More
Weather stations in Hell registered a rapid drop in temperatures today and cows dug out the return portions of their travel tickets as Arbitron reported it had settled its dispute with the PPM Coalition over claims of undercounting minority listeners. The firm also published solid financials. More
In the US, market and employee research firm ORC has added a 'five-star ratings' system to its CityMARKS city measurement tool, to enable local governments to understand how their city or town meets its citizens' expectations. More
In Australia, veteran pollster Rod Cameron is closing his market research and polling firm ANOP Research Services, after nearly 40 years in business. More
UK-based insight and communications group Creston has reported a 4% decline in revenues for the year ended 31 March 2010, which it says is 'marginally ahead' of the Board's expectations. More
In London, Synovate has named former ORC International Public Sector Head Richard Abraham as Head of its Public Sector, Charities and Transport industry sector team. More
James R. Beniger, a former President of AAPOR and author of the acclaimed study 'The Control Revolution', has died aged 63 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. More
In the US, two ad industry bodies are proposing advertisers place a clickable icon in adverts, to direct consumers to additional information about online behavioral advertising and the choices they have. More
Last night, researchers in the UK were busy conducting instant polls to track response to the nation's first televised leader debate, which drew 9.4 million viewers. More
WPP's CEO Sir Martin Sorrell says the firm may return its tax domicile status back to the UK if a new government guarantees it will not subject overseas profits to UK tax. Since relocating 18 months ago, the firm has saved around £50m by avoiding tax on its 'foreign profits'. More
In the US, Spredfast - which enables clients to manage, monitor, and measure their social media messages - has secured a $1.6m investment, which it plans to use to accelerate business development and increase brand awareness. More
According to a filing lodged with the New York Supreme Court, Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) and ratings giant Arbitron are working towards a truce regarding their PPM legal dispute. More
In the UK, ITV News at Ten has partnered with polling firm ComRes to provide viewers with instant analysis of the impact that Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg make on the electorate during their forthcoming TV debates. More
US-based consumer research agency Iconoculture has partnered with Swedish market research technology provider Dapresy to drive a study of values and lifestyle trends across 17 countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia. More
Online researcher YouGov has announced a decline in both turnover (down 6% to £21.3m) and operating profit (down 16% to £1.35m). More
Former Dow Jones EVP Clare Hart is reportedly set to take over as Chief Executive Officer of Database giant and ORC parent Infogroup if the company's acquisition by CCMP Capital Advisors is approved. More
A UK research company founder is stepping into the limelight as the papers fill up with election news. Firefish's Jem Fawcus is to marry Clare Cameron, younger sister of the Tory leader, ten days before the election. More
Pollster Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann - described by Chancellor Angela Merkel as 'the driving force behind the polls in Germany' - has died at the age of 93, after a long illness. More
Angus Reid Public Opinion - the global public affairs practice of research technology firm Vision Critical - has fielded a team of experts who will provide commentary and analysis during the UK's 2010 General Election campaign. More
The sale of database giant Infogroup has been opposed by two further investors, who accuse the firm's Board of Directors of attempting to sell the company at 'an irresponsibly low price'. More
In the US, the Governor of Minnesota has signed a bill clearing the way once agaiin for political exit polling. More
In the UK, national newspaper The Daily Telegraph has accused online research specialist YouGov of overstating support for the Labour party in its pre-election polls - claims which the firm's President Peter Kellner strongly refutes. More
Online physician data collection specialist Medefield has appointed Anne-Beatrice Clidassou as Managing Director for its office in Lyon, France, and Gerald Wackert as MD in Hamburg, Germany. More
LGBT specialist Out Now has rolled out its new global 2010 study across the US and Canadian markets. More
In the US, Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) has again pulled the encoders for Aribtron's PPM (Portable People Meter) system, after The New York Supreme Court lifted the temporary restraining order that had required it to continue. More
In the UK, political polling group Tweetminster is analysing around two million Tweets, as part of an experiment to determine whether activity on Twitter correlates to electoral success in May's general election. More
In the US, Target Latino - a Hispanic and Latino consumer marketing firm - has launched a multicultural social media monitoring tool that scans the Internet for relevant results and automatically analyzes sentiment in English, Spanish and Portuguese. More
Harris Interactive's 89-year-old founder Louis Harris has returned to the firm after an absence of nearly 20 years, to develop an innovative series of polls reflecting his views on changes in America's current political environment. More
The UK's regulators have been flexing muscles this week, with implications for market researchers and associated professions. Tougher fines are ahead for 'silent callers' and, separately, for misusers of consumer data; while Ofcom is likely to use mystery shopping to target misleading ISPs. More
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has recently launched a new measurement system, Customer Experience Measurement (CEM), which replaces a system in use since the early 1990s. More
In the US, social media consultancy Converseon and word-of-mouth analytics firm ChatThreads have partnered to create CHORUS - a tool which fuses social media listening and analysis with offline word-of-mouth tracking. More
Online physician data collection specialist Medefield has appointed Drew Seath as President of its US operation and Iain Findlay as MD of its London-based unit. More
In Washington, DC, former leaders of Wirthlin Worldwide have today officially launched full-service research firm Heart+Mind Strategies. More
TNS and Research and Marketing Services (RMS) have formed an agreement to provide customized research in West Africa. More
In the UK, Synovate has launched a new Brand Positioning Framework in its specialist healthcare research division. More
Tuesday's MRS Conference included a session looking at hard-to-reach respondents and hard-to-research topics, and a number of approaches to getting the right voices heard. Our Features Editor Teresa Lynch listened in. More
US radio ratings giant Arbitron and secure identity solutions firm Digimarc have settled their dispute, begun last year, over technology developed by the latter to monitor broadcasts. More
Healthcare research agency 42 market research has announced the launch of its online panel service in India. More
Aegis, Synovate's parent company, is raising funds through the issue of a convertible bond for c.£190m, which it plans to use to make acquisitions in the US and China. More
Former Infogroup CFO Stormy Dean says he is confident he will win his claim against the database giant, which fired him last year; and refutes charges brought against him in a new SEC civil lawsuit. More
In the UK, healthcare specialist WorldOne Research has appointed former SSI UK Joint MD Kim-Fredrik Schneider as Senior Vice President, to strengthen its European presence. More
In Germany, YouGov Psychonomics has bought the remainder of ServiceRating, a firm which offers analysis on the quality of service and advice provided by companies across the insurance, financial services and utilities sectors. More
Brand and communications research consultancy Hall & Partners has opened a new pharmaceutical division in Paris, headed by Clarissa Guengant Del Pup, who joins from Synovate Healthcare. More
In the UK, the Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA) has opened its annual online auction, raising funds for those who work or have worked in the market research industry and are currently experiencing financial difficulties: a group which grew substantially in 2009. More
medeConnect Healthcare Insight, the market research division of Doctors.net.uk, has upgraded its GP Omnibus research service, reducing delivery times to two weeks. The service taps the opinions of a regionally and nationally representative sample of 1,000 GPs once a month. More
In the UAE, the Ministerial Council for Services has passed a draft law advancing the TV Audience Measurement Project which will bring people meter technology to the country. More
Harris Interactive has appointed Suhas Khanderia as its UK Head of Healthcare Research. More
Postal watchdog Postcomm is considering action against Royal Mail following an investigation into claims that it cheated in research to test its service quality, reports The UK Press Association. More
Infogroup's planned acquisition by private equity firm CCMP Capital is the subject of a shareholder lawsuit, according to investor advocacy group The Shareholders Foundation. More
UK-based marketing services group Chime Communications Plc has reported its 'best results ever', with full-year profit up 14% to £18.8m; despite a continued 'very disappointing' performance by its research division, where only Facts International is said to have done well. More
Arab world researcher YouGovSiraj has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Jordanian custom MR firm Analyseize, to co-operate on conducting joint research projects, exchanging data and expertise, and developing new projects serving the Arab world, and specifically the Jordanian market. More
UK-based consultancy Nunwood has announced four new client-facing appointments in London and New York and a promotion in its Leeds office. More
In the UK, Opinium Research has partnered with the Daily Express newspaper to provide a voting intention poll in the run up to the 2010 General Election. More
In the US, global research firm ORC has helped develop a program to offer jobs to people with disabilities looking to work from home. More
Infogroup, the parent of researcher ORC, has agreed to be acquired by affiliates of CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC for a total of around $635 million, including refinanced debt. More
UK-based B2B International has reported a 10% increase in turnover to nearly £3.5m in 2009, despite seeing clients move towards more 'defensive' research, and delaying projects because of economic uncertainty. More
In the UK, Reed Business Information has merged its data services unit Mardev and its list management and online research division DM2-DecisionMaker. The two form a new company, serving the marketing, data and analysis needs of B2B marketers globally. More
Ratings giant Arbitron has proposed a change to its recruitment methodology in high-density African-American and Hispanic areas, in its top PPM (Portable People Meter) markets. More
In the UK, Viki Cooke and Deborah Mattinson, the founders of Opinion Leader Research (OLR), have left parent company Chime to set up their own agency. More
In the US, health care research giant IMS Health has announced completion of its acquisition by investment firms TPG Capital and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), for $5.2bn. More
In London, Hall & Partners' Global CEO Vanella Jackson has outlined her plans for her new role as Chairman of the Market Research Society (MRS); pledging to strengthen ties between research, business and government. More
In the UK, Synovate Healthcare's former CEO Michael Spedding and CFO Peter Chopra have launched a healthcare marketing services firm, which will invest in and partner with individuals and independent businesses to drive growth in profits and capital value. More
US-based MDLinx has secured exclusive access to a panel of more than 350,000 verified Chinese physicians, operated by the DXY physician portal. More
UK social media monitoring firm WaveMetrix has launched a new methodology designed to measure and understand online consumer advocacy. More
London-based uberVU, a realtime social media analytics company, is launching a product to help small and medium businesses and freelancers monitor and measure social media. More
ORC owner Infogroup is in final negotiations to be acquired by CCMP Capital Advisors, according to reports in the Omaha World-Herald. More
The Nielsen Company has announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009. Revenue was almost exactly level with the previous year ($4,806m) but up 4% if currency fluctuations are excluded. More
Insight consultancy Nunwood is reporting a 50% increase in international revenue in the last year. Four new members have been added to its New York team in the past few months, to help support the 25 new clients and £2.6 million of new business the agency says it won in 2009. More
Green technology consultancy The Cleantech Group has secured $3.2m in third round funding, for use in expanding its reach and portfolio of services. Meanwhile a new player has joined the sector with the launch of AltaTerra Advisors Inc. More
Healthcare data collection specialist All Global has announced new physician panels in Russia and Poland, with further launches planned for other emerging markets. More
Despite a 3.6% decline in revenues to EUR 943.7m, Ipsos says it is 'ready for battle' in 2010, with plans to simplify management structures, increase effort in innovation, and extend its presence among a larger number of clients. More
Ipsos has signed an agreement to acquire a 25% stake in Portuguese research firm Apeme (área de Planeamento e Estudos de Mercado), with the option to buy the remaining 75% in five years. More
LGBT specialist Out Now has launched what it claims to be the 'world's largest gay market research study', spanning 14 countries across Latin America and Europe. More
International youth research agency The Sound Research has launched 'The Sound TV'; an online video insight tool. The company will analyze the behaviour and outlook of the 16-29 year olds who broadcast on it. More
In the first quarter of 2010, Maritz Research has created more than 50 new jobs at its European and Asian offices, including around 20 in Hamburg. More
Pharma market research giant IMS Health has launched a set of solutions to help clients comply with US federal and state transparency and marketing disclosure laws covering what is known as 'aggregate spend'. More
YouGov co-founder and CEO Nadhim Zahawi is preparing to step down from his role, after being selected to stand as the parliamentary candidate for the safe Conservative Party seat of Stratford-on-Avon in the forthcoming general election. More
British polling and research specialist ComRes has appointed former Barclays Bank India CEO Peter Harlock as its new Chief Executive Officer, and moved founder Andrew Hawkins to the position of Executive Chairman to enable him to focus on client growth. More
In London, pharma specialist The Research Partnership has appointed TNS Healthcare veteran David White as Director of Syndicated Services, to oversee the development and positioning of the firm's expanding portfolio of solutions. More
In the US, clean technology market specialist Pike Research has launched a business information service that provides clients with market analysis focused on the green building and energy efficiency sectors. More
US ratings giant Arbitron has reported a 4.4% rise in full-year 2009 revenue to $385.0m (2008: $368.8m), while net income increased 13.4% to $42.2m (2008: $37.2m). More
In the US, the Marketing Research Association (MRA) has endorsed legislation in the state of Minnesota that would make it legal for researchers to conduct exit polling near to voting stations. More
In the UK, online polling firm YouGov has teamed up with newspaper publisher News International to offer a daily polling service during the country's forthcoming general election. More
TNS has formalised its partnership with qual and quant agency Aftab Associates, to offer services in Pakistan and Afghanistan under the brand name of TNS-Aftab. More
The New York Supreme Court has ordered Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) to continue to encode its signals for Arbitron's PPM (Portable People Meter) service, following a temporary restraining order (TRO) it imposed on SBS last week. More
Global research firm Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) has teamed up with social media software specialist Mzinga to create online market research communities for customer and employee research. More
In the UK, children's newspaper First News has joined forces with research agency Opinion Matters to launch a new panel of 7-14 year olds, First News Research. More
Arbitron has secured a Temporary Restraining Order from a US court, immediately requiring Spanish Broadcasting System, Inc. (SBS) to resume encoding its broadcasting signals for the PPM in accordance with the contract between the two firms. More
In the US, IHS which provides intelligence on the energy and environment sectors has acquired Emerging Energy Research for around $18m. More
US government market intelligence consultancy INPUT has launched a service to deliver data and insights on government spending and contractor activity. More
US research giant IMS Health has reported a 3% increase in fourth quarter revenues to $599.2m. The firm has also received shareholder approval for its sale to TPG Capital and the CPP Investment Board. More
In Denver, US, former iModerate director Adam Henderson has opened a new qualitative market research consultancy with a focus on social media metrics. More
Database giant Infogroup has reported a 13% drop in fourth quarter revenue to $24.7m for its market research arm, with an operating loss of $7.7m owing to a goodwill impairment charge. More
In the US, Frank N Magid, the television 'news doctor' whose research helped to shape US broadcasting, has died of Lymphoma at the age of 78. More
In the US, the Digital Signage Group (DSG) has published what it describes as the industry's first code of conduct for the use and deployment of consumer tracking research and technology. More
Information giant Experian has rolled out its Marketing Services portfolio in Korea, to enable marketers in the country to convert data into customer intelligence, gain an understanding of their customers and develop marketing strategies to optimise return on investment. More
In the US, research companies can once again legally conduct market research with Minnesota healthcare practitioners, following revision of a document restricting payments. The law now exempts payments for participation in bona fide market and opinion research. More
ACNielsen HCI - a firm researching pharmaceutical promotions which was transferred to WPP in a 2008 regulatory asset swap - has been added to Kantar Health's Marketing Insight practice. More
Pharmaceutical research giant IMS Health has received clearance from the European Commission (EC) to proceed with its sale to US investment firms TPG Capital and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) for $5.2bn. More
UK-based insight and communications group Creston has announced respectable results: like-for-like revenue for the third quarter is in line with the same period last year and an improvement on the second quarter. More
Database giant and ORC parent Infogroup has made 40 employees redundant as part of a companywide restructuring plan. More
In the US, Mountain West Research Center has announced a reduction in its workforce at its Idaho phone center, which it says is 'temporary' and blames on a 'volatile' research climate and slow economic recovery. More
Market research trade associations efamro and ESOMAR have submitted a response to the European Commission (EC) regarding its consultation on the protection of personal data. More
US neuromarketing research specialist Sands Research Inc (SRI) has partnered with Israeli market research and public opinion polling firm Market Watch, to provide its specialized services to companies in Israel. More
UK researcher Andrew Irving has launched a new qual-focused agency, AIMR, three years after selling his last company to Optimisa. More
In Australia, public sector specialist and former TNS exec Paul Vittles is launching The Vittles Organisation, centred around training and development, and with the particular goal of working with small and medium-sized research firms. More
US-based MDLinx has announced a new Omnibus offering for international pharmaceutical market research, among specialty physicians in eight treatment areas. More
US broadcaster NBC Universal (NBCU) is planning to conduct research into consumer cross-platform behaviour during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. More
US consumer privacy organization TRUSTe has developed a service to help web site publishers provide consumers with a clear understanding of their site policies and advertising practice, while enabling them to opt out of targeted ad campaigns. More
In the UK, Harris Interactive has appointed former Millward Brown/TNS public sector researcher Neil Russell as Senior Consultant, Public Sector and Social Policy Research, to drive forward the practice. More
US organisation Digital College Network (DCN) has partnered with iPOWOW! - which gathers viewer opinion through online video - to collect real-time data and feedback from advertising signage in colleges. More
In the US, Ipsos and Spanish language media firm Telemundo have launched a poll to find out more about the attitudes and opinions of Hispanic citizens. More
After eighteen months of losses, Harris Interactive has posted net income of $1.3m on revenue of $44.6m for the quarter ending December 31. More
In Scotland, full-service market research agency Progressive has promoted Louise Fraser to the position of Managing Director, following the departure of Mark Cuthbert who has left to 'pursue other interests'. The firm has also appointed Frances Dobson as Research Director. More
Infogroup-owned employee, customer and stakeholder market research consultancy ORC International has expanded to Scotland with the opening of a dedicated public services office in Edinburgh. More
Former Infogroup CFO Stormy Dean is suing the ORC parent for about $1.15m for severance and bonuses he says the company refuses to pay him. More
Computer giant and SPSS owner IBM has agreed to acquire National Interest Security Company (NISC), a privately-held company offering advanced analytics and IT solutions to the public sector. More
In a move that should please privacy advocates and regulators including the EC, Microsoft has announced changes to its data storage policy for the Bing search engine. Bing will now keep search data including IP addresses for just six months. More
Ipsos has completed the acquisition of polling and research firm The Market Research Bureau of Ireland (MRBI) from WPP, and branded the firm Ipsos MRBI. More
In the US, clean technology market specialist Pike Research has launched the 'Smart Grid Advisory Service', a subscription-based tool that provides market intelligence and insights for companies in the energy technology sector. More
US pollster John Zogby has sold a 51% stake in his firm Zogby International to Brazilian research agency IBOPE, with an option to sell the rest of the firm in five to nine years' time. More
John Shanahan, founder and CEO of market research agency Colmar Brunton Australia is to become Executive Chairman of the Colmar Brunton Group, as his firm announces the acquisition of benchmarking firm, The Advantage Group International (AGI). More
In the US, Harris Interactive has hired industry veteran Jeni Lee Chapman as Executive Vice President, Global Brand and Communication Consulting. More
In the US, Dr Michael Baumgardner, the President & CEO of full service marketing research firm Burke, Inc., is to retire from the firm in October, after more than 28 years of service. He will be replaced by current President Jeff Miller. More
In the UK, the BBC is conducting a 20 week review of its marketing strategy across its TV, radio and digital services, but would not comment on whether job cuts would be made as a result. More
US pharmaceutical and health care specialist Decision Resources has acquired BioTrends Research Group, which provides syndicated and custom market research services to mid-size pharma markets. Terms were not disclosed. More
The Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) has announced that its stations will no longer be included in audience measurement provided by AGB Nielsen Media Research, which has been carrying out TV audience research in the region since 1989. More
In the US, full-service market research firm Market Strategies International has sold its audience data collection unit MSInteractive and its Perception Analyzer technology to start-up firm Dialsmith. Terms were not disclosed. More
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has called for a 'thorough investigation' into Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM), following the revelation that the firm's CEO Michael Skarzynski had apparently 'provided false testimony' to a committee of the national legislature last month. More
US pharma and healthcare research firm Decision Resources has restructured into two segments - Biopharma and Medical Technology - and made a number of promotions accordingly. More
In the US, research and economic analysis company The Cicero Group has acquired polling and data collection agency Dan Jones & Associates. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Global pharma market research specialist The Research Partnership has appointed industry veteran Harriet Kozak as US President, tasked with developing and strengthening the business across the country. More
Michael Skarzynski has resigned as President & CEO of ratings giant Arbitron, after allegedly making a 'misstatement' in his testimony before a US congressional committee hearing last month. He is replaced by Board Director William Kerr. More
US online healthcare market research firm Panel Intelligence has reverted to its original name, MedPanel, following its management buyout (MBO) in 2009. The owners say the move reflects the firm's 'singular focus' on the health care sector. More
In the US, Burrell Communications - which focuses on the African American and young, urban (Yurban) markets - has opened a new agency which will gather intelligence on the lifestyle of the 'multiethnic urban male consumer' aged 18-34. More
In the UK, TNS-BMRB has launched another new division, the Social & Political Attitudes Unit (SPA), which will focus on tracking social and political trends. More
In the UK, online research consultancy Opinium Research has appointed former MASMI Director James Endersby as Managing Director, following the departure of Dan Foreman last November. More
Nigel Jackson - Group Head of both the Qualitative and Public Sector, Charities & Transport teams at Synovate in the UK - was tragically killed in an accident while skiing in the French Alps on Christmas Day. More
In the US, healthcare customer relationship management (CRM) specialist CPM Marketing Group has opened a call center in Madison, Wisconsin, to provide hospitals with behavioral targeted phone communications. More
In the US, On The Spot Systems - which enables businesses to gather information through the web and mobile devices - has upgraded its SURVEY ON THE SPOT product to enable air travellers to rate airport security screening. More
Database giant Infogroup has announced a rebrand, aimed at providing clients with 'a more unified approach'. MR subsidiary Opinion Research Corporation is among the major brands keeping their identity while strengthening their positioning as an Infogroup company. More
Web measurement technology firm WiseWindow has announced a new system for mining and analyzing opinions expressed in social media, and isolating mentions of specific companies and products to produce actionable reports. More
Business intelligence giant Thomson Reuters has acquired Discovery Logic, Inc, a provider of customizable analytics and decision support solutions for scientific research. Financial terms were not disclosed. More
The UK's advertisers, via trade association the ISBA, have expressed concerns over the government's plans to allow product placement in television programmes. More
In the UK, Synovate Healthcare has appointed Steve Lowery as Group Head, Custom Healthcare. More
US web analytics firm Echometrix has re-structured by splitting into two separate divisions - PULSE Data Analytics and FamilySafe. More
More than one in five American households (22.7%) have dropped landlines in favor of using cell phones, according to results from the most recent National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). More
TNS Gallup shareholders have decided to liquidate the company in Lithuania following 'very poor' financial results. Its former employees have already launched a new market research firm, with a focus on economic, demographic and social changes in Lithuanian society. More
Arbitron is to speed up its planned increase in diary market cell-phone-only (CPO) household sample, raising it to an average of 15% of total sample across all its diary markets in the US, including Hawaii and Alaska, by Spring 2010. More
In the US, clean technology market specialist Pike Research has launched a new Corporate Sustainability and Advisory Service, to provide industry clients with insights on best practices for implementing green initiatives. More
TNS-BMRB has announced the launch of its first new division, 'The Communications Research Centre', a UK-based specialist team dedicated to communications research for the public sector. More
Knowledge Networks (KN) has expanded its position in the pharma and biotech research market with the acquisition of CMR (Caduceus Marketing Research), which runs the Physicians Consulting Network (PCN) panel of 70,000 US physicians and healthcare professionals. More
Harris Interactive has added Clarabridge's text analytics to its flagship Harris Poll, in order to combine opinions posted on social media and other online sites with public opinion measured through its surveys. More
Two projects aimed at protecting the public were among those taking the trophies at the Market Research Society (MRS) Research Awards 2009, held in London last night. More
Sustainability specialist Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) and GfK subsidiary Mediamark Research & Intelligence (MRI) have announced the integration of the former's LOHAS consumer segmentation model with the latter's Survey of the American Consumer database. More
The Ukraine faces the prospect of having no independent exit poll for its forthcoming elections, despite the fact that such polls played a key part in exposing fraud and overturning the election result in 2004. More
Business and financial information giant Bloomberg has announced the acquisition of news, data and analysis firm New Energy Finance (NEF), whose services include custom research as well as database and subscription-based insight products. More
India's government has set up a Market Research and Analysis Unit (MRAU) within its Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), as part of a package of measures designed to protect investors and eliminate events like the recent Satyam scandal. More
In Washington, a committee Chairman has hinted at the possibility of legislation to help resolve arguments over Arbitron's PPM device. Edolphus Towns concluded Wednesday's hearings by giving the firm 30 days to come up with a schedule to address the concerns of critics. More
Harris Interactive has regained its compliance with the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards, which require listed firms' stock to be valued at a minimum of a dollar per share. More
B2B specialist Kadence International has reported a 20% rise in revenue for its insight division, and overall growth of 9% to $11.3m during the financial year 2008-2009. More
US healthcare marketing services firm Cadient Interactive has launched a new practice, HATCH Consulting, to provide clients with services including market and user experience research to support their interactive campaigns. More
US-based healthcare market research provider Decision Resources is expanding its Physician and Payer Forum product line to include primary research on European attitudes towards cancer drugs on the market. More
In the UK, the Central Office of Information (COI) has introduced a five-step guidance process to ensure behavioural theory is applied to ad campaigns designed to change citizens' behaviour. The latter include drives to give up smoking, take more exercise or reduce carbon footprint. More
UK-based insight and communications group Creston has reported an 8% drop in first half revenues for its Insight division, partly attributable to the underperformance of market research agencies CML and MSTS, now merged into other companies. More
Information giant Experian has launched a new German version of its consumer classification tool Mosaic, classifying the country's 68 million adult population into ten major lifestyle groups reflecting recent trends in society. More
In the UK, Phil Evans, the CEO of Cardiff-based agency Research and Marketing Plus, has led a management buy-out (MBO) for an undisclosed amount. More
Market research and consulting firm GH Korea (formerly Global Research Institute) has become the newest member of the Harris Interactive Global Partner Network. More
US technology media, events, and research company International Data Group (IDG) has launched a tool to track social media conversations around topics and brands to measure sentiment and engagement over time. More
Ipsos has reported a 3.9% drop in revenues to €669.6m for the first three quarters of the year, and a 5.3% decrease in third quarter revenue to €221.8m. More
UK-based global insight consultancy Nunwood has appointed James Walker, former global President of Accenture Marketing Sciences as Chief Strategy and Development Officer. More
Pharmaceutical research giant IMS Health has agreed to be sold to private equity firm TPG Capital and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) for $5.2bn. More
comScore has partnered with non-profit organization the Wikimedia Foundation to improve understanding of the reach and impact of free knowledge on the web. More
Data giant infoGroup has reported revenue for its MR firms down 16% to $24m in quarter three, with an operating loss of $700k compared with operating income of $1.4m for the prior year period. More
Online measurement firm comScore and pharma insights agency ImpactRx have launched a solution that links physicians' online and mobile behaviors with their actual prescription writing activities. More
ORC parent and database giant infoGroup has responded to a press report that it is taking bids to sell the company, by stating that it is evaluating its operations and prospects to determine what is in the best interests of all shareholders. More
In the US, a coalition of three businesses has launched The Green Confidence Index, to provide a monthly snapshot of Americans' attitudes on environmental responsibility and their willingness to make green purchasing choices. More
KantarHealth is expanding its CardioMonitor service into Japan and China, a major step towards its goal of providing a globally consistent cardiovascular and diabetes patient database. More
The Market Research Society of New Zealand (MRSNZ) and the Association of Market Research Organisations (AMRO) have condemned the New Zealand Labour Party for what they describe as 'unethical and misleading activities'. More
In the UK, almost three quarters (72%) of Internet users are unaware of the online advertising industry's use of behavioural targeting, a new survey suggests. More
ORC parent and database giant InfoGroup has fired one of its top executives, EVP and General Manager Stormy Dean, a fourteen year veteran of the company. More
In the US, KantarHealth Joint CEO Elaine Riddell has decided to leave the company to 'pursue other opportunities': Joint CEO Lynnette Cooke assumes sole global CEO responsibilities with immediate effect. More
Full service agency Opinium Research has launched a UK political poll which will track voter intention on a weekly basis ahead of the 2010 general election. More
Pharma market research giant IMS Health has reported a 6% drop in third-quarter revenue to $540.8m, compared with $573.7m a year earlier. The news follows reports earlier in the week that the Board of Directors is considering selling the company. More
Consumer Health Sciences (CHS) has added more than 13,300 Chinese consumers to the database for its 'National Health and Wellness Survey' (NHWS). Plans are also in place to roll out the service further across Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. More
US-based web analytics firm Omniture has launched a solution that combines the social media measurement and analytics of its SiteCatalyst platform, with the best practices of its consulting services division. More
Ipsos and its online panel firm Livra are to launch an online community for users to share and gather opinions. More
Pharma market research firm AlphaDetail has added two new features, AlphaLink and AlphaMonitor, to its suite of tracking services. More
ORC parent and database giant infoGroup has reached a provisional settlement to resolve a two-year investigation into its accounting practices by a regional branch of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). More
Canada-based public opinion firm Angus Reid Strategies has hooked up with UK political blog PoliticalBetting.com to run online polls on the site, which will track voter intentions leading up to Britain's next general election. More
According to reports, pharma market research giant IMS Health is in talks with several private equity firms regarding selling the company. More
In-Q-Tel, the US Government's investment arm, has commissioned social media monitoring firm Visible Technologies to provide the CIA with tools to monitor the millions of posts and conversations on social media such as blogs, YouTube, FaceBook and Twitter. More
US clothing firm Iconix is to pay a $250k civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges that it violated child privacy Act COPPA by knowingly collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children online without first obtaining their parents' permission. More
In the UK, GfK NOP Media is launching a new panel of eight-to-fifteen-year-olds, 'rate it!', to offer better understanding of 'the next generation of media consumers'. More
The legislature in the US state of Maine has voted to repeal the privacy law intended to 'Predatory Marketing Practices Against Minors', following protests from a number of companies and industry bodies including MRA. More
US-based Sometrics - which combines social analytics with targeted ad serving capabilities - has closed a Series B round of funding led by Walt Disney company Steamboat Ventures, which takes its name from the classic early cartoon. More
In Canada, custom panel and technology specialist Vision Critical is to merge with sister firm, public opinion and MR agency Angus Reid Strategies, DRNO has learned. The combined firm will be known as Vision Critical and Angus Reid Strategies will operate as its public opinion practice. More
Ratings giant Arbitron has commercialized its Portable People Meter (PPM) radio ratings service in five new local markets, as the deadline approaches for the firm to obtain Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation for its service in New York. More
In the US, Arbitron has confirmed that EVP Taher Behbehani, one of three top men brought in as part of a major restructure announced earlier in the year, has left the company. More
Today sees the official merger of TNS' UK Custom Division and Research International UK to become TNS Research International UK; and the merger of TNS Custom's UK Social sector with BMRB's social research team to become TNS-BMRB. More
YouGov has reported results for the year ended 31st July, with turnover up 10% to £44.3m, but down after allowing for currency effects. Normalised operating profit fell from £8.7m to £3.1m but markets reacted favourably to the figures. More
Social media measurement firm Fizziolo.gy has developed a system to measure and track real-time online conversations about the entertainment industry. More
A study has shown that more than 30% of physicians may no longer participate in market research if the Sunshine Payment Act is implemented, requiring drug and device manufacturers to disclose incentive payments over $20 for market research. More
In The Netherlands, online market research agency MetrixLab has appointed former Research International VP Alexander Kleijngeld to spearhead the international expansion of its NPD & Innovation unit. More
Netherlands-based community insight agency CreativeCrowds has announced a partnership with Canadian crowdsourcing technology firm Cambrian House. Using the latter's flagship Chaordix product, the partners will design and deliver crowdsourcing platforms to organizations in Europe. More
US healthcare specialist Panel Intelligence has expanded its access to patients, to provide cancer therapeutics companies with direct access to the end users of their products. More
The biggest new MrWeb section in nine years opens today with launch articles from five research luminaries. 'MRT' is an online home for custom panel builders, mobile researchers, data miners, neuromarketers and many others at the leading edge of what we broadly define as 'MR'. More
Pharma market research giant IMS Health has appointed Gilles Pajot in the new position of Vice Chairman. Previously the company's COO, he continues to report to Chairman and CEO David R. Carlucci. More
In New Jersey, the state Supreme Court has banned exit polls from being conducted within 100 feet of polling stations, and also kept in place a bar on the distribution of leaflets and other materials within the same area. More
In the US, ratings giant Arbitron has formed a 'cross-media' measurement group, which will use its Portable People Meter (PPM) technology and third-party partnerships to establish a new audience measurement service across TV, radio, Internet, mobile and place-based media. More
US online physician community provider Sermo has launched an on-demand offering, which enables users to engage with and start private online conversations with a targeted group of medical practitioners. More
The practice of 'digital fingerprinting' may breach Canadian privacy laws - and by extension those of many European and Asian countries - according to a statement today by Canada's Marketing Research and Intelligence Association. More
London-based b2b agency IFF Research has announced sales of just over £8.7m for the financial year to 31st March 2009, an increase of 40% year on year. More
The new Chairman of US standards body the FCC has told an audience of minority broadcasters that the Commission aims to bring together the sides in the dispute over Arbitron's PPM. He also acknowledged that his organisation's authority regarding the PPM is 'limited'. More
In the US, research and technology firm Vision Critical has appointed Ashley Grosse as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of its US public affairs practice Angus Reid Strategies, based in the San Francisco office. More
In the US, polling firm Strategic Vision has been slammed by the AAPOR (the American Association for Public Opinion Research) for its failure to cooperate in an investigation into voter surveys conducted during last year's presidential primaries. More
In the US, Edolphus Towns' investigation into Arbitron's PPM claims Media Ratings Council (MRC) documents flag up 'persistent problems' with the technology. Arbitron says his Committee has reached 'erroneous conclusions' which it looks forward to clarifying. More
In the UK, healthcare and medical market fieldwork agency Healthcare Landscape has launched a series of research blogs where patients and carers can discuss a variety of medical issues on an anonymous basis. More
Behavioural ad targeting company Phorm has reported a $15m pre-tax loss for the first half of the year; down from $25.6m in the same period last year. Separately, Chief Technology Officer Stratis Scleparis has announced he is leaving the firm. More
In the US, the Nasdaq Stock Market has given Harris Interactive 180 days to increase its share price, as this has now fallen below the $1 per share requirement for the previous 30 consecutive business days. More
MR and consulting group Cello has appointed a new senior management team to lead its subsidiary RS Consulting. Jane Shirley adds the role of Chairwoman of RS to her existing responsibilities as CEO of Cello Research and joint MD of Insight, while RS's Group MD Neil Swann is leaving. More
MORI founder Sir Robert Worcester has spoken out against moves to change the timing of local election counts. Councils in his home county of Kent have suggested an end to overnight tallying of votes, a change Sir Robert warns would be 'anti-democratic' and deepen voter apathy. More
UK-based marketing services group Cello has announced half-yearly results. Overall group revenues were down 12%, a post-tax loss of £4.2m reflecting the write-down of recent acquisitions, but the Research and Consulting division performed respectably with operating income of £18.2m on turnover of £30m. More
In Cyprus, an MP and a trade union leader have clashed publicly over the latter's apparent DIY conduct and publication of a survey of public opinion, allegedly showing massive concern over the state of the island's civil service. More
US health care specialist Roger Green and Associates (RG+A) has announced the launch of DPS Tracker, the first ATU/tracking system based on its established patient-centered Dynamic Practice Simulation (DPS) methodology. More
In the US, professional association the CMO Council has announced the launch of 'Pause for a Cause', a program which aims to direct millions of dollars in funds to good causes in exchange for survey responses. Major charities and corporations are among those backing the initiative. More
In the US, the Federal Trade Commission has finalised a settlement with retailer Sears Holdings Management Corporation over its use of browser tracking software between April 2007 and January 2008. More
Ipsos Public Affairs has opened a new research center to provide market research and insight into the lives of Hispanic citizens living in the US. More
In the US, customer relationship management (CRM) firm RightNow has acquired social network market research agency HiveLive for approximately $6m in cash. More
PluggedIN, which specializes in building online communities for market research and consumer insights, has updated its social networking platform to enable online qual researchers to track what their target audiences are sharing across the social media landscape. More
Austrian full-service agency INTEGRAL Market and Opinion Research has bought a majority share in German psychological and sociological research specialist SINUS Sociovision. Terms were not disclosed. More
US-based CARMA International has updated its Social Media Access analysis tool, to provide new methods for analyzing reader comments and hyperlinks appearing within social media, and help clients understand how blog contents are affecting their image. More
Professor John Beath has been appointed to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the UK's largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. He takes up the post for a period of three years. More
US health, wellness and sustainability researcher the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) is to expand its LOHAS consumer segmentation model to provide clients with eight years of trended data. More
In the UK, medeConnect Healthcare Insight, the market research division of Doctors.net.uk, has adopted an account team structure and appointed Nicky Richards and Neil Reynolds to head the two new teams. More
In the US, GfK Healthcare has introduced a quarterly omnibus, 'Managed Markets Delegates on Demand', to provide pharma marketers with access to a panel of key decision makers. More
In Canada, ratings giant Arbitron and TNS Media Research have launched what they describe as the 'world's largest combined panel for TV and radio audience measurement', designed to support industry organisation BBM Canada's own multi-media measurement initiative. More
In the UK, consumer protection body The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is to conduct a new study of online advertising, which will also examine the practice of behavioural targeting. More
Synovate parent Aegis has reported an 86% drop in first half pre-tax profits to £6.6m despite growing revenues by 4.8%. The research agency itself made an underlying operating loss of £3.2m in the first half, compared with a £7.9m profit a year earlier. More
In the US, marketing agency Hoffman York (HY) has established a division dedicated to helping clients drive demand and awareness of green products and services. More
In the UK, digital media company Struq has launched a technology platform that allows advertisers to customise and deliver ads in real-time, based on users' online behaviour and activities. More
Survey Sampling International (SSI) has introduced a number of outreach programs that engage and recruit in-demand, hard-to-reach segments of the population, such as African Americans, Hispanics, males and teens. More
In the US, analyst and consultant Frost & Sullivan has introduced a subscription-based market tracking program to assess awareness, adoption, plans and spending in the commercial green building sector. More
TNS Healthcare and consumer comms agency McCann Healthcare have linked to launch the first in a series of studies providing insights into the Singapore health sector. More
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yahoo! has acquired online community Maktoob.com, which owns its own dedicated research practice, Maktoob Research. Terms were not disclosed, although local sources estimate the total purchase price will be around $100m. More
Revenue in the Research Division of UK marcoms group Chime Communications fell to £4.58m from £7.41m in the prior year period, while operating income dropped 26% to £3m. More
Australian readership research is in flux as incumbent currency provider Roy Morgan declines to take part in a new-look tender. As of yesterday, magazine publishing giant ACP has quit its national association in support of the Roy Morgan survey. More
Harris Interactive has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2009, showing a 23% decline in annual revenue. More
In the US, Lnx Research has launched a new market research division called LnxPharma, dedicated to using social network analysis (SNA) tools and techniques to help pharma, biotech and government clients better understand how communities function. More
In the US, online survey sample firm United Sample and teens and young adult network eSPIN have partnered to launch a community where teens can participate in surveys and earn rewards for sharing their thoughts. More
UK-based healthcare market research agency The Planning Shop international has launched a panel which it claims provides access to the market shapers of the future. More
Internet ratings firm Quantcast has stopped using a system which resurrects traditional browser cookies after users have deleted them. More
GfK has reported a decline in sales and operating income during the first half of the year despite an improvement in the second quarter. In organic terms, first half sales were down 8.5%. More
In the US, a group of representatives of minority broadcasters have written to President Barack Obama asking him to intervene in the ongoing dispute over Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM), which they say they believe undercounts the audiences of minority radio stations. More
Business and professional information giant Thomson Reuters has reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, showing revenue growth and margin expansion, with continuing progress on the Reuters integration. Today, shareholders gave it the OK to drop its London and Nasdaq listings. More
Asbury Park, NJ-based public opinion research firm Rasmussen Reports, LLC has received a 'major' growth capital investment from an NYC private equity firm, to expand and enhance its provision of US public opinion data. More
London-based business intelligence firm StrategyEye has announced a strategic partnership with specialist MR, events and advisory firm Cleantech Group, LLC, to deliver tracking services to monitor news in the clean technology sector. More
Information provider and CEM software firm ResponseTek Networks Corp has launched an application to monitor brand 'buzz' on Twitter, including scans for positive or negative sentiment. More
In the US, business analytics firm SAS has launched a social media analysis tool which it says will help understand customer sentiment and detect fraud. More
In the UK, online measurement firm comScore has been selected as the sole provider of site content vetting on behalf of the Internet Advertising Sales Houses (IASH) - a council of the IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau) founded to police the activities of sales houses. More
In the US, communications firm Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L) has launched a new approach, which combines proprietary healthcare consulting tools with a team of senior advisors in healthcare, and other key areas. More
ORC parent and database giant infoGroup has reported an 18% decline in second quarter revenue to $122.2m (from $148.5m in 2008). More
Pharma market research giant IMS Health has launched a web-based tool which it claims provides an alternative to custom primary market research for assessing brand promotional campaigns. More
London-based healthcare specialist Double Helix Development group has relocated its Scarsdale, New York consulting operations to midtown Manhattan, in anticipation of growth from the practice. More
US media communications agency Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) is collaborating with Spanish language TV group Telemundo Communications to provide advertisers with a deeper understanding of Latino consumers in the US. More
ORC parent and database giant infoGroup has named Roger Siboni as its new Chairman of the Board, replacing Bernard Reznicek who took up the position last year. More
Online research agency YouGov has announced that its full-year trading is in line with current market expectations, but says it is expecting 'tough market conditions' to continue at least until the end of 2009. More
Healthcare specialist Cegedim Strategic Data (CSD) has acquired Hospital Marketing Services Ltd (HMSL), a leading provider of hospital based patient and promotion data analysis, via its subsidiary CSD UK. More
Ipsos has agreed to acquire 100% of Market Research Bureau of Ireland Limited (MRBI) from WPP, which was required to sell it for competition reasons by an EC ruling. Terms were not disclosed. More
In the US, Arbitron has responded to the news that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is being asked to join the rush to investigate the impact of the PPM, by reiterating that it 'welcomes every opportunity to discuss the PPM technology, service and our sampling methodology.' More
In the US, automotive research specialist R. L. Polk & Co. has introduced a segmentation system tying in with the much-discussed 'Cash for Clunkers' vehicle disposal initiative. More
In the UK, Ipsos-MORI has sounded out employees about the possibility of taking two weeks of voluntary unpaid leave later in the year. More
Arbitron says Spanish-language broadcaster Univision Radio will not renew contracts for its Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings in San Diego, Miami and Phoenix, and will refuse to encode its signals for PPM in the three markets. More
MR services provider Precision Opinion has announced the expansion of its Las Vegas CATI center from 100 to 200 stations, citing two years of record growth. More
Pharma market research giant IMS Health has reported a 19% drop in Q2 profit to $62.9m from $77.7m a year earlier. Accordingly, the firm is planning to shed a total of 850 staff, or 11% of its global workforce. More
In the UK, information services giant Experian has updated its consumer segmentation tool Mosaic, in a move which it says reflects demographic and social changes that have occurred in British society since 2003. More
In the US, Robert Groves has been sworn in as the 23rd Director of the US Census Bureau, at a ceremony attended by seven of his predecessors as well as hundreds of members of the statistical community and Census Bureau employees. More
B2B specialist Kadence International has reported a 40% climb in UK revenue to £4m during the financial year 2008-09. More
Ratings giant Arbitron has reported revenue growth of 10.4% to $86.8m in the second quarter, from $78.6m in the prior-year period. The company has also maintained its earnings outlook for 2009, while trimming its year-on-year revenue growth forecast. More
In the UK, the government's marketing and communications unit the Central Office of Information (COI) has published its annual report and accounts for 2008/9, showing an increase in spending on market research of almost 30% from £22.7m to £29.4m. In four years, spend has more than doubled from £13.2m. More
In the US, higher education marketing specialist EducationDynamics has announced a merger with NYC-based Aslanian Group, which focuses on adult student market analysis. More
Media services firm PR Newswire has announced the EMEA launch of an intelligence tool, Social Media Metrics. The tool is powered by Sentiment Metrics, a real-time analysis system and dashboard breaking down mentions of brands and companies by sentiment, demographics, influence and authority. More
US researcher and political pollster Pursuant Research has opened its first regional office in Randolph, VT, to be headed by company President, Melissa Marcello. More
US-based full service agency Market Probe has acquired the Pharmaceutical Research Group of rival Maritz, in a bid to expand its own healthcare business. Terms were not disclosed. More
US-based healthcare and government researcher Abt Associates has promoted Kathleen Flanagan to the position of President and CEO, succeeding Wendell Knox who is to retire from the post he has held for the past 17 years. More
The Canadian Privacy Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart has issued a report which outlines how social networking site Facebook is contravening Canadian law by holding users' personal information indefinitely. More
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has outlined plans to bolster the media sector, which include the launch of a research center where media companies, universities and others will be able to collaborate on research and share findings. More
Florida Attorney General (AG) Bill McCollum has filed a lawsuit against Arbitron, claiming that its Portable People Meter (PPM) methodology undercounts minority listeners. His is the fourth such case to be brought against the firm. More
Arbitron's former SVP/Press & Investor Relations Thom Mocarsky is returning to the firm in the newly created position of VP/Investor Relations. More
The US Senate has approved President Obama's nomination of Dr Robert Groves as Census Director, following more than a month of objections from Republican lawmakers. More
The Open University (OU) has been awarded 1.49m by the European Commission to co-ordinate a new research project to examine the link between the financial sector and the real economy across Europe. More
Kantar Health has hired Scott Davies as General Manager of China, to direct the group's growth strategy in the region. Kelly Wong has also been appointed as Business Leader and Head of Research, China. More
In the US, social media and blog tracking firm Collective Intellect has raised $3.1m in funding, adding to the $9.6m raised in two previous rounds. More
French pharma data firm Cegedim Strategic Data (CSD) has launched a suite of products that combine its patient, promotion and communication tracking analyses for specific therapeutic markets. More
UK-based surveillance expert Dr William Webster is to lead a four-year Europe-wide study to examine the impact of living in a 'surveillance society'. More
Hispanics in the US, especially those who are more recent arrivals, give higher ratings in product surveys than their non-Hispanic counterparts, according to a study designed by Jeffry Savitz, President of Savitz Research. More
US healthcare information and research firm SK&A has opened a new division to meet the needs of health care and pharmaceutical agencies. Account Manager Andrew Stanton and newly hired Account Executive Monica Browka will head up the division. More
Youth marketing agency Archrival has developed a Twitter Aggregator tool to bring together all tweets relating to a brand in a single page. Technorati - which operates niche Twitter aggregator sites - has also launched a system to bring together tweets from major blogs. More
In the US, the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) has joined the Media Rating Council (MRC), in a bid to establish accurate representation of the Latino market in audience measurement. More
Robert Louis-Dreyfus, former CEO of pharma MR giant IMS Health and the main shareholder in French soccer team Olympique Marseille, has died at the age of 63 after a long battle with leukaemia. More
US data collection firm SurveyHealthCare has developed a managed care database of professionals who are involved with making formulary decisions, and developing medication protocol and pharmacy programs. More
US healthcare market intelligence provider IMS Health has appointed Kimberly Gray as Chief Privacy Officer for the Americas, to direct all privacy-related activities for the US, Canada and Latin America. More
US ratings giant Arbitron has told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that it has no authority to impose regulations on its Portable People Meter (PPM) system, which replaces previously used paper diary-based methods for logging radio listening habits. More
In the US, a group of media and marketing trade associations has released self-regulatory principles which will require web sites to clearly inform consumers about data collection practices. More
In the UK, Real Research MD Adam Phillips has been promoted to the post of Chairman of the Financial Services Consumer Panel, which acts as an independent voice for consumers of financial services. More
Radio ratings giant Arbitron says it welcomes the chance to discuss the impact of its PPM system further with Congress, following moves this week by New York Democrat Edolphus Towns, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. More
In the US, the Supreme Court says it will not consider overturning a New Hampshire ban on the use of prescriber-identifiable data for marketing purposes. The law is contested by research and data firms including IMS Health and SDI / Verispan. More
Contrary to claims in the Turkish press, reported in DRNO on Friday, AGB Nielsen says its own panellists have alerted it proactively to corruption issues; that it continues to enjoy good relations with awarding body TIAK; and that it is very much in the running for a tender taking place later this year. More
Philadelphia-based Wolters Kluwer Health has launched 'inThought(TM)', a new MR service offering a range of pharmaceutical forecasting capabilities. More
Peterborough, UK-based marketing and PR consultancy Smye Holland Associates has opened an office in The Netherlands, with the aim of helping clients with their export marketing. More
TV ratings data supplied by AGB Nielsen for the Turkish market is the subject of corruption claims. After complaints filed by the country's Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), the Television Audience Research Committee (TŬAK) has apparently said it will change the system, and the supplier. More
Alec Gallup, who previously served as Co-Chairman of the Gallup Organization, has died at home of a heart ailment at the age of 81. More
US social media analytics firm Visible Technologies has updated its TruCast monitoring and engagement platform. Additions include the ability to view the tone of conversations by country. More
In the UK, former Opinion Leader and ORC International Director Rachel Lopata has set up a new consultancy to help public sector clients engage in more effective dialogue with their communities and stakeholders. More
In the UK, managers at Royal Mail have been accused of manipulating a mystery shopping programme being undertaken by Research International, to artificially boost the organisation's performance and generate big bonuses for themselves. More
A new company has been launched to assess the market share of German-language services, including social networks; national news portals; and women's, cinema and health web sites. More
In the US, market researcher Rob Hahn has launched his own agency - Strategic Market Solutions Group (SMSG) - to provide market research and sales management services focusing on the senior living and health care industries. More
In the UK, Sky News has re-launched its online research group - the Sky News Panel - with a new user web site supported by an online and TV recruitment campaign to attract new members. More
A member of the newly formed ethics council of the Indonesian Public Opinion Survey Association (Persepi), has called for a block on the results of opinion polls funded by political parties being released to the public. More
In the UK, financial information services company Markit and online research firm YouGov have launched a new survey designed to provide an indication of the actual changes in household finances each month. More
In the UK, the BBC is developing an audience measurement tool which will provide insight into how audiences 'pick and mix' content across a variety of viewing platforms. More
In the UK, Norman Glass, the CEO of social and academic institute the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), died at home last Saturday, following several months of illness. He is survived by his wife Marie-Anne and their two children Jerome and Sophie. More
In the UK, online medical data collection agency Medefield has launched a qual service which uses video streaming to provide global access to respondents. More
In the UK, former BBC Head of Audiences Penny Young has become Chief Executive of the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). She replaces Norman Glass, who died at home on Saturday at the age of 63 following some months of illness More
In the UK, the Daily Telegraph has revealed that millionaire Tory MP Brian Binley broke parliamentary rules by claiming around £57k in taxpayer-funded expenses to rent a flat from his own firm, BCC Marketing. More
Nielsen and secure identity solutions firm Digimarc are to launch two joint ventures that will combine the latter's solutions for deterring fraud, counterfeiting and piracy with the former's consumer and business data. The ventures replace a more informal agreement in place since 2007. More
Nielsen has been selected by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Locog) to provide market research services for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. More
The UK government is embarking on a major ROI assessment of its web presence, led by the COI (Central Office of Information). Industry-owned not for profit body ABCe has been appointed to run the programme, which is billed as 'the largest project of its kind to date'. More
P\S\L Research has appointed Christine Corner as Group Managing Director for its London operation, leading the London-based business units and research team. She joins from TNS Healthcare where she was Head of Client Service. More
In the US, education research specialists MarketingWorks and SEG Research have announced a partnership aimed at enhancing their services for educational publishers and educational technology providers. More
In the US, medical information firm IntrinsiQ has acquired pharma and biotech market research and consulting specialist WWMR. Terms were not disclosed. More
Mike Everett, formally CEO of Ipsos MORI in the UK, is to become Global HR Director for the Ipsos Group in July. More
In the US, The Washington Post has launched an online panel of respondents, who will be invited to debate the country's health care reform bill and explain how proposed changes might impact citizens. More
Global MR organisation ESOMAR has launched a series of revised guidelines, to take account of recent developments in technology and increasing public concern about privacy and control of personal information. More
Police in the US have arrested a man in Reno, Nevada and charged him with forging Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) payroll checks. More
In Dubai, healthcare web portal ArabMedicare.com has launched a new market research service designed to provide support services to healthcare providers, consulting firms, government agencies, and pharma and allied healthcare organisations. More
In the US, retail giant Sears Holdings has agreed to settle a complaint alleging that it installed tracking software on consumers' PCs without adequate disclosures. More
In the UK, a group of organisations led by TNS has won a contract from the Department for Transport (DfT) to deliver the first in-depth study into how public attitudes to climate change impact travel preferences. More
GfK Healthcare has added tailored reporting options to its Roper Global Diabetes Program, offering healthcare and related companies in the diabetes category access to patient data and market trends. More
New research from consumer intelligence firm Mintel shows that real-life product or service referrals are more influential to consumers than those received online. More
In the US, mystery shopping evaluation firm TrendSource has acquired health care mystery shopping specialist Examine Your Practice. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, social networking technology firm Lithium has acquired Keibi Technologies, which analyzes user-generated images, text, video, and animations and rates them according to their likelihood to negatively impact the customer experience. Terms were not disclosed. More
Reputation analysis and comms research specialist Echo Research has opened Asian headquarters in Singapore, managed by Regional Manager Michelle Allen. More
In the US, the MRA (Marketing Research Association) has won protection for health care researchers in the state of Massachusetts, in the form of an official exemption for research from the Massachusetts Department of Health. More
In the UK, Kingston University is leading a £1.1m research project to find out if it is possible to nudge individual behaviour in a 'socially-desirable direction', simply by telling people what others are doing. More
In the UK, Telegraph Media Group (TMG) has created a new research department, to identify opportunities in existing and emerging markets, as well as analyse the challenges facing the business and industry as a whole. More
In the UK, a group of entrepreneurs has launched a research agency, Innovate Solutions. The founders believe observational data in increasingly important to pharmaceutical companies, as well as to patients as consumers of healthcare. More
US consultancy Gongos Research has upgraded its 2.0 platform to create an interactive environment for consumers, while offering clients greater versatility when fielding questions and analyzing response. More
In the US, Seattle-based Survey Analytics has been awarded a White House contract to develop a new 'open government brainstorming' web site for President Obama's administration. More
Pharma and biotech specialist MattsonJack has launched a study that focuses on specific cancer tumor types in China. More
B2B research specialist Kadence International is the 'greenest' market research company in the UK according to The Sunday Times Best Green Companies in Britain list. The firm was the only market research firm to make it onto the list of 60 UK companies, and ranked 46th. More
US research trade bodies CASRO and PMRG have given their support to health care MR specialists IMS Health, Inc. and Verispan LLC in their attempt to overturn a Court of Appeals ruling which would prevent them from using prescriber-identifiable data for marketing purposes. More
The Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) - a US lobby group set up to present a privacy agenda to the Barack Obama administration - is to conduct research to examine different methods for communicating with users about online advertising and privacy practices. More
Key personnel from behavioural targeting firm NebuAd, which ceased trading on Friday, are launching a new UK-based company called 'Insight Ready', according to reports. More
In the US, social polling network Polladium.com has launched what it describes as a 'Twitter-like' interface where members can vote and express their opinions on polls ranging from politics and entertainment to sports and technology. More
In Australia, Sydney-based Connection Research - which analyses sustainability issues - has launched a service to report on sustainable housing, domestic energy and water consumption patterns, and the household use of technology. More
In the US, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has opened an inquiry into claims that Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM) undercounts the audiences of minority radio stations. More
Ben Page is set to become the new Chief Executive of Ipsos MORI in the UK and Ireland, replacing Mike Everett who takes on a new global role on the Group Management Board. More
In the US, behavioral targeting firm NebuAd has ceased trading, following legal problems. The firm was sued last autumn and questions asked in Congress concerning its purchase of information about web users, without their permission. More
In the UK, medeConnect Healthcare Insight - the market research division of Doctors.net.uk - has launched a qualitative MR service to complement its quant service which provides access to medical professionals. More
For the first three months of the year, GfK's sales slipped 1.3% from 268.1m in Q1 2008 to 264.7m. In order to absorb further 'crisis-related losses' the firm has announced measures to reduce personnel costs including short-time work, hiring freezes, salary cuts and redundancies. More
In London, YouGovStone's MD Carole Stone is about to launch a monthly invitation-only club, where like-minded people can exchange ideas and build both business and social partnerships. Ideas generated by the StoneClub will come from, and feed back into, the firm's research. More
Ipsos has reported global revenues down 4.6% in Q1 2009 to 207.3m compared with the same period in 2008, with negative organic growth of 5.1% and a negative currency effect of 2.3%. The firm says it has held up well in an exceptionally difficult environment. More
WPP-owned healthcare data collection agency All Global has integrated the TNS JStreet panel into its online physician panel across the US and Europe, thus boosting its number of active physician participants by 50% across key specialities. More
Harris Interactive is to offer clients access to the opinions of families in Europe through a panel to be launched in the summer. More
US professional body the Marketing Research Association (MRA) has announced its official endorsement of Robert Groves, the President's nominee as Director of the U.S. Bureau of the Census. More
In the UK, PR and research groups Chime Communications and Huntsworth have both confirmed their interest in making a potential offer for PR and research group Next Fifteen - which owns Context Analytics and Redshift Research. More
Global PR agency Edelman and online intelligence firm Brandtology have partnered to develop a range of analytics aimed at helping Asian marketers engage with people and communities online. More
In the UK, Harris Interactive has appointed Robert Salvoni as UK and European Managing Director, replacing George Terhanian who took up the post of President of Global Solutions earlier this year. More
Harris Interactive has reported a 30.4% fall in revenue for the third quarter of 2009; from $57.3m in 2008 to $39.9m this year. The revenue decline impacted nearly all the firm's geographic regions, including the US, where revenue was down 33% for the quarter. More
In the UK, FreshMinds Research has announced the most profitable quarter in its nine year history. For Q1 2009, revenues increased 24% to £1.08m from the same period last year, and were up 51% on those recorded in Q4 2008. EBIT increased ninefold compared with Q1 2008. More
Barbara Cooke, who helped introduce media research brand TGI (Target Group Index) to South Africa, is to retire at the end of the month, after a career spanning 51 years in the research, advertising and media industries. More
In the US, IBM veteran Christopher Caine has launched Mercator XXI, which will help clients export their success globally. As well as market access and market research, the new firm offers advice on government relations and public policy. More
In the US, GfK Healthcare has launched a syndicated research service offering data on physicians' brand preferences, current and anticipated prescribing practices, patient treatment algorithms and other insights across more than 30 diseases. More
US opinion research and strategic advice firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (GQRR) has opened an office in Buenos Aires, Argentina. More
UK marketing services group Chime Communications is enjoying a strong first quarter with operating income up 13% from the same period last year, pre-tax profits 18% higher than 2008 at £4.8m, and operating profit margin rising 17.2%. More
ORC parent and database giant infoGROUP has reported a 17% drop in first quarter revenue to $127.5m from $153.3m in the prior year period. For the quarter, reported net loss was $9.3m compared with net income of $6.6m in 2008. More
In the US, Nielsen is facing a lawsuit brought by Sunbeam Television Corporation, over claims that the ratings firm is understating the broadcaster's TV audiences. More
In the US, Owners Research Group (ORG) has launched a research platform through which shareholders can voice their opinions and priorities on issues impacting firms they invest in. More
US firm TodobebT, which runs a portal and social networking site for Spanish-speaking parents, is to offer access to proprietary research conducted through its panel of Hispanic Moms. More
In the US, Harris Interactive has partnered with retail financial consultancy Mercatus to deliver a new retirement industry forum, where executives will explore retirement industry issues. More
In the US, Republican polling firm Public Opinion Strategies has resigned from Senator Arlen Specter's campaign team following his defection to the Democrat party. More
Online market research agency YouGov has acquired US branding, customer sat and new product research specialist Clear Horizons for an initial fee of $600k, which could rise to $2.7m based on performance targets over the next three years. More
In New York, Jodange, a firm which extracts opinions from online content to understand sentiment, has secured a $1.2m investment which it plans to use to extend its reach in the media, legal, energy and technology sectors. More
GfK Healthcare has announced the launch of FlashPoints(TM), a custom quantitative mini-study focused on delivering topline information on physicians' perceptions and behavior, with survey results delivered in just one week. More
In the UK, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Communication (APPGC) has launched an investigation into developing areas of Internet practice including behavioural targeting and online privacy. The BBC and AT&T have also been in the news for behavioural targeting activity. More
In the UK, the Central Office of Information (COI) has followed up last week's announcement of a roster or 'framework' for Strategic Consultancy projects with the launch of a similar setup for regional marketing agencies. More
In the US, Edison Research, which is best known for its national election exit polls, is to extend its services to the island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean, through a partnership with local firm Victory Communications. More
US pharma research giant IMS Health has seen total first quarter revenue fall 8% to $526.9m from $574.2m as the strong dollar impacts on overseas sales. Nevertheless, the quarter saw a sharp rise in net income. More
In Canada, Ipsos Reid has launched an online panel of 3,000 ethnic and new Canadians, to provide information about this growing segment of the population. More
Ratings giant Arbitron has announced a 24.1% drop in net income to $12.3m for the quarter, compared with $16.3m for the first quarter of 2008, despite a revenue rise of almost 5%. More
In the US, Psydex, a provider of services that analyze the world's news sources, has received $3.5m in funding. The money will be used to launch a news service portal that scours newswires, Internet feeds, TV, blogs and other sources of 'chatter' in real-time. More
The BBC is cutting £20m from the budget of its £100m Marketing, Communications and Audiences (MC&A) division, according to reports in the Guardian newspaper. More
Global b2b research agency Kadence has appointed Jo-Ann Foo as Associate Director, to head up its Malaysian insight team based in Kuala Lumpur, and capitalise on the business links between Malaysia and her home country of Australia. More
In the UK, public sector body The Central Office of Information (COI) has launched a new roster and 'framework' to support the work of its Strategic Consultancy division, in response to a significant increase in demand for stakeholder research and public consultation projects. More
Arbitron has appointed Taher G. Behbehani to the newly-created position of EVP, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, reporting to President and CEO Michael Skarzynski. More
Record numbers of first-timers booked for a research conference? It doesn't sound like 2009. But BIG, the UK's b2b research association, says a more open, debate-oriented style and a strong client-side presence are two of the factors bringing in the new faces as it gears up for its annual get-together. More
Britain's advertisers have called on the European Commission to cancel its legal challenge over the UK government's policy on behavioural targeting technology, via trade association the ISBA. More
In New Zealand, Synovate has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the union Unite which ends the lockout of workers. The company says the MOU establishes a working party which has six weeks from 14th April to reach a deal over a performance pay scheme for interviewing staff. More
New York-based healthcare specialist Rood Research has been acquired by independent equity research firm Majestic Research, whose services include data driven analysis. Terms were not disclosed. More
The European Commission has launched legal action against the UK Government, over its failure to force behavioural ad technology firm Phorm to comply with EU data protection and privacy rules. More
TNS has beaten IPSOS, Gallup and Synovate in a pitch to win what it describes as 'one of the largest market research contracts ever commissioned' - a four year 65m EU project to provide a measure of public opinion in Europe. More
In the US, the MRA (Marketing Research Association) has urged all researchers to sign a petition to fight new regulations which require the public reporting of payments to respondents involved in research conducted by pharma firms and medical device manufacturers. More
In the UK, online market research firm YouGov has reported a 54% drop in headline pre-tax profits to £2.4m (2008: £5.2m) for the six months to the end of January. Thirty of the firm's 420 staff will be made redundant, in an effort to save £2.5m a year. More
In Switzerland, market research consultancy CBC has acquired 34% of consumer and social analysis firm Konso AG (Institut fnr Konsumenten und Sozialanalysen). More
President Barack Obama has nominated University of Michigan professor Robert M. Groves to serve as Director for the 2010 Census. Prof Groves has strong survey credentials and experience, but the choice has already provoked alarm among Republicans, as has talk of the incumbent 'working closely' with the Whitehouse. More
Rumours that up to 50% of YouGov's UK staff are to be made redundant have been strongly denied by UK CEO Tim Britton. Britton says a review announced this week is intended to 'cut the firm's cloth' to match current conditions and will probably mean 'a small number' of job cuts. More
Ratings giant Arbitron has begun cellphone-only household sampling in an initial 151 diary markets for its Spring 2009 radio survey. More than a third of a million households have already been contacted to build the address-based sample. More
Dubai-based healthcare industry specialist '42 market research' has extended its coverage by offering services in Brazil and Mexico. More
The European Union will step-in to counter surfer profiling and breaches in data privacy, according to its Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva. Kuneva believes that online users' privacy rights are being abused by advertisers. More
London-based pharma market intelligence report publisher URCH Publishing has acquired Spectra Intelligence, a publisher of syndicated pharma market research. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the UK, Bob Douglas has been promoted from Head of Synovate Healthcare's global custom business to overall Global Head of Synovate Healthcare. More
Harris Interactive has announced that up to 30 UK jobs could go, as part of its plans to streamline the business. Meanwhile, continuing its US restructure, the firm has appointed former TNS Chief Information Officer Enzo Micali as Global EVP of Technology and Operations. More
Radio ratings giant Arbitron has appointed Alton Adams as EVP, Chief Marketing Officer and Dr Robert Henrick as EVP, Customer Solutions, as part of its previously announced shake-up, designed to facilitate effective decision-making. More
infoGROUP Inc. has entered into an agreement to sell social research specialist Macro International Inc. to ICF International for $155 million in cash. Macro was acquired with ORC in December 2006 but is not considered to be 'a strategic fit' with the Group's other business. More
IMS Health and SDI have petitioned the US Supreme Court to review a Court of Appeals ruling which would prevent them from using prescriber-identifiable data. More
Ad targeting software company Phorm has announced the beginning of a market trial with KT, Korea's biggest Internet service provider (ISP); the opening of an office in Seoul; and the appointment of Daniel Park as CEO of Phorm Korea. More
In New Zealand, 59 call centre staff at Oceania Customer Interaction Service (OCIS) have been locked out by their employer, after going on strike in protest over wages. More
'An anthropologist, a zoologist and an economist all went to the UK Research Society's annual conference...' It's not the beginning of a joke, but the basis for a fascinating session on Wednesday watched by MrWeb's special correspondent Phyllis Vangelder. More
In France, healthcare researcher Cegedim Strategic Data (CSD) has launched a new service which promises to integrate its various data sources and deliver comprehensive analysis. More
In the US, lobbying by the Marketing Research Association (MRA) has helped quash proposed legislation in Maryland, Rhode Island and Mississippi that would have required public reporting or banning of survey research incentives for healthcare practitioners. More
Global PR agency Calysto Communications has opened a social media marketing practice. The practice will provide analytical tools to analyze the buzz around clients' web sites and other communications such as press releases, company backgrounders, bylined articles and other online marketing materials. More
The afternoon's online research session explored a number of areas around the theme, generally running over familiar ground. The exception was a paper on the use of ethnography to create connections between emerging trends in both the real and online worlds. More
Ipsos has announced a deal with Thomson Reuters to provide 'regular intelligent information about behaviours, attitudes and opinions of consumers and citizens', based on regular multi-country polling on a wide-range of topics. More
Research 2009, the MRS' flagship event in London, is billed by its organisers as the 'Glastonbury of the market research world'. But will it live long in the memory or sink deep in the mud? Scientist and presenter Prof Robert Winston set the ball rolling today, watched by DRNO News Editor Mel Crowther. More
Appropriately, given reports today* that the UK government is to replace P&G as the country's largest advertiser, and their research spend is also up, public sector clients are among the few in evidence at the MRS Conference. Hence a topical session on communicating with - and getting the truth from - the public. More
UK energy consultancy research4 has announced a recession-beating MR service, 'intelligence desk', which in addition to promising quick answers to business questions, offers a project management service for companies with no internal market research function. More
Polling firm Ipsos Reid is to close its call center in Ottawa, Canada in June, citing client demands for cheaper research. Around 40 full and part-time staff will lose their jobs. More
After more than 14 years with UK public sector specialist Andrew Irving Associates (AIA), Nicky Spicer has been promoted to the position of Managing Director. More
British marcoms group Aegis - which owns market research firm Synovate - has announced plans to cut around 780 jobs across its global operations as part of a cost-saving plan to beat the downturn. Meanwhile CEO John Napier denied reports he has held merger talks with competitor Havas. More
Ipsos has posted organic growth of 7.8% and operating margin up 8.2% for 2008, despite a financial crisis which it describes as 'unprecedented in its scale since the modern economy took shape'. More
UK-based specialist business-to-business market research agency B2B International has recorded its twelfth consecutive year of growth, reporting an annual turnover of £3.3m ($4.7m) in 2008 which it attributes to its expansion in the US and Chinese markets. More
In the US, non-profit research organization RTI International has acquired federal health marcoms specialist MasiMax Resources, to expand its services in the health sector. Terms were not disclosed. More
Atlanta, GA-based AnalyticsIQ has released EconomyIQ(TM), a decision support tool for measuring and forecasting economic conditions by zip code. The product combines data from seven economic indicators including home prices, unemployment rates, retail sales and consumer bankruptcy. More
Spoken word radio stations tend to post higher audience figures with Arbitron's PPM measurement than they used to with diaries, according to data from Coleman Insights, a company specializing in studies of the PPM. More
Harris Interactive has made a further 90 staff redundant - 16% of its US full-time workforce - in a bid to make $10m in cost savings. The firm saved $9.5m through headcount reduction in October and December last year. More
In the US, ratings giant Arbitron has met with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Acting Chairman Michael Copps in an attempt to head off an investigation into claims that its Portable People Meter (PPM) measurement device undercounts minority radio station audiences. More
Google is to launch a new behavioral targeting system which will deliver ads based on the sites people visit, not just the searches they make or the site on which the ad appears. In a beta test of the new service, Google will show ads on YouTube and on its partners' sites. More
In the US, The Spanish Radio Association (SRA) and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) have expressed their 'disappointment and frustration' with Arbitron's recent promises to upgrade its PPM sampling methodology. More
Ipsos MORI's Reputation Centre has set up a Reputation Council, made up of more than 50 senior corporate communicators drawn from a cross section of major organisations across Europe. More
US strategic consultancy Brand Counsel has launched a new assessment tool to help companies evaluate the value and relevancy of their corporate and product branding strategies. More
Arbitron is moving its corporate headquarters from New York City to Columbia, Maryland, where its research and engineering operations are already based. The NYC location will continue as a sales office. President and CEO Michael Skarzynski says he wants 'to live and work where the operational core of the business resides'. More
Information services giant Experian has announced a strategic alliance with Buxton, providers of site location and customer analytics. More
Property professionals in the Middle East are in discussions to establish a research society to help developers and governments make better market decisions. More
Radio ratings giant Arbitron has confirmed that it will be extending methodological enhancements from New Jersey, New York and Maryland to all PPM markets. The firm has also announced a new multi-year deal for diary-based ratings, and discussed revenue changes in a 10-K filing. More
US radio ratings giant Arbitron is recruiting for three new senior executive positions, as part of a shake-up designed to facilitate effective decision-making. More
In the US, California State University (CSU) has agreed to pay a $15k settlement fee to end a copyright lawsuit filed by sport event marketing research company, Marketing Information Masters Inc. (MIMI). More
According to preliminary figures, GfK has achieved organic revenue growth of 5.5% to 1,220m for the financial year 2008. The firm has also implemented a new efficiency programme which it says should save 30m between now and 2012. More
US public opinion polling firm Gallup is opening an office in Nairobi, Kenya to focus on media, market and social research. More
In the US, e-learning veterans Jeff Cobb and Celisa Steele have launched Tagoras, a market research and consulting firm specializing in the design, marketing and management of digital learning and knowledge. More
In the US, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has barred Dr Gilbert Burnham from heading 'research involving human subjects' for five years, saying that he put survey participants at risk during his controversial research into civilian deaths in Iraq. More
The Kantar Group is streamlining its businesses after buying TNS. The TNS Custom business will merge with Research International and will be generally known as TNS. A new social research force for the UK is established in TNS-BMRB, while Kantar has four new vertical sector operating units: Media, Health, Retail and Worldpanel. More
YouGov executives have considered taking the company private following its share price tumble this month, according to private equity sources quoted in the UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper. More
US data collection firm Schlesinger Associates has launched an online patient health and wellness community, built and managed by partner firm Inspire; and has promoted Amber Leila Jones to the position of Executive Vice President to lead the initiative. More
Former Holiday Which? Head of Research Anne Harvey has taken on the newly created role of Head of Policy at VisitBritain, the UK's national tourism agency. More
Most web surfers are not happy with having information collected about them in order for advertisers to provide them with more tailored ads, even where the info is not personally identifiable, according to study results from ad technology firm Burst Media. More
In India, knowledge services firm Boston Analytics has partnered with financial news channel CNBC-TV18 to re-launch its monthly barometer of Indian consumer opinion and consumption. More
In the US, the Marketing Research Association (MRA) has helped fend off attempts to cut budget for the decennial census, by convincing the US Congress to provide $1bn census funding as part of its economic stimulus package. More
In the UK, phone giant BT is still being questioned about its use of customers' data without their permission, during a trial of Phorm's online ad targeting platform 'Webwise' back in 2006. More
In New York, All Global's former President Jerry Arbittier has launched a new healthcare data collection firm to provide both panel and off-panel sampling methodologies to healthcare market research agencies. More
Dutch market research agency DervalResearch has claimed it has found a link between the perception of taste and an individual's job and hobbies, which it is calling the Hormonal Fingerprint. More
The BBC has appointed Sharon Baylay as Director of its Marketing, Communications and Audiences division. Formerly General Manager of Microsoft Online Services Division UK, she replaces Tim Davie who was promoted from the role last year. More
Ipsos has reported full-year organic growth of 7.8% with revenues up 5.6% to 979.3m from 2007. The group says that in 2009 it intends to deliver further growth, while maintaining margins - at the very least - at their 2008 level. More
In the US, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a revised report which reinforces the view that companies which track peoples' online behaviour should follow self-regulatory guidelines to protect user privacy. More
Nielsen has appointed Duncan Falzon as Executive Director of Nielsen Media Thailand and Media Index, Asia Pacific. More
The Kitelab group of companies - which specialize in conducting market research in Latin America and the US Hispanic market - has acquired market and opinion intelligence firm Lechter Americas Colombia. Terms were not disclosed. More
Harris Interactive has announced a steep decline in revenue for the second quarter of its fiscal 2009, to $50.7m from $62.7m a year previously. An already substantial operating loss for the quarter looked a lot worse after a write-down of $40.3m for goodwill impairment. More
Pharma research leader IMS Health has announced full-year 2008 revenue up 3% at constant currencies to $2,329.5m. Income grew slightly (2%) and EPS respectably (11%) in real terms. Chairman and CEO David R. Carlucci said the firm was 'positioned to perform well in a slower growth environment'. More
UK agency Select Research has begun work on the first large-scale project to measure the size of children across the country using 3D body imaging scanners. Known as Shape GB, the project is sponsored by major retailers Next, Monsoon and George at Asda. More
WPP-owned healthcare and pharmaceutical market research specialist Ziment has introduced COMPOUNDZ, a system for modeling the potential uptake of new products. More
Shares in online market research agency YouGov fell 45% this morning, following its prediction that revenue for the six months to the end of January would fall short of expectations. More
In the US, Opinion Research Corporation will be closing its Tucson office at the end of March following the loss of a number of client contracts. More
Healthcare and pharma market research agency The Research Partnership has appointed Ajit Baid as Managing Director for its US operations and re-located its offices from New York to Philadelphia. More
In the US, the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) has found an academic guilty of violating its code of ethics and practices, after he repeatedly refused to make public facts about his research into civilian deaths in Iraq. More
In the UK, online market research agency YouGov has designed a new platform to provide insight into how consumers are responding to the adverse economic conditions. More
Harris Interactive's US-based President of North American and Global Operations, David Vaden, is set to leave the firm on Friday. The company has also agreed adjusted terms for its purchase of Canadian research provider Decima. More
Online market research agency YouGov is bringing together all its solely-owned international operations under the YouGov brand. More
In the UK, Newcastle-based Explain Market Research is to open a specialist call centre in Jesmond to provide space for additional staff at its headquarters. More
Marketing services group Creston has reported a 4% increase in revenues for the nine months ending December 2008. The group says trading for ICM and Marketing Sciences, the larger companies in its Insight Division, remains 'robust'. More
UK-based B2B International has taken on additional floorspace for its Bramhall, Manchester Head Office, and says it will also move its China office, established only in December 2006, to larger premises in the spring. More
US-based NeuroFocus has appointed cognitive neurophysiologist Dr John Polich as its Director of Global NeuroLab Operations. More
In New York, PR company MWW Group has launched a social media monitoring service to enable analysis of dialogue across the 'social web'. More
Around 6.5 million US homes (5.7% of households) are not ready for the transition to digital TV (DTV) which is now scheduled to take place on June 12 this year, according to Nielsen estimates. More
Healthcare market research specialist Medimix International has opened a new regional office in Hong Kong, which will be known as Medimix Asia. Managing Partner Bruno Leraillez will head the new unit. More
The UK's Royal Mail has named former TNS Chairman Donald Brydon as first choice to lead it through a forthcoming part-privatisation. If appointed, he would replace current Chairman Allan Leighton when he steps down in March. More
Australian market research and polling company Roy Morgan is advertising for a new Chief Information Officer, following the resignation of Douglas Young. More
In the UK Ed Mayo, the CEO of government watchdog Consumer Focus, has co-authored a book which criticizes firms that use young children to conduct market research into their products. Mayo describes the system as 'insidious and downright creepy'. More
Scientific publisher Elsevier had introduced illumin8, a web-based natural language processing system designed to help researchers extract meaning from its scientific content, millions of patents, and eight billion web pages. More
UK marcoms group Chime Communications has appointed Paul Tredwell as Chief Executive of its Research and Engagement division. More
In the US, full service marketing research firm Burke Inc has acquired a seven acre property in downtown Cincinnati, which will become the future site of its new corporate headquarters. More
Ahead of the 2009 elections in Indonesia, Jakarta-based research firm MarkPlus Insight has launched a system to enable political parties, analysts and candidates to access and analyze opinion polls and map voters' behaviour in each election district. More
The USA is viewed favourably by a majority of people in India (72%) and Poland (53%), and in America itself, but not in nineteen other major economies in a survey conducted by Ipsos for Reuters. Meanwhile other polls show the country's high hopes for its incoming President. More
In the UK, full service research agency 2CV has announced the launch of a new division, and appointed former Orange Head of Analytics Simon Lane to lead it. More
In the US, risk information firm ISO has acquired D2Hawkeye (D2), a provider of information solutions for the healthcare industry. Terms were not disclosed. More
In the US, GfK has consolidated its three healthcare market research operations GfK Market Measures, GfK Strategic Marketing and GfK V2 into one entity called GfK Healthcare, which will provide health care manufacturers with access to a global single resource. More
Arbitron has appointed Michael P. Skarzynski as President and CEO, taking over immediately from Steve Morris who will continue as Chairman of the Board and serve as an advisor during the transition. More
Health and sustainability specialist Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) has announced the expansion of its services to Canada, and the appointment of Jorge Santos as Vice President of Strategic Consulting, based in Ontario. More
UK-based agency Nunwood, fresh from its MRS Agency of the Year award, is recruiting to cope with record new business of £3.4m, and 45% growth in international sales. More
US media ratings giant Arbitron has signed a settlement with New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram to resolve her concerns that its PPM undercounts the listening habits of minorities. The result has prompted a call for terms of the settlement to be rolled out across all PPM markets. More
In the UK, Kantar-owned agency BMRB has appointed former Futures Company executive Dr Michelle Harrison as Managing Director for Government and Public Affairs. More
B2B specialist Kadence has promoted Kieron Mathews to the position of Managing Director of London-based Kadence UK, giving Group Chairman Simon Everard more time to guide the firm's strong international growth. More
In the US, media ratings company Arbitron has settled a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who had claimed that the firm's Portable People Meter (PPM) ratings misrepresent minority listenership. More
The UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) has published a new 'Code of Practice for Official Statistics', which it hopes will rebuild trust in official statistics. More
Auto-dialling of cellphones and online behavioral tracking are among the key areas raising legislative and regulatory concern for the research profession in 2009, according to a new forecast by the US-based Marketing Research Association (MRA). More
In the US, Vin Gupta the founder and former CEO and Chairman of ORC parent and database giant infoGROUP claims he is exploring a proposal to acquire all the firm's outstanding shares and take the company private. More
Economic research and data analysis firm Indicus has rolled out its Indian consumer profiles research at a neighbourhood level, giving marketers granular data about income estimates and living standards. More
In the US, PR veteran Don Bartholomew has launched a new social media and public relations measurement consultancy to help clients develop research and evaluation programs. More
Holly Heline Jarrell has returned to GfK Custom Research North America as Group Managing Director, responsible for leading the GfK Roper Consulting and GfK Public Affairs and Media teams. More
Pharmaceutical companies are turning to MR departments to help them run leaner organizations in troubled economic times, according to a new report from sector specialist Cutting Edge Information. More
Harris Interactive's new President and CEO Kimberly Till has implemented a series of restructuring initiatives, including a net loss of 51 US jobs, c.8% of the total US full-time workforce; the formation of new vertical teams; and changes in senior management. More
In the US, TNS Healthcare has appointed Susanne Michel as MD in charge of its Global Market Access, Pricing and Reimbursement Practice; and Mark Sales as leader of its Global Stakeholder Management Practice. More
Sonoma, California-based energy research firm RLW Analytics, has been acquired by energy and utility consulting business KEMA, which has North American headquarters in Burlington, Massachusetts and global headquarters in Arnhem, the Netherlands. More
B2B specialist Kadence has appointed Rohit Churamani as Executive Director in its Indian company. Based at the company's Delhi office, he will manage the firm's full service team in all areas from business development to client service. More
In the US, members of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) have formed a committee to lead an initiative designed to deliver more precise online Hispanic market research data. More
In the UK, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has awarded £1.1m to establish the Survey Resources Network (SRN), a body which will promote best practice in survey research, provide online information resources for researchers and link academics, policy-makers and survey practitioners. More
Two UK business schools have set up the UK Innovation Research Centre to analyse how innovation can make businesses more competitive, and help meet social, environmental and economic challenges. More
Global engineering and management consultancy Mott MacDonald has established a new market research and stakeholder team in central London, to serve both public and private sector clients. Former Benchmark Research Director Dennis de Cala will lead the division. More
Interviewers working for data collection firm SurveyTalk in Auckland, New Zealand have gone on strike. The action is described as a protest at the firm's failure to improve rates of pay and health and safety standards, or to allow staff to take annual leave. More
The Australian Federal Government is to shake up the way it selects ad agencies and market research companies, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner promised an end to the 'closed shop' operated under the previous government. More
ORC parent and database giant infoGROUP has made two senior appointments: Thomas W. Oberdorf joins as Chief Financial Officer; and Thomas J. McAlister as Chief Information Officer. Interim CFO Stormy Dean becomes EVP and General Manager of the Data Group. More
Lexington, Kentucky-based Preston-Osborne Marketing Communications & Research is launching a strategic solutions division. More
Millward Brown has hired Suhas Khanderia to manage and develop its healthcare and pharmaceutical practice as Senior Director of Healthcare, based in the London office. More
In the UK, Carrot Pharma Recruitment has moved into premises in Wilmslow, Cheshire which are three times the size of its current office in Didsbury. More
In the US, grantmaking organisation the MacArthur Foundation is creating a new inter-disciplinary research network to help prepare for the challenges and opportunities posed by America's ageing society. More
UK-based Munro Global has expanded teams at two of its subsidiaries, FDS International and acefieldwork, with five appointments in the last few weeks. More
Lincoln, Nebraska-based health care specialist National Research Corp. is to acquire privately held My InnerView Inc. (MIV) in an all-cash transaction of undisclosed size. More
Marketing services group Creston has announced good interim results for the six months to September 2008, with revenue up 5% to £41.3m. The Insight Division saw revenues fall from £9.0m a year ago to £8.5m with smaller MR firms suffering, although its margins remain good. More
TNS has beaten Ipsos, GfK and others in a major qual competitive tender from the European Commission and the European Parliament. TNS says the deal covers all the body's qualitative studies and is 'believed to be the world's largest qual research programme', valued at some 15m Euros over four years. More
The UK tax authority has courted controversy by writing to 'a couple of hundred' taxpayers giving them a little over a week to opt out of having their names and details passed to a market research company. More
AHAA Chairman Jose Lopez-Varela has questioned Arbitron's 'indifference' to the concerns of the Hispanic advertising community with its PPM technology and methods, in a follow-up letter to the radio ratings giant. More
UK-based B2B International has launched INSTEP, a tool to enable schools, colleges, universities and other educational establishments to conduct market research to understand the needs of their students. More
In the US, FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein is calling for a formal investigation into the effect of Arbitron's PPM technology on minority radio stations. Separately, the ratings giant has closed its southwest call center in Houston following hurricane damage. More
In the US, Omnicom-owned language specialist Luntz, Maslansky Strategic Research (LMSR) has announced that President Michael Maslansky has been named CEO. He replaces Founder Frank Luntz who is leaving to focus on a new career in communications. More
Nielsen is moving into direct competition with Arbitron over US radio ratings: two major radio broadcasters today announced a switch to Nielsen Media's ratings service in a number of markets from Q3 of 2009. Arbitron has described the once-a-year Nielsen service as 'a step backward'. More
The UK government has been warned by lawyers that it could face further delays to its plans for new nuclear power stations, in the form of legal challenges. The advice follows Greenpeace's success in challenging 'flawed' market research by Opinion Leader during the consultation process. More
French-based pharmaceutical CRM and healthcare industry data supplier Cegedim has announced consolidated revenues of Euros 607m for the first nine months of 2008, a 16% increase. For continuing operations at constant exchange rates the figure was an even healthier 21%. More
Synovate has announced four new appointments including former Opinion Leader exec Liz Owen as Research Director of its UK Qualitative specialist team. Wai Tang, Daoud Fakhri and Victoria Mansell also join the firm. More
London-based agency SPA is diversifying into the B2B, public and transport/travel sectors with the appointment of Janet Wright as Research Director, responsible for developing new revenue streams and building up a specialist team. More
Eminent social scientist Professor Sir Roger Jowell has been appointed the Deputy Chair and non-executive member of the UK Statistics Authority, serving as the Chair for the committee which advises on the UK's official statistics system. More
UK marcoms group Chime Communications has described the performance of its Research division which includes Opinion Leader, Facts International, Ledbury and Naked Eye as 'disappointing', with profits for the first ten months of the year below the same period in 2007. More
US agency Webbed Marketing has updated its social media measurement tool to draw from additional sources of consumer generated content ranging from blog search engines to social bookmarking sites. More
ORC parent infoGROUP has named Thomas J. McCusker as Executive VP for Business Conduct and General Counsel. He will oversee the firm's legal affairs and its compliance with new corporate governance controls adopted following recent litigation and the sacking of founder Vin Gupta. More
In Australia, an official report has revealed that the Howard government spent $AUD 1.6m of taxpayers' money in 2007 on its controversial research on voters' views of industrial relations issues. The work was conducted by Melbourne-based Open Mind Research. More
In the US, industry associations the MRA (Marketing Research Association) and CMOR (the Council for Marketing and Opinion Research) have merged. The new body will be known as MRA. More
Ratings giant Arbitron has updated the schedule for rollout of its PPM (Portable People Meter), with some markets brought forward for commercialization, and others pushed back. More
PR research and evaluation consultancy PRIME Research has tapped IBM's OmniFind text analysis solution to launch a system for monitoring, contextualizing and visualizing web-based news, blogs and forums. More
As the US goes to the polls, self-service business intelligence and analytics provider Success Metrics has launched a state-by-state voting analysis tool which compares 2004 election results by state and Congressional district, with data from the 2000 Census. More
In the US, data giant the infoGroup has recorded an operating loss of $1.7m in the third quarter, caused partly by legal expenses and severance costs associated with the sacking of former Chairman and CEO Vin Gupta. More
Havas-owned MPG has developed a new social network modelling tool, Havas Media Resonance, which uses an agent-based algorithm to represent populations of consumers and predict their behavior. More
Pharmaceutical research giant IMS Health has reported third-quarter revenue of $574m, up 6%, or a modest 3% year-on-year on a constant dollar basis. However, net income and EPS grew 33% and 41% respectively in the quarter. More
Business networking site LinkedIn has launched a service to help market researchers and professional investors conduct research among its database of more than 30 million members. More
Harris Interactive has announced that President & CEO Greg Novak is leaving the firm, to be replaced by former TNS North American CEO Kimberley Till. The company has also announced today that it will make around 30 US staff redundant. More
Ratings giant Arbitron has lowered its expectations for the full year as a result of costs incurred by recent litigation, and the impact that Hurricane Ike had on its Houston reporting. More
Canadian-based public opinion and market research firm Angus Reid Strategies has hired former Ipsos manager Patrick Klein as SVP, in charge of the company's Health Care practice. More
Australian Liberal Party polling guru Mark Textor has found himself in the middle of a dispute over interviewer pay after apparently sending a strongly worded email. More
Emerging technologies specialist Lux Research has launched the 'Lux Water Intelligence service', combining global innovation scouting with comprehensive reports and analyst access to uncover new technologies and business models in water. More
In the UK, the Market Research Standards Board (MRSB) has found Opinion Leader in breach of the MRS Code of Conduct for the part it played in a Whitehall consultation on nuclear energy. Opinion Leader rejects the finding and says the MRS is 'not competent to assess' the new techniques involved. More
US voters watching televised debates in the lead up to the presidential elections are using MSInteractive's hand-held dial technology, which elicits and measures audience feedback. More
TNS Cymfony which analyses market influence in social and traditional media has introduced a model to help PR and communications professionals measure the impact of their work. More
In the UK, online market research agency YouGov has abandoned plans to form a hedge fund after its partners failed to raise the necessary funds. More
YouGov has announced results for the year ended 31 July 2008. Turnover has almost tripled to £40.4m and normalised operating profit rose 55% to £8.7m, although reported profit is down 29% to £4.0m. More
Marketing services group Creston Plc has informed the Stock Exchange that it has ceased its discussions with its potential buyer, a private equity firm, and is not in talks with any other buyer. More
Hispanic research panel SusOpiniones has partnered with English language Latino media company Sí TV to develop its English-dominant US Hispanic panel. More
Arbitron has followed up its appeal for court protection from the New York Attorney General with the same request in New Jersey. The firm seeks a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief to prevent a ban on publication of its PPM estimates. More
Location intelligence provider Pitney Bowes MapInfo has updated its AnySite Australia tool to include a detailed forecast of population, housing and income data for the next ten years. More
WPP has declared its offer for TNS 'unconditional as to acceptances' after securing the approval of shareholders representing 81.78% of TNS stock by its latest deadline of 3pm today, UK time well over its new 75% target. More
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has called Arbitron's early PPM launch on Monday 'an affront to racial and ethnic minorities in New York and around the country'. However, a number of radio broadcasters have come out in support of the ratings firm, saying the FCC has no jurisdiction in the area. More
US blog and social network tracker Visible Technologies and social media marketing firm M80 have expanded their year-long partnership with the launch of a suite of tools to support online word-of-mouth and conversation marketing campaigns. More
UK-based insight and communications group Creston, which owns market research agencies ICM and CML, has received a second buyout approach; this time from its biggest shareholder. More
In the US, media and market intelligence solutions firm Biz360 has launched a tool to monitor consumer opinion as expressed on thousands of shopping, consumer product and expert review web sites. More
Arbitron is turning to the courts to prevent the current enquiry into its representation of ethnic audiences from stopping publication of its PPM listening estimates, which today went commercial in eight new markets. The firm cites 'unfair conduct' by the New York Attorney General. More
Synovate parent Aegis has announced the acquisition of pioneering sustainability consultant Clownfish, which will become part of its digital agency network Isobar, within Aegis Media. More
Public policy and social research specialist Macro International has won a $142m, five-year contract to conduct the MEASURE Phase III Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) contract by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Macro is part of ORC owner infoGROUP. More
Ipsos Healthcare has appointed veteran researcher Paul Snyderman, previously Executive Director and Technical Advisor in Global Customer Insights at Merck, as a senior-level Research Officer. More
In the US, six national news companies have filed a lawsuit against a state of Minnesota law which they say will prevent them from conducting accurate exit polls. More
Ipsos MORI is campaigning to replace 'any negative and outdated preconceptions graduates may have about a career in research' with the prospect of a role which 'can influence both society and business'. The agency has also announced a partnership with loyalty specialist The Logic Group. More
Database giant and ORC-owner infoGROUP has appointed Lisa Olson as its Senior VP of Corporate Relations, responsible for investor relations, PR, internal communications, government and community relations. More
Senator Barack Obama has joined calls for a delay in the launch of Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM) system in new markets. More
With political polls currently ubiquitous in the US media, the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA) has formed a Political Special Interest Group (SIG). More
Canada will begin implementation of its National Do Not Call (DNC) List tomorrow. Calls from market researchers, in addition to charities, political parties and newspapers selling subscriptions, are exempt. More
In the UK, the Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has ruled that calls made by the Liberal Democrat party to 250,000 homes on September 17 were direct marketing rather than market research as claimed, and were therefore unlawful. More
The 2008 US presidential election will produce either the first African-American President; or the oldest first-term President and the first woman Vice-President. A recent Harris Poll probed into the difficult areas of racism, sexism and ageism, and the part they are likely to play. More
Canadian-based Angus Reid Strategies has appointed Ipsos veteran Tim Olafson as Executive Vice President, in charge of its national public affairs group. More
Search engine Samepoint.com has launched a real-time scoreboard that keeps track of the online comment count on Democrat candidate Barack Obama vs Republican candidate John McCain. More
London-based medical market research company Healthcare Landscape has launched what it believes is the first patient and nurse omnibus. More
US analysis firm Global Insight is to be acquired by HIS, which provides information and insight on the energy and security markets, the environment and product lifecycles. More
Social network site MySpace and the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) have launched a new web site where viewers can engage in the political process using tools such as a personalized issue scorecard, polling, reportable national statistics and live web streaming. More
The UK Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) has OK'd the use of Phorm's controversial user-behaviour ad-serving technology, stating that the system does not break EU data protection laws so long as users are given an easy option to opt-out. More
204 weeks separate the Beijing Olympics and the start of the next games in London precisely one week for each country that took part in the events in China. MrWeb will be following a trail across the world for the next four years, each week profiling one country and its research industry, linking also to news, jobs and suppliers. More
In the UK, online fieldwork provider Research Now has signed an agreement to create specialist business-to-business panels with online and offline publisher Reed Business Information (RBI). More
In the US, Nielsen has appointed Ed Dandridge as Senior VP and Chief Communications Officer, responsible for managing communications between Nielsen and its key audiences and stakeholders inside and outside the company. More
UK-based insight and communications group Creston, which owns market research agencies ICM and CML, has confirmed it is in talks over a possible buy-out funded by an as yet unnamed private equity firm. More
Arbitron has announced further moves to improve sample quality for its diary markets, aimed at enhancing the participation of 18-34 year olds in its radio ratings services. More
On a day of chaos for stock markets, shares in online research success story YouGov have continued to climb on speculation that it is pondering a large US buy, and might itself be the subject of a bid from a larger research or marketing services group. More
Wales has a new centralised social research body, WISERD, established with £9m in joint funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) and the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Initially the Centre pulls together expertise from five Welsh universities. More
Arbitron has this week reported bullishly on the progress of its PPM sampling, and responded in like manner to the Attorney General's subpoena, saying the media industry should be concerned about 'attempts to supplant or short-circuit the Media Rating Council accreditation process'. More
In response to pressure from European Union data protection officials, Internet giant Google has halved the length of time it will retain personal search data; pledging to anonymize IP addresses after nine months. More
In the UK, healthcare specialist Adkins Medical Market Research has said it regrets an incident which led to questionnaires and documents containing personal medical details being dumped in a recycling bin. More
In the US, HR-focused consulting firm Knowledge Infusion has launched a new service to provide insight and in-depth knowledge on leading HR and talent management companies. More
In the US, Gallup has upgraded its daily service which provides data on how Americans view the presidential election and the economy. More
US Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has begun an investigation into the accuracy of Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM) methodology. The move follows pressure from the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) and a group of minority radio broadcasters. More
Full service agency Market Probe has extended its international footprint with the acquisition of UP-Point China in Beijing. The company, which will be renamed Market Probe China, has annual revenues of $8m RMB (USD $1.2m). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
UK supermarket giant ASDA has launched a new quarterly consumer confidence survey, with a panel of 10,000 of its shoppers who will provide feedback on topics such as personal finance, job security, the economy, and safety from crime. More
Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) has rolled out its weekly online omnibus CARAVAN which provides consumer opinion on brand awareness, product image, and market trends across Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. More
US-based healthcare data collection agency All Global has launched a new Palliative Care Panel, providing access to more than 18,000 physicians, nurses, pharmacists and healthcare professionals across 39 countries. More
In the US, the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) has joined with a group of minority radio broadcasters known as the PPM Coalition to ask the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM) methodology. More
In London, the Newspaper Marketing Agency (NMA) has made a number of appointments in marketing and insight roles, responding to demand for more campaign assessment and audience research. More
In the UK, Milorad Ajder has been appointed as MD of Ipsos MORI's Reputation Centre (RC), replacing Stewart Lewis who will retire at the end of the year after more than 30 years with the firm. More
In the US, the number of 'affluent' households has dropped for the first time in six years, according to the first wave of results from TNS's annual Affluent Market Research Program (AMRP) of 'wealthy' US households. More
UK healthcare fieldwork firm KeyQuest Health has today moved to new offices in the former home of writer Virginia Woolf in Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey. More
In the UK, marcoms group Chime Communications has reported operating profits down 39% to £460,000 in its research division which includes Opinion Leader, Facts International, Ledbury and Naked Eye. The firm is also set to launch a new digital research business in the autumn. More
Following yesterday's news that it had shelved plans to acquire UK rival TNS, GfK has bounced back by announcing its highest rate of sales growth since the firm's IPO in 1999. Organic sales were up 11.4% for the quarter, and 8.4% for the first six months of the year. More
UK marcoms group Aegis has posted overall organic revenue growth of 8.2% for the first half of 2008. Research arm Synovate reports healthy revenue and profit rises but has reduced expectations for 2008 organic market growth to 4.1% from 5.1%, in the light of tough trading conditions. More
GfK has cancelled plans to acquire UK rival TNS after failing to secure funding for the deal. TNS, whose shareholders must vote this week on the bid of its remaining suitor WPP, also announced 6-monthly results today with revenue and profit rises both in double figures. More
Harris Interactive has announced results for its fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. Annual revenue was up 13% to $238.7m, but pro forma organic revenue was down 1%, with a decline of 3% in North American more than cancelling out good growth of 6% in Europe. More
Australian polling firm Roy Morgan Research has angered the country's unions by sacking fifty-six interviewers in its Melbourne call centre by email and with little or no warning. More
Company founder Vin Gupta is to receive $10m as part of a severance agreement from ORC-owner infoGroup. The company filed its delayed second-quarter earnings report with the SEC yesterday, revealing that soaring costs reduced quarterly net income by almost 32% to $4.3m despite a 17% increase in revenue to $187.2m. More
Less than a month after removing Vin Gupta from his role as Chairman of database giant and ORC parent infoGroup, the firm's Board has announced his resignation as CEO. More
Research portal provider Northern Light has launched a new service to help companies identify sales opportunities with federal, state and local governments throughout the US. More
In the UK, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to conduct a major new household survey to uncover the long-term effects of social and economic change on the general well-being of the UK population. More
New York-based start-up Media6Degrees, Inc. (Media6°) has announced the closing of a $9m series A round of funding led by U.S. Venture Partners. The company offers an innovative alternative to conventional segmentation for ad targeting purposes, grouping like-minded individuals using social graph data. More
Word-of-mouth (WOM) media network BzzAgent has announced a partnership with text analytics software firm Attensity, aimed at further exploiting the mass of consumer conversations it captures and storess for the use of its branding and marketing clients. More
In the US, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has appointed Alison Pepper as Director of Public Policy to focus on legislative, regulatory, and public policy issues affecting its members - including consumer privacy, data and cyber security. More
In the UK, the Newspaper Marketing Agency (NMA) has launched a tool to provide data about readership of national newspapers online. More
In the UK, online market research agency YouGov has warned that 2008 profits will be impacted by a one-off £1.2m cost it incurred by terminating merger talks. However, the firm said gross margins will be slightly ahead of market expectations and detailed a range of recent initiatives. More
In the US, MR agency CMI has appointed former Market Probe Director Morris Wilburn to the newly created post of Marketing Sciences Director, and Bill Salokar, formerly of Harris Interactive, as VP of Business Development. More
UK-based healthcare fieldwork agency WorldOne Research has unveiled a European and US GP omnibus. The service taps into the firm's Global Physician Panel which includes more than 320,000 physicians and 60,000 allied healthcare practitioners worldwide. More
Pharmaceutical research leader IMS Health has confirmed the acquisition of Russian research and analytics firm RMBC, first announced in January. More
In the US, healthcare data products and analytic services firm SDI has acquired pharma information provider Verispan. Terms were not disclosed. More
TNS Healthcare has appointed Christine Corner as Head of Client Service for its UK International (UKI) division. Corner re-joins TNS with more than 15 years healthcare research consulting experience. More
Global PR firm Weber Shandwick has launched the CorpComm Optimizer(TM), a new, proprietary consultative service designed to help Chief Communications Officers (CCOs) make the best of their role driving business strategy and building corporate reputation. More
The Board of database giant and ORC owner infoGroup has removed Vin Gupta from his Chairman's role following an investgation which has found him guilty of 'excessive spending'. In support of the finding, the firm has introduced a new policy which limits directors' use of company funds. More
In the US, healthcare and government researcher Abt Associates has opened an office in Atlanta, while appointing Dr Hong Wang as a Senior Health Economist and promoting Nandini Hadker to Executive Director at its offices in Massachusetts. More
In the US, Spanish-language media firm Televisa Publishing + Digital and consumer intelligence firm BIGresearch have partnered to open the Televisa Hispanic Insights (THI) unit, which will study the culture, behavior and future purchasing plans of Hispanic consumers. More
US-based phama business intelligence firm Wolters Kluwer Health (WKH) and Nielsen have formed an alliance to analyse consumer purchasing behaviour for prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) and other health-related products. More
In the US, opinion polling and message testing firm Capital Earnings & Research has launched a new forecasting model which it claims can 'poll the nation' and produce 'conclusive results' in 4 hours or less within a 4% margin of error. It has also promoted H. Richard Oprinski to the post of CEO. More
Edinburgh-based full-service agency Market Research Partners (MRP) has re-named its Northern Ireland-based CATI unit MRP Voice, and opened a new research office in Bangor, NI under the same banner. More
IMS Health has announced second-quarter revenue up 12% (4% at constant currencies) to $600.7m. Operating income rose 11% (1% at constant currencies) to $131.4m. Net income on a GAAP basis was $77.7m, compared with $73.4m in the year-earlier quarter, an increase of 6%. More
UK-based insight firm Nunwood has announced four further appointments in its London and Leeds offices, bringing its total to fourteen for 2008 so far. More
In the UK, the BBC has awarded digital market research provider eDigitalResearch a three year contract to provide quarterly user analysis and usability surveys for a number of its bbc.co.uk web sites. More
A bill drafted by the Council for Marketing and Opinion Research (CMOR) to stop political persuasion calls (sometimes known as 'push polls') taking place in the state of Louisiana, has been passed by Governor Bobby Jindal. More
Two US researchers, Rich Woller and Nancy Stoll, have founded a new research firm focused on helping non-profit organizations better understand how they perform in their local marketplaces. Plum Market Research is based in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. More
In the UK, brand and communications consultancy Clownfish has developed an online tool that enables companies to understand and dynamically report on their environmental and social 'footprint' in real-time. More
In the US, WPP-owned market research and strategic communications consultancy Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates (PSB) has launched a new tool to offer clients advances in operations, sampling and deliverables. More
New Zealand's Parliamentary Services function has responded to public concern and clarified that MPs are in the clear using consultants for market research and other purposes, provided such use is intended to make MPs better at their jobs, and not for electioneering. More
In the UK, the Department of Health (DoH) has created a new 'life stage segmentation model' to provide a 360-degree picture of the population and categorise individual behaviour across issues including obesity, drug and alcohol misuse, and smoking. More
Canadian-based public opinion and market research firm Angus Reid Strategies has hired former Nielsen Media Research President Mike Leahy to launch a new syndicated research division. More
In the UK, insight agency Nunwood has expanded its London team by appointing Chris Webster as Client Consultant and Kristina Baumgarten to the Market Analytics team; and relocating two of its Leeds staff, Kim Walker and Ester Petrie. More
In the US, Republican Presidential candidate Senator John McCain is among the first users of a new polling system on business networking site LinkedIn. More
In the UK, privacy watchdog the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has chosen not-for-profit research organisation RAND Europe to carry out an assessment of the future of data protection law in Europe and identify areas for reform. More
In the US, TNS Healthcare has made three new senior hires, appointing Marty Silverman as SVP/Practice Leader, Sales Force Effectiveness; Michael Smolens as VP of Brand Research: and Porter Hibbitts VP Client Services, Brand Management. More
In New Zealand, Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff has urged a legal review to consider the setting up of a national 'do not call' database similar to that in the US and Australia. More
Advertising, marketing and comms agency Omnicom has formed a consultancy, led by a dozen female execs, to help clients make connections with women whether as consumers, customers, employees or other stakeholders. More
UK marketing communications group Aegis has acquired independent research agency Steadman Group in Africa, in a move which it says will add media monitoring and strategic consulting to Synovate's existing market research expertise. More
UK-based Chime Communications, which owns MR agencies Opinion Leader, Ledbury Research and Facts International, is predicting that operating income will be 20% up on last year's £43.9m. Chime has also appointed former Australian politician Richard Alston as a Non-executive Director. More
In the UK, media watchdog Ofcom has named Peter Phillips, Partner of Strategy and Market Developments, as a member of its Executive Board with effect from 1 July 2008. The regulator also announced that Chairman David Currie will step down next year. More
Synovate Healthcare has launched its Diabetes Therapy Monitor in India, linking data about doctors' prescribing behaviour with patient profiles. More
Pharma and biotech specialist MattsonJack has rolled out its web-accessible epidemiology database in the emerging markets of Brazil, the Russian Federation, India and China. More
In the UK, Alex Oliver has joined the IIPS (The Institute for Insight in the Public Services) the joint initiative between BMRB Social Research and its sister company, Henley Centre HeadlightVision (HCHLV) as Head of Service Transformation. More
Insight and communications group Creston, which owns market research agencies ICM and CML, has reported a 25% rise in profits for the year ending 31 March 2008, and says it has yet to feel the impact of the economic downturn. More
The UK market research industry has reported revenue growth of 2.3% to an estimated £1.8bn, according to the latest figures from the Market Research Society (MRS). This follows growth of 2.5% in 2005 and 2.4% in 2006. More
In the state of Louisiana, US, a bill to combat political persuasion calls ('political telemarketing' or 'push polls') drafted by the Council for Marketing and Opinion Research (CMOR) has passed both the State House and Senate with unanimous approval. More
In the US, Information Resources Inc. (IRI) will be integrating TNS' Shades of Green methodology into its Consumer Network Household panel, to delve deeper into consumer attitudes and behavior towards environmental issues and motivation to purchase green products. More
As the US prepares for November's presidential elections, ad network Specific Media has launched a political segmentation solution which anonymously targets consumers by party affiliation, segments and issues. More
In the US, healthcare market research firm Decision Resources has acquired physician and consumer opinions agency Manhattan Research. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
UK consumer and market analyst CACI has won the first contract to process the Scottish Census using a mix of both traditional paper and online questionnaires. More
In London, Synovate UK has appointed Nigel Jackson as Head of its Public Sector, Charities and Transport industry sector team, tasked with both client and team development. More
In the US, online measurement agency comScore has partnered with marketing analytics firm Acxiom to launch a tool which allows ad agencies and marketers to segment online and offline audiences through a system that groups consumers into 70 different 'lifestage' segments. More
London-based B2B research consultancy BPRI has announced the appointments of Paul Middleton and Douglas Pointing as Client Directors, and James Keeling as a Research Executive. More
TNS has agreed to open its books and give WPP the same information it gave to GfK as part of their recent merger agreement. Meanwhile, reports suggest that the GfK-TNS merger may face an EU competition probe; and may be 'sweetened' by a cash bonus for TNS shareholders. More
In the UK, newspaper publisher Mirror Group has launched an online research community, Mirror Mouthpiece, on the back of its 5,000-strong reader panel, operating since 2003. More
US-based analyst The Conference Board has enhanced its product range by launching a new tracker, the Employment Trends Index (ETI), which aggregates eight separate labor-market indicators into a composite measure. More
Mayor Michael Bloomberg is to send surveys to 100,000 randomly selected New Yorkers, asking them to rate city services, at an estimated cost of $500,000. More
In the US, healthcare data management firm MedData, a division of AGDATA, LP, has acquired healthcare analytics firm ManagedCare.com. More
GfK and TNS have agreed the terms for their 'merger of equals' to create GfK-TNS plc. Aside from 'significant opportunities' for revenue growth, the firms say the move will bring annual pre-tax benefits through cost reduction of at least Euros 97m (£76m) by the end of the third full year following completion. More
infoGROUP, until this week known as infoUSA, is combining two of its market research businesses, recently acquired Guideline and Opinion Research Corporation (ORC), and has placed ORC President Gerard Miodus in charge of all operations for the new unit. More
Full service healthcare consultancy Double Helix Development has announced the launch of Web Sthealth(TM), a tool for data-capture and analysis of patients in online forums. More
UK-based agency Nunwood has announced ten recent appointments, plus the promotion of two of its directors to the Board. More
YouGov is gearing up for the launch next month of an investment fund based on research findings from its YouGovAlpha subsidiary. More
Pharma and biotech specialist MattsonJack has appointed Thierry Devevey as Director, Europe, based in the group's Paris office. More
Canadian-based public opinion and market research firm Angus Reid Strategies is to open a New York office, and has appointed MR veteran Tom Neri to run it as Executive Vice President and Managing Director. More
In the US, government market intelligence consultancy INPUT has named Timothy Dowd as its new President and CEO. More
Ipsos first quarter revenues rose 6.2% to 217.3m from Q1 2007. Despite slow going in North America, global organic growth reached 9.6%, which the firm said exceeded its full-year targets. More
GfK has described its Q1 results as 'sound', with organic growth in sales up 5.1% to 268.1m and consolidated total income rising almost 21% to 12.5m. More
UK-based EPG Health Media has launched a new online panel of healthcare professionals in Europe, for regular participation in clinical and scientific surveys. The company also says it has 'ambitious plans to provide global reach'. More
US healthcare consultancy Quintiles is planning to acquire Boston-based decision-analytics and market research consulting firm Eidetics. Terms have not been disclosed. More
Nielsen Media Research has sent clients a 9-page letter explaining its plans for the transition to digital-only TV broadcasting, which comes into effect in February 2009. To accommodate the transition and avoid potential disruptions, the firm will be moving its February 2009 TV viewing 'sweeps' to March. More
YouGov has won the battle of the pollsters in London's Mayoral race, correctly predicting the result and the margin, and leaving more egg on the face of outgoing Mayor Ken Livingstone whose team had claimed its survey figures were 'farcical'. More
Harris Interactive has reported third quarter fiscal 2008 results showing consolidated revenue up 11% to $57.3m, with a very good performance from newly acquired companies in Asia, France, Canada and Germany. However, due to declines in the US and UK, consolidated pro forma organic revenue dropped 4%. More
In the US, Nielsen Online has formed a Digital Strategic Services group, to help advertisers manage their online reputations on social media platforms. The new group is headed by Pete Blackshaw, EVP of Nielsen Online and former CMO of Nielsen BuzzMetrics. More
In the US, environmental and energy consulting firm Cadmus has merged with analytics agency Quantec, which offers energy industry research and planning expertise. More
RAND Europe has opened an office in Brussels to support the not-for-profit research organisation's growing portfolio of work with policy institutions in the city. Constantijn van Oranje-Nassau heads up the new office. More
UK-based B2B International has opened an office in New York, and transferred Julia Cupman stateside to take on the role of US Business Development Manager. More
In the UK, online market research agency YouGov has launched a new syndicated tracking service to connect with the 32% of the population who were born between 1946 and 1964. More
Top five global MR firms TNS and GfK are in discussions about a possible 'merger of equals', which would create the world's second-largest market and information group. More
UK radio audience body RAJAR will cut short its investment in its experimental electronic measurement panel, run by TNS using Arbitron's PPM, and will launch an industry-wide review of audience research options. It will also field test a new online diary system, to be designed by Nunwood, in July. More
BBM Canada, supplier of radio and television audience ratings services to the Canadian broadcast advertising industry, has selected a joint bid by TNS Media Research and Arbitron Inc to deploy Portable People Meter (PPM) technology to measure TV and radio in Canada. More
Database firm and ORC parent infoUSA will change its name to infoGROUP, effective June 1st. The company says the new name is a better reflection of its 'broadening global presence and long-term business strategy'. More
A spokeswoman for incumbent London Mayor Ken Livingstone has denounced as 'farcical' figures from pollsters YouGov, which suggest rival candidate Boris Johnson has widened his lead from six to ten points. More
In the US, NielsenHealth has launched a series of 32 'Ailment Panels' to provide manufacturers and retailers with insights into consumer related attitudes and behaviours of patients suffering from diseases and medical conditions. More
In the UK, former Synovate Healthcare Execs Marianne Purdie and Guy Pascoe have set up a new primary market research agency focused on the medical device and diagnostics industries. More
UK-based Chime Communications, which owns MR agencies Opinion Leader, Ledbury Research and Facts International, has reported a 29% increase in its first quarter profits as a result of tight cost controls. Double-digit growth was reported across all areas of the business. More
Tim Heald, Commercial Director at London panels firm The iD Factor has admitted throwing a foam 'stress ball' at Respect MP George Galloway yesterday as he harangued the public through a megaphone on his open-top election bus. Heald spoke to police and was released with an official caution. More
In New York, healthcare marketing research and consulting firm The Ziment Group has added two new business units and appointed Eva Laparra and Jonathan Spiess to lead them. More
In the US, the Council for Marketing and Opinion Research (CMOR) has responded to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) proposals to regulate online behavioral advertising, by requesting that any definition of the practice excludes survey opinion and marketing research. More
Fast-growing UK provider The Oxford Research Agency (TORA) has been bought by two of its directors, Andrew Tharme and Chris Sinclair, with the aid of venture capital. Former TRBi CEO Laurence Curtis also joins, as Chairman, with immediate effect. More
Database giant and ORC parent infoUSA has reported preliminary unaudited first quarter revenue of $191m, compared with $158m recorded the previous year. EBITDA was $27m for Q1 2008, compared with $24m for Q1 2007. More
In the US, Mediamark Research & Intelligence (MRI) has launched Market-by-Market, a service providing local market versions of its studies on the media usage, lifestyle and product purchasing behavior of US consumers. More
London Mayor Ken Livingstone is to make an official complaint against UK polling firm YouGov, following publication of a poll putting him 13 points behind his main rival in the race to retain his job. More
US database consulting and research firm InfoCommerce Group (ICG) has launched a division catering for the medical, life science and healthcare sectors. More
In the US, GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media has partnered with independent government advisor and author Simon Anholt to expand his annual Nation Brands Index (NBI); which provides an analytical ranking of the world's nation brands. More
In the UK, digital entertainment firm HUGE Entertainment has formed a partnership with ethnic research firm ETHNOS. The venture aims to help media owners and platform operators to identify revenue-generating on-demand entertainment opportunities among ethnic audiences. More
In Canada, findings from a new Ipsos Reid study suggest that teens are not as computer savvy as supposed, and even that in some respects they are less comfortable with online technology than adults. More
YouGov has announced interim results for the six months ended 31 January 2008, with acquisitions helping to treble its turnover and more than quadruple its headcount year-on-year. Organic revenue growth was 43% while profit before tax increased 30% to £3.0m. More
Gallup has announced the official launch of its 'World Poll', an annual global survey of opinions and behaviours via interviews in 140 countries representing 95% of the world's adult population. The firm says it has has committed to conducting the study for the next 100 years. More
London-based firm Opinionpanel has launched 'The Future Panel' for anyone wanting to conduct research with young people and prospective higher education (HE) students. More
In the UK, public sector specialist BMG Research is celebrating the official opening of its new London office with a 150 mile sponsored cycle ride along the Grand Union Canal, from the firm's Birmingham headquarters to its Westminster office. More
In the UK, broadcast regulator Ofcom has hired Jonathan Thompson as its new Director of Strategy, to start in June. Until now, Thompson has worked as Channel 4's Director of Strategy and Research. More
In the UK, The Royal Opera House's CEO Tony Hall has been charged with dumbing down the Covent Garden programme, by using research firm dunnhumby to help bring in younger audiences. More
In her fourth and final report from MRS Conference 2008, Phyllis Vangelder joins web analysts on the trail of site visitors, and hears how carbon neutral corporates can accurately gauge the public's response. More
In the US, recent MR industry entrant Cable & Co Worldwide (CCWW) has agreed to purchase Precision Opinion, which provides market research services to the entertainment industry and political polling for the government. More
US lawmakers are turning the spotlight on the behavioural targeting of Internet ads. While the FTC receives comments on its proposed guidelines, New York assemblyman Richard Brodsky has sponsored a bill placing limits on companies' targeting activity. More
How does research attract and keep young graduates - the views of experts... and of young graduates; how does it get into the boardroom (again); and how does it help 'scapegoat' brands turn things around? More from Phyllis Vangelder at the 2008 Conference. More
In the Middle East, TNS has launched a study to uncover trends among 16 to 25 year olds in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait. More
US-based healthcare specialist Decision Resources, Inc. has boosted its managed care franchise with the acquisition of Fingertip Formulary, which provides access to and insight into formulary data in the United States. More
UK 'phone giant BT is facing a possible lawsuit after it admitted using business customers' data without permission, in a trial run for 'Webwise' software from analytics and ad-serving company Phorm. Others including Webfather Tim Berners-Lee have been joining the privacy debate. More
Full-service advertising and PR firm Tuerff-Davis EnviroMedia Inc. has launched a new subsidiary company, Green Canary Sustainability Consulting, to advise businesses on remaining credible, minimizing risk and reaching their goals in the booming green market. More
In the UK, communications group Chime has announced double digit growth for its research division in 2007, with operating income up 64% to £7.7m and an increase in operating profit of 37% to £1.4m. Operating margin fell slightly to 18.1% from 21.7% last year. More
Online polling specialist Votivation has announced today a strategic partnership with Frank Luntz and Luntz, Maslansky Strategic Research Inc. as it gears up for the US 2008 presidential election race. More
Business and consumer database giant and ORC parent infoUSA has announced that it will not meet the initial March 17 deadline for filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The firm cites shareholder litigation and an ongoing SEC investigation. More
In the US, Gallup and healthcare support provider Healthways have forged a 25-year agreement to measure and track the well-being of communities and companies, as well as the effectiveness of programs implemented to improve health, well-being and productivity. More
In the US, government research specialist Macro International is to open a call center in Springfield, Illinois on 1 April, and plans to hire more than 190 new staff to fill telephone interviewing, supervisory and quality assurance roles. More
In the UK, YouGov has appointed Andy Barker as Head of Qualitative, to work with sector heads to develop an integrated consulting offer for clients. More
In the US, the Council for Marketing and Opinion Research (CMOR) has helped defeat proposed legislation that would have required disclosure of a poll's sponsor at the beginning of each call. More
TNS has announced an agreement to acquire online behaviour measurement company Compete, Inc. for US$75m in cash, doubling if targets are met over two years. The company also reported full year results for 2007, with revenue of UK£1,067.7m, representing underlying growth of 5.4%. More
Ofcom's former Director of Market Research and current Director of Media Literacy and Convergent Media, Helen Normoyle, is to join the BBC in May as Head of Audiences. More
Polls by Ipsos-MORI and ICM are this week at the centre of a row surrounding London's driving toll, the Congestion Charge. Mayor Ken Livingstone says his survey shows support for a new £25 charge on high fuel consumption vehicles, but Porsche Cars GB says its own survey says the opposite, and claims it's being more open with its findings. More
Nielsen has set up a national Hispanic/Latino Advisory Council (HLAC) to guide the company's recruitment, measurement and reporting of Hispanic TV households in the US. More
A Conference with lots of clients? It may just happen. The b2b research association BIG is changing the focus for this year's annual gathering, to concentrate on the wider business issues affecting clients, and boasts speakers from many of the main b2b research buyers. More
In the US, health, wellness and sustainability researcher Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) has teamed up with Nielsen to provide consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers with a better understanding of its consumer segmentation model LOHAS (Lifestyles Of Health And Sustainability). More
Ipsos Australia's public affairs division has joined with Eureka Strategic Research to found the Ipsos-Eureka Social Research Institute (IESRI); bringing together a team of 30 staff focused on issues affecting government and society. More
US-based technology analyst IDC is opening a base in Canberra, Australia for its Government Insights practice. The office will be headed by the group's Federal Government Business Manager Michael Hennessey. More
UK-based consumer insight agency Nunwood has made four new appointments since the beginning of 2008, following organic growth of 'more than 12 times the industry average' during the last year. More
Ipsos MORI has identified a class of 'super consumers', who the firm says have the power to influence their friends on corporate issues, politics and the environment. More
In London, MR agency Opinion Leader has hired Carolyn MacLeish to manage its panel of senior decision makers drawn from politics, the media, the City, charity sector and from corporates. Nicola Austin joins as Marketing Director, tasked with supporting MacLeish enhance the panel. More
In the UK, public sector specialist Market Research International (known as mruk) has appointed Jean Black as Regional Director to manage and grow the firm's London-based operation. More
Ipsos has posted full year revenue of Euros 927.2m, up 8.2% on the back of organic growth of 9.1%. Strong performances in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe more than offset a slight decline in the group's North American revenue. More
Global b2b research specialist Kadence has reported revenue growth of 18% in 2007, reaching $9.3 million. The group says all its established international offices performed strongly while new locations were launched in Malaysia and Indonesia. More
YouGov has appointed Tim Britton as Managing Director of its UK operation. He assumes responsibility for all aspects of YouGov UK's core business from Group CEO Nadhim Zahawi, who has doubled up in the role since Panos Manolopoulos moved to head international operations. More
London-based BDRC has acquired Continental Research from its US owner Arbitron. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Opinion Research Corporation's parent firm infoUSA has released results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2007 ending on December 31. Record Q4 revenue of $185.8m includes $67.0m for the Marketing Research Group established in December 2006. More
Pharma research leader IMS Health has announced full year 2007 revenues up 12% (a very respectable 8% at constant currency) to $2,192.6m. Operating income for the year was down from $444.2m to $393.3m after a fourth quarter restructuring charge of $88.7m. More
As the Presidential primary elections hot up, the US industry association MRA is warning against 'push polling', a political campaign technique in which an organisation attempts to influence or alter the view of respondents under the guise of conducting a poll. More
US MR agency Burke Inc has hired Steve Perkins as Senior Consultant Decision Sciences, and promoted Tara Marotti to the post of SVP Client Services. More
In the US, reputation analysis and communications research firm Echo Research has appointed Dan Soulas as EVP and Director of its new primary research unit, which has been launched to service corporate and PR agency clients. More
In the US, Prince Market Research (PMR) has launched a healthcare unit, Catalyst Healthcare Research. The new unit will specialise in brand strategy and communications research, as well as customer satisfaction, and new product and service studies. More
Syndicated research and advisory firm Outsell has acquired a specialist education and business research division from Boston-based higher education consulting firm Eduventures. More
Former Ipsos France Joint MD Stéphane Truchi is to become Chairman of the Executive Board of French market research and polling firm Ifop (Institut Français d'Opinion Publique). More
In the US, MR agency Burke has completed restructuring for its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and has repurchased all remaining stock owned outside the scheme, which was the final step needed to complete transition to a 100% ESOP owned firm. More
In the US, ImpactRx which measures the impact of pharma promotion on physicians' prescribing behaviour has acquired Paragon Research & Consulting for an undisclosed sum. More
Pharma research specialist IMS Health will conclude a deal at the end of the month to buy Russian competitor RMBC for an estimated cost of between $4.5m and $7m. The acquisition will increase IMS' share of the Russian pharma research market from 10% to approximately 40%. More
Following Senator Hillary Clinton's surprise win in last week's New Hampshire election, pollsters are still trying to understand how the primary polling was so wide of the mark. US survey associations MRA and AAPOR are also getting involved in the debate. More
In London, Sally Winston has rejoined ORC International as Principal Consultant with the Employee Research (ER) team, after a brief stint as Business Development Director, Organisation Consulting with YouGov. More
In the US, healthcare MR specialist DSS Research has launched a Senior Health Risk Assessment (SrHRA) tool, which provides health risk stratification measures for the over 65 age group. Meanwhile in the UK, two Yorkshire councils are using Digital Pen and Paper (DPP) technology to assess older residents' care needs. More
The killer of UK gay and lesbian research specialist Tony Hoare has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and been sentenced to two and a half years in jail, but is likely to be released after serving just half of this. More
In the UK, Ipsos MORI MD Mike Everett has taken over the position of CEO from Brian Gosschalk, who has been promoted to CEO of Ipsos Western Europe and joins the group's Management Board with responsibility for Global Public Affairs. More
Retail giant Sears Roebuck has been forced to disable part of its web site ManageMyHome.com because of complaints that customers were able to access each other's personal data. More
Kantar-owned pharma and biotech research consultancy MattsonJack has appointed Dr Pierre Anhoury as Senior Vice President and Business Leader, to support the expansion of the firm's cancer and non-cancer qual and quant services in Europe. More
Synovate Healthcare has announced the acquisition of US research firm Oncology Inc., which provides oncology treatment information from 100,000 patients to pharmaceutical, biotech and financial companies. More
Global pharma research firm IMS Health has announced plans to cut staff numbers by 10% during 2008 in an effort to save money and improve efficiency. More
The Newspaper Society (NS) has commissioned Millward Brown (MB) to conduct research into community life, to provide advertisers and agencies with a benchmark of life in the UK. More
Founder Director of the UK's National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) Professor Roger Jowell has been knighted for services to social science in the New Year's Honours List. More
The U.S. District Court for the District of Maine has granted the preliminary injunction sought by three research and information firms to block enforcement of Maine's Prescription Restraint Law, LD-4. More
ORC parent infoUSA Inc. has appointed three new board members, and set up a Special Committee in response to ongoing shareholder litigation and a scheduled informal investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. More
In a short hearing today at London's Old Bailey, a man admitted the manslaughter of researcher Tony Hoare in Charlton Park on September 11th. More
Pharmaceutical and healthcare insight firm Decision Resources, Inc. has acquired Arlington Medical Resources, Inc. (AMR), a provider of market intelligence for the pharma and diagnostic imaging industries. More
BARB has awarded the contract to provide UK TV audience measurement currency to TNS. Beginning in 2010 after a year's trial running in parallel with the current service, TNS will operate a 5,100 home meter panel. More
Never a dull moment in research in the Philipinnes. More details have been emerging about the suing of Nielsen by a major broadcaster, while the country's senate is to consider regulation of opinion polls at the bidding of a member who says the alternative is to 'allow the public survey firms to run the government and society.' More
Environmental specialists Greentech Media, Inc. and The Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development have added to their range of research offerings covering alternative energy and sustainable development markets, launching a solar power service. More
In the UK, YouGov's former Head of Market Research Mark Hodson has launched a new agency with the aim of providing the 'handmade' feel of traditional market research in the online marketplace. More
In the US, brand experience agency Hanson Dodge Creative has just completed the first phase of a research programme to understand the emotional and psychological landscape of outdoor and fitness enthusiasts. More
US-based health, wellness and sustainability researcher the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) has hired Patti Marshman-Goldblatt as SVP, and Diane Ray as VP Strategic Consulting. Kurt Wagner, Dave Montgomery, La-Vie Borde-Perry, Gail Sayer and Deb Morang have also joined, as Project Directors. More
Qual specialist the Consumer Insight Agency (c.i.a.) has teamed up with Synovate in a groundbreaking study of sociographic and psychographic trends in South Africa. More
YouGov has announced trading 'in line with the Board's expectations' in the 2007 financial year to date, including in its three newly acquired businesses. Meanwhile Dr Michel Floyd joins as Global CTO. More
Facing pressure from clients, Arbitron yesterday said it would guarantee delivery of 80% of the target size for its panels, down from 90% previously. Meanwhile, minority broadcasters' association NABOB has reawakened memories of the Nielsen Media controversy of two years ago with talk of a Congressional Investigation. More
Social enterprise firm Votivation is to use its online voting system to canvass the opinion of 300,000 young people who are eligible to vote at next January's UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) elections. More
In the US, pharma research firm Decision Resources has announced plans to acquire the Life Sciences business of Wood Mackenzie, which comprises market research, data and analysis on the biopharmaceutical and animal health industries. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
London-based b2b and public policy research firm IFF has appointed Financial Services Authority (FSA) Market Research Manager Rob Warren as its new Director of Financial Research. He takes up his new position early next year. More
The BBC will look for 'willingness to innovate and adapt' in both survey methodology and the debriefing of its own employees, as it seeks agencies for its qual research roster covering radio, online and future media. More
The European Union's Article 29 Working Party, which examines data protection issues, is to investigate privacy concerns connected with targeted online advertising. More
At the end of November, pollster Nik Nanos will rebrand his public opinion polling firm SES as Nanos Research, and launch the Nanos Research Group, a national consortium of 'like-minded' research professionals and organisations across Canada. More
UK agency FreshMinds has today launched a panel of owners and managers of SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises). More
UK-based software firm Netemic has launched iFeed Agency, a monitoring and analysis tool helping PR and communications specialists to query and monitor social media such as blogs, forums and wikis. More
Ipsos has reported revenues of Euros 664.2m for the first nine months of 2007, and says it is expecting full-year growth of at least 9%. More
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been accused of cronyism over contracts awarded to his 'personal pollster', Opinion Leader Research (OLR) founder Deborah Mattison. £1.4m of public money has been spent on citizens' juries conducted by OLR since June. More
In the US, technology specialist Rockbridge Associates has hired Joseph Bates as Vice President Research. More
London-based marcoms group Cagney plans to launch an offshoot of its consumer behaviour consultancy Tree, in the new year, focusing on analysis of user-generated web content. More
Networked Insights, a company aiming to connect businesses with real-time customer-to-customer interactions, has launched after securing $4 million in venture capital funding. More
According to Opinion Research Corporation's (ORC's) latest 'Ouch Point' survey, lack of communication from managers is a chief complaint among US workers. More
Former Clinton advisor Don Baer has been appointed to senior roles at both MR and strategic communications consultancy Penn, Schoen and Berland (PSB) and PR and public affairs firm Burson-Marsteller. More
Opinion Research Corporation ORC and US public relations firm The Hastings Group (THG) have announced PR PLUS(TM), which is described as 'a PR friendly survey in a box'. More
US-based Hispanic marketing agency Grupo Xela is to open an office in Bogota, Colombia. More
In the US, a coalition of nine privacy and consumer groups has asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to implement a 'Do-Not-Track' list for Internet users who do not want their online activities tracked, stored and used by advertisers and marketers. More
In the US, The National Political Do Not Contact Registry (NPDNC) has provided voters with the option to opt out of receiving political polling calls through its www.StopPoliticalCalls.org website. More
IT and BPO outsourcing firm Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation is to acquire NJ-based Life Sciences analytics firm marketRx, Inc., for c.$135m in cash. More
Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) has acquired Northwest Research Group, based in Boise, Idaho, effective October 1. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. ORC parent infoUSA has meanwhile reported strong results for the third quarter. More
Text analytics specialist Lexalytics has upgraded its Salience Engine product, a tool for gauging the 'sentiment and tone' of blogs to help customers understand and act on what's being said about them and their competitors. More
MR software and panels firm GMI (Global Market Insite) has launched an online panel to provide insight into the consumer opinions of around 100,000 African-Americans. More
Online fieldwork and panel specialist Research Now has launched a US panel comprising 400,000 individuals who can choose to take surveys in either English or Spanish. More
TNS has announced two global leadership appointments. Leendert de Voogd is promoted to Global Sector Head, Political and Social, replacing Marita Carballo who leaves to pursue 'academic and other interests'; while former Dell man Renaud Collery is appointed as Head of Global Operations. More
Nielsen has added a new feature to its recently launched 'KeepingTrac' web-based commercial tracking service, which it says will enable advertisers to monitor the demographic composition of their advertising audiences, and help them comply with recent promises on advertising to children. More
B2b specialist Kadence has made ten new appointments, reflecting significant business growth across its worldwide operations. Two people join the firm's UK headquarters in London and eight more are added to offices in Boston, Malaysia and India. More
US life sciences specialist AlphaDetail is to open a new office in Horsham, Pennsylvania on November 1, and has appointed three directors - Eileen Henne, Mike Nestler and John Freeman - to lead it. More
In the UK, three former employees of Fieldwork International / FI Healthcare have launched a new medical MR fieldwork agency, KeyQuest Health Ltd (KQH). Directors Carol Faverger, Ruby Nanda and Rosalyn Twite have between them over 35 years' experience in international healthcare data collection. More
Top ten global research agencies IMS Health and Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) have announced a global, multi-year alliance to provide intelligence, analytics and consulting for the consumer health marketplace. More
YouGov has announced results for the financial year ended 31 July, with group turnover up 51% to £14.3m, profit before tax and goodwill up 39% to £5.7m and both global acquisitions and launches in new sectors promising another buoyant year to come. More
In London, youth research agency Q Research has launched what it says is the UK's first weekly omnibus to uncover the opinions, attitudes and behaviours of 11-25 year olds. More
In the UK the Market Research Society (MRS) has incorporated coverage of Social Networking and Web 2.0 into its training programme, to offer practitioners at all levels an understanding of the research potential of interactive online media. More
Kantar firm AMRB has launched a new business-to-business and industrial research division (BIRD) in a move to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. More
MD Tim Britton is to leave London-based b2b and public policy research experts IFF, in November, and says he is 'considering options' for his next move in the industry. Two current Directors, Jan Shury and Mark Speed, will become Joint MDs. More
Plans for a joint venture between UK-based polling firm YouGov and Australian marketing services firm Photon Group have reportedly been abandoned, with Photon instead said to be buying social research specialist Auspoll. More
In the US, blog and social network tracker Visible Technologies has received a $12 million boost to its coffers in a second round of funding from WPP and venture capital company Ignition Partners. More
TNS will be merging its Media Intelligence and Media Research (iTRAM) units into one, in an effort to further develop its TV and online audience measurement services. More
In the US, Greentech Media and non-profit think tank The Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development have announced a partnership which will deliver research into alternative energy markets, as well as publications and events. More
Environmental campaigner Greenpeace has challenged the UK government's nuclear power consultation process, claiming it is 'being fixed' by Gordon Brown's 'favourite market research company', Opinion Leader Research (OLR). The group has also formally complained to the MR industry standards body. More
UK-based holding company Cello has acquired The Richmark Group, Inc., a Chicago-based marketing consultant. Richmark will be rebranded as a business unit within Cello's RS Consulting Group. More
Brazilian agency CNP Global has joined the Harris Interactive Global Network as its newest affiliate member. CNP works as a data collection agency for MR firms as well as a full service provider for client firms and government institutions. More
Emotional reaction measurement firm The Dcypher Group has developed a new analytical tool to measure human emotions based on analysis of the written or spoken word. More
Ipsos has acquired a 70% stake in Markinor, South Africa's leading independent MR firm, and has confirmed its excellent first half results previewed on August 16th. More
UK-based researcher Tony Hoare, 49, has died after an incident in a park near his home in Charlton, south east London. A man aged 42 has been charged with manslaughter. Hoare worked at Research International before forming pink pound consultancy Stormbreak in 1998. More
Papers at today's ESOMAR Congress looked at 60 years of the development of research within electronics manfacturer Philips; and at the successful repositioning of the sagging SlimFast brand. More
With election time approaching, US polling firm Zogby is planning to take on at least 150 temporary workers to keep up with increased growth. CEO and founder John Zogby says most are likely to end up with permanent positions. More
In the UK, research consultancy Insight Engineers has launched a syndicated health and wellbeing study which seeks to uncover consumers' awareness of and attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle. More
Online measurement firm comScore has launched a new service to measure the audiences of blogs and social networking sites. More
Kent-based b2b specialist Westcombe Business Research has ceased trading. Administrators were called on 22rd August and the firm's employees have left: three of them have now set up a new fieldwork firm along with a former supplier. More
WPP Group has acquired a 49.9% interest in The PBN Company, a strategic communications firm specializing in the countries of the former Soviet Union. More
UK-based economic and management advisor York Consulting has appointed Margaret Frazer as Principal Consultant, in charge of operations in its Edinburgh office. More
Synovate Healthcare has launched The Synovate Healthcare India Oncology Monitor, which it says is the first of its kind in the country. More
TNS has today released unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2007. The firm says underlying revenue growth of 5.9% and operating profit up 8.9% to £45.4m show the successful implementation of a strategy commenced last year. More
In Australia, Coffey International Limited is paying AUS $4.0m to acquire Stratcorp Consulting Pty Ltd, a boutique consultancy providing strategic advice for large sporting and leisure projects. Coffey will merge the firm into a new high-end consulting division. More
TNS Media Intelligence has acquired media monitoring and evaluation firm PressWatch GmbH, based in Hamburg, Germany. More
In the US, IMS Health, Wolters Kluwer Health (through its subsidiary Source Healthcare Analytics) and Verispan have filed suits against the states of Maine and Vermont to prevent the passing of laws restricting the collection and disclosure of physician prescribing information. More
MrWeb has announced a partnership with the US-based association MRA (Marketing Research Association). The deal aims to give MRA members access to daily updates of global news and job vacancies while promoting MRA's services and programs to readers of Daily Research News. More
UK-based pollster YouGov has signed a joint venture with Photon Group, owner of several MR agencies, to establish an online panel business, YouGov Australia. The partners hope to build a panel of 50,000 adults in time to cover the country's forthcoming federal election, in October. More
Danish firm iMotions, whose software measures emotional response, has raised $2.7 million towards expanding its sales in the US and supporting the organisation worldwide. More
US-based media and market intelligence agency Biz360 has hired industry veteran Dan Kidd to lead all its sales operations including management of the direct, partnership and channel sales teams. More
Harris Interactive has rehired Justin Greeves to lead its Public Affairs Research Practice, co-located in Reston, Virginia and New York City. He joined the firm with Wirthlin when it was bought in 2004, and left the following year to lead GfK's Washington, DC office. More
Harris Interactive has acquired research firms Decima in Canada and MarketShare in Asia Pacific in deals with a combined value of more than $24 million. More
New web site Sutori.co.uk has been launched to offer British consumers a real-time measure of opinion about companies and their brands, and enable them to 'take the pulse' of a brand before committing to buy. More
Ipsos and Nielsen have reported results for the first half of the year. Ipsos increased revenue by 8.7% over the year earlier period to 443.1m, while Nielsen's grew from $2,019m to $2,241m. More
In the UK, the Market Research Society (MRS) has joined with six other associations to create the B2B Best Practice Alliance and raise the profile and standard of B2B marketing communications. More
In Africa, research firm The Steadman Group has partnered with online news service KenTV to provide Kenyan businessmen living abroad with investment information about their home markets. More
GfK has reported first half results which are 'moderate compared with the highly successful prior year'. Business in two divisions, Custom Research and HealthCare, fell short of expectations, although others forged ahead giving respectable overall organic growth of 4.9%. More
Lightspeed Research has begun the roll-out of a global service offering consumer surveys via mobile devices, with initial launches in Great Britain and Australia. The firm says it plans to expand into the US and other countries in Europe and Asia Pacific over the next few months. More
Allan Gregg is to rejoin public opinion and MR firm Decima Research as Chairman, from September 1st. Gregg, who founded the company in 1979, will focus on developing new business opportunities for the flourishing company. More
In the UK, Guardian News & Media has bought public sector research, publishing and event services company Kable and will add it to its Guardian Professional division. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. More
B2b specialist Kadence is boosting its Asia Pacific presence with the launch of new offices in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. More
The Nielsen Company has launched NielsenHealth, offering clients 'consumer centric' analytical tools to more effectively understand and address the attitudes, behaviors and needs of patients and physicians. Matthew Dumas becomes its MD. More
Continuing a busy week, YouGov has agreed amicably to dissolve its YouGov Execution (YGX) joint venture with Execution Ltd after 18 months, in order to launch a fully owned firm developing the same idea, YouGovAlpha. More
YouGov has announced a major expansion of its international presence, completing its buy of US-based Polimetrix and also acquiring Nordic agency Zapera, while raising around £27m by means of an institutional share placing. More
Select Research, the UK agency working on a replacement for the 200-year old Body Mass Index, has set up a specialist division for user testing of Patient Information Leaflets. More
Nielsen this week announced a new service offering clients insight into the media habits of specific demographic segments. The service combines elements of Nielsen's NPOWER TV ratings analysis tool and the PRIZM NE lifestyle segmentation product offered by its subsidiary Claritas. More
Business and consumer database firm infoUSA, which owns Opinion Research Corporation, has reported second quarter results. Record revenue of $160.1m included $50.1m from ORC; excluding the recently purchased research firm, revenue rose 9.7% on the year. More
Cincinnati-based MarketVision Research has appointed Marsha Calloway-Campbell, a veteran of Procter & Gamble and Synovate, as Research Director. More
Jacob A. Klerman has joined healthcare and government researcher Abt Associates as a Principal Associate in the Social and Economic Policy division. More
Israeli web search and research startup Omgili Ltd has obtained seed funding from Pitango Venture Capital, enabling it to pursue plans to commercialize its technology for the analysis of user-generated content. More
US-based online market intelligence firm BIGresearch has teamed up with Hispanic magazine company Televisa Publishing to provide marketers with in-depth information about the Hispanic market. More
Paul Flatters has joined London-based research consultancy Opinion Leader as its new MD, providing the firm's founders with time to concentrate on their joint CEO roles with parent company Chime Communications. More
The former Director of Operations of a US company that conducted campaign polls for President Bush and other political candidates, has been found guilty of ordering employees to fabricate survey results and sentenced to more than two years in jail. More
In the US, public sector-focused research provider Abt Associates has acquired SRBI (Schulman, Ronca & Bucuvalas, Inc.), for an undisclosed sum. SRBI will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Abt, led by current President and CEO Mark A. Schulman, Ph.D. More
UK-based consultancy Nunwood has reported more explosive growth, with first half revenues at £4.6m, up 58% versus the same period last year. More
Ipsos has announced the acquisition of Australian agency Eureka, a specialist in public opinion, social and CRM research, headed by former AMSRS President John Sergeant. More
Daily and Sunday Telegraph Owner TMG has appointed Michael Moore, formerly of AOL Europe, to the role of Executive Director of Consumer Markets. He joins next month to spearhead marketing, research and strategy and will also be developing the group's multimedia activity. More
Synovate Healthcare has launched an online Psychoses Therapy Monitor, its first venture into coverage of psychiatric treatment. Initial waves in the five biggest European economies will be followed by a US launch soon. More
Sister UK agencies BMRB and BPRI are to link two regular surveys, BMRB's face-to-face Omnibus survey and BPRI's Political Opinion Panel, to give clients the chance to put the same questions to MPs and the general public. More
Online specialist YouGov has been named 'Brand of the Year' in the Business XL 10 awards, hosted in London last night. More
In the USA, MarketTools, Inc. has announced the availability of a research solution for marketers targeting mothers, the 'Moms Insight Network'. The system combines input from the online conversations of millions of 'moms', an online community and a quarterly survey of 500 respondents. More
Jaime Kalfus has returned to Young & Rubicam Brands as Chief Insights Officer of its subsidiary, Hispanic comms specialist The Bravo Group. She takes charge of the overall development of the Group's strategic and account planning functions. More
Database giant and Opinion Research Corp owner infoUSA has appointed Ron Hanzlicek as CFO of its Market Research Group, with accounting and finance responsibilities for newly acquired Guideline as well as Opinion Research and Macro International. More
Nielsen is acquiring San Francisco-based syndicated telecom MR firm Telephia, in a move designed to accelerate measurement of consumer behaviour across the $350 billion mobile phone sector. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. More
Financial information provider Xinhua Finance Limited (XFL) has launched a new barometer of Chinese consumer outlook, compiled by financial and consumer tracker eziData. More
Harris Interactive, a major player in the US body establishing uniform standards of disclosure for the conducting of opinion polls, has taken up membership of its UK equivalent, the British Polling Council (BPC). More
Kenya-based Infotrak Research and Consulting has become the fifteenth member of the Harris Interactive Global Network of independent MR companies. As part of the deal, Infotrak will run its own Infotrak Harris Poll in August, covering social, political and topical issues in East Africa. More
ImpreMedia, LLC, the USA's leading Spanish-language print and online news publisher, has this week raised its MR Manager Olga Casabona to Director level. It also hired Mike Cano as Director of Marketing for its top daily paper 'La Opinión'. More
Canadian pollster and social commentator Allan Gregg has left his position as Chairman of The Strategic Counsel to set up on his own. More
Polling firm YouGovSiraj has launched a new consumer confidence index for the Middle East, in partnership with Dubai-based job site, Bayt.com. More
UK marketing services group Creston has announced a 60% growth in revenue to £69.7 million, in its preliminary financial results for the year ended 31 March. More
Google has cut the length of time it keeps users' personal search data from '18-24 months' to a maximum of 18 months, following questioning by European Union data protection officials. The firm says the limit balances privacy with considerations of 'security, innovation and compliance'. More
London-based Cello Group has acquired public sector specialist Market Research International (widely known as mruk), in a deal worth an estimated £6 million. More
London-based Spring Research has launched Culture Track, to help clients identify cultural changes that could impact on their business strategies. More
UK not-for-profit organisation Patient Opinion has launched a new web site for patients to share their experiences of healthcare and feed back comments and improvement ideas to the NHS. More
Research consultancy Angus Reid Strategies has strengthened its senior team in Canada with the appointment of Angela Spathis as Vice President, based in her home town of Montreal. She was previously a Research Director at Lieberman Research Worldwide. More
Social networking web site Facebook has launched a new polling feature called Facebook Polls, enabling marketers to pose quick questions to its vast user base. More
The membership of US professional body CASRO has overwhelmingly approved a revision to the Internet Research section of the organization's Code of Standards and Ethics for Survey Research. More
US MR, PR and crisis communication firm, Kelton Research, has opened in Washington, DC and recruited crisis communication media consultant Buckley Carlson to lead the firm's expansion. More
Japanese MR firm INTAGE has bought healthcare research specialist TM Marketing for an undisclosed sum. TM will absorb INTAGE's own medical research department and continue trading under its existing name. More
Communications watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has backed down on plans to prevent researchers from making calls on Sundays. More
Maktoob Research, an online specialist with offices in Dubai and Amman, will run a monthly online omnibus survey of 500 adult consumers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Morocco. More
Newly acquired TNS Research Surveys came home with three of the four available awards at last week's annual conference of SAMRA, the South African Market Research Association. More
London-based ORB has received the go-ahead to continue its annual tracking survey of public opinion in Iraq. Now three years old, the survey involves face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of Sunnis, Shias and Kurds. More
A London-based polling agency and Christian news provider have joined forces to launch an online service gathering opinion from UK Christians. Communicate Research and Premier Christian Media say Cpanel will include all denominations and age groups. More
Nielsen has partnered with research firm Phoenix Multicultural, to launch a national Homescan Consumer Panel which will tap in to the $1 trillion Hispanic consumer market. More
Scott D. Upham, formerly a Senior VP at Harris Interactive, has started his own market research and management consultancy, Valient Solutions, based in Rochester, NY. He has worked in the automotive sector for much of his two decades in MR. More
Fort Worth-based customer analytics specialist Buxton is following a doubling of its headcount in 2006 by moving to new offices which have room to double it again, with a further 100+ new research and technical staff. More
Only around half (51%) of US companies formally ask their employees about their views of the workplace, according to findings from Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) - and almost half of these (46%) fail to use the response to change things. More
Ipsos has announced a strong first quarter with revenues up 8.9% to Euros 204.7m. Organic growth was 10.3%, the highest for a first quarter since Ipsos' IPO in 1999. More
TNS has acquired the Financial Services Research division of US business research and consulting group, Abt Associates. Senior Abt staff Scott Rosa and Sarita Bhagwat will join TNS to manage the integration of the two organisations. More
Havas Chairman Vincent Bollore has taken a break from rocking boats at regular Aegis shareholder meetings to provide one for newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The right wing leader is celebrating his win with several days in the Med on the investor's 200-foot yacht. More
A recent survey conducted by Zogby Interactive has found that 63% of Americans believe that humans will eventually establish a permanent colony on the moon, with 39% believing that it will happen within the next 50 years. More
Harris Interactive CEO Greg Novak has apologised to shareholders as the company reduced its earnings projections and reported a mere 1% rise in Q3 revenue totals. However, he told DRNO this afternoon that 'Our strategy is working' and outlined the well-targeted acquisitions he believes will help. More
Ipsos Health has made two key appointments to strengthen its client service team: Elys Roberts joins as President and CEO for North America and Andrew Grenville becomes Chief Research Officer. More
US-based online tips and advice publisher Modern Mom has formed an Insights & Action division to delve into the key drivers of the 'mom market'. Its products have been developed with the help of MR consultancy, Noesis. More
Nielsen Media Research is to enhance the weighting of its National People Meter (NPM) ratings sample, with the aim of making it more representative of the US population. More
Shares in pharma MR leader IMS Health have risen to an eight-year high after a US federal judge overturned a New Hampshire state law banning the commercial use of physician prescription pattern data. More
Oxford Intelligence, a UK-based consultancy and research firm specialising in foreign direct investment, has appointed three senior consultants as an Advisory Group to back ambitious plans for expansion. They include BPRI co-founder Jonathan Shingleton. More
The Nielsen Company is to acquire the remainder of word-of-mouth media tracking agency BuzzMetrics, of which it already owns 58%. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the UK, Kantar has announced the launch of the 'Institute for Insight in the Public Services', a joint initiative between two of its companies, BMRB Social Research and Henley Centre HeadlightVision (HCHLV). More
Global news and information company Reuters has enhanced its machine-readable news service to include analysis of news sentiment, driven by linguistics software created by text analytics firm, Corpora. More
Asia-based research and analytics firm, Evalueserve (EVS), has launched an 80,000 strong US Physician Panel, to provide data across categories including oncology, neurology and cardiology. More
Ipsos has brought its Quebec operations together in a newly-renovated central office, in a move which the firm says will generate increased project and team collaboration and improvements in client service. More
Harris Interactive is looking for a bigger trophy cabinet after taking six gongs at the 2007 ARF Ogilvy Awards Gala. The US-based agency was also picked last week as one of SmartMoney magazine's long-term investment portfolio 'Ten Stocks for the Next Ten Years'. More
Database marketing firm infoUSA delivered record revenues of $157.9m (up 53%) in the first quarter of 2007, with $48.1m generated by recently acquired MR agency, Opinion Research Corporation (ORC). However, profits fell 20% to $6.3m as higher expenses outweighed revenue growth. More
South African firm WDB Investment Holdings, the finance arm of the WDB Charitable Trust, has acquired a 25.1% stake in MR intelligence firm Kaufman Levin Associates (KLA). More
Stamford, CT-based RTi has launched an online omnibus focused on the 50+ market. The 'Mature Market Omnibus' (MMO) talks each month to a national sample of 1,000 respondents between the ages of 50 and 74. More
In the US, Alloy Media and Marketing has launched a multicultural operation called Alloy Access, which will use customer knowledge to design marketing and media strategies across Hispanic, African American and urban consumers. More
In the US, Observant LLC has launched a qual software tool, Questrill, and made two senior appointments to support its rapid growth as a provider of pharma and healthcare research. More
UK-based consultancy Nunwood has appointed Sarah Houghton as MD for its recently opened office in the capital. She spent the past sixteen years at Millward Brown. More
YouGov has announced interim results for the six months ended 31 January 2007, with turnover up 61% to £6.1m year-on-year, mainly through organic growth, and operating profit up 57% to £2.2m. It also announced a JV with networking guru Carole Stone. More
Communications Minister Helen Coonan has asked the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to exempt pollsters from the forthcoming ban on making Sunday calls. The ban, due in force from 31st May, has been strongly opposed by the MR community. More
Leeds-based agency Quaestor is to launch a branded qualitative panel of 50 to 65 year olds, 'Think 50', combining a focus group format with an omnibus approach to client buy-in. Two sessions of two hours each will be held on the first Tuesday of each month, beginning on 1st May. More
The U.S. Census Bureau has passed to Congress plans for subject areas for the 2010 survey, which it says will be one of the shortest and easiest to complete in its 220 year history. The bureau also released more information about the forthcoming American Community Survey (ACS) and a new study of consumer spending. More
WPP-owned online panel provider Lightspeed Research has acquired global employee research firm, Foresight International, for an undisclosed sum. More
US research body CMOR has launched the 'State Capitol Network', a new volunteer committee created to monitor and respond to state legislative issues affecting the survey research profession. More
The BBC is inviting submissions for its new Quantitative and Tracking Roster, a shortlist of agencies which can then bid for projects including ad hoc quant surveys and some major tracking studies. The Pulse contract, currently with GfK but due to expire in March 2008, will also be included in the current tender. More
A survey released by home technology MR specialist, Park Associates, has revealed that around one-third of US households, or 31 million homes, have no access to the Internet and do not plan to subscribe in the next 12 months. Meanwhile, broadband usage is once again on the up, underlining the so-called 'digital divide'. More
Two online specialists have announced expansion into new Central London premises this week, UK-based YouGov and the UK office of Survey Sampling International (SSI). More
In our third and final article reviewing the Golden Jubilee MRS Conference in Brighton, Phyllis Vangelder reviews papers looking forward at the future of research, and the future of the planet. More
Birmingham, UK-based Select Research has launched the initial phase of a study which it hopes will lead to the creation of a new computer-based system for measuring obesity. The system is designed to improve on Body Mass Index (BMI) which doctors have used since 1830. More
Panel and software provider, GMI (Global Market Insite), has increased the size of its panels in China by 65% and in India more than fivefold. Meanwhile senior Board member Larry Schack has left the company and the west coast, reportedly to work for his previous employer, PSB. More
US MR associations CMOR and the MRA have opened an additional office in Washington, D.C. The move will enhance collaboration between the two to promote training, education, government relations and the image and reputation of the industry. More
The latest Financial Times/Harris Poll suggests that in four of the five largest European countries, pluralities of adults believe life is worse since they joined the European Union (EU) - the exception is Spain. The poll also records dim views of the Euro and its impact on economies. More
UK-based research consultancy Nunwood claims to be enjoying its 'most successful year yet' with first quarter 2007 revenues up a massive 78% vs a year previously. More
Technology specialist IDC has appointed Roberta Bigliani as EMEA Research Director of its Energy Insights company. Her role covers European research-based advisory and consulting services for both utilities and oil & gas segments. More
UK marketing services group Chime Communications has released preliminary results for the year ended 31 Dec 2006, with organic growth of 11%; and has simultaneously announced the proposed acquisition of sports marketing agency Fast Track Sales Limited. More
Online polling firm YouGov has launched two new healthcare research initiatives: online survey system NHSOpinions, which draws on a panel of 350,000 NHS staff; and PatientsOnline, which enables patient polling from their hospital beds. More
TNS has released full year results for 2006, showing revenue almost flat at £1,004.2m (up 0.5% from £999m in 2005). However the firm, whose US custom business has been restructuring since reporting problems a year ago, said results in other divisions were good. More
Austin, Texas-based word of mouth research and promotion specialist Bazaarvoice is opening a London office, its first venture outside the USA, and has appointed Shareen Campbell to lead the office as Sales Director. More
Transport planning and analysis consultancy Colin Buchanan has acquired Vincent Knight Transport Research (VKTR) to strengthen its MR offer. The two firms already work closely together and share offices in London's Notting Hill Gate. More
Jon Cruddas, a contender for Labour's deputy leadership, is one of the latest in a long line to criticise the government's 'over-reliance' on focus groups. Neither is he the first, we suspect, to dislike its 'direct marketing techniques'. But can he seriously be down on 'using research on the Internet' as well? More
TNS Media Intelligence (TNS MI) has acquired market influence analytics company Cymfony, giving the research giant access to expertise in tracking and analysing the intersection of traditional and social media, such as blogs and social networks. More
A 'rush of economic optimism' and a continuing rise in income expectations has slowed the fall in GfK's German consumer climate index, while India still has the world's most confident consumers according to ACNielsen's 46-country study. More
Whatever its effect on the health of individuals, the cigarette industry itself does not appear to be in terminal decline, according to the latest TGI survey. More
Government and business research consultancy Abt Associates has announced that its Senior VP, Dr Richard A Kulka will now oversee the firm's Survey Methodology and Data Capture Group. His focus will be on strengthening quality, innovation, and flexibility. More
Ipsos UK's MD of Public Affairs, Sam McGuire, has taken on a new challenge as he joins the firm's North American Public Affairs management team in New York, as Senior Vice President. More
Ipsos MORI has promoted Sarah Castell, 31, to lead its Qualitative Hothouse unit. She began her career at Flamingo International and was named one of 'Campaign' magazine's 'Innovative young researchers' in 2002. More
Ipsos has acquired most of Peruvian agency, Apoyo Opinión y Mercado S.A., which commands a 30% market share of the country's MR and public opinion polling business. The global group has also announced preliminary results for 2006 with organic growth of 6.5% and revenues of 857.1m Euros. More
Philip Kleinman, The MR Journalist, has died in hospital following heart surgery. He was well known in the industry as former editor of 'Campaign' and a regular contributor to Admap, before founding the pioneering web site MRNews in the late 1990s. More
GfK Market Measures has established a dedicated business unit to provide insight for the rapidly growing oncology market, and appointed Bill Bowman, J.D., to lead it. More
Continuing a recent trend among public sector organisations on both sides of the Atlantic, five authorities in the English county of Bedfordshire are to establish their own panel of consumers, BedsVoice, to assess public services. More
Research consultancy and online survey software provider Enalyzer A/S has begun trading on the First North exchange, which comprises 86 companies in Denmark, Sweden and Iceland. More
Nielsen has announced the consolidation of its digital television set top box measurement activities into a new service, Nielsen DigitalPlus. The system will take data from both cable system operators (MSOs) and satellite providers and integrate it with other Nielsen information. More
Synovate has announced a deal to provide 24-hour news and information channel BBC World with global surveys based around aspects of the global news agenda. The firm will conduct six opinion surveys across 21 markets in 2007. More
While people's drinking habits vary considerably across the world, Europeans have the highest levels of alcohol consumption, according to the latest from Global TGI (Target Group Index). Latin Americans and Turks prop up the table, whereas for many in the UK, the reverse may be true. More
Eight firms have been selected from more than 380 applicants for the UK government's 'Catalist' shortlist of suppliers in the marketing and MR consultancy category. They include agencies ORC International, Ci Research and Quadrant / BMG Research. More
Super Bowl advertiser infoUSA, the new owner of Opinion Research Corporation, has reported record revenues of $125.1m in the fourth quarter of 2006 and $434.9m for the full year 2006 the latter a 13.1% increase. The firm also plans new product releases and a reorganisation of its key divisions. More
Grizzard Communications Group has acquired Seattle-based research consultancy AnalyticalOne LLC, for an undisclosed sum, and appointed its founder Bill Jacobs as Vice President of Research & Analytics. More
Research International has this week added Peter Bürgi and Rebecca Severson to its qual division, Qualitative Space. More
The Nielsen Company is to buy the remainder of online audience specialist NetRatings, for a total purchase price of $327m cash, or $21.00 a share. It already owns 60 per cent. More
Information and database giant Experian has bought Economic Research Services (ERS), a UK-based economic development and regeneration consultancy, for an undisclosed sum. More
Harris Interactive has announced the retirement of Dr. Richard B. Wirthlin, Reagan campaign strategist and founder of Wirthlin Worldwide, which Harris acquired in 2004. Harris also announced quarterly results showing strong growth in European business balancing a dip in US revenues. More
CMOR has hired a new Director of Government Affairs to replace Christopher Lee, whose departure was reported yesterday. Howard Fienberg, formerly legal advisor to Congressmen Christopher Cox and Cliff Stearns, started work at the survey research body this week. More
US-based public sector specialist Abt Associates has added Dr. Steven Sinding to its Board of Directors. An expert on international population matters, he spent twenty years at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a major client of Abt. More
Christopher Lee has resigned as Director of Government Affairs and Counsel for CMOR, the US industry body, saying that 'the call to return to public service and the Federal government was too strong to resist'. The news comes as the organisation launches its 'Your Opinion Counts' (YOC) initiative to improve public perceptions of research. More
On schedule, Nielsen Media Research has commenced its inclusion of the viewing of college students living away from home in its National People Meter (NPM) ratings. The company also released stats from November hinting at the kind of impact the addition may have on overall viewing figures. More
The majority of online gamblers aren't playing to win money long-term; it's more about entertainment value, according to the findings of the 'eCOGRA Global Online Gambler Survey'. The study plots the behaviour and attitudes of 11,000 players across 96 countries. More
San Francisco-based startup BuzzLogic has won $9.6m (£4.9m) in venture capital, with which to develop tools and services aimed at defining and measuring influence in social media such as blogs. More
Republican Party pollster Public Opinion Strategies has promoted four Vice Presidents to partnership status. The new partners are Rob Autry, Elizabeth Harrington, Patrick Lanne and Nicole McCleskey. More
UK-based B2B research agency Circle Research has added b2b guru David Willan to its senior team. Willan spent twenty years building up BPRI, the agency he co-founded in 1986, which is now part of WPP. More
VNU today continued its radical overhaul following its return to the private sector, by changing its name to 'The Nielsen Company'. The firm says the move 'emphasizes its best-known brand name and underscores its commitment to create an integrated, streamlined global organization'. More
US dieting has hit an all-time low, according to The NPD Group's 21st annual 'Eating Patterns in America' report. Meanwhile a survey conducted by food manufacturer, Dairy Crest, reveals that the UK's 7 to 12 year-olds are opting for healthier lunch choices. More
The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) has told staff it plans to close the London office at Drummond Gate, Pimlico, by 2010. Staff would either be relocated most of them to Newport, Wales - or made redundant. Unions have reacted angrily to the news. More
The UK's Association for Qualitative Research (AQR) has named Acacia Avenue and Opinion Leader Research as joint winners of its annual Prosper Riley-Smith Effectiveness Award. More
Opinion Research Corporation, recently acquired by infoUSA, has announced the establishment of a formal polling partnership with news and information network CNN. The two firms have been working together on individual contracts for around nine months. More
Thriving UK-based pollster YouGov plc has appointed Roger Parry, former Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel International, as a Non-Executive Director. As of 26th April, Parry will also become Non-Executive Chairman while current Chair Peter Kellner moves to the role of President. More
A recent survey conducted by business-to-business research consultancy, Kadence, has shown that in half of all Asian SMEs the decision-maker in the key financial role is a woman. More
UK-based Marketing Sciences has appointed Danni White to its Board, and promoted both Eileen Sutherland and Chris Peach to Research Director roles. More
YouGov has hired Dr. Andy Brown as Director leading a new Organisational Consulting offer. Meanwhile its Middle Eastern subsidiary YouGovSiraj has announced an online Omnibus Service covering the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Morocco and Egypt. More
US-based information provider INPUT has appointed Judy Cavanaugh as its new VP of Market Analysis. Cavanaugh was previously VP of Business Intelligence for L-3 Communications Titan Group. More
While more than 70% of British consumers own a credit card, consumers in other parts of Europe - particularly Eastern Europe - are far less likely to use plastic. However, around half of British card owners pay the full balance on their card each month, according to the latest Global TGI survey. More
As the MRS reveals that 'happiness expert' Richard Reeves is to deliver the opening keynote slot at its annual conference in March, US provider Luth Research has published results of a survey into happiness around the world, highlighting the differences between countries and regions. More
The UK government has boosted the profile and potential influence of its social research professionals by including them for the first time in the civil service Fast Stream programme. More
Most of the world has made New Year resolutions for 2007, according to ACNielsen. An online survey of more than 22,000 consumers in 46 countries found 56% of respondents resolved to do or change something, with exercising more and improving worklife balance topping the list. More
ACNielsen has announced a new classification system for the Middle East and North Africa region. The Living Standards Measurement (LSM) system will initially be introduced in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Morocco and Egypt. More
The 'next Bill Gates' is more likely to come from either China or Japan (49%) than from the United States (21%), according to a poll by Zogby International and 463 Communications. The poll also looked at perceptions of the Internet and its effect on work and society. More
Canadian pollster Angus Reid Strategies continues to grow its team with the appointment of Ellie Sykes as VP, Qualitative in Vancouver, and Janet Lazaris and Dara St Louis as Senior VP and VP for its retail operation in Toronto. More
At a time when a BBC survey shows that a minority (44%) of UK children know that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, a Financial Times (FT)/Harris Poll shows Americans more likely than Europeans to believe in God, but also more likely to support the right of Islamic women to wear the veil. More
New owner infoUSA has announced its intention to split Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) into two distinct groups: government research under the name Macro International and corporate MR with the existing name. John F. Short steps down from the Chairman and CEO roles as two new leaders are named. More
IMS Health is to buy the Life Sciences practice of US-based Strategic Decisions Group (SDG), which focuses on portfolio strategy consulting for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. More
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology research specialist The Mattson Jack Group (MJG) has recruited David J Deutsch, a veteran of health services and research firms in the UK and US, as Vice President. More
A substantial majority of people in Asia (59%) believe that expenditure on space exploration is justified, according to a CNN/TIME poll conducted by TNS. Still more (68%) believe that Asians countries should take a more active role in space exploration. More
UK success story YouGov plc is hoping to use its magic formula in the US: today it announced it has acquired a 32% shareholding in Polimetrix Inc., an online political and social research agency founded in 2004 by Stanford Professor Douglas Rivers. More
Database firm infoUSA has completed its acquisition of Opinion Research Corporation on schedule, with Opinion Research shareholders approving the sale at a meeting on Monday. More
Business to business specialist Kadence says it will double its turnover to $8m in 2006. UK business has leapt by 70% year-on-year and turnover in the US has grown by 66%, while the firm's newer Asian offices also report good growth. More
The Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO) has appointed Dr. Larry Ponemon, Chairman and founder of the Ponemon Institute, to serve as Chairman of its Government & Public Affairs (GPA) Committee and GPA Director. He succeeds Jim Robinson, creator of the GPA function, who died in September. More
Online survey firm Ciao has launched a 'Career Profile' option. The new data allows clients to use job categories to select samples from its panelists in 23 countries across Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia. More
The Internet has become the number one medium for data collection for quantitative physician studies, used for 43% of studies according to research by specialist US provider Medefield. Online research made strong gains versus face-to-face and telephone research for the third year running. More
Pharma research giant IMS Health has announced it has successfully integrated anonymised patient-level data (APLD) across its global portfolio of information, analytics and consulting; and established a new global team of health economics and outcomes experts. More
London's IFF Research has appointed two new directors and two more junior members of staff. Simon Tunna joins the financial services team and Dr Michael Wagstaff joins the public sector policy practice. More
Following the Republican Party's mid-term election troubles, Americans continue to voice their doubts about the Bush presidency, with 67% now feeling negative about his job performance according to the latest Harris Poll findings. More
Thirty per cent of Cornish businesses plan to generate their own energy in future, with wind and solar power being the more popular options, according to research by PFA Research and Enterprise Edge. The county, home to the Eden Project, aims to be a leader on environmental issues. More
The battle for cricket's most famous trophy resumes in a few hours, with Australians hoping for a change of ownership, but continuity Down Under is the theme of two recent surveys. GMI / Anholt research finds the country's image little changed, while Ipsos finds its executives combining new media use with reading more newspapers than ever. More
The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) has announced that environmental campaigner and commentator Jonathan Porritt will headline its 2007 Golden Jubilee conference. More
World populations may be ageing, but consumers don't feel their age in the same way they used to, according to findings from ACNielsen. Majorities agree with the research firm's premises that 'your 40s are the new 30s' (60%), 'your 30s are the new 20s' (54%) and 'your 60s are the new middle age' (56%). More
Newly established Angus Reid Strategies has hired former Ipsos ASI president Bernie Malinoff to head its advertising research practice, and Julie Horne as Vice President, Telecommunications. More
Ipsos has announced a successful first nine months of 2006 with organic revenue growth of 8% over the year earlier period, and overall growth of 24.9% to Euros 613.2m. Third quarter growth was slightly slower at 22% (organic 7%). More
Companies can expect to spend at least three years repairing the damage caused by major negative publicity in the media, according to research by Ipsos MORI. Results will be revealed tomorrow at a conference hosted at London's Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal Football Club. More
Newly formed full-service consultancy Angus Reid Strategies has added another senior member of staff: Craig Worden joins as Vice President, Public Affairs, located in the Toronto office. More
Marketers and advertisers generally fail to properly segment and target the Baby Boomer generation, despite their awareness of its high purchasing power, according to Chadwick Martin Bailey (CMB). The Boston-based MR firm released its own five-segment analysis this week. More
Nielsen Media Research has created a further body to advise it on ethnic audience measurement issues, an African American Advisory Council (AAAC) consisting of 12 industry, community, and business leaders. More
Two agencies tied for the top award at last night's 'Research Excellence and Effectiveness Awards', hosted by the MRS in London. Judges could not choose between FreshMinds and Flamingo International as Best Research Agency 2006. More
Hong Kong, Madrid and Singapore are among the best cities for underground train travel, while New York and Paris are friendly but otherwise lagging behind, according to Présence Mystery Shopping. The quality of the welcome and service was measured from the perspective of foreign tourists in 12 cities, with London not included. More
Leeds-based RBA Research is in administration and will cease trading at the end of October. The public sector specialist has seen margins eroded by aggressive competition from larger agencies. More
Audience measurement giant Nielsen Media Research has established five new Client Advisory Committees, consisting of almost 90 senior clients, to guide the company's Anytime Anywhere Media Measurement (A2/M2) initiatives, aimed at moving measurement into the integrated media age. More
US consumer confidence continues to rise, according to the BIGresearch Executive Briefing for October. Half of consumers (49.9%) say they are confident or very confident in the chances for a strong economy in the next six months, up from 43.4% last month and 37.6% a year ago. More
In the UK, Royal Mail has extended the closing date for its 4-year research roster tender, worth up to £20 million, to Monday 23rd October. More
UK agency FDS International has announced expansion for its research and technology teams, with three new appointments. More
Dipsticks Research Ltd (DRL), based in Northumbria in North East England, has announced the launch of a new division focusing on MR services for the public sector. To be known as 'Public Knowledge', this is DRL's third specialist division. More
Another former Ipsos researcher has joined the senior team for Angus Reid's new agency: Chris Ferneyhough becomes a Vice President, based in Calgary. More
YouGov plc, the polling and MR provider with bases in the UK and Middle East, has announced rapid growth in its preliminary results for the year to 31 July. Sales have more than tripled to £9.5m from £2.9m, while operating profit grew 302% to £3.9m. More
A total of 173 people gathered in Chicago last week for The Research Industry Summit: Improving Respondent Cooperation. Among the key messages emerging: the need for clients to play their part in promoting the benefits of research; and support for the idea that one MR organisation should take ownership of the problem. More
Australians are willing to contribute to the fight against global warming but many are uncertain of what to do, according to findings from Ipsos Australia's national omnibus survey, released to key government and environmental agencies at a recent Melbourne screening of Al Gore's film 'An Inconvenient Truth'. More
Canada's Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) has launched what it calls 'the world's first Charter of Respondent Rights', setting out the industry's commitment to respect respondents' time and privacy, and to honour the contribution they make to society. More
UK agency Andrew Irving Associates (AIA) has been bought by Optimisa plc, an AIM-listed marketing services holding company which already owns business intelligence firms kae: marketing intelligence and nxtMOVE. Optimisa will pay up to £317k in total for AIA. More
Audience measurement firm Arbitron has appointed Al Tupek as its Chief Statistical Officer (CSO). Tupek is former Chief of the US Census Bureau's Demographic Statistical Methods Division. More
Full service agency ORC International and MMR division UK Fieldwork Services have announced a joint venture company, ORC Fieldwork Services, which will conduct ORC's field data collection and will be managed by directors from both companies. More
UK-based financial product researcher and database operator Defaqto has been acquired along with parent TIRGL by Find Portal Limited, a specialist in online financial marketing and brand development. More
UK consumers are happy enough with their personal financial situation and think it's a good time both to spend and to save, yet they evidently think someone's having a bad time because they continue to say the 'general economic situation' is poor, according to GfK NOP. More
In the US, MarketTools has announced the launch of a fully-integrated mobile phone-based market intelligence solution, MarketTools Mobile, allowing live data collection and rapid access to up-to-date results via a web portal. More
New consultancy Angus Reid Strategies has made another senior hire - Monique Morden becomes Senior Vice President, Client Service and MD, Western Canada. Morden was previously the sole proprietor of Line Communications and Senior VP of Ipsos-Reid Canada. More
GfK Mystery Shopping and disability consulting firm Butler New Media this week announced a joint venture giving GfK clients access to Butler's ABILITY Mystery Shopping Panel. The result is claimed to be 'America's first national panel for individuals with disabilities'. More
Our review of this week's ESOMAR Conference continues with Phyllis Vangelder's look at Tuesday's papers. They include suggestions for reconstructing research for the 21st Century, and a review of the challenges of opinion polling in Iraq. More
Two global agencies have this week released latest results from elite surveys. Ipsos Media reveals that European business leaders are compensating for increased time away from home with gadgets, cars and holidays; while hybrid methodology is helping Synovate's Media Atlas get past the security gates to chart the rise of AsiaPac's urban affluent. More
Angus Reid has recruited former employee Ed Morawski to help lead his new full service agency, with the title of President. Morawski leaves Ipsos North America where he spent more than three years as Senior Vice President in the New York office. More
It may be another six years before London hosts the Olympics, but we've limbered up with this year's ESOMAR Congress... The annual flagship event of the worldwide association of research professionals has just concluded, sampled by our correspondent Phyllis Vangelder. More
US healthcare researcher Abt Associates has hired health economist Mason W. Russell to head up its growing registries practice. More
Italian online research specialist Nextplora is the latest in the booming sub-sector to announce international expansion. The Milan-based company has launched sites in English, French, German and Spanish and will offer analysis and advice covering Europe's five largest economies. More
Two UK firms in and around the MR industry have announced rebrands. B2b researcher BPRI retains its name but launches a new corporate identity, while specialist recruiter StopGap launches three sub-brands under the new name of The SG Group. More
Kelton Research has opened a full-service office in the heart of Manhattan, to function principally as a national centre for the Omnibus Company, its specialist PR division. Nathan Richter has been hired as Executive Director for the division. More
Bollore Investissement, a company controlled by French financier and Havas chairman Vincent Bollore, this week acquired a 40 per cent stake in the holding company of French opinion polling and market research group CSA-TMO, with the option to increase to a majority holding by 2008-9. More
Leading Canadian pollster Angus Reid is to launch a new full-service strategic consultancy with an emphasis on online research solutions. Angus Reid Strategies has offices in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto and expects to open US offices in the coming months. More
Arbitron is field testing the addition of an audio matching capability to its Portable People Meter (PPM) which would allow it to track the audience of radio stations that choose not to encode their signals. Existing PPMs can be upgraded over a phone line. More
Fast-growing UK agency Nunwood, once again nominated for the MRS/AURA 'Best Agency', has added three new staff to its team. More
Following yesterday's appointment of a new head for its Public Sector research, ORC International has announced the arrival of Andy Waller, previously of GfK, as Head of Operations at its European Information Centre based at the Angel, Islington. More
Richard Abraham, formerly Head of Research, Information and Customer Feedback at the London Borough of Southwark, has joined ORC International to head up its Public Sector research team. More
Exit poll pioneer Warren Mitofsky has died in New York aged 71. Mitofsky used exit polls to predict voting patterns in US elections from the late 1960s, and also invented random digit dialling in partnership with Joseph Waksberg. More
Global consumer confidence remains at 2005 levels, with consumers still cautious about spending, according to ACNielsen's Global Consumer Confidence Index. The most confident respondents were found in India, Norway and Denmark. More
TNS has announced its unaudited interim results for the six months to 30 June. Unspectacular overall revenue growth of 4.5% (underlying growth 3.0%) reflects a decline in US custom business, while the rest of the group achieved organic revenue growth of almost 6%. More
BMRB has appointed James Smythe as head of its Sports Research unit. He joins from GCap Media (owners of Capital Radio) where he was Head of Market Research. MD Richard Asquith says the firm expects 'strong growth for research in this sector'. More
The smoking ban in Scotland, which came into effect five months ago, has already had a 'major impact' on liquor sales through pubs in Scotland compared to the rest of the country, according to ACNielsen PubTrack. Food sales, however, have risen. More
Nielsen Media Research (NMR) has announced it will include data for Azteca America, the newest Spanish-Language TV network in the US, in its National People Meter ratings service, the NTI. Nielsen has also released stats showing the growth in ethnic TV household numbers at the national and local DMA levels. More
Washington's Urban Institute has welcomed back Rob Santos as its Senior Methodologist and Director of its Statistical Methods Group. Santos left the Institute in 2001 and worked as a Partner and Executive VP at NuStats Research & Consulting in Austin, Texas. More
US consultancy Strategic Vision has this week named Alexander Edwards President of its Automotive Division, with responsibility for the New Vehicle Experience Study (NVES). He replaces Dan Gorrell, who has led the NVES programs since 1994. More
JupiterResearch has launched a new 'Social Marketing research' service which will specialise in online social networking and user-generated media, otherwise known as consumer-generated media or CGM. More
Residents of, and commuters to London will no doubt be astonished to hear that a poll by US-based TripAdvisor(TM) has voted their transport system the best in the world. More
Following its acquisition of Gantz Wiley Research last week, Kenexa has announced that it has founded the Kenexa Research Institute, to focus on 'advancing the science of employee research'. More
Figures out this week from Nielsen Media Research show changes in the US TV audience including an overall rise in television households of 1.1% and a 16% decrease in the number in the New Orleans area. More
In late September an industry summit bringing together around 30 of the most influential people in US research will attempt to break new ground on the perennial issue of respondent co-operation. Have we been here before? MrWeb's Michael Kenyon asks the event's convenor Bob Lederer what makes it special. More
Jon Beaumont has left Continental Research, where he led the media division, to join online consumer generated media (CGM) specialist WaveMetrix. His role as Chief Research Officer will include development of the firm's fast-growing client roster. More
A few days after communications regulator Ofcom announced that 'online is rapidly becoming the lead medium for young people in the UK', video research specialist Vox Pops International has released results suggesting that 'when it comes to money, teenagers treat the World Wide Web with reserve'. More
Ipsos has reported an excellent first half for 2006. Revenues are up 26.7% to Euros 407.7m, due mostly to organic growth of 8.6%, while the acquisition and integration of MORI, Understanding Unlimited and Camelford Graham contributed most of a 'scope of consolidation' rise of 14.1%. More
In the US Michael Mermelstein, a past President of the Marketing Research Association, has been named as the new President of RT Strategies' National Omnibus Poll. He joins from Evans/ McDonough Company, Inc, where he has been Field Operations Director since 2001. More
Healthy eating brands are on the rise in the UK... but so are those associated with indulgence, according to TNS Worldpanel's annual Biggest Brands survey for Marketing magazine. More
Global top twenty agency Opinion Research Corporation has been bought by consumer and business database and marketing firm infoUSA Inc., for $12 per share in cash, valuing the research company at around $134.3 million, including the assumption of debt. More
Fresh from its purchase of Dubai-based Siraj, YouGov has announced plans to introduce a comprehensive brand indexing scheme for the Middle East region, based on the successful UK system. More
TNS has renewed its partnership with CNN and TIME magazine, supplying an up to the minute public opinion barometer on the issues of the day, from twelve Asia Pacific countries, via methods including its 6thdimension access panels. More
US-based MR and opinion polling firm RKS Research & Consulting, a specialist in the utilities sector, has appointed Playtex veteran Ray P. Tricarico as its new Director of Business Development. More
UK-based pollster and MR firm YouGov Plc has made its first international acquisition, buying Dubai's Siraj Marketing Research and Consultancy Boutique for approximately $2.2 million (DHS 8 million). The new firm will be known as YouGovSiraj. More
US provider Abt Associates has this week announced three senior promotions. CFO David Loeser becomes Senior VP, while Deborah Klein Walker and Carlos Carrazana are raised to Vice President status. More
Seventy-seven percent of Americans are either extremely or somewhat happy, according to the 'America Says' survey by Directions Research. Meanwhile a report by Yankelovich suggests US parents are managing both to spend more time with their kids *and* make more time for themselves. More
In the UK, BMG Research and Quadrant Consultants are celebrating the sucess of their partnership in winning a listing in the government's Catalist framework for marketing consultancy and market research. More
The summer is hot, and British audiences have sport and entertainment very much on their minds, it seems. Surveys and analyses out this week reveal the popularity of the Sport Relief web site; the growing numbers watching World Cup matches on the 'Net or on mobiles; the importance of the grey market to the success of music festivals; and the success of Wilson racquets at Wimbledon. More
The United States 'remains the primary investment target for venture capitalists (VCs) around the globe', according to a report sponsored by Deloitte & Touche LLP. India and China are among the other top locations but are not seen to be leading a 'brain drain' away from the US, despite more global thinking among the VC community generally. More
Karen Watson has joined VNU as Senior Vice President, Communications for Nielsen and for the Media Measurement and Information (MMI) Group. Watson served last year on the Independent Task Force on Television Measurement, and is a former Director of the Office of Public Affairs for the Federal Communications Commission. More
A report released by Datamonitor this week reveals that British households are having more difficulty coping with their financial commitments, and forecasts that the number of people in the UK systematically denied credit by mainstream lenders will increase from 9.1m in 2005 to 9.4m by 2010. More
Synovate has announced an expansion of its media research services and the promotion of Asia Pacific boss Steve Garton to lead a new global group, based in London. In addition, Craig Harvey joins from Publicis as Director, Media Research - Asia Pacific. More
TNS has today announced the appointment of Murray Campbell, former TNS New Zealand MD, to head up the company's Polling and Social-Government research sector across its ALM region. Campbell is the third man from TNS NZ to win recent promotion to a regional role. More
A stellar line-up of North American and Global MR chiefs will gather in Chicago on September 28-29 to discuss ways of improving respondent co-operation, and to formulate an action plan. More
Mobile phone and mobile data markets continue to expand and diversify, giving rise to a large number of published reports and top line results releases. Here DRNO covers a few, from cellphone feature requirements to MR opportunities, to the challenges facing corporate Blackberry managers. More
Scottsdale, Arizona-based Quepasa.com, an online community of Hispanic and Latino users, has launched a research wing, Quepasa Market Intelligence (QMI), to give clients panel-style access to the opinions and preferences of its community of users. More
John Samuels has been awarded the Gold Medal of the UK's MRS (Market Research Society) in recognition of his 'lifetime of exceptional achievement and contribution to market and social research'. More
TNS Media Intelligence has launched TNS PRess, billed as a straightforward, cost effective ad hoc press monitoring tool for the PR industry. More
Two research studies this week look at privacy and security in the digital age. Ofcom, the UK's independent communications regulator, has published research examining approaches to Internet consumer protection in the UK and other countries, while Evans Data says developers in the EMEA region report a fall in security breaches. More
Polling firm Zogby International has announced nine recent hires and two promotions to support what President and CEO John Zogby calls 'an aggressive strategic global plan' as well as expansion within the US market. More
PR media measurement company Cymfony has shifted its focus towards the emerging field of consumer generated media (CGM) and says it will now specialise in 'market influence analytics'. More
In the US, Vince Barabba, former General Motors executive and now Chairman of Market Insight Corporation, has been named to the Market Research Council Hall of Fame, joining the likes of George Gallup, Marion Harper, Jr., Arthur Nielsen, Jr., David Ogilvy, Frank Stanton and Daniel Yankelovich. More
More than 300 people, largely from the public sector, are attending today's Ipsos MORI annual event, 'The State of Britain'. This year, the event assesses whether the Labour government's policies are truly going awry or whether there are successes behind the negative headlines. More
Starcom USA, a full-service media agency within Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG), has made its Director of Broadcast Research Sam Armando a Senior Vice President of the agency. More
Global consultancy Accenture last week launched a new institute designed to help public sector organizations improve the delivery of services, with bases in Washington D.C. and London. Among other aims, the institute will promote the use of research on the concept of public service value. More
The World Cup is kicking off as this news goes out, with hosts Germany leading Costa Rica 2-1 at half time. Research agencies the world over have been gearing up with press releases concerning opinion polls, merchandising markets and celebratory software and stats releases. If you don't want to know the statistics, look away now. More
In the UK, the Ofcom Consumer Panel has published its second annual report, reiterating its support for consumer-focused regulation and its commitment to research. Meanwhile, Ofcom reports rapid progress for digital, with Freeview for the first time outnumbering traditional analogue TV on primary sets in British homes. More
The Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) has followed up the appointment of its first Board, at the end of May, with the launch of a research-focused section for its web site. The site features a blog and email newsletter. More
Synovate has this week announced the early 2006 results for its PAX survey across eight key markets in the Middle East. PAX brings together media consumption, product purchase and purchase intention information for affluent consumers. More
The mood of consumers in Germany continues to brighten, according to GfK. The World Cup host nation has confidence in its new government, is planning major purchases and last considered the general economic outlook this rosy way back in early 2001. More
Abt Associates has added two veterans of healthcare research to its team. Psychologist William Schlenger, Ph.D., an authority on behavioral health, has joined as a principal associate; and Charles R. Thompson, Ph.D. becomes Vice President in the firm's new Domestic Health Division. More
Synovate is planning further acquisitions, with Internet panel companies and analytics & modelling specialists among the possible targets. Global CEO Adrian Chedore talks exclusively to DRNO about buying companies, keeping people, and how a fast-growing top ten agency can stay 'small'. More
American consumers mention specific brands, on average, 56 times in their week's conversation, according to new findings from The Keller Fay Group. Perhaps surprisingly, nearly two-thirds (62%) of it is positive, and less than 1 in 10 conversations feature negative discussion of products. More
Nielsen Entertainment has announced the building of a mobile phone panel, as well as an agreement with two other firms to launch a mobile phone-based consumer opinion survey service. More
Ipsos has announced revenues of Euros 188 million for the first quarter of 2006, a 31% increase on the first quarter of 2005. This represents the company's strongest quarterly growth in the past five years and it includes organic growth of just over 9%. More
Ireland's Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has announced a new leader. Professor Frances Ruane, currently Associate Professor of Economics at Trinity College Dublin. More
ABI Research has appointed writer and editor David Alexander as Senior Analyst, Automotive Systems. Based in the US, he will focus initially on studies of commercial and consumer hybrid vehicles, automotive radar/lidar systems, and vehicle safety systems. More
US-based provider Opinion Research Corporation has announced improved results for the first quarter of 2006. Revenue, which declined in three of the previous four quarters, was up 2.4% versus Q1 2005 to $47.3m. Operating income from continuing operations rose more sharply to $753,000 from $393,000 last year. More
comScore Networks has announced the launch of comScore World Metrix, the first true estimate of global online audience size and behaviour based on activity from the company's global online panel. More
Synovate has announced the rapid expansion of its global opinion panels across Europe and in the Asia Pacific region; and has appointed Emiel van Wegen and Shaun Griffin to help guide the process. More
Over 50 research specialists and consumer insight managers from top agencies and retailers recently met at the IPA headquarters in London to discuss how using video can modernise market research methodologies and make data more easily accessible. More
WPP's GroupM has announced the acquisition of Chicago-based IEG, Inc., a leading provider of research and strategic counsel on sponsorship, promotional partnerships and other fields including corporate social responsibility. More
German consumers are more optimistic than at any time since the end of 2001, before the introduction of the euro, according to the GfK MAXX consumer climate study for April 2006. They are also looking to make major purchases before the scheduled rise in VAT. More
Despite UK consumer debt reaching the £1.1 trillion mark, three quarters (75%) of British borrowers claim to be 'comfortable' with their current level of borrowing. Research was conduced by Ipsos MORI for Experian's Personal Credit Index, a new feature of its online credit monitoring service CreditExpert. More
Amidst news of job changes at the White House in the last week, President Bush's job approval ratings remain low, with only 35% of US adults giving him a positive rating and 63% giving him a negative rating, according to the latest Harris Poll. More
Britain's ICM group of companies has been acquired by Creston PLC, already the owner of MR agencies Marketing Sciences, CML and MSTS, for a maximum consideration of £37.2 million. The group includes ICM Research, ICM Direct and Fieldwork UK. More
TNS has appointed R Ravi Shankar, its Senior VP in India, as Co-Regional Champion to lead its Stakeholder Management practice - TRI*M across TNS Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle-East & Africa (ALM). More
In the USA, The Council for Marketing and Opinion Research (CMOR) has hired Christopher S. Lee as its new Director of Government Affairs and Counsel. Lee will co-ordinate the profession's policies and objectives regarding Federal and State government affairs. More
Canada's Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) has given strong support to the government's Federal Accountability Act, as it relates to procurement of public opinion research. More
UK-based research buyers want agencies to understand and help ease the pressures they are under from internal clients, according to a survey for the latest MRWho. Many are still making scant use of online data collection, and those that are face new challenges finding time to be thoughtful in much-reduced project timetables. More
Power price rises have forced more Britons into reconsidering their supplier, according to the second annual Service in Britain survey, conducted by Research Now and Andrew Smith Research. Postal services are 'most improved' while train and bus companies and local councils are the least satisfactory. More
UK agency BMRB has been receiving wide coverage for its major survey for the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The study explores the financial standing and know-how of UK adults and highlights new financial challenges for young people. More
The Australian Minister for Communications, IT and the Arts has given the go-ahead for a national Do Not Call Register similar to that in operation in the US. Senator the Hon Helen Coonan said the scheme would protect consumers from nuisance telemarketing phone calls. 'Legitimate' MR calls will be among a number of exempt categories. More
MR provider Focalyst, a joint venture of AARP Services Inc. and The Kantar Group, is conducting 'the most comprehensive survey ever' of the US market among those aged 42 and over. More
UK agency YouGov has announced dramatic growth for the six months to 31 January 2006, with turnover up 192% year-on-year to £3.8m. Organic growth has been rapid in the UK, but the new Dubai-based subsidiary YouGov Middle East has already all but matched UK revenues. More
A report released this week by Datamonitor reveals that the UK has become a nation of consumer sceptics with less than half (44%) of the population trusting nutritional claims made by food and drink companies. The findings are not unique to the UK, but echoed elsewhere in the world. More
According to the recently published Black Emerging Market Perceptions (BEMP) study, conducted by Mictert Marketing Research in South Africa, traditional values, beliefs and customs are still hugely important in most respondents' lives. More
Soaring energy prices, faster global warming, news about rising CO2 levels and pollution, and rapid deforestation: all these may explain why 90% of Americans are concerned about the future of the environment, according to the latest GMIPoll. More
Estimated advertising spend across the three core media - television, newspapers and magazines - reached a record $US68.6bn across 12 key Asia Pacific markets in 2005, according to the latest data from Nielsen Media Research. Meanwhile Asian business leaders' Internet usage is increasing but so is print media use, according to Ipsos Media's ABRS. More
Papers on online research generally draw good audiences, and the session on Friday afternoon was no exception. Despite the difficulty of finding the theatre and the sessions being held in complete darkness, a capacity audience attended, according to our reporter Phyllis Vangelder. More
Berkeley, California-based Quantum Consulting, Inc. is to be acquired by Itron Inc., a supplier of wireless data and communication products for utilities. Quantum offer specialist research in energy efficiency markets, in addition to planning and design consultancy services. More
The papers in this third Friday morning session were particularly interesting: they looked beyond the techniques of market research, applying them in different societal contexts. Our Conference reporter Phyllis Vangelder brings you the highlights. More
The IPA (Institute of Practitioners in Advertising) in the UK has just revealed the results of its groundbreaking TouchPoints Survey: a week in the life of a representative sample of the GB adult population during the latter part of 2005. More
Consumer confidence in the current state of the Canadian economy has risen dramatically since mid-November, and the outlook for future performance is also better, according to the latest findings from TNS Canadian Facts' Consumer Confidence Index. More
For a change, some good news on the topic of pensions in the UK. Research by Marketing Sciences Financial (MSF) has identified a number of positive developments, including a slight turnaround in perceptions of the industry and an increased likelihood to save. More
US data collection agency Western Wats will formally introduce an online panel service, Opinion Outpost, at next week's annual Advertising Research Foundation's (ARF) conference. More
It may surprise some British readers, but British adults are more likely to feel positively about their country's state education system than Spanish or German adults. Harris Interactive surveyed consumers following the recent debate on education in the UK. More
UK-based marketing communications agency Brahm has launched a new division specialising in regeneration and property development marketing, at this week's MIPIM event in Cannes. Brahm's own research division will join other marketing disciplines in feeding insight to the new unit. More
US-based research and business membership organization The Conference Board is to lose its President and CEO Richard E. Cavanagh, after eleven years. Cavanagh, 59, announced last week that he was stepping aside but expects to stay until the end of this year pending the appointment of his successor. More
Experian has this week announced the launch of Mosaic Japan, the company's latest consumer classification solution. The system classifies every Japanese household according to 11 main groups and 50 different socio-economic types. More
VNU, parent of ACNielsen and Nielsen Media Research, has announced that it has agreed to a public offer from a private-equity consortium including AlpInvest Partners, valuing the company's equity at approximately EUR 7.5 bn in cash, or EUR 28.75 per common share. The option of breaking the company up has been rejected. More
UK consumer confidence has fallen back after its November recovery, as Britons take an 'increasingly pessimistic view of the economy and labour market', according to Nationwide and TNS whose monthly survey provides the index. The figures compare poorly with a very upbeat start to 2005. More
TNS has announced results for the year ended 31 December 2005. Revenue is up 5.7% (adjusted 4.1%) to £999.0m and adjusted operating profit up 9.5% to £112.6m. Strong growth across syndicated services and in custom business in continental Europe and emerging markets contrasted with 'challenging conditions' in the US and UK. More
US supplier Abt Associates has announced the acquisition of the International Group consulting practice of IBM's Business Consulting Services' Public Sector unit. Previously part of PwCC, the practice delivers consulting services for the US Agency for International Development (USAID). More
Opinion Research Corporation has announced financial results for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2005. The full year saw a 6% increase in revenues to US$190 million, whilst income from continuing operations was $1.6m, $0.1m up on 2004. More
In recent weeks both British Gas and Powergen have announced plans to raise prices, and recent research from Nielsen//NetRatings reveals how the UK online population has been flocking to energy sites over the last month. More
Nielsen Media Research has declined its option to work with Arbitron in developing the latter's PPM technology as the primary measurement tool for US media ratings currency. Nielsen has spent millions of dollars on assessing the technology since signing an agreement in 2000, but will now pursue a multi-stranded 'portfolio strategy'. More
Following recent cases of avian flu, German consumers are 'already in fear of a pandemic' according to GfK HealthCare. The agency says that one in five fear catching it themselves and 14% have asked doctors to prescribe a suitable medication or intend to do so very shortly. More
US competitive intelligence provider InfoFirst LLC has announced the acquisition of Washington, DC-based Litigation Research Associates, Inc. Both firms focus on research for the legal services industry. More
This week's announcement that England's Wembley Stadium will not be hosting the 2006 FA Cup final has come as no surprise to the majority of football fans. Research by Sports Marketing Surveys reveals that 82% of fans did not expect the stadium to be ready. More
Online consumer-generated media tracker BuzzMetrics, Inc. has completed its acquisition of Intelliseek, and appointed around a dozen key executives. The integration of the two firms is backed by BuzzMetrics owner VNU, and results in the launch of Nielsen BuzzMetrics. More
US firm HCD Research has formed a new division, HCD PAR (Public Affairs Research), to conduct web-based broadcast, print and direct mail advertising and communications research for public interest groups and political parties. HCD is a polling specialist based in Flemington, NJ. More
The membership of the British Market Research Association (BMRA) has voted in favour of proposals to integrate its services into the Market Research Society (MRS), with effect from April 2006. The BMRA will cease to exist as of April Fools' Day. More
Synovate says its US Hispanic-specific panel has grown and now covers more than 150,000 Hispanic individuals. Hispanic membership on its other research panels has also expanded. More
Quinnipiac University has appointed Peter Brown as Assistant Director of its Polling Institute. He will help to develop, analyse and present poll results, acting as chief spokesperson for the Institute's public opinion surveys in Florida. More
Eighteen months after joining the EU, most citizens in the new EU member states expect improved job and educational opportunities, but also predict rising prices, a lower standard of living, and increased corruption. These are the results of the latest Gfk EU Index survey. More
Just 32% of US adults believe the current state of the country is good, while 68% believe it is poor, according to a recent Harris Poll. The poll reveals a growing rift between Republicans and Democrats, something also identified by research from Ipsos Public Affairs and the Pew Research Center. More
Decima Research in Canada is working with web publisher the 50Plus Group to conduct research into consumers aged 50+. Meanwhile, the UK's Age Concern Research Services has joined forces with magazine publishers and media agencies to launch quarterly surveys of the 50+ market. More
The Market Research Society of India (MRSI), which recently opened a new chapter in Bangalore, is planning to introduce a new system of consumer classification to reflect the country's changing consumer landscape. More
Canadian NRG Research Group has opened two new offices in Alberta, to be led by Derek Blair, formerly of Ipsos North America. Other new members of staff include food and drink specialist Greg Turner and consultant Rod Love, an expert on politics and the media. More
UK agency Opinion Research Business (ORB) has appointed Johnny Heald as MD, taking over from his father, Gordon, who will assume the role of Chairman. More
Increased sales of low-GI foods, innovations in the beer market, better customer service at small grocery stores, and dollar stores going upmarket. These are among the top retail trends for 2006, according to analysis from ACNielsen and fellow VNU company Spectra Marketing. More
Roper Public Affairs and Media, part of GfK NOP, has appointed Justin Greeves as VP and Senior Account Executive to lead its Washington DC office. He will provide custom research for businesses, non-profit groups and government, and help to expand Roper's presence in Washington. More
Nielsen's Local People Meter (LPM) audience measurement system, closely scrutinised since claims last year that it under-represented people of color, actually counts a higher proportion of African-American viewers than traditional diary systems, according to the company's latest stats from trials in Dallas and Detroit. More
Chime Communications, which owns the UK's Opinion Leader Research, has acquired a 55% share in Ledbury Research, a London-based MR consultancy that specialises in researching luxury brands and affluent consumers. Ledbury will become part of Opinion Leader Research. More
UK online research specialist Virtual Surveys has introduced VirtualTURF, a new product designed to help clients maximise the potential of their product range. It uses the power of the Internet to enhance the classic Total Unduplicated Reach and Frequency (TURF) technique. More
US research agency Knowledge Networks has surpassed its previous records for quarterly and annual revenue, achieving $9m in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2005, and $32 million for the year overall. Revenue for the full year is 7.4% higher than in 2004. More
Marketers should target single adults - a group set to make up 45% of the UK population by 2010, according to Singledom, a new research study from Carat. Meanwhile, a study from Deloitte & Touche USA advises retailers to meet the needs of another growing group - older consumers. More
The US Census Bureau is adding a new question to its Survey of Income and Program Participation in order to gauge the number of people who provide unpaid care or assistance to family members or friends with a long-term illness or a disability. More
MR software company FIRM is launching a Contact Center Quality Application to allow contact centres to automatically measure the quality of customer experience and to act on customer dissatisfaction. The new application builds on FIRM's survey reporting software, Confirmit. More
Last week saw the launch of two agencies offering word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing research, Keller Fay and me2u marketing. Meanwhile, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating complaints that some WOM marketers are misleading consumers. More
Consumers' confidence in their local economies, job prospects and personal finances is on the rise across the world, according to the latest twice-yearly ACNielsen Consumer Confidence Index. Overall, confidence is highest in India and New Zealand, and lowest in Portugal. More
US consumers' confidence in the economy has risen for the fourth consecutive month, according to the latest survey from BIGresearch. However, a recent Ipsos survey records a drop in confidence. To help you make sense of such differences - and to bring you the confidence picture worldwide - we've introduced a new Consumer Confidence section. More
Experian has introduced a Japanese version of Mosaic, classifying every Japanese household into one of 50 different socio-economic types. The system reveals stark demographic differences between different parts of the country - with young, single and wealthy people concentrated in the inner cities. More
Anna Greenberg, VP at US public opinion research firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, has joined Al Quinlan, Jeremy Rosner and her father Stan Greenberg as a partner at the firm. She joined the company in 2001, and leads its work with issue groups. More
Legislation proposed by the state of Missouri poses a threat to opinion polling, according to US industry body CMOR. The state wishes to modify its telemarketing Do Not Call list to allow consumers to opt out of phone calls not just from marketers - but also from companies conducting political polls. More
Researchers and journalists now have access to an online English-language database of policy-oriented opinion surveys conducted by news and research agencies in Japan, Korea and China. The database is compiled by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, which aims to promote understanding and co-operation between Asia and the US. More
Opinion Research Corporation has sold the teleservices part of its business to a management group, and announced the closure of its market research operations in South Korea and Mexico as well as one of its US call centres. More
The winter of 2005-6 looks like being a leveller in terms of consumer confidence around the world. In Europe, the German index is rising from a long slump while the UK's falls to its lowest of 2005, both according to GfK; while in North America, Canadian confidence is rebounding even more strongly than that in the USA. More
US online research firm Knowledge Networks has partnered with interactive publisher morefocus to launch KnowledgeCommunities - a new service offering ongoing marketing feedback from consumers in niche groups such as ailment sufferers, home improvement buffs, and wine enthusiasts. More
Over the last year, 78m US citizens read books, 68m barbecued, and 3m took part in kickboxing. These are just some of the comprehensive findings of the 125th edition of the US Census Bureau's new Statistical Abstract of the United States 2006. More
Media company Univision Communications is to become the first Spanish language television network to join Nielsen Media Research's national TV ratings service, the Nielsen Television Index (NTI). The service provides television ratings for all the major US networks. More
WPP companies the Henley Centre India and IMRB International have launched a new consumer tracking service known as Wallet Monitor, to map spending by Indian households. Initial results show the emergence of an 'individualistic, indulgent, happy and confident Indian consumer who enjoys spending money on personal grooming and entertainment'. More
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that two million UK couples are 'living apart together' - in a regular relationship but living in separate homes. The figures also show an ageing population - with the 85+ age group growing by 30% since 1991 - and a rise in the proportion of Welsh speakers. More
US-based Abt Associates has appointed Dr Jamie Banks as Director of Outcomes Research in the company's Health Economic Research and Quality of Life Evaluation Services (HERQuLES) team. Dr Stephen Bell, an expert in analysing the effects of social programs, also joins the company, in its Social and Economic Policy (SEP) Division. More
Aegis Group, owner of Synovate, has acquired Univero - the largest independent market research network in Scandinavia - for £10m. Univero is the holding company for MMI Univero (Norway), TEMO Univero and LUI Univero (Sweden), Vilstrup Univero (Denmark) and Fieldwork Scandinavia. More
Lord Bell, Chair of Chime Communications and former PR advisor to Margaret Thatcher, will deliver the opening speech at Research 2006 - the annual conference of the UK's Market Research Society. The conference will also include a 'strategy game' workshop focused on career development. More
Online specialist MarketTools has introduced a new service - Hispanic Reach - designed to understand the opinions and purchasing behaviour of the US Hispanic population, which has an estimated buying power of $600bn. The service will use a 100,000-strong online panel, together with offline respondents to ensure a representative sample. More
The International Mystery Shopping Alliance (IMSA), has expanded its coverage with the addition of a Mexican partner, Big K Mystery Shopping. This brings the total number of IMSA members worldwide to 17. More
Australian TV ratings company OzTAM has awarded its new Gold Standard accreditation to six suppliers of TV audience measurement software packages. The organisation is also set to provide data users with details of viewers' education background, to help them better analyse TV ratings. More
VNU has appointed John Lewis, CEO of Knowledge Networks, as President and CEO of ACNielsen USA. Lewis, who previously worked in marketing for ACNielsen, will report to Steven Schmidt, recently named President and CEO of VNU Marketing Information, on top of his existing role as global head of ACNielsen. More
Synovate Diversity - Synovate's growing multicultural research business in the US - has hired a team of four researchers from TNS Market Development. Everett Hernandez joins as Senior VP and General Manager; Steve Moylan as VP; Denise Marks as VP, Research Studies; and Anna Marie Lopez as In-person Project Field Services Director. More
Most US adults believe big companies (90%) and political action committees (85%) have too much influence in Washington, according to a poll from Harris Interactive. Conversely, many believe small businesses (92%) and non-profit groups (67%) have too little power. Strength of feeling about these imbalances has risen since last year. More
The Kantar Group and US over-50s advocacy organisation AARP have announced details of their new joint research venture, dedicated to understanding older consumers. The new organisation, called Focalyst and led by marketing industry veteran Mike Irwin, will conduct an annual lifestyle survey of 35,000 consumers. More
The UK's two main consumer confidence indexes present conflicting pictures for November. The TNS/Nationwide index, released yesterday, shows a strong rise of 9 points after three consecutive monthly falls. Meanwhile, Gfk/NOP's index, released last week, showed no movement, and remained at the lowest level since March 2003. More
Global PR and public affairs firm Burson-Marsteller has announced the appointment of Mark Penn, Founding Partner and President of opinion research and strategic comms firm Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB), as Worldwide CEO. PSB will become a stand-alone division of Burson-Marsteller, reporting to Penn. More
Public sector business development specialist INPUT Consulting has appointed Thom Rubel, formerly VP of Government Strategies at IT researcher META Group, as part of its high level consulting team. More
As the Turner report on the future of UK pensions is released this week, a poll by YouGov shows that the public is - just like the government - split in its views on how to solve the pensions crisis. More
Nielsen Media Research has created an Asian-Pacific American Advisory Council to advise the company on the best ways to reach Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), and to measure their TV viewing habits. More
The US mystery shopping industry grew to nearly $600 million in 2004, as the number of mystery shops increased by 12.2% to 8.1 million. These figures come from the US Mystery Shopping Providers Association's first attempt to quantify the industry. More
The UK's Office of National Statistics is to be made independent of government control, Chancellor Gordon Brown announced yesterday. The move is an attempt to restore public confidence in official figures - and to remove them from accusations of spin. More
US consumer confidence rose in November following a substantial drop over the last few months. Four different confidence indexes - from TNS (for the Conference Board), Ipsos (for the Royal Bank of Canada), BIGResearch, and the University of Michigan - all report similar patterns of recovery. More
UK public sector research specialist BMG Research has appointed social policy specialist Karen Kellard as Account Director in the company's Birmingham head office. Belinda Herbert, formerly of Research & Marketing, also joins the company as its first permanent member of staff in Wales. More
A forthcoming conference organised by the UK's Market Research Society (MRS) focuses on the importance of researching the growing ageing population, and the challenges of reaching older consumers. Speakers include the founder of Steel Magnolia, an MR consultancy specialising in the 50+ market. More
More than two fifths of people using the services of UK charity FareShare are unable to buy food on a regular basis, according to an Ipsos MORI survey. A separate survey by Communicate Research finds 42% of MPs think the government should have a statutory duty to tackle food poverty. More
The UK public's confidence in official statistics has dropped in recent years, according to a new MORI study. To restore trust, MORI recommends an independent national statistics service, along with greater transparency and explanation about official information. More
Mediamark Research Inc (MRI) has released data from its first ever survey of American children aged six to 11. Most of the kids surveyed use the Internet at least once a month and most have a TV in their room - but only 4% use MP3 players. More
The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) and the Social Research Association (SRA) have launched joint guidance to help social researchers navigate the complex requirements of the Data Protection Act of 1998. More
MR software giant SPSS presented its second annual Insight Awards this week to a range of companies - including a bank, a racetrack and a community advice network. All winners were judged to have contributed to their organisations' success through the use of SPSS predictive analytics software. More
Survey software provider QuestionPro is launching a free online survey tool, designed for small businesses and bloggers. Called MicroPoll, the tool allows anyone with a web site to poll readers with simple multi-choice questions and display the results. More
VNU's CEO Rob van den Bergh is stepping down, following the announcement that the company's planned takeover of IMS Health has been terminated due to strong resistance from VNU shareholders. Under the termination agreement, VNU will reimburse IMS $15 million for out-of-pocket costs. More
US strategic communications company the Glover Park Group has promoted Amy Phee, who founded the firm's research practice, to the position of Partner. She will continue to lead the practice, which provides research-driven strategies for corporate, non-profit and political clients. More
Following its recent purchase of MORI in the UK, Ipsos has acquired Understanding UnLtd (UU), a US-based qualitative research agency. The announcement comes as Ipsos reports continued financial success - with organic growth at 9.6% for the third quarter of 2005, and 8.3% for the first nine months of the year. More
US MR associations including CMOR are celebrating victory in convincing a House and Senate conference committee to approve around $812m in federal spending for the U.S. Census Bureau in Fiscal Year 2006. Budget cuts adopted in September were seen as damaging to the Bureau's capacity to collect and report information. More
European online fieldwork specialist Research Now has launched Irish Opinions - an online panel for the Republic of Ireland. The company has already recruited 20,000 panel members for what it claims is the first research-only panel in the Republic. More
A quarter of US computer users have stopped buying online in an attempt to avoid identity theft, according to a study of 1,500 US consumers by Princeton Survey Research Associates for Consumer Reports WebWatch. At the same time, Jupiter Research and comScore both report significant online shopping growth. More
A thousand members of the UK public took part in 100 facilitated group discussions about the future of health and social care at the National Citizens' Summit in Birmingham on Saturday. Opinion Leader Research ran the unprecedented MR exercise as part of the Department of Health's 'Your Health, Your Care, Your Say' public consultation. More
The latest Deloitte/MORI Delivery Index finds the UK public pessimistic about government policies on the economy and public services, in a sharp contrast to the post-election 'honeymoon period' earlier this year. GfK's Consumer Confidence Barometer for October also paints a gloomy picture as it falls for the third consecutive month. More
US Hispanic research group ĦHola! ResearchPAYS, co-founded by MR firm Alternative Technology Corporation (ATC), is planning to build the largest Hispanic panel in the US through an alliance with non-profit group the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). More
The UK's independent Statistics Commission is calling for clearer quality standards for the production and dissemination of official statistics, in order to engender public trust. The Commission's new report also concludes that - to meet users' needs - there should be 'greater emphasis on fitness for purpose'. More
The Asian American Advertising Foundation (3AF) has presented its Research Partner of the Year award to Cultural Access Group and Interviewing Service of America (ISA). The award recognised the companies' work on the Asian American Market Report. More
Ownership of a DAB digital radio in the UK has more than doubled in the past year, according to RAJAR. Its latest figures also show increases in radio listening via mobile phones, digital TV, and the Internet - although these new methods have had little impact of the overall number of radio listeners. More
Australia Post has picked Research International (RI) to monitor its delivery of letters using radio frequency identification device (RFID) technology, together with more traditional end-to-end measures. The company has been using RFID to measure its international mail services for the past two years. More
Recent studies from NPD and Packaged Facts find US consumers eating more takeaway meals and using fewer fresh products, while also becoming increasingly concerned about food safety. Meanwhile, dietary concerns are spreading to Australia, where a TNS study finds 67% of women overweight, and a third of teenagers underweight. More
US online survey specialist QuestionPro is to provide free software for registered non-profit organizations. The non-profit waiver program will give organizations access to a complete set of tools for conducting online surveys - worth $499 - for up to a year. More
What do companies mean by insight? How does it differ from traditional MR outputs? And how can researchers ensure they are recognised for providing it? All these questions - and more - were addressed in the Association of Users of Research Agencies (AURA) panel discussion at yesterday's Insight Show in London. More
The International Journal of Market Research (IJMR), produced by the Market Research Society (MRS), has provided new guidance for potential contributors, encouraging case study-based articles from MR practitioners. The Journal's new Viewpoint section also allows practitioners to have their say about burning issues in around 500 words. More
Frank Maggio, CEO of Erin Media, is poised to announce details of a new ratings service - VAST Ratings - designed to compete with Nielsen's audience measurement system. Earlier this year, Erin filed an antitrust lawsuit against Nielsen Media Research in a bid to break up its ratings monopoly. More
Adult Internet users are increasingly going online to learn, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. Its latest figures show that use of educational reference web sites, such as encylopaedias and dictionaries, grew by 22% this year. Other new data from the company includes the top ten web sites, and top ten online advertisers. More
UK web site specialist Virtual Surveys has relaunched its brand. The launch includes a new look and feel for the company's own web site, along with plans to expand its offices, and a renewed commitment to being 'the UK's leading experts in web site research'. More
Dan Foreman, formerly Planning Director at ad agency WFCA, has been poached to spearhead the launch of FocusVision Europe. The US-based company, which specialises in video recording technologies for market research, opened its first European office in London in July. More
US survey provider Itracks has released a new web-based reporting system for all its surveys, whether conducted on or offline. Also announcing new products this week are Nunwood, with a new application to facilitate business information sharing, and IRI, which launched a new retail space planning tool. More
Arbitron's net income for the third quarter of this year was 13.7% less than the same time last year. The company's revenue grew by 4.5%, but its trial of Portable People Meters (PPMs) led to an increase in expenses of almost 12%. The company has now lowered its previous year-end estimates. More
One in ten of the world's population now shops online, according to a new global survey from ACNielsen. In separate studies, the National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts a 5% increase for US spending this holiday season, and GQ magazine finds US men increasingly succumbing to the pleasures of shopping. More
Abt Associates has appointed Mark Spranca PhD, an expert in behavioral science, and Carol Simon PhD, a health economics expert, to its Health Policy and Clinical Research Division. Both are also members of the Abt Associates Fellows, and Spranca will lead the company's Research Methods and Analytics Group. More
The annual conference of the British Market Research Association (BMRA) is four weeks away. Delegates will get the chance to debate the future of MR with the leaders of TNS, Synovate and YouGov, and to hear from clients ranging from Microsoft to the Islamic Bank of Britain. More
Media measurement specialist Cymfony has launched Orchestra, a market intelligence dashboard application that integrates data from mainstream media (MSM) and consumer-generated media (CGM) including blogs. Meanwhile Intelliseek has entered into an agreement to provide AOL with daily blog data and trend analysis from its BlogPulse search engine. More
US high-tech market intelligence provider Current Analysis has appointed Wendy Lindquist Williams as Research Director of Public Sector Solutions. Based in Sterling, Virginia, Williams will analyse the market for delivering integrated technology solutions to government bodies. She will report to Raymond Keneipp, Senior VP of Research and Analysis. More
CEOs and senior managers at the recent Annual Conference of CASRO (the Council Of American Survey Research Organizations) were optimistic about continued growth and emerging opportunities for research - both in America and overseas. More
Independent consultants Richard Horswell and Roger Wheatley are commencing the 2005 round of their annual survey of UK MR agency prices. The £quotecheck 2005 survey is designed to help companies find out how their rates compare with the competition. More
Chicago-based agency Pipal Research has introduced PipalAnswers - a new online custom research service designed to offer fast, low-cost access to business research. The service gives access to a team of professionals who search for and collect relevant data from subscription and industry databases and the Internet. More
Three quarters of US adults agree that 'protecting the environment is so important that requirements and standards cannot be too high' and that 'continuing environmental improvements must be made regardless of cost'. The figure comes from the latest Harris Interactive poll, which finds the public more pro-environment than in 2000. More
US research and consulting firm the Yankee Group has launched a Municipal Broadband Technologies & Services division, to provide vendors with market information. The company believes this market is set to grow, and predicts an investment of $500m in wireless broadband networks for communities in the US. More
African Americans spend nearly twice as much time online as the rest of the population, according to the AOL African American Cyberstudy, conducted by IMAGES Market Research. Separate research from Yahoo! about online use at key life stages finds parents-to-be and college students heavily reliant on the Internet. More
UK online survey specialist YouGov has announced 48% turnover growth, and 47% growth in profit before tax, for the year ending 31 July 2005. The company, which floated on the UK's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in April, saw turnover increase from £1.9m to 2.9m between 2004 and 2005. More
Global research group Ipsos has acquired MORI, the UK's largest independently owned MR agency, in a deal worth £88m. Ipsos UK and MORI will combine to form a new company to be known as Ipsos MORI. The purchase will almost double Ispos' UK revenue. More
Indochina Research Ltd (IRL), a research agency with offices in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, is celebrating its tenth anniversary by launching i-track - the region's first ever consumer and small business confidence index. More
The US government's National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has appointed Westat to collect and analyse data for its National Children's Study - planned to be the largest study ever undertaken to assess the effects of the environment on child and adult health. More
Harris Interactive has added Serbian research agency Marten Board International to its Global Network of 21 independent market research companies. Marten Board, which was the first MR agency to obtain an international license in Serbia, provides insights into the South East Europe and Balkan markets. More
US agencies Knowledge Networks (KN) and Harris Interactive are arguing over KN's claims that Stanford University research demonstrates the superior accuracy of its online surveys. Harris believes KN's reporting of the study is inaccurate and selective, and claims that KN's founders were closely involved with the Stanford research. More
UK agency BMRB has announced the results of the first ever national survey of adults with learning difficulties. The survey involved innovative techniques to maximise involvement and response rates. BMRB has also announced a new contract to study understanding of medical information. More
TNS has worked with academics to develop a panel of 'intuitive and analytic' thinkers, to provide creative input into new product development research. Creative Minds is the second sub-panel of the company's '6thdimension' access panel, following the Sports sub-panel launched last month. More
The latest Consumer Intentions and Actions (CIA) survey from BIGresearch finds US consumer confidence falling, with shoppers picking budget brands, planning lower holiday spends, and using their cars less. However, although consumers are spending less on everyday goods, purchase intentions for cars, computers and major home improvements are on the rise. More
The Southern African Marketing Research Association (SAMRA) has elected Schalk Van Vuuren, founder of MSSA Research, as the new Chairman of its Council. Van Vuuren has formerly served as Chairman of the Pretoria SAMRA branch, and Professional Practice Chairman at SAMRA. More
Consumers in Central and Eastern Europe are intent on increasing their consumption and more strongly focused on their careers than their counterparts in the West, according to GfK's Consumers in Europe 2005 survey. The research, based on 19,000 consumers in 16 countries, made use of the Euro-Socio-Styles lifestyle segmentation tool. More
The US Bureau of Census has awarded a six-year contract, worth approximately $500m, to US technology systems provider Lockheed Martin. The company will be responsible for developing and operating the Decennial Response Integration System (DRIS) to capture data for the 2010 Census. More
US Hispanic marketing and communications agency The Bravo Group has appointed Graham Hall, founder of youth brand agency Informer, as Chief Insights Officer. The role includes responsibilities for consumer research methodologies; research philosophy and approach; and account planning functions, with an emphasis on cultural and youth insights. More
The US Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) announced its new Board of Directors, which includes a new President and Vice President, at its annual North America Conference this week. The new President is David Rich, who works as President of ICC/Decision Services. More
Three recent studies from Intelliseek, MarketingExperiments and IRI throw new light on the effects of PR, word-of-mouth and merchandising on consumers. Meanwhile media measurement firm CARMA International has launched a service to track the effects of PR and media relations. More
The European Commission's Information Society and Media Directorate General (DG) has published a call for tenders to research online public services. The call consists of two lots: the first is the sixth annual measurement of online public services, and the second is a pilot study aimed at improving e-government quality indicators. More
Harris Interactive Service Bureau (HISB) is making its new SynTrack Online service available to MR firms across the US. The service, which makes use of the HI global online panel, is designed to facilitate the migration of traditional syndicated and tracking studies to the Internet, while preserving historical data and analysis of trends. More
Online survey provider QuestionPro has added a 'Market Research Toolset' to its data collection and analytics services. The tools offer online panel management features, conjoint and TURF analysis, and real-time notification of satisfaction scores. Meanwhile, Creative Research Systems has launched a PDA Module for its survey software package. More
The Asian MR market is growing by 10 to 11% a year and is 'the hottest market worldwide for the market research industry', according to Tony Cowling, Chairman of TNS. Cowling today announced the company's rollout of its 6thdimension access panel to China and Japan. More
A spate of new media research projects include a US firm providing behavioural targeting technology for the Guardian web site; the use of a research panel to examine the effects of newspaper advertising; qualitative analysis to shape ITV's new kids' channel; and brand-tracking for the BBC. More
US-based Invoke Solutions, a provider of interactive research technologies, has launched Invoke On Demand - a research platform designed to provided 'instant' business insights through live moderated Internet sessions allowing 300 or more participants. More
US-based SRC has launched a UK version of its DemographicsNow business intelligence web site - the first of several planned international launches. The site uses a consumer and market profiling tool, providing companies with online life-stage profiles and other demographic information for any selected area in the UK. More
US healthcare performance measurement agency National Research Corporation (NRC) has bought Geriatric Health Systems (GHS), a healthcare survey research firm that specialises in measuring health status and member satisfaction for health plans in the US. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. More
ESOMAR wound up the 58th Congress in Cannes today and announced the winners of its awards. Speakers from The Leading Edge agency and Carlton & United Brewers, Australia, won the Best Paper Overall Award, while employees of Brainjuicer, Maritz and LG Electronics were also recognised. More
In his award-winning ESOMAR paper, John Kearon, CEO & Chief Juicer of BrainJuicer, explains his attempts to apply academic thinking on 'research markets' and the 'wisdom of crowds' to concept testing. The results, while still inconclusive, threaten conventional MR techniques - suggesting that a diverse, non-target group can predict success as well as a target sample. More
Speakers from ACNielsen and the Asia Foundation told today's session at the ESOMAR Congress about the far-reaching implications of research to help voter education in Afghanistan. Other papers looked at MR's role in rebuilding democracy in the UK, and regenerating a South African township. More
ESOMAR's 2005 Congress, Making a Difference - The Impact of Powerful Research - opened today in Cannes, attended by 1000+ market and social professionals from 75 countries worldwide. The Congress also heralded ESOMAR's rebrand, and its renewed commitment to improving the image of MR - a theme touched on by several of the day's speakers. More
This morning's main session at ESOMAR Congress gave delegates an update on major companies' attempts to put customers' views and needs at the heart of their business. Some like it hot - watching consumers in their kitchens - while others take a cool look at customer loyalty stats. DRNO News Editor Tessa Russell reports live from Cannes. More
The introduction of the Euro is contributing to a price convergence across Europe for many popular products, according to figures from ACNielsen. Norway is the most expensive country for the products studied, and Germany remains the cheapest, while France and the UK have the smallest range of prices. More
Media analysis and measurement company PRtrak has been acquired by news and advertising monitoring and analysis leader Video Monitoring Services (VMS). The buy will expand VMS' Integrated Media Intelligence (IMI) solutions portfolio. More
Harris Interactive is dropping the separate identity of its European subsidiary, which will no longer be known as HI Europe but will share the parent's name. The company says the alignment will achieve 'considerable synergies in its marketing, data collection and client management programmes'. More
Australian online agency i-Link Research Solutions will for the first time offer an online participant research panel for MR and social research, via an alliance with Qualified Opinions Research Panel. More
US public policy research firm Abt Associates has appointed Dr Tessie San Martin, previously Director of the Operations Group at the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), as its new VP for International Development. More
US agency Simmons is to apply parent company Experian's 'TrueTouch' classification system to the results of its Spring 2005 National Consumer Study. The tool is designed to provide a clear picture of the best audience, message, channel and timing for marketing campaigns. More
Ipsos has appointed Thomas Miller as Regional Senior VP and MD of Ipsos Public Affairs in the US, and Nicolas Boyon as Senior VP of the practice. The company has also announced the opening of a new office in Seattle to serve the needs of clients in the region. More
US online panel provider Greenfield Online, which operates as Ciao in Europe, has launched a new teen panel service, making use of a team dedicated to communicating with teenagers, and surveys tailored to encourage response. Initial results reveal teens' thoughts about returning to school. More
Two international products have made their French debuts. MR and information giant Experian has launched its consumer classification system, Mosaic, in the country, categorising consumers into 14 social groups and 52 types; and movie tracker Online Testing eXchange (OTX) is another recent arrival. More
IT specialist agency Mindwave Research has launched RQM(Relationship Quality Management), a new online customer questionnaire tool. The product delivers real-time feedback about where improvements are needed, and allows clients to make immediate contact with dissatisfied customers. More
UK-based research and usability consultancy User Vision has opened a new research 'lab', focus group and training facility in Edinburgh. 'User Vision Focus' offers remote online viewing of focus groups and usability tests in real-time. More
Market research and media communications group Aegis has acquired Market Equity, an Australian MR business, in a deal worth up to £11.7 million. Market Equity will now become part of Synovate, the Group's MR network, which has offices in 46 countries. More
US agency MediaAnalyzer Software & Research is joining an international project, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO), to map and explain brain processes such as emotions and human will. The study will make use of the company's AttentionTracking web-based 'eye tracking' technology to conduct large-scale visual tests. More
US agency M/A/R/C Research has hired healthcare expert Will Leskin as VP, responsible for the company's qualitative division. The company has also appointed two new Account Directors, both experienced in the medical and pharma research field. More
UK agency ORC International has appointed Hayley Warner, formerly of MORI and edexcel, as AD in its Public Sector division, and Lindsey Alldridge, from TMP Worldwide and TNS, as an Employee Research Consultant. Stephen Hood and Mike Gray have both joined as Research Executives. More
Research from Synovate reveals that, while most stick to TV and newspapers, one in five Asians access news on the web at least twice a week. One intriguing finding is the variation in the proportion of people who say they trust the news - this ranges from 78% in India to just 28% in Thailand. More
US-based Genesee Survey Services is extending its range of syndicated employee opinion norms surveys to provide international data as well as US, migrating mail-based data collection to the web with the help of the Harris Interactive Service Bureau (HISB). More
With effect from today, GfK is merging NOP Research Group (the UK arm of NOP World) and GfK Martin Hamblin UK to form a new combined company - GfK NOP Ltd, based in London. This follows GfK's acquisition of NOP World in June, and the establishment of GfK Custom Research North America in July. More
Asians' political views of the West have little impact on their consumption of Western brands, according to Millward Brown. GMI's latest research reaches similar conclusions: while a third of consumers worldwide boycott at least one brand, this is mainly due to unfair practices and unhealthy products rather than country of origin. More
With the end of the month comes a raft of worldwide consumer confidence analysis. According to GfK, UK consumers are increasingly pessimistic while the German mood is improving, particularly in the West and for higher income groups. In the US, the Conference Board Index rises while the BIG index is stable. More
Time-pressed households in South East Asia are relying on ready meals and snacks more than ever before, according to findings from the TNS Asiapanel. However, Asia is not turning into a continent of couch potatoes: the findings also indicate high levels of interest in health, diet and exercise. More
The latest Simmons National Consumer Study is the first to include findings on consumer attitudes to product placement. They reveal that around half of US consumers are happy to see branded products on TV and in movies but fewer than a quarter remember the brands in their favourite show. More
The Marketing Research Association (MRA) in the US has engaged a PR agency, InHouse Communications, for the launch of a national PR campaign promoting the benefits of MR in making business decisions. More
Mystery shopping providers from the US and around the world will gather in Long Beach, California, from September 21st to 24th for the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) North America annual conference. More
GfK's German consumer climate survey, conducted each month on behalf of the EU Commission, will in future publish economic outlook, income expectations and propensity to buy indicators for five different social groups: three income-based groupings plus separate sectors for students and retired people. More
GfK NOP Financial has launched a Consumer-Directed Health Plan(CDHP) Study, to examine the attitudes of US insurance brokers, employers and consumers to CDHPs, including Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). More
UK-based customer and BtoB research specialist Network Research has continued its expansion with the appointment of Kirstin Meudell, previously from MORI, to a newly created Associate Director position. More
A new US consumer poll from the NPD Group shows that spending on clothes and accessories for the new school year started earlier than last year, but remains at roughly the same level. The back-to-school period, now the second largest retail season, is an important indicator for the upcoming holiday season. More
The University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research (ISR), together with Peking University, has established a new program in Quantitative Social Science. The venture involves a bi-annual population survey of two Chinese provinces with a combined population of 150 million people. More
New analysis from Datamonitor lists ten overarching trends that it says will shape future products and services. The report states that, in order to retain customer loyalty, companies must capitalise on at least one of these 'mega-trends', which reflect changing attitudes to age, gender and lifestyles. More
Following Ipsos' recent win, MORI has also announced that it will conduct research for Sport England's campaigns. The fast-growing UK agency is also starting several new projects in other government and non-profit areas, including surveys of guide dog owners, the police, and people complaining about health services. More
UK-based agency Starfish Research & Strategy is conducting a computer-assisted choice modelling project in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. The project, commissioned by British American Tobacco, covers very remote areas that are rarely involved in market research of any type. More
The annual conference of the BMRA (British Market Research Association), taking place this November in Brighton, will assess what the future holds for the UK industry, what part technology will play, and the opportunities and challenges presented by the evolving roles of media and advertising. More
The Council of American Survey Organisations (CASRO) has announced its support for self-regulation in the media ratings industry. It states that the proposed FAIR Ratings Act, which would require Media Ratings Council (MRC) accreditation of TV ratings services before launch, is too restrictive of business development. More
The GfK Association is to donate 190,000 Euros a year to fund a professorship in Marketing Intelligence at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany. It will also fund a scientific position and several scholarships for an initial period of five years. More
A new report from Datamonitor reveals that UK spending on charge, credit, debit and store cards grew by more than 11% last year, reaching a new record level and outpacing the overall rise in consumer spending. Increased competition in the market means lower rates and tighter margins for providers. More
US-based mystery shopping specialist Bare Associates International is opening a new corporate office in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ronaldo Carlos de Oliveira, Director of Business Development, will head it up. More
The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) has shortlisted campaigns as diverse as combating the problem of teenage pregnancy, investigating services for disabled adults, and battling age discrimination for its Public Policy / Social Research Effectiveness Award. More
US public policy research firm Abt Associates has announced that John Shane will succeed the company's founder Clark Abt as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Abt will become Chairman Emeritus. More
Despite a steady decline in gambling in recent years, ORC's annual GamblerTrack study reveals that 60% of the UK population still participates in gambling. Online gambling is on the rise, increasing by 46% last year, while traditional methods are declining. More
Four new reports on healthy eating and its converse, from both the USA and UK, show that while government guidelines and campaigns can boost awareness of healthier diets, they can't always compete with the urge to indulge. More
Ipsos UK's Public Affairs unit has won a major new research project for Sport England to explore participation levels and attitudes to recreation and leisure. The 'Active People' survey is described as the largest CATI survey ever commissioned. More
Four fifths of consumers in Europe, the Pacific and North America think that 'private label' or supermarket own-brands are a good alternative to other brands, according to ACNielsen's latest study. In developing markets, where own-label products are less well established, consumers are more likely to view them as inferior. More
UK agency BMRB will carry out the 2005 Childcare and Early Years Providers survey for the Department for Education and Skills, and will also contribute to the Health and Safety Executive's survey of workplaces. The agency has also been appointed to compile a panel of premium-brand consumers for Red Media. More
Two conferences taking place in Miami this autumn will provide an insight into the changing marketplace. Geospace International is presenting new multicultural market intelligence at its summit in October, while an Institute of International Research event in November looks at future trends influencing consumers and businesses. More
Karen Dunnell is to succeed Len Cook as the UK's National Statistician and Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Dunnell is currently an Executive Director at the ONS. Her appointment was approved last week by the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer. More
Opinion Leader Research (OLR) has been recruited by the UK's Department of Health to conduct an unprecedented series of nationwide 'public engagement' events, which will shape future health and community care services. More
Four surveys out this week put British workers under the spotlight. ISR finds that most enjoy their work, but many are indifferent to their company's success. MORI finds that private sector workers feel more pride in their organisations than those in the public sector, while RPCushing reveals workers frustrated at the social 'niceties' expected of them. More
Social and behavioral epidemiologist Scott Royal has joined US agency Abt Associates to help advance the company's clinical research initiatives. More
Despite July's terrorist activities, the newly launched Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index shows an upturn in confidence in the UK, following sharp falls in May and June. The Index, developed by TNS, uses the same methodology as the renowned US Conference Board's Index. More
Australia is the winner and Turkey the loser, while the US is let down by its politics and France fails in the hospitality stakes. This is the global perception of the brand appeal of 25 countries, according to the second quarterly Anholt-GMI Nation Brands Index (NBI) report. More
California News Tech has introduced a new index to measure how companies are portrayed in the media and perceived by the public. The aim is to provide investors and others with up-to-date information about a company's reputation. More
SafeHarbor Technology, a US provider of business intelligence services, is joining forces with web site satisfaction agency ForeSee Results, to provide customer satisfaction analysis. More
US analysis firm Global Insight has appointed Christina Huston to the new position of Director of Business Development for its State and Local Government practice. More
This week has seen a rush of activity in the controversy over Nielsen Media's LPM introduction and Senator Conrad Burns' FAIR Ratings Act. Leading associations of US advertisers declared their members' opposition to the bill on Tuesday, while Nielsen's critics spoke out before a Senate Committee on Wednesday. More
Australian pollster and researcher Gary Morgan plans to use Haoma, a gold mining company majority owned by his family, to get a 'backdoor listing' for the Roy Morgan Research Centre on the country's Stock Exchange, the ASX. The major independent MR player will use the listing to fund expansion worldwide. More
IFF Research has promoted Stacey Charlesworth to Interviewing Services Director. The company, based in London, has recently been commissioned to conduct two large-scale surveys on behalf of the government's Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department for Education and Skills (DfES). More
Household size across the world is in decline, according to the latest findings from TGI. The number of people per household varies widely, but overall there is a downward trend as more people live alone and fewer children are born. More
US public opinion research and political consulting firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research has appointed Ben Tulchin as Associate VP. He will also serve as Director of the company's new West Coast office in San Francisco. More
Len Cook, head of the Office of National Statistics (ONS), has launched the UK Centre for the Measurement of Government Activity (UKCeMGA), a separate ONS directorate which will take forward recommendations from Sir Tony Atkinson's review of the measurement of government productivity. More
Israeli-based Midgam Research and Consulting Ltd has become the latest affiliate member of the Harris Interactive Global Network of MR companies. More
UK agency BMRB is conducting a new continuous survey for the government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to measure participation in sporting, leisure and cultural activities. More
Experian has launched a new consumer profile analysis, Mosaic Ireland. The first figures highlight the rise of the 'seriously single', a growth in the number of wealthy families, and increased multiculturalism. More
Russian company Nextep Promotion is the latest addition to the International Mystery Shopping Alliance (IMSA). Nextep's field force includes more than 1,000 mystery shoppers covering the whole of Russia, as well as the Ukraine and Kazakhstan. More
The Kantar Group is joining forces with the over-50s advocacy organisation AARP to develop research and insight services to help businesses understand the fast-growing 50+ market. More
Dr Mark Mullins has been appointed Executive Director of Canadian public policy research organisation the Fraser Institute. More
Self-diagnosis is on the rise, according to a new poll from Harris. Around 117 million US adults search for health information online, compared with just 54 million in 1998. The vast majority of these 'cyberchondriacs' say they trust the information they find, and 43% never discuss it with doctors. More
Lynton Crosby, who directed the UK Conservative Party's general election campaign, is opening a UK office of his Australian-based research and consulting firm CrosbyTextor. The UK operation will be led by George Bridges MBE, former Chair of the Conservative Party's Research Department. More
US consumer confidence fell to the lowest level since October 2003, according to the RBC Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household (CASH) Index conducted by Ipsos. The decline is thought to be the result of worries about gas prices, job security and terrorism. More
UK Internet users have been busy searching for Harry Potter in anticipation of tonight's release of the sixth Potter novel, according to Hitwise. More
GfK has formed GfK Custom Research North America, an umbrella body for GfK Arbor, GfK CRI, GfK Schiappa, Caribou Lake, GfK NOP and GfK Automotive. Dr Martin Lautman, formerly President of GfK Arbor, will be the new group's CEO. More
Dr Frank Luntz, US political pollster and communications expert, has sold his MR and strategic consulting firm to the Omnicom Group. The new company will be called Luntz, Maslansky Strategic Research and will focus on language development, brand positioning, and crisis communications for both public affairs and corporate clients. More
The average US worker admits to frittering away two hours a day with the Internet the number one distraction, according to research from Salary.com. It's not always down to laziness, though: a third say they just don't have enough work to keep them busy. More
Australian consumers are significantly less confident than they were a year ago, according to the latest survey from polling firm Roy Morgan. The main driver of the decrease is pessimism about personal finances with 30% (up 6%) saying they are now worse off than they were last year. More
The US-based Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) has released a Terminology Framework to specify reliable ways of tracking and quantifying the effects of word of mouth (WOM) marketing. The Framework will be discussed at WOMMA's conference in Chicago tomorrow an event that managed to sell out entirely by word of mouth. More
The results of two surveys conducted since last week's London bombings present two sides of a complex issue. ICM's survey for Newsnight finds the British as divided as ever on the issue of keeping troops in Iraq, while YouGov's poll for the Daily Telegraph shows a nation determined to get on with daily life and focusing on other things than terrorism. More
An MRS-sponsored debate in the House of Commons last night voted against the motion 'Voting, unlike market research, changes nothing'. The motion was proposed by Lord Lipsey, Chair of the Social Market Foundation, who failed to convince the audience that elections had had their day. More
The MR landscape is to undergo a seismic shift as VNU, the world's biggest research provider, buys IMS Health, the next biggest in the US, in a transaction valued at 5.8 billion Euros ($7.0 billion). VNU's CEO is confident that the deal will quickly lead to major cost savings and new revenues. More
TNS today announced 'weaker than anticipated' growth in UK and US custom research. It expects overall revenue growth for this year to be line with the market at about 4% - a more cautious prediction than earlier in the year, when the company said it hoped to outpace rivals. More
Juice Market Research, a division of Phoenix Marketing International, has launched a new syndicated study to find out which firms are viewed most favourably among African-American active investors. More
TNS Healthcare and partners the University of Portsmouth last week took advantage of local celebrations to announce a new profiling service, in some style. GeoMedics PPi was launched during the city's Festival of the Sea, with a lunch served aboard a tall ship moored amidst the festival attractions. More
US Senator Conrad Burns has introduced the Fairness, Accuracy, Inclusivity and Responsiveness in Ratings (FAIR Ratings) Act to strengthen existing private sector oversight of US TV ratings. The move reflects the Senator's feeling that Nielsen Media Research has not co-operated sufficiently with the current authority. More
It's high season for UK conference calls and awards announcements, so if you've done anything you're particularly proud of lately MR-oriented that is take note. The Worshipful Company of Marketors wants entries for the first ever marketing book prize, the MRS has called for papers for its 2006 conference, and the IGD is looking for examples of consumer insight. More
UK consumer and market analyst CACI has introduced lifestyle information to its PeopleUK (PUK) classification tool. It can now place every adult in the UK into one of 50 consumer types, according to the individual's life stage, family composition, wealth, housing and leisure activities. More
Analysis from Hitwise shows that the official Live 8 web site, home of a mammoth online petition, was the sixth most-visited site in the UK on Saturday, outranked only by Google UK, eBay, Hotmail, MSN UK and Wanadoo. More
UK agency Leapfrog Research & Planning has been acquired by marketing services company Cello Group plc, for a total £6m in cash, loan notes and new ordinary shares. Cello listed on AIM in November 2004 and already owns four other companies including healthcare specialist Insight Research Group. More
Millward Brown has become a licensed member of the Walker Global Network in Asia Pacific. Under the licensing arrangement Millward Brown will offer stakeholder relationship measurement and management products developed and provided by stakeholder research specialist Walker. More
New research based on data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) finds that men in their twenties are more likely to be single than women of the same age, and questions whether there really is a decline in young people getting married. More
Three separate consumer confidence indexes out this week tell three very different stories. US consumer confidence is at a three-year high, while consumers in Germany are growing more wary of making big purchases, and their UK counterparts are slightly gloomier about the country's economy. More
Nielsen Media Research has implemented staff training, translation services and other measures recommended by last year's Independent Task Force on Television Measurement. The services are part of a string of measures aimed at better representation of the ethnically and culturally diverse TV audience. More
Mintel's first 'Childhood Obesity' report estimates that half of UK parents take little interest in their children's eating habits. Half the children surveyed claim to eat whatever they like, with bread, crisps and chocolate among their favourites. Meanwhile, 44% of all girls are trying to lose weight, and 41% feel guilty about eating. More
MORI has launched a Participation Unit, offering a range of research methods to engage the UK public in decision making and 'shift power to the citizen'. The unit's techniques, such as peer interviewing and citizens' juries, are attracting interest from the UK government, which is keen to find new ways to increase political involvement. More
A new study from Kelley Blue Book reveals the number of Americans thinking of buying a gas-guzzling sports utility vehicle (SUV) is rapidly declining, mainly thanks to the high price of fuel. Meanwhile, the number of vehicles powered by hybrid electric or clean diesel engines is set to more than double, according to J D Power and Associates. More
Market Strategies Inc, a US-based research and consulting firm, has appointed Jack Fyock, PhD, as VP of the Healthcare sector of its Government, Foundation & Academic research division. The division provides social science survey research for government, the not-for-profit sector, and academic researchers. More
A new report from MORI shows that concerns about quality of life in the UK remain focused on local problems such as street crime, litter and vandalism, rather than on major national services. More
In the latest episode of the Local People Meter (LPM) controversy, US TV ratings company Nielsen Media Research claims that its new measurement system is actually giving higher ratings to shows with an African-American theme or cast, countering critics' claims that they 'under-represent people of color'. More
Views in the US have changed dramatically since October 2003, according to the latest Harris Poll. A clear majority (63%) is now in favour of bringing American troops home from Iraq in the next year compared with only 47% in October 2003. At the same time, many Americans believe that life in Iraq is improving. More
High profile US pollster John Zogby will serve as an advisor to the Belfer Center at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. His role will include input to the Center's Governance Initiative in the Middle East, as well as advice on polling projects in China and elsewhere. More
Joe Belden, who helped to modernise opinion polling, has died aged 90 he had Parkinson's disease. Belden received a lifetime achievement award from the American Association for Public Opinion Research in 1991. More
US-based communications strategist and 'brand politics' specialist Westhill Partners, Inc. has appointed a former employee, Jeffrey Levine, Ph.D, as its new MD heading the Marketing Sciences unit. Dr. Levine specializes in research and strategic counsel to aid the branding and positioning initiatives of corporates, non-profit organizations and political candidates. More
Simmons has launched a twice-yearly survey of the attitudes and behaviour of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) population in the United States. The first results will be published on September 30th. More
Recently listed UK pollster YouGov has appointed a CFO. Katherine Lee (ACA), aged only 31, joins on July 25th and becomes a member of the Board. Current FD Jonson Helps will take on the role of Financial Controller for the Group and will step down from the Board. More
MORI has announced that Sir Andrew Likierman is to step up from being a non-executive director to chairman on 1 July, the same date that the founder of the company and present chairman, Robert Worcester, becomes Life President. He also becomes chairman of a new MORI Advisory Board. More
According to the latest TNS Asiapanel consumer purchasing data released recently, more consumers than ever are making a move towards a healthier lifestyle. More
This year represents the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 61st anniversary of D-Day. Harris Interactive, working with IMAS International, recently conducted a survey of over 20,000 adults in 13 countries to gauge their knowledge and attitudes about World War II. More
With a renewed focus on restoring respect and the need to tackle anti-social behaviour in the UK, a new survey by MORI Social Research Institute provides a gauge of public opinion towards the use of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs). More
The UK's Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB) has launched a consultation process aimed at steering future developments in measurement of the increasingly advanced UK television market. For the time being, the complexity of TV measurement means that BARB will not be prioritising calls for cross-media measurement. More
Australian consumers are currently the most pessimistic in Asia, according to a global study by ACNielsen. 43% said they felt the economy would deteriorate in the coming year compared to just 28% across the region and 34% felt the strength of the economy had deteriorated over the past six months. More
Ipsos UK has appointed Sarah Owen, formerly of Granada and BusinessWeek magazine, as AD in its Media division. More
Norway has become the first country to use Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM) for commercial radio ratings. A Steering Committee of the Norwegian National Radio has signed a five-year contract with TNS Gallup, a member of the worldwide TNS group, to install a panel of 400 people from Q1 2006. More
Adding to the recent brand measurement bonanza, online 'buzz' specialist Intelliseek Inc. has upgraded its BrandPulse(TM) solution to more effectively measure and assess clients' coverage on blogs, message boards and newsgroups. More
GfK has acquired the remaining shares in US pharmaceutical specialist GfK V2, of which it bought 51% in summer 2003; and is integrating its US activities in the healthcare sector into one unit. The group says recent purchases make it world no.1 for custom research in the sector. More
Surveys by London-based agency HI Europe will provide the backbone for a new Channel 4 comedy series, '8 Out of 10 Cats'. Two teams led by comedians will debate the results and the issues they highlight in a light-hearted style. More
Nearly nine out of ten people (86%) in Brazil, but only half (50%) of Germans think that it is important for a company to act ethically, according to the latest figures from TGI's Global Barometer. More
Research Now have announced a new online panel of 5,000 plus new and expectant mothers, developed in partnership with parenting experts Bounty. The panel makes use of Bounty's database of more than 8.5 million mums and dads, the largest in the UK. More
Saying 'Non' is not the only thing the French have been queuing up to do. The longest and slowest moving queues in Europe are to be found in Sweden and France, according to a new survey by Research International and the MSPA (Mystery Shopping Providers Association). More
Synovate has launched 'Asia's first local upscale media survey', tracking the spending patterns and media habits of Bangkok's most affluent people. The 'Media Atlas' survey is supported by the Media Agency Club (MAC) of Thailand and by leading publishers, Advance Agro. More
Ipsos has appointed Jasmine Hoye as an Account Manager in its Agribusiness, Natural Resources & Environment Division in Australia. She was previously an AM at Millward Brown. More
TNS Media Intelligence has acquired French agency Presse+, adding to its already substantial presence in the country's media intelligence market. TNS will take over all Presse+'s editorial monitoring activities including press review and newspaper cuttings services, TV, radio, cinema and Internet monitoring. More
NOPWorld has announced that its Mystery Shopping division will monitor sales of UK rail tickets for ATOC, the Association of Train Operating Companies. The contract runs for up to 5 years. More
Dominique M. Hanssens has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the Marketing Science Institute (MSI), serving for 2005-7. Mr Hanssens succeeds Leigh McAlister of the University of Texas at Austin, and will start in July 2005. More
The Welsh are rapidly adopting broadband, according to research for The Welsh Assembly by ORC International. However, its men are more likely to rate themselves as 'advanced' computer users, while women often admit to finding the screen and keyboard 'a bit scary'. More
NOP World has announced the first results from its new Hispanic OmniTelTM Financial Services Study. Findings show Hispanic Americans far less satisfied with their investments than other Americans only 35% are 'very satisfied with where they have their money today' vs 50% in the nation as a whole. More
Daily Research News has appointed a full-time News Editor, who will start in June. Tessa Russell joins from Which? magazine where she has worked for the last eight years, most recently as an Assistant Editor leading the food and health team. More
Chicago-based C&R Research has hired Casey Sloan as a Qualitative Research Director and Liria Barbosa as a Senior Qualitative Analyst, both in its InVision team. More
The people of Hong Kong are 'riding a tide of confidence in the economy', according to the latest ACNielsen Hong Kong Consumer Confidence Index. The overall score passed 100 last quarter for the first time since its launch in the 1980s. More
Yet more activity involving a major research group in Latin America: El Salvador's Jabes Market Research is the latest company to join the Harris Interactive Global Network. Jabes was established only in September 2002 but is already planning to spread its operations to Guatemala and Honduras in the next few years. More
The UK's MRS has published a Code of Practice covering Automated Dialling Equipment, the source of much recent controversy due to the 'silent calls' made to consumers as a result of its use. More
Ipsos has announced the acquisition of the Colombian company Napoleón Franco S.A., noted for its public affairs research but also big in mainstream MR. The buy gives the global group 20% of the country's MR market and a powerful all-round presence in Latin America. More
Ipsos has announced results for the first quarter of 2005, with revenues up 12.9% including organic growth of 8.2%. All regions and business lines contributed, with Asia Pacific and Middle East, and advertising research particularly strong. More
With the recent high profile of religious issues in schools in France, the UK and elsewhere, major agency Roy Morgan has found Australians overwhelmingly in favour of teaching religion in Government schools, according to its latest 'Single Source Survey'. However, there is a slight downward trend in support. More
Foreign relations ranks as the number one concern among 'Influential Americans' according NOP World's latest survey of the US opinion-forming elite. The group's Roper Public Affairs division says concern about the country's international ties is at an all-time high among this key group. More
ESOMAR will be holding its 58th Annual Congress in the glamorous setting of Cannes from 18 21 September 2005, with around 1,000 MR and marketing professionals in attendance. This year's theme is 'Making a difference. The impact of powerful research'. More
Criminal charges have been made against a US research firm for alleged survey falsification probably the first such case, according to CASRO's latest legal information. The association also reports on its efforts to ensure that a current Bill distinguishes between legitimate political polling and its true target, 'political telemarketing'. More
Harris Interactive Chairman and CEO Robert E. Knapp has announced his surprise resignation from the company, by mutual agreement with its Board of Directors. The Board has appointed President and COO Gregory T. Novak as Acting CEO and George Bell as Chairman. The company also announced results for Q3 2005, showing a steep rise in revenue but a net loss of $2.7m. More
With Britons going to the polls today, research from TNS suggests that the campaign has failed to address the key healthcare issues as perceived by the country's doctors. Healthcare manifestos of all three major parties led on hospital cleanliness and the importance of reducing levels of MRSA. More
Labour has a four point lead over the Conservatives, among those who are most likely to vote in the British General Election tomorrow, according to the latest from HI Europe. These figures suggest a closer race than those reported by MORI yesterday. More
ORC International has appointed Nicola James as a Technical Consultant in its Statistics Department. James worked previously for the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN). More
Synovate Healthcare has appointed Gaku Sasaki as General Manager of its Custom Research Services Division in Japan. Sasaki will have operational responsibility for all domestic and international custom research business in the country. More
British employees are wasting up to 80 working days every year through inefficient office practices, according to a study by Research Now for BACS Payment Schemes Limited. The leading time-wasters are technology (48 minutes), 'dealing with colleagues' (34 minutes), and unnecessary phone calls and meetings (26 and 23 mins respectively). More
US-based Opinion Research Corporation and Sweden's Observer Group have announced financial results for the first quarter of 2005. ORC's rising revenues from social research offset a slight decline in market research and a bigger fall in teleservices, while Observer reports continued positive development in the US but a weak quarter in Europe. More
The latest round of the Ipsos Face of The Web study paints a picture of the global take-off of a broad range of Internet activities beyond simple browsing. Seven in ten Internet users in the 12 countries surveyed have purchased and half have banked online; two thirds have sent digital pictures or videos; and one in ten has already downloaded a feature length movie. More
Harris Interactive has hired Aled Morris as MD of its HI Europe UK operations. He was previously MD of the UK division of major recruitment services firm Spherion. More
The USA's Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) has added four new Directors to the 35 already on its Board: Steven Fredericks of TNS Media Intelligence, Stephen Kim from MSN, Brian McAndrews, head of aQuantive and Jessica Pantanini of Bromley Communications, who is the Board's first Hispanic member. More
More than half of the UK's 16-24 year-olds (56%) would be interested in using their phones to make what it terms 'micropayments', buying small items such as public transport tickets or vending machine goods, according to new research from TNS. Around a third (32%) are 'very interested'. More
US-based NOVA Research Company has released QDS(TM) version 2.4, the latest update of its questionnaire software for clinical and behavioral researchers. The product now includes a handheld HAPI(TM) (Handheld-Assisted Personal Interview) Pocket PC module as well as enhanced data collection. More
Nielsen Media Research has publicised disclosures made by its opponents in the LPM debate, confirming the heavy involvement of News Corp in the Don't Count Us Out campaign. The lobbying firm involved also admitted directing a campaign of calls to Nielsen execs which shut down their corporate switchboard. More
US adults are gradually increasing their use of the Internet as a news source. The number citing it as their main source of news has grown from 19% in 2001 to 26% now, according to JupiterResearch. TV and newspapers are the sources replaced. More
The BMRA has published its league table of UK research agencies for 2004. Whilst we remain cautious given problems in previous years with interpretation, there are some notable highlights. Total turnover for the sector was just under £1.3bn (up 5.4%), with international business in particular recovering strongly. More
... the UK's general election is just over a week away, and this is our first mention of it. Lightspeed Research and branding and design consultancy Landor Associates have released results of a study of brands associated with the three main party leaders. Charles Kennedy may laugh inwardly to see both Tony Blair and Michael Howard associated with Rover, but he himself is a Mini... More
UK radio audience research body RAJAR has agreed a further £500,000 to fund the next stage of its extensive testing and analysis of two audiometers, the Arbitron Portable People Meter (PPM) and the Eurisko Media Monitor. TV research body BARB will piggyback its own test of the PPM on the RAJAR study. More
A new war is imminent among automakers, with the focus on safety as the key differentiator for vehicle lines, according to ABI Research in the US. More
TNS Media Intelligence is adding a new evaluation module to its morethannews media monitoring site. The tool should help in-house communications professionals and PR agencies evaluate campaigns, with real-time data and in-depth, simultaneous analysis of broadcast and press coverage. More
Ipsos is launching a new Global Public Affairs unit, consolidating the Group's offering in the sector. The move follows similar global consolidation for the ASI (advertising) and Loyalty business streams in 2001 and 2004 respectively. More
Fewer US consumers are now confident about the strength of their economy, according to the BIGResearch Executive Briefing for April. Domestic issues are the main worries. Looking longer-term, separate research from Ipsos-Insight suggests that many consumers around the world have written off public pension sources as their retirement mainstay. More
German-owned GfK has won the bidding for NOP World, acquiring it from United Business Media for £383 million (c.EUR 550m) in cash. The transaction remains subject to approval of the competition authorities in the United States and in Germany, but GfK says approval is expected at the end of May. More
Opinion Research Corporation has appointed Philippe Monnier as its MD for Mexico. Monnier has considerable experience in the local market and worked most recently as Project Director of IPSOS-BIMSA. More
United Business Media (UBM) will offer exclusive talks to one of the three remaining bidders for NOP World, according to the UK's Financial Times. The three are GfK, Ipsos and the WPP Group - Aegis and TNS were recently eliminated from the bidding. More
Almost one third of American Catholics would like a more liberal Pope next time round, while two thirds want more of the same and only 3% a more conservative figure, according to results from Le Moyne College/Zogby. Asked about the possible origin of a new pontiff, respondents favoured one from Latin America (55%) or Africa (48%). More
Eighty-seven percent of Canadians believe that market and survey research serves a valuable purpose, according to a poll by the country's Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA). However, sugging calls are widespread and remain a threat to this goodwill. More
GfK has announced 'a year of extraordinary success' with sales up 12.8% to EUR 671.7m and a margin of 13.6%, putting the Group 'top of the market research sector in terms of profitability'. EBIT including income from participations increased by 31.2% to EUR 91.1m and the dividend by around 43% to EUR 0.30. More
MORI is celebrating ten years with a permanent presence in Scotland by doubling the capacity of its telephone research centre in Edinburgh to 300 dedicated CATI stations. It will also recruit additional research and support staff. More
Canadian MR and polling firm Leger Marketing has acquired Alberta's Criterion Research Corporation. The buy makes Leger one of the largest Canadian-owned agencies and gives it offices across the nation. Financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. More
Greenfield Online has announced the completed acquisition of fellow online survey specialist Ciao AG for cash plus shares to a total value of c.$150 million. The move creates a major new global force in Internet panel research. More
US agency MRSI (Marketing Research Services Inc.) has launched ENFOQUE(SM), a 3-step solution designed to guide the research process for companies marketing to Hispanics in the US. More
Just over half Britain's back-bench MPs (51%) believe that the level of participation of young people voting in elections is 'a big problem', and almost all the remainder think it 'quite a problem', according to the latest from TNS. The UK is likely to see a general election within the next two months. More
US-based agency Decision Analyst, which operates the American Consumer Opinion Online panel, has appointed Joel Mincey as the new leader of its Loyalty Research Group. Mincey worked previously for MCI and Synovate after a spell as a political pollster. More
The average Australian child is spending no more than 10% of its free time playing outdoors at home, according to research by Newspoll for detergent company Omo, which (surprise surprise) wants parents to be 'less anxious about letting their kids get dirty'. The company has declared Sunday April 3rd 'National Dirt is Good Day'. More
Nielsen Media Research yesterday made public, and welcomed, the content of the report of The Independent Task Force on Television Measurement. The Task Force was established last year as an independent body, amid the controversy over Local People Meters and their measurement of the viewing behaviour of people of colour. More
'Reconstructions', the MRS Conference 2005, continues on Friday at London's Barbican Centre. Here's our own interpretation of Thursday afternoon's papers, with not a little opinion thrown in. More
Phoenix Marketing International has followed up its acquisition of African American specialist agency Juice by buying another US ethnic research specialist, Cultural Access Group. Like Juice, CAG becomes a part of the Phoenix Consumer Insights Group, managed by President, Tom Payne. More
UK agency Opinionpanel has launched a new 'Decliners Study' to identify reasons why students reject universities. The company established its original Student Panel in 2004. More
The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) and Local Authorities Research Intelligence Association (LARIA) have launched new guidelines concerning the use of surveys during public consultation exercises. The guidance was developed in response to raised public concern. More
Colmar Brunton New Zealand (CB NZ), the country's fastest-growing agency, is to merge with Millward Brown New Zealand. Colmar Brunton Australia has issued a separate statement saying it is not involved in any way with the merger, is committed to employee ownership and has already rejected offers from multinational groups. More
Nielsen parent VNU has released its full year financial statements for 2004, showing 'solid' growth in 2004. Strong results from the Media Measurement & Information (MMI) group and most of the Marketing Information (MI) group were offset by ACNielsen Europe's protracted move to a new data factory. More
Despite a housing market slowdown, the UK re-mortgage market remains buoyant and over 1m households are considering borrowing more, according to results from GfK Martin Hamblin. Mortgage switching is increasingly popular / fashionable and the agency says lenders now 'need to develop genuine retention strategies'. More
TNS has announced its results for the year ended 31 December 2004, the first full year since the acquisition of NFO WorldGroup, Inc. (NFO) in July 2003. Revenue increased 17.4% to £945.3m and underlying revenue up 4.1%. Operating profit is up 28% to £102.0m while operating margin increased 0.9% to 10.8%. More
India will have almost one million 'affluent' individuals with a collective wealth of over US$200bn by 2008, according to the latest from Datamonitor. The number of such people has grown by 17.6% per annum over the last five years, backed by a large skill base and robust domestic stock market. More
Americans are growing increasingly unhappy with their jobs, according to a recent report from The Conference Board, based on research by TNS. The decline in job satisfaction is widespread among workers of all ages and across all income brackets. Half of all Americans say they are satisfied with their jobs, down from nearly 60% in 1995. More
The vast majority of British adults (86%) make at least one complaint to a service provider each year, according to the new 'Service in Britain' survey by Andrew Smith Research and Research Now. The major utilities, telecoms providers and supermarkets top the list of target organisations. More
Synovate has acquired Belgium-based Columbus Quanti, a medium sized quant agency with offices in Ghent, employing around 40 staff and known for work in the telecoms, FMCG, finance, and public utility sectors. More
The BBC has announced the appointment of Tim Davie, currently VP, Marketing and Franchise, PepsiCo Europe, as Director of its Marketing, Communications and Audiences division. More
Phoenix Marketing International has acquired African American panel specialist Juice Market Research, which offers consumer and social syndicated studies as well as customized research. More
British online pollster YouGov is headed for a listing on Aim this summer, with a value of £15m suggested by its advisers. The money raised is intended for both organic growth and acquisitions. More
Opinion Research Corporation has announced healthy results for the fourth quarter and full year 2004. Net income was $2.4m, or $0.38 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $8.9m in 2003 the difference is almost exactly the amount of an $11.5m goodwill impairment charge in 2003. Figures are net of tax benefits. More
The UK's first-time buyers want more help getting on the housing ladder, according to findings from Brahm Research and financial services policy specialists Cicero Consulting. While media and industry attention has focused on stamp duty reductions, the survey showed that the biggest concern for younger people is affording a deposit. More
Business services giant and MR owner WPP has announced good results for 2004, with profit before tax up 30% to £465.5m. Chief Exec Martin Sorrell took the opportunity to confirm that his company is in the running for UBM's NOP World. More
The Australian Market & Social Research Society (AMSRS) will celebrate its 50th anniversary with its 2005 National Conference at Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour from 9 - 11 October. 'Impact 2005' will examine the effect the profession has had on Australian communities, government and the private sector. More
Texas-based computer company Dell is America's Most Admired Company for the first time, up from no.5 last year, according to FORTUNE magazine working with Hay Group. Wal-Mart, no.1 for the last two years, drops to number four. More
The last ten years in New Zealand have been 'fabulous' and life has been rapidly improving, according to results from Nielsen Media Research. Could this be connected to a separate Nielsen survey revealing that they and their neighbours in Aus get more sleep than anyone else in the AsiaPac region? More
US prescription drug sales grew 8.3% from $217.3bn in 2003 to $235.4bn last year, according to IMS Health. The volume of total US dispensed prescriptions grew 3.2% after adjustments. Despite seeing less than double-digit growth for the first year since 1995, the industry's performance is seen as solid in the face of various pressures. More
Independent PR giant Edelman is expanding its specialist research group StrategyOne into Europe, with the opening of a London office. The office will be headed up by Janette Henderson, on a twelve month secondment from MORI. More
NOP World has opened an office in the heart of downtown Washington D.C. for its Roper Public Affairs subsidiary. The office, at 601 13th Street Northwest, will be led by Annie Weber, Senior VP, Roper Public Affairs. More
The British press and clergy may be in turmoil over the impending marriage of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, but judging by the views of the public, as seen in a BMRB poll this weekend, there is little reason not to just 'get on with it'. More
UK agency SKOPOS has appointed Noreen Hussain to its London office as Head of Research and Quality, partly to assist an expansion from its online base into some more traditional areas of MR. More
Britain has a new Sir Bob, not as charmingly dishevelled as Mr Geldof but extraordinary nonetheless. MORI founder and Chairman Robert M. Worcester has been honoured with a KBE 'in recognition of outstanding services ...to political social and economic research' and for his 'contribution to government policy and programmes'. More
Fully 24% of US adults believe that 'liberals' oppose gun control, and 40% think that 'conservatives' support it, according to Harris Interactive. However social scientist Leo Bogart, who suggested the study, says that confusion over the meaning of such political labels reflects the way the words are used in normal speech, and the fact that 'Americans don't adhere to a party line or doctrine'. More
So the Patriots beat the Eagles and established the first 'dynasty' since Dallas in the '90s. Confused? Well most Americans say that the ads or spending time with friends and family are more important than the game itself anyway, according to comScoreQ2's annual look at the off-the-field stats for the SuperBowl. More
Nielsen Media Research will launch a branding advertising campaign in the US in February, promoting its accurate reporting of TV viewing by all different kinds of people, led by the slogan 'Every View Counts'. The move follows a year of controversy over the launch of its Local People Meters. More
comScore Networks has acquired online custom research provider SurveySite, Inc. Jeff Hohner, President of Toronto-based SurveySite, will be President of the newly branded comScore SurveySite. More
UK consumer confidence took a sharp upturn in January, according to the latest index figures from GfK Martin Hamblin, working on behalf of the European Commission. Whilst a rise in January is normal, the headline figure at +1 is the highest for more than two years. More
Only a fifth of UK citizens are in favour of the draft European Constitution, and only half are even aware of it, according to the findings of a special Eurobarometer, conducted by TNS for the European Commission. Across the EU as a whole, the proportion in favour is 49%. More
With the tax return deadline today and fines for late filing, UK taxpayers are rushing to the web site of the Inland Revenue, according to online measurement specialist Hitwise. Visits to the site are up 48% since the first week of January. More
Thriving UK agency MORI has appointed three new directors in key divisions. Neil Coburn will take a leading role in the MORI Reputation Centre; Sarah Sanderson joins as Head of Media Research; and Avril Imison OBE as Head of NHS and Health Research. More
British women are closing the gap on men in terms of the number of business start-ups, according to a study by IFF Research for London Business School and Babson college in the US. More
The World Economic Forum at Davos this week will discuss economic aid, with the Tsunami disaster still in the headlines. More than half of adults in Britain, France and Germany believe that either Africa or the global spread of AIDS should still be the number one priority for international aid, according to a new CNN/TIME poll by TNS. More
With the Iraqi elections only days away, the American public is not overly optimistic about their effect on the country's future, according to the latest Harris Poll. However, very large majorities believe it is right to promote democracy in Iraq, even if the resulting government is unfriendly to the USA. More
Millions of Australians have visited charity web sites in the aftermath of the tsunami, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. Oxfam and World Vision saw the number of unique browsers visiting their Australian sites increase by over 500 percent in the week commencing 26th December. More
US audience researcher Arbitron has been named on Fortune's list of the '100 Best Companies to Work For' for the third time. The company has also announced the appointment of Stacie de Armas as Director, Hispanic Services. More
A recent study by research company Ipsos UK among British Muslims has cast new light on the importance of British identity for this group. Many of the Muslims surveyed preferred the term 'British Muslim' to the out-of-fashion 'British Asian', as it gave appropriate emphasis to the role of their faith in defining who they are. More
Increased awareness of the need for a healthier lifestyle is (after all) changing the habits of the British public. Figures from the recently published Retail Pocket Book 2005 show that over half of the population make a conscious effort to maintain or improve their general health. More
The over 50s represent over a third of the population in the UK, and are the most affluent consumer group in terms of income and wealth. However, a new report from Datamonitor suggests that many financial services providers ignore changes among senior customers and often take them for granted. More
Americans in a new Harris Poll appear much more optimistic than Europeans did in a similar poll in early 2004. US adults gave much more positive views of improvements in the last five years, and expectations for the future, whether discussing their personal lives, employment, finances, or their country's economy. More
A new report from MINTEL finds Britain's kids adopting a refreshingly healthy approach towards what they eat. As many as seven in ten (71%) 11 -16 year olds agree that 'it is important to eat a balanced diet' and only one in ten 7-16 year olds find buying health foods a strange concept. More
A panel of UK students has been launched by new provider Opinionpanel. The Student Panel gives researchers access to 20,000 students across a profile reflecting the UK's total student population, analysed by over 100 different variables, and delivers full results within 3 days. More
TNS has this week released the results of its Global Corporate Reputation Study 2005. The study, which was conducted in the last quarter of 2004, used TRI*M, TNS' business solution for Stakeholder Management, to measure perceptions across 40 countries, surveying more than 36,000 members of the general public. More
UK agency OPERA has appointed Mary Thomas, formerly of Faber Maunsell, as Research Director heading up a new division, OPERA Transport Research. More
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is the person most trusted by Europeans to provide information about the world's Millennium Development Goals (MDG), according to a recent Harris Interactive survey. However, in the US he is way down the list. More
Independent UK agency IFF Research, which celebrates its fortieth birthday in May this year, has announced the departure of Dave Spilsbury and his replacement as MD by Tim Britton. Spilsbury, who took over from Ed Smith in 1992, is keeping his future plans under wraps. More
A recent study by GfK Martin Hamblin suggests that UK consumers do understand the difference between market research and telephone sales calls, and are still happy to respond to MR. Around 1 in 5 of those interviewed for the Britbus survey were registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) but had completed the interview happily. More
Member companies of the British Polling Council (BPC) have agreed to restrictions on the publication of poll data, following recommendations by The Electoral Commission in its report on the European Elections. The agreement prohibits the publication before the closure of polls of separate data about those who have already voted (eg by post). More
Employees in Australia and New Zealand are optimistic about 2005, with around four in five feeling that their current job is safe and two thirds that they could find another job quickly if they did lose it, according to the latest poll by Roy Morgan. More
UK charity web sites have seen a fivefold increase in usage as Internet users rush to give their support, according to data from Hitwise. The Disasters Emergency Committee and a Tsunami blog site are among the biggest risers. More
US agency ICR has announced the release of its nationally representative Hispanic telephone omnibus, HispanicEXCELsm. More
If you're planning to forget the diet for a few days, you may be interested in some facts about chocolate consumption from Datamonitor. The British are the biggest consumers of chocolate in Europe, eating on average 10kg (24 pounds) of the stuff each year - nearly twice the European average, and the equivalent of 154 Mars Bars. More
DRNO has learned that Ivor Stocker has narrowly defeated Peter Hodgson in the first ever contested election for Chairman of the British Market Research Association (BMRA). Stocker was Chair in 2001-2, handing over the reins to IDA's Peter Jackling from whom he now resumes the title, thus completing a neat one-two. More
Travel planning / booking, and finding information about health are the two major growth areas in Internet use identified in the latest Harris Poll. The former is a frequent online activity for 26% of US adults, up from 15% last year, while the latter is up 6% to 21%. More
The UK's High Court has thrown out Kelvin MacKenzie's legal challenge to RAJAR over radio audience measurement methods. The judge ruled that claims RAJAR had abused its market power under competition laws 'simply did not correspond with the facts'. More
Apart from the just-departed Home Secretary himself, the recent focus of UK Government announcements has been security - tackling crime and terrorism. With the forthcoming Queen's speech due to set out Labour's legislative programme for the session before the next election, BPRI has been examining whether this mirrors the concerns of the UK public. More
Younger users may have been the earlier adopters of the Internet, but those aged 55 and above are the key to its current US growth, according to results from The Media Audit, an ongoing survey by US firm International Demographics, Inc. More
US agency Simmons has announced the release of Hispanic Cohorts(TM), which it claims is the first Hispanic household-based segmentation system. Hispanic consumers are the fastest growing ethnic group in the US, with over 10 million households today. More
British consumers continue to be sceptical over headlines about diet, health and nutrition. A substantial majority (61%) believe their diet is always healthy and only 11% think they are not eating healthily, according to new research by food and grocery think tank IGD. More
Sixty per cent of UK workers are proud of who they work for, according to employee research specialist ORC International. Housing sector employees top the table, with 72%'proud to work for their organisation'. More
Toronto-based public opinion and stakeholder researcher GlobeScan Inc. has appointed Dennis R. Israel, formerly Director of Media Management & Consulting at InterMedia Survey Institute, as Vice President with primary responsibility for expanding its US market presence. More
The Council for Marketing and Opinion Research (CMOR) has named Harry E. Heller, Ph.D., as Director of Respondent Co-operation. More
Britain's consumers are feeling more confident for the second month running, according to The UK Consumer Confidence Survey, conducted by GfK Martin Hamblin on behalf of the European Commission. The headline index improved two points from 6 in October to 4. More
This year's Christmas shoppers are feeling cautious, according to MINTEL's latest UK Retail Briefing. One in ten (10%) adults say that they will be spending 'a lot less than last year' whereas only 5% said this 12 months ago. The report looks at online buying intentions, projected spend and the types of present in and out of fashion. More
Rachel Lomax, the Bank of England's Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy, has raised questions about the business and economic data available to UK government, referring to the 'statistical fog surrounding the true state of the economy' and backing a report calling for fundamental changes. More
Consumers in Asia Pacific are confident about their economic outlook - more so than their counterparts in the US and Europe - but have yet to forget completely the spectre of Asia's recent economic downturn, according to ACNielsen. They are also the most likely to save spare cash, while Americans and Europeans spend theirs. More
British adults may be more supportive than French or German of American involvement in Iraq, but they are just as pessimistic about the likely outcome / long-term situation, according to the latest TNS poll for CNN and TIME magazine. The poll also notes that pessimism does not always translate into support for the rapid withdrawal of troops. More
America is still split down the middle over most issues relating to Iraq attitudes have changed very little after the assault on Fallujah, according to the latest Harris Poll. More generally, the popularity ratings of President Bush and his cabinet show no sign of the usual 'honeymoon period' for a newly elected or re-elected President. More
Nielsen Media Research and NBC Universal have announced the signing of a seven-year contract for audience measurement services covering all of NBC Universal's national and local television businesses, the largest ever of its kind. More
US agency BIGresearch and online MR solutions provider Artafact have announced the first results from a new qual / quant syndicated report to track consumer awareness, attitudes and opinions about RFID applications. More
Another Pat on the back for UK agency Nunwood Consulting, which has won a major continuous contract to measure customer satisfaction for the Post Office. The project aims to develop an end-to-end understanding of customers' service experience, taking soundings at various lifecycle stages. More
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) is perhaps familiar to readers mostly for its detrimental effect on the clarity of MR industry league tables. However, the cost to others is rather greater: US companies will spend an estimated $5.8 billion on meeting its requirements in 2005, according to AMR Research. More
Almost three quarters of UK consumers (72%) are familiar with Guideline Daily Amount labelling (GDAs) according to research by food and grocery think tank IGD. GDAs are a focus of the current, much-discussed Public Health White Paper. More
Despite the deep divides identified by many commentators during and after the US presidential campaign, Harris Interactive's annual 'Feel Good Index' shows Americans as happy as they have been this century. The index fell one point each year from 1998 to 2003 but has recovered most of the loss this year. More
The BBC has appointed Nielsen//NetRatings, in partnership with SageMetrics, to provide traffic analysis for its bbc.co.uk web site. The three-year contract was offered as an open tender process through EU procurement regulations and almost 40 companies initially expressed an interest. More
Ipsos Public Affairs has been commissioned to undertake the UK's National Student Survey (NSS), a census survey of 283,000 final year undergraduate students. More
It is probably fairly common knowledge that if Europeans had chosen the US President, George W Bush would be twiddling his thumbs by now and John Kerry in the Whitehouse. However, GfK Media's results from seven countries show the full extent of Bush's old world unpopularity. More
Seniors are the most affluent consumer group in the UK, as well as the fastest growing, according to a recent report from Datamonitor. 'Older consumers: Destroying marketing myths' looks in detail at trends influencing the senior market over the next five years in Europe and the US. More
With the election seemingly all over bar the legal challenges, Republican and Democrat parties may have to pay attention to their overdrafts. US political advertising spend for 2004 reached historic heights - more than $1.45 billion - and will set the precedent for future campaigns, according to TNS Media Intelligence/CMR. More
Eight leading agencies have announced the launch of the British Polling Council (BPC), an organisation aiming to promote professional standards in public opinion polling and advance public understanding of poll methods and interpretation. More
TNS is launching a 'Consumer Privacy Index', a quarterly study of consumer attitudes and behaviours on privacy topics, in partnership with online privacy certification provider TRUSTe. More
New luxury markets are taking shape alongside the high-priced exclusive brands usually associated with luxury, according to a multi-country study by Euro RSCG Worldwide. Luxury is defined as much in terms of finding the time and energy to enjoy as it is in terms of finding the money. More
As a close-run and hard-to-call US presidential election draws near, Harris Poll Chairman Humphrey Taylor acknowledges that there is no one 'right way' to do surveys and that 'the first rule of credibility is to admit to fallibility', but says the track record of polling companies is the best reason to trust them. More
TGI has announced the winners of its own 'Olympics', measuring nations' general performance in terms of health, food and sports. Japan, China and Australia take the overall medals with France and Germany also among the individual medals. More
New research from Mintel sheds light on British parents' involvement with their children's play and their purchase of toys. Among other findings, the survey shows more children playing on their own and more being left to watch TV or play TV games: but also more money spent on toys and the existence of substantial groups prioritising 'quality time' or home education. More
UK-based agency The MMR Group has announced the formation of a new company specialising in Internet research. Qubiq-Online aims to combine the research expertise of the Group, including proprietary techniques such as its Liking Segmentation tool, with online expertise to provide 'Real research online'. More
A very enjoyable Awards dinner at the Café Royal last night saw some familiar and some new faces carrying off the major gongs. Two were carried off to a noisy Nunwood table, including the 'Best Agency' Award for which they were pipped last year by Flamingo and two went to the team of Robert Heath at the Value Creation Company and Pam Hyder from Standard Life. More
With less than two weeks to go before the US presidential election, most Americans are not switched off or fatigued by politics a result which may surprise more cynical and weary Europeans, according to a poll by integrated marketing communications agency Euro RSCG Worldwide. More
US technology trade group the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) says that polling companies may be leaving as many as eight million US households out of their calculations due to consumers changing to cellular phones as the sole means of taking calls. More
The majority of Americans think that space agency NASA is 'marketed' poorly or very poorly according to research by consultants Dittmar Associates. However, more than two-thirds support the space exploration program and more think NASA's budget should be increased (42%) than decreased (29%). More
Synovate has reported rapid expansion of its newly created research panel of Hispanic consumers. The panel now includes more than 9,500 households. More
With two weeks to go before the US election, President Bush has either an eight-point or a two-point lead, depending on the definition of 'likely voters', according to the Harris Poll. However, the closeness of the race along with social and technological changes make the result very hard to call. More
Following recent endorsement by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Neilsen's controversial Local People Meters (LPMs) have received further support from Kweisi Mfume, President and CEO of the NAACP, who describes the new system as 'a vastly improved way of measuring television viewership'. More
This year's MRS Research Excellence and Effectiveness Awards will be hosted by the UK Society on 26th October at the Café Royal in London, and for the first time feature an award for Public Policy & Social Research. Competition is fierce and with work among litter louts, railway vandals and (other) young offenders on the short list, some of the respondents may not exactly be kittens either. More
GfK Martin Hamblin has restructured of its research divisions and made a number of senior appointments. Sue Wheeler and Reza Chady join the Board, and become General Managers respectively of the B2B and Technology Departments, within the newly formed Custom Research Division. More
Offshore outsourcing seems to be returning to the headlines of late DRNO reported on the call centre concerns of European consumers last week, and now a new report by the META Group says offshore outsourcing by IT firms in the US will continue to grow nearly 20% annually through 2008, despite the reservations of many Americans. More
Most Americans tend to talk politics with people who agree with them, judging by results from the latest Harris Poll. The majority share the political loyalties of most of their families, friends and people at work, whether Republicans or Democrats. More
The US public's views on immigration are less negative than they were shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to a new national survey released by National Public Radio, the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. More
Awareness of diet and obesity issues may have increased among children and young people in the UK over the past five years, but their interest in sport has declined and more spend time in their rooms watching TV, according to the Youth TGI survey by BMRB International. More
CMOR, the body formed in 1992 by four US trade associations for the promotion and advocacy of MR, has responded to DRNO's 3rd August interview with Simon Chadwick, CASRO Chairman, and outlined its own approach to the FTC's 'Do Not Call' legislation. More
Most adults in Britain, France and Germany support the idea of government action to stop companies outsourcing jobs overseas, according to the latest poll by TNS for CNN and TIME magazine. Almost half of German adults (48%) also think that people in their country should consider wage cuts to prevent this. More
US kids and teenagers aged 8-18 currently prefer President Bush to Senator John Kerry by 48 to 38%, according to results from Harris Interactive the gap has widened from 6% (46 vs 40%) in August. More
Synovate has released the results of a global study into viewing of and attitudes to the Olympic Games. 82% claim to have followed the Games, with US respondents, despite their country topping the medals table, least likely (73%) and Germany second bottom with 78%. More
Healthcare information giant IMS Health has this week announced the launch of new consulting capabilities for European clients, offering private and public sector clients evidence-based insights into the cost, value and anticipated consequences of therapies and treatment options. More
UK agency MORI has restructured its board, appointing two Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), Sir Andrew Likierman and Dr Keith Burgess, and two executives representing the company's minority financial investors, Will Wyatt of Caledonia and Adam Holloway of ISIS Asset Management. More
President Bush has a two-point lead over Senator John Kerry among likely US voters (48% to 46%), according to the latest Harris Poll, conducted online. Harris calls this 'a virtual dead heat' and therefore not dissimilar to the previous (telephone) poll two weeks earlier which put Kerry one point ahead of Bush (48% to 47%). More
International Communications Research (ICR) has recently appointed Nick Tortorello as Vice President of Public Affairs and Marketing Research. Tortorello's 35+ years in the MR industry include spells at Louis Harris, Market Facts, Total Research, Roper Starch, Guideline and Lieberman Research Worldwide. More
UK consumers agree with the main provisions of the recent Treasury Select Committee Report on pensions, including a belief that people should be able to access their pension savings during periods of unemployment or illness, according to a joint investigation by Brahm Research and Cicero Consulting. More
comScore Media Metrix has released its monthly analysis of consumer Internet behavior, showing unsurprisingly that the Olympics accounted for the top two gaining properties, while back-to-school sites experienced major increases but the overall level of activity dipped due to late vacations. More
Three former colleagues from Synovate have formed a new UK full service quant agency, OMB Research. Directors Rachel Olding, James Murray and Gemma Bird are all aged between twenty-seven and thirty, but combine agency and public sector client experience. More
The 'convention bounce', which showed President Bush ahead of Senator Kerry by 6-11% after the Republican convention in New York, appears to have disappeared according to the latest poll from Harris. The two have almost equal levels of support. More
New findings from BPRI's panel of UK MPs shed light on the House's views of particular professions and sectors of industry. According to 'MPs & Industry: Knowledge, Communications and Trust', the financial services industry is one of the least trusted, on a par with nuclear power and just above tobacco, bottom of the league with 75% of MPs not trusting it. More
By the time British girls reach 14 years old, around nine in ten regularly use make-up, with eyeshadow, mascara and lipsticks proving the most popular choices, according to research published by MINTEL. Perhaps more surprisingly, the report says a high proportion of 7 - 10 year olds do so as well. More
A further salvo in the battle over Local People Meters: Nielsen Media Research announced yesterday that the methodology has been endorsed by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder and president of the Rainbow / PUSH Coalition and arguably the USA's best known politician of color (at least until Don King's convention performance last week). More
The low-carb brands segment has grown from non-existent to $1.1 billion in under two years and a 1% share of total food / beverage sales, according to IRI's latest Times & Trends report 'Carb-Cutting Shoppers'. An estimated 26m Americans are on a low-carb diet today and some 70m limit their carb intake informally. More
More than a quarter (26%) of UK mortgage holders - some 4.3 million adults - would struggle to cope with a further 2% increase in interest rates, according to a report from MINTEL. Around 4% say that a rise of these proportions could prove 'catastrophic' to their financial situation. More
Branding firm Landor Associates and research firm Penn, Schoen and Berland have released a study indicating how Messrs Bush and Kerry are viewed by their own supports and other voters. Respondents aligned the presidential hopefuls with leading brands in a number of categories. More
The Guardian is the most popular read for Britain's MPs according to a new survey by BPRI. The average number of papers read is nearer to two than one (c.1.7) and a range of titles are included, indicating broad reading, but it seems true that most prefer to read something which reflects their own views. More
According to the latest figures from TGI, mobile phone ownership levels in Sweden are considerably higher than any other country, at 88% - Great Britain is second with 78% and Japan third with 74%. The study looked at 15 markets. More
UK consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level this year (overall index 5, from 3 in July), according to the monthly consumer confidence barometer, published by GfK Martin Hamblin on behalf of the European Commission. More
Losses to credit card fraud in the UK fell for the first time in 9 years, by over 5% in 2003 to £402.4 million, according to figures produced by APACS (Association for Payment Clearing Services). The results are published by Datamonitor, which predicts further falls in 2005 given the anticipated completion of the EMV migration. More
The European Commission has chosen TNS to run its Standard Eurobarometer, the largest study of its kind in the world. TNS subsidiary EOS Gallup Europe will manage the project, measuring public opinion on social, economic and political issues across 33 countries in a contract lasting up to four years. More
More than three-quarters (77%) of the UK's 11-14 year olds have a television in their bedroom, almost two thirds (64%) have their own dvd player or video recorder, and a quarter a computer in their own room, according to the latest research from MINTEL. More
ESOMAR and EMAC (European Marketing Academy) are to co-host a Marketing Conference on October 10-12 in Warsaw, Poland. Under the theme 'Where Science Meets Practice', topics will include brand management, understanding consumers, advanced uses of the Internet, and research in emerging markets. More
Britain's MPs prefer their news from the BBC (BBC1 and News 24), Channel 4 and Sky, according to the latest research among MPs from BPRI. ITN is lagging behind its competitors, and CNN is also relatively little watched. More
JibJab.com, the online video released in mid-July satirizing John Kerry and George Bush, received 10.4m visitors in July, three times as many as both of the candidates' sites combined, according to comScore Media Metrix' monthly analysis of consumer Internet behavior. Travel and back-to-school sectors also did well. More
The UK's Reality TV pioneer show Big Brother is over for another season, but others such as 'I'm a Celebrity...', 'Fame Academy' & 'Pop Idol' are gearing up for new series, so Alas the phenomenon continues. Ipsos UK recently used its weekly Quest media issues panel of 4000 individuals to probe the reasons for its popularity. More
The UK secured loan market has grown from £19.8 billion in 2002 to £28.1 billion a year later, a leap of 42%, and will continue to boom, according to Datamonitor's new report, 'UK Secured Lending 2004'. More
Half the adults in Britain, France and Germany feel that racial prejudice is increasing in their country according to the findings of a new CNN/TIME poll conducted by TNS. The poll also asked about work-life balance and smoking bans. More
Ipsos-Insight has announced the launch of Ipsos DietTrends, a syndicated service to complement its established PharmTrends brand by tracking consumer purchase behavior of diet-related products and services. More
Malcolm Rigg, former MD of BMRB, will be the new Director of the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) when Jim Skea leaves in October. Skea becomes Research Director of the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC). More
A significant improvement in the perceived climate for making major purchases has nudged the UK Consumer Confidence Index up one point this month to -3, according to the July wave of the regular survey conducted by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission. More
Half the adults in the United States (51%) believe that participation in the Olympic Games should still be limited to amateurs, according to the latest Harris Poll but younger generations do not tend to agree. The survey also found that most people (69%) support partial federal government funding of US Olympic athletes. More
The British Prime Minister is the only world leader about whom a majority of Americans feel positive, according to the latest Harris Poll. His positive rating is well up on those of President Bush, Kofi Annan and the Pope, and more than 30% ahead of any other leader of a foreign country. More
Adults living on the Sussex, Devon and Norfolk coasts are those most at risk in the UK of suffering a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years, according to GeoMedics, a new research service developed by TNS and the University of Portsmouth. More
Less than one out of every five businesses started in the US has 'the innovative spark that could lead to strong job generation capabilities over the next five years', according to researchers at Babson College in Wellesley, MA. Overall US entrepreneurial activity is on the rise, however. More
Technology will enable a growing proportion of healthcare to take place away from formal institutions, according to a new report from Forrester Research, Inc., 'Who Will Pay For Healthcare Unbound'. More
Germany is the number one beer drinking nation in Europe, with a high proportion of men saying they drink 'to get drunk' according to a new report by MINTEL. In 2003 German adults drank on average some 145 litres (255 pints) of beer each - 20 litres (35 pints) more than the British. More
Thirty-six per cent of the software installed on computers worldwide in 2003 was pirated, according to a study released recently by the Business Software Alliance (BSA). This represents a loss of nearly $29 billion to the major software manufacturers who are its members. More
In the latest exchange of the long-running controversy surrounding PPMs, LPMs and their supposed under-representation of certain groups, Nielsen have issued a statement responding to Fox Television's appeal for government regulation of television ratings. More
Only 14 percent of British adults believe the recent rise in interest rates announced by the Bank of England will cause house prices to begin to drop, according to HI Europe. A much higher proportion (40%) believe they will continue to rise, albeit slowly. More
There are now 3.8 million Americans who tip the scales at more than 300 pounds, according to a new report by American Sports Data, Inc. (ASD). The report aims to depart from the 'polite abstraction' of Body Mass Index (BMI) and use 'measures of the flesh that are vivid, graphic and powerful enough to galvanize a dangerously overweight population'. More
British families will spend around £15 billion on holidays this year, with the average family spending £1,830, according to 'Family Holidays', the latest report from MINTEL. More
A review commissioned in May by Nielsen Media Research but conducted by an independent body has concluded that criticisms of Nielsen's methodology for measuring ethnic audiences made by Rincón and Associates 'Latino Television Study' were not solidly supported. More
In a recent poll by BPRI in the UK, 57% of MPs say that a national road pricing policy will help reduce congestion. MPs believe that the London congestion charge has been effective in reducing traffic and are now backing the idea that it should be extended nationally. More
Four new members have this week been added to the TV measurement Task Force assessing Nielsen Media Research's representation of people of colour. Among the four who arrive just in time for the Task Force's first meeting - is George Takei, alias Star Trek's Mr Sulu. More
British children aged 7 to 14 receive a massive £1.5 billion per annum in pocket money and handouts, according to a new report from Mintel. In total Britain's 7 - 10 year olds receive almost £417 million, while the 11 - 14 year olds receive some £1.1 billion a year. More
Both MPs and NGOs have rated Tesco as the most effective communicator from the top 50 FTSE companies in BPRI's latest report, 'Should Business Care?'. Financial services, retail, FMCG and telecommunications companies all rate highly in the lists. More
A majority of Americans think the economy and the jobs situation are more important factors than Iraq and the war on terrorism in deciding who they vote for in the Presidential Election, according to the latest Harris Poll. On both issues President Bush is ahead of Kerry in the numbers thinking him likely to do a good job. More
Even before last night, the British needed a holiday, according to a survey by online sampling specialists Ciao Consumer Access. A survey of 40,000 respondents in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK found that the British take the fewest breaks: last year, a massive 30% failed to get away at all, compared to just 9% of Italians and 11% of Spaniards. More
Observers of British politics who are bored with Labour and the Conservatives agreeing with each other can take heart from the latest BPRI findings. The panel of 100 backbench MPs shows a clear split between the main parties on some of the issues surrounding speed cameras and road safety. More
Rising gas prices have left consumers with a little less confidence in the economy, according to the June Executive Briefing from BIGresearch. Meanwhile consumers are less concerned about political and national security issues, and still relatively confident about employment. More
Employee satisfaction in the UK workplace is steadily rising, according to a new report from ORC International entitled 'Putting it in Perspective'. Two thirds (67%) of employees rated as satisfied, compared to 58% in 1999. More
Most British adults (55%) have regretted purchasing a particular financial product or signing up to a particular financial service, according to a new report from MINTEL. Poor advice and being misled are considered the most common reasons for making a mistake, and one in every seven (15%) adults felt that they had actually been misled. More
Recent figures released by the US Census Bureau show that the nation's Hispanic and Asian populations continue to grow much faster than the population as a whole, while non-Hispanic whites have the oldest age profile. More
As the recent passing of Ronald Reagan brings discussions about his historical legacy to the forefront of the news in the US, a Gallup Poll for which fieldwork began before his death shows him to be one of the highest rated of recent presidents, just behind Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy but well ahead of the rest of the field. More
Nielsen Media Research's tribulations with the launch of its Local People Meter are continuing. In the same week that NMR announced a high profile task force to ensure fairness, a leading Spanish-language media company has filed a lawsuit seeking to stop its 'false and misleading' advertising and the use of data based on 'flawed sampling'. More
With the long-awaited overhaul of the UK's consumer credit laws is fast approaching its October 31st deadline, a new report from market analyst Datamonitor warns that one effect could be higher cost of credit and greater difficulty in obtaining credit for those consumers with adverse credit histories. More
Millward Brown has this week hired Shirley Acreman and Mary Biggs to boost its team of experts with strong marketing backgrounds. Both will be based at the company's Warwick office in the UK. More
A majority of the public in the UK think gambling reform will do more harm than good according to a new report by YouGov and The Gambling Consultancy. More
According to a new report by MORI Market Dynamics, the majority of credit card holders in the UK use their credit cards wisely and have sufficient assets to service credit card debt, even if the economy deteriorates. More
From today (June 3rd), Nielsen Media Research is offering Local People Meter (LPM) data in New York. The new system will run in parallel with the old Meter/Diary system for a transition period of three months, with either set of data allowed for commercial use. More
US consumer confidence declined in May 2004 due to rising inflation and higher interest rates and despite better news on employment, while the interest rate rise in the UK left consumer confidence unmoved, according to separate surveys by the University of Michigan and GfK Martin Hamblin. More
Three of the men who founded and pioneered geodemographics in the UK will be leading a seminar to celebrate its 25th anniversary, hosted by the Market Research Society's Census and Geodemographics Group on 1st July. More
A recent claim by the Government's chief scientist Sir David King - that global warming poses a greater threat to the world than terrorism strikes a chord with a majority of British MPs, according to new research from BPRI. More than 60% say the threat to the environment is as great a threat as, or a greater threat than global terrorism. More
Tony Cowling, Chairman of Taylor Nelson Sofres plc, has been formally elected as President of Gallup International Association (GIA) for a four-year term. The elections took place at the recent 57th Conference and Annual General Meeting of Gallup International Association held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. More
No wonder Britain has record levels of debt and has alarmed its government into suggesting that the alcohol industry should be made responsible for drunken behaviour. Newly published research by NOP World says the UK has a higher proportion of 'FunSeekers' than any other country studied. More
By 2008, the UK will have 8.5 million 'Early Empty Nesters', people aged between 50 and 64 whose children have left home or who have never had children, according to the latest from Datamonitor. Their annual disposable income per capita will have increased by 8.5% to £17,872, almost 50% above the national average. More
Delahaye, the communications analysis division of Medialink Worldwide Inc., has announced the promotion of three senior executives. More
comScore Media Metrix has announced the Top 50 US Internet Properties for the month of April 2004, based on an active online population across home, work and university PCs of 155.1 million people. The biggest gaining web property was NationalGeographic.com, with Americans keen to read up on near-earth meteors among other features. More
Nearly four in five people in the UK believe that the public is ill-informed about financial matters, according to new findings from Brahm Research in conjunction with Cicero Consulting. The report foreshadows the publication by the country's Financial Services Authority (FSA) of a 'Financial Capability strategy'. More
The BIG Conference, the UK's flagship b2b research event, is in full flow in Chepstow, Wales. In this first feature article we look at highlights of the first day's papers, with topics including 'Innovation' and research's contribution to the spread of broadband. More
The UK's Market Research Society (MRS) has added a 'Turkey Award' to its annual ceremony celebrating Research Effectiveness . The new addition, given for the 'best anonymous cameo that describes research which, in retrospect, was a disaster', is intended to add fun to the occasion and help researchers to learn from others' mistakes. More
Millward Brown has announced senior appointments in North America and China. Irma Gonzalez-Clark becomes a Vice President and will lead the US Multicultural Practice, while Cindy Whiteway joins MB IntelliQuest, also as a VP. Michael Walkowiak has been appointed Head of Millward Brown China. More
Almost all US adults believe that professional baseball players use steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. On average, Americans believe that around one third of all players take them, according to the latest Harris Poll. More
Further moves in the saga of Nielsen's local people meters and their representation of ethnic audiences. Nielsen Media Research has announced that it has contracted with the University of Southern California's Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI), to review the findings of a Latino Television Study which questioned Nielsen's techniques. More
Americans are more aware of identity theft and are taking measures to protect themselves against it, according to a recent online survey by InsightExpress. 15% of Americans have been a victim themselves and one third have a friend or family member who has been a victim. More
TGI is developing a new 'social grading' system, TGI Global SEL (Socio Economic Levels), according to the latest newsletter from Kantar. The system promises the grail of a consistent means of segmenting different populations into discrete groups based on social and economic status. More
Following criticisms by News Corporation last month and the subsequent postponement of its New York People Meter launch, Nielsen Media Research has announced an increase in its samples of African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans both at the local and national level, and given details of the numbers involved. More
Luton Borough Council has more than doubled the response rate for its employee research after a five year gap, using a consultative approach initiated by ORC international. Forty-two per cent of staff responded to the recent survey, against only 17% in 1999. More
A majority of the UK's backbench MPs reject the recent conclusion of David Elstein's Broadcasting Policy Group that the BBC licence fee should be scrapped, according to research by BPRI. More
After a troubled month for coalition forces in Iraq, US public confidence has declined significantly. Previous months had shown little or no change with attitudes hardening and the pattern of events seeming more established. However, positive ratings remain just above those of November 2003, prior to the capture of Saddam. More
Consumer resistance to increasingly intrusive marketing and advertising has reached an all-time high, causing marketing productivity to plummet. So says Yankelovich President J. Walker Smith in a recent speech at the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA) Conference in Miami. More
Simon Pulman-Jones has joined NOP World as European Director of the Observational & Ethnographic Centre of Excellence. Pulman-Jones, whose CV includes 'industry experience, fine academic history and film making', will work with Global Director Rick Robinson. More
Job ratings for President Bush and the major members of his cabinet have fallen to their lowest levels yet, according to the Harris Poll. However, neither the democrats nor Senator John Kerry in particular appear to be benefiting at present, with voting intentions suggesting a very close result. More
Backbench MPs and leading UK Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) believe that the UK's parents should take responsibility for changing habits leading to obesity, according to researchers BPRI, part of Kantar. However, they also feel that many other groups have a role to play. More
More than one third of e-mail marketing offers tracked in a recent study by JupiterResearch are not compliant with the federal Can-Spam Act. More
YouGov has announced that it will work on a large-scale project funded by the American National Science Foundation (NSF) and centred around a monthly tracking study of the British electorate, administered online. More
Beginning next weekend, US Census Bureau workers on the 2004 Census Test in Georgia will use handheld computers instead of paper and pencils. Enumerators following up non-responder households will input their answers direct and submit completed questionnaires electronically to their headquarters in Suitland, MD. More
More than half the adult Australian population (51%) now own shares either directly or through a managed fund, according to the annual Share Ownership Study conducted for the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) by Millward Brown Australia. More
Nielsen Media Research has postponed the NYC launch of its 'people meter' system to June 3rd, under pressure from News Corp and various political figures / groups. A task force including Congressman Charles Rangel, whose district includes Harlem, will help Nielsen look into concerns that the system undercounts minority audiences. More
More on the UK's credit card obsession, this time from Datamonitor. Debt levels have reached a new high, according to 'UK Plastic Cards 2004', which provides an overview of the trends and major issues facing the credit, debit and private label markets. More
Despite all the low-carb diets and foods, The NPD Group's new Report on Carbohydrate Consumption Patterns finds Americans still consuming plenty of them. Even among people who say they are on low-carb diets, only one out of four is actually significantly cutting carbs. More
British company car drivers are generally - if not universally - complying with new mobile phone legislation, according to a new study by NOP World Automotive. Over 85% of those using a phone whilst in their company car have a hands-free installation. More
A second look at the Mintel British Lifestyles survey, showing ten year trends in spending / activity in the areas of housing and pensions, telephone and internet banking, food and health, travel and clothing. More
Mintel's annual report on British Lifestyles claims that the British are not really as pushed for time as is sometimes thought, and that there are, after all, 'enough hours in the day' for the majority of us. It's already causing controversy and is certainly news to us so we hope DRNO readers will find it interesting as well... More
The Australian Labor Party has held a lead in the opinion polls for a while, but until now more people thought the governing Liberal-National Coalition would actually win an election. This weekend, for the first time, Roy Morgan Research's poll showed more people think the ALP will win. More
After five stagnant years, household savings and investments in the UK are set to increase by 40% from just over £1,300 billion to £1,840 billion by 2008, according to a new report by Datamonitor. However, UK consumers are currently confused by the sheer number of options and providers. More
A joint poll on favourite US cities by AOL Travel and 'Travel + Leisure Magazine' has perhaps unsurprisingly rated New York as having the most stylish people and Honolulu as the best for a honeymoon. Fans or residents of Houston, however, may be disappointed with last place in four categories and no appearances in the top three. More
MORI Scotland, already boosted in January by the launch of an expanded specialist CATI telephone centre in Leith, has announced the appointment of Steven Hope, formerly UK Head of Social Research at NFO World Group / System Three. More
Projections released this week by the US Census Bureau suggest that the American population could grow 49% by 2050, in sharp contrast to most European countries, whose populations are expected to decline by mid-century. America's 420m people would be roughly 50% non-Hispanic whites, with Hispanic and Asian populations tripling, according to the release. More
The American public continues to worry about the influence of big companies, lobbyists and the media in Washington, according to the latest Harris Poll. However, whilst there is 4 to 1 support for more influence for public opinion, opinion *polls* are not necessarily seen as the way to gauge it. More
Following the revelation that more and more British surfers are sorting out their taxes online, the latest US Internet rankings from comScore Media Metrix also feature big gains for tax and politics sites. More
The UK spends nearly three times as much on Visa and Mastercard branded credit cards as the rest of the EU put together, according to a new report from Mintel. Total EU credit card spending is up 76% from the equivalent of c.139bn Euros (£93bn) in 1998 to 244bn Euros (£165bn) now. More
Healthcare market intelligence provider Solucient has released its first ranking of top US hospitals. The list recognizes the hundred hospitals with the highest rates of improved patient outcomes and financial performance over a five-year period. More
Youth researchers will be offered new insight into American kids' values, attitudes, and lifestyles, along with tips on how to get into the classroom to talk to them, at a series of forthcoming seminars hosted by iYAM. More
More than one million Britons visited the Inland Revenue web site in January 2004, just prior to the tax return deadline, according to the latest research from Nielsen//NetRatings. More
Multi-disciplinary UK communications agency Brahm has announced the launch of a comprehensive public consultation and communications service called inperspective, aimed at the public sector, utilities, the transportation sector and property developers. More
One in five British mortgage holders are considering changing their mortgage, and more are intending to change supplier than stay with their current lender, according to The Mortgage Market Survey by Martin Hamblin GfK. More
Ipsos has announced that Richard Windle will be returning to the company after 18 months at BMRB and joining Liz Landy as joint MD of the media and social division Ipsos-RSL. He will focus on the NRS and RAJAR contracts as well as the company's expanding social and public sector business. More
The great majority of Americans continue to support tough - and even tougher - measures to prevent terrorist attacks, according to the latest from Harris Interactive. The Bush administration gets high marks for its prevention measure so far, and relatively few people feel that their own privacy has been threatened. More
Around two thirds of kids in the US and key western European markets think they are 'healthy', and only one in fourteen think they are not healthy according to recent research by TNS OK (Online Kids). More
UK agency ORC International has launched 'ORC Repaircheck' - a standard survey that enables housing providers to gauge tenant satisfaction with repair services. More
After two gloomy months, German consumers' outlook has brightened somewhat, according to the consumer climate survey carried out by GfK Marktforschung on behalf of the EU Commission. Income expectations are more positive and willingness to make larger purchases in the next few months has also increased. More
The majority of citizens (74%) continue to characterize corporate America's reputation as either 'not good' or 'terrible' according to the fifth annual RQ study, conducted by Harris Interactive and the Reputation Institute. The study calculates and then evaluates the 60 most visible companies in the US. More
The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index, which had improved last month, weakened significantly in February from 96.4% to 87.3 (1985=100). The monthly survey is conducted for The Conference Board by NFO WorldGroup. More
People in the ten countries due to join the European Union (EU) after 1 May 2004 have mixed feelings about it, according to the latest EU Index survey conducted by GfK Ad Hoc Research Worldwide. Employment and training opportunities overseas are offset by fears of price increases at home, and more corruption. More
A recent report by the Henley Centre says that British society has produced 'a generation of self-centred adults who feel no obligation to care for their elderly parents, neighbours or other vulnerable members of the community'. More
The US Federal Trade Commission has released 2003 figures concerning the newly launched 'National Do Not Call' register. Consumers registered over 55 million numbers last year, and there have been just over 150,000 complaints made. Fewer than 45 companies have been the subject of 100 or more complaints. More
Nearly a fifth of British men buy a Valentine's card 'because they feel they have to', while half of their American counterparts feel the day 'gets too much attention'. With the red roses still fairly fresh in the vase, DRNO brings you a quick summary of Valentine's Day polls and web site visitor stats. More
Gourmet food is flourishing across Europe, according to the latest report from Datamonitor. France is Europe's largest gourmet food market in terms of overall spend. The UK is second, but first in terms of spend per capita, with British consumers spending over £900 per year each on fine foods. More
Two years after the publication of the Curry Commission Report on the Future of Farming and Food, a survey by food and grocery think tank IGD finds consumers very patriotic about Britain as a farming nation, but farmers themselves mostly unaware of any effect the report has had. More
With John Kerry powering ahead in the democratic nomination, exit polls analysing the reasons for his success have featured highly in US news. Polls for the November General Elections will be conducted by the same team of Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International, with data collection by Interviewing Service of America (ISA) and Universal Survey Center (USC). More
African-American television network BET is to launch a new research initiative among black consumers, in partnership with multicultural research specialists NSightsWorldwide, LLC and global research giant TNS/NFO WorldGroup. More
Levels of anxiety about possible terrorist attacks are very similar in Britain and the US, according to the latest results from Harris Interactive and its subsidiary HI Europe but there are differences in attitude between the two countries. More
More than a quarter of British adults (28%) are trying to lose weight 'most of the time' according to a new report from MINTEL, 'Attitudes Towards Healthy Eating in the UK'. Even among men, almost one in five (18%) are doing so, whilst among women the figure is 37%. More
UK public opinion pollster YouGov has launched a research panel of over 3000 girls aged 11-17, teaming up with the mykindaplace web site. Results of the first wave of interviews reveal some of their views and habits regarding music, fashion, games, gossip, mobile phones and politics. More
UK consumers' confidence may be rising, but German consumers do not share their optimism, according to GfK's latest consumer climate survey, carried out on behalf of the European Commission. With ongoing uncertainty surrounding tax, social security, healthcare and pension reforms, all consumer climate indicators were down in January. More
UK consumer confidence is zero but that's good news, honestly. The headline index in Martin Hamblin GfK's Consumer Confidence Barometer, conducted on behalf of the European Commission, has left the red for the first time since November 2002, leaping from 5 in December to the relative comfort of Nought. More
Political web sites are making an impact on voter opinions, according to findings from comScore Survey Solutions. Visiting such sites correlates closely with a high level of political activity, and sites often influence the views and intentions of visitors. Meanwhile Howard Dean's web site received nearly twice as many visitors in December as that of any other Democratic challenger. More
Employee benefit costs rose to 42.3% of all payroll costs in 2002, up from 39% in 2001 according to the annual benefits survey by the United States Chamber of Commerce. Medically related payments are the largest category, followed by payments for time not worked and retirement benefits. More
Football / Soccer is the world's favourite televised sport, but try guessing which sport comes second, or estimating how many Chinese have attended a live football match in the last 3 months, without the help of Synovate's recent survey of sport watching on 4 continents... More
More evidence last week of research findings impacting on the thinking of the Blair Government. Leeds-based Brahm Research presented a consumer perspective on mortgage preferences to an audience of specialists at Westminster, as part of the Miles Review, commissioned by Chancellor Gordon Brown. More
Almost half the world's adults believe it will be 'less safe' in a generation's time, while just a quarter think it will be safer, according to results presented to a session of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland this week by TNS / the Gallup International Association (GIA). More
A new survey by consumer intelligence firm BIGresearch provides a steer on consumer attitudes to American beef in the light of recent scares. Nearly 70 percent believe the country's beef supply is safe. More
Retail sales of new vehicles in California have bounced back following Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's repeal of the vehicle license fee increase on Nov. 17, his first day in office, according to transaction data from the Power Information Network (PIN), LLC, an affiliate of J.D. Power and Associates. More
Good news from GiftTrak, TNS's continuous gift purchasing survey, for those opposed to the commercialisation of Christmas: Britons' spending on Christmas gifts did not keep pace with inflation this year, rising by less than 1% to £15.1bn. The number of gifts increased by 4.3% but the average cost per gift was less. More
American teenagers spent $175 billion in 2003, a three percent increase from 2002, according to a new study by specialists Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU). The teen population is rapidly expanding and its spending appears relatively recession-proof. More
A poll in Greater Mexico City by Indemerc Harris Interactive, coinciding with George Bush's visit, has found that just over half its inhabitants support NAFTA. However, the great majority disapprove of Bush, feel that the US does best out of NAFTA and dislike the presence of US security agents at Mexican airports. More
British consumers have reduced their expectations regarding saving and borrowing activities over the past few months, according to Martin Hamblin GfK and John Gilbert Associates' Financial Activity Bulletin. More
It might seem like you've been back at work forever, but 2004 is still fairly new. Today DRNO takes a quick look at some recent predictions made by Datamonitor, for the coming year and the two or three after it, about the way the British work, eat, drink and socialise. More
Americans are more likely to cut down on calories than on spending this year, according to the 2004 Outlook Study by RoperASW. The annual study of American adults addresses consumer attitudes about economic and lifestyle issues. More
Two recent polls conducted by Gallup and Harris Interactive suggest that US citizens are on the whole very happy, and that they feel less 'alienated' than they did ten years ago. Both are the latest in long series charting the attitudes of Americans over several decades, and both provide interesting insights into the public mood and the differences between groups. More
The success of UK-based online bank smile reflects not only its service levels and interest rates, but also its ethical stance, according to recent customer research by Nunwood Consulting. The research, among credit card consumers, provides pointers for banks wishing to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market. More
UK consumer confidence improved only slightly in December, according to research carried out by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission. The headline index figure is up 1 point to 5 from November, reflecting slightly more optimism about the general economic situation. More
In case you hadn't noticed, England are rugby union World Champions. The sport has rocketed from eighth place to second equal in popularity, according to research supported by financial services company Zurich and conducted as part of MORI's SportsTracker. In January 2003 just 18% of Britons said they had an interest in rugby: now, it's 27%. For comparison, 45% are interested in football. More
The capture of Saddam Hussein appears to have had a small if noticeable effect on American attitudes to the war in Iraq and views of the prospects for US troops remaining there, judging by results of a Harris Interactive survey which was in the field when the capture was announced. The effect on ratings of leading cabinet members (but not the President himself) is more marked. More
Traditional Christmas cheer from the December edition of HenlEymail, the Henley Centre's electronic newsletter, which reports that the family is alive and well, and growing in importance as a source of emotional sustenance for consumers around the globe. More
New evidence from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) suggests that e-government in the US is becoming a preferred means of getting information, often outstripping private sector sources. More
Despite the lack of trust in MPs reported last month in DRNO, people seem to be more and more interested in their opinions: BPRI has announced that in response to demand from clients, it will run its Political Opinion Panel (POP) and NGO Panel four times during 2004. More
The use of e-government in Britain has increased by five percentage points from 13 per cent of adults in 2002 to 18 per cent in 2003. This compares with worldwide use of online government services of 31 per cent, according to new research conducted by TNS. More
Ipsos has announced a partnership with The Associated Press for national and international public opinion polling. Ipsos-Public Affairs, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is to conduct twice monthly national polls, occasional state polls and quarterly international polls for AP. More
VNU has signed an agreement this week to sell its Claritas Europe business to Acxiom Corporation for EUR33.5 million. The completion of the deal is expected around year-end. VNU expects a corresponding book loss of EUR25-30m. More
A major survey, involving 110 of Europe's largest companies, has revealed the Top Companies for Leaders in Europe. The study, which was carried out by global HR outsourcing and consulting firm Hewitt Associates, identifies the leadership practices that differentiate the most effective organisations for developing talent and which can be linked to financial success. More
According to a recently released Harris Interactive Poll, public perceptions in the US of the job President Bush is doing in handling the war on terrorism are somewhat better than public perceptions of how he is handling events in Iraq. The public is split, 49% to 48%, on the job the president is doing in handling the war on terrorism, compared to a 58% negative, 40% positive rating on handling Iraq. More
On Tuesday DRNO looked at the Indian obsession with cricket and with batting genius Sachin Tendulkar in particular. Today we look at the Synovate / Blackstone Market Facts survey's other findings, which concern Indians' views of other sports, their membership of fitness clubs and use of exercise regimes, and the effect of brand endorsement by cricketers and film stars. More
It is no surprise to hear that on the whole, Europeans do not trust politicians, managers and journalists. However, some nations trust them more than others, as revealed by a GfK survey commissioned by The Wall Street Journal Europe. More
The MRS Awards Dinner continues to gain momentum as an annual event - it's posh, it's popular and it now has more sponsors than Elton John doing a charity marathon. DRNO's reporter was privileged to sit only 27 tables from the front and watch Flamingo International carry off the BMRA's Best Agency Award. More
Bigger than Becks, bigger than Jonny... In a nation of a billion people, Sachin Tendulkar is the most admired celebrity, beating even the Bollywood stars - and cricket is of course the national sporting obsession. In the first of two articles based on a survey by Synovate and Blackstone Market Facts, DRNO looks at sport and celebrity in India. More
As Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) climbs the UK's political and social agenda, Britons are cynical about companies' performance to date, according to MORI Reputation Centre's Summer CSR study, part of the Key Audience Research programme. However, they are also keen to hear companies talking about it provided they don't spend a fortune on promotion. More
London-based ORC International have appointed a housing research specialist to work with local authority and other clients. Adam Smith has more than twelve years experience working with housing organisations at a national level, most recently as Feedback Business Manager at the National Housing Federation (NHF). More
With President George W Bush making a State Visit to Britain this week, a CNN/TIME poll conducted in Britain, Germany and France by TNS suggests low levels of public support for the Bush administration. The poll, conducted on the eve of the visit, also reveals skepticism about the 'special relationship' between the US and the UK. More
Opinion Research Corporation has announced the promotion of Frank J. Quirk to President of the Company he will also remain CEO of the ORC Macro subsidiary, a position he has held since 1980. During his tenure, ORC Macro has increased its turnover from $3m to $115m per annum. More
Ninety five per cent of UK healthcare specialists say that levels of pre-diabetes* and Type II diabetes will worsen over the next ten years, according to new research from TNS. One in six (16%) believe they will reach 'epidemic' proportions over the coming decade. More
A slight majority of Americans (51%) agree that Wall Street is 'dominated by greed and selfishness' but a larger majority (68%) feel that, on balance, it benefits the country rather than harms it. Views are more positive than a year ago, according to a Harris Poll conducted in October. More
Around half of British parents (51%) feel the Government does not listen to the needs of parents and children, according to newly published research from MORI. More
The organic food and drink market in the UK is forecast to grow by around 75% between 2002 and 2007, according to a new report from Datamonitor. The UK is second in Europe in its spend on organic foods, but far behind Germany, with high prices remaining the strongest barrier to acceptance. More
American public support for policies on Iraq is steadily declining, according to the latest Harris Poll. A two-to-one majority (51% to 25%) now says they are not confident that US policies in Iraq will be successful, and support for the President's handling of the crisis is down to 41% positive, 58% negative from roughly 50/50 in July. More
A majority (60%) of MPs in a poll conducted by BPRI approve the idea of dedicated Directors / Managers for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) with major companies. However, this does not excuse Chief Execs from accountability the buck still stops at the top. More
Three American research associations have gone on the record supporting the FTC's National Do-Not-Call Registry, which allows US citizens to opt out from telemarketing calls. The heavily subscribed list has been ruled unconstitutional by the Denver federal court, with further hearings scheduled for November 10th. More
German consumers currently have low expectations of general economic development and their own finances, and are remaining reticent when it comes to making purchases, according to the GfK financial services, consumer and savings climate survey published by GfK Marktforschung. The mood is unlikely to change much before 2004. More
UK financial services companies have new opportunities to market their products at both ends of the age spectrum, according to the first three in a new series of financial lifestyles reports from independent market analyst Datamonitor. More
VNU, the parent company of ACNielsen and Nielsen Media Research, has appointed Maarten Schikker to the new position of Vice President Corporate Sustainability. Schikker's brief will be to develop a sustainability strategy for the company, demonstrating its commitment to the increasingly prominent notion of corporate social responsibility (see various recent DRNO articles). More
More proof of the width of the Atlantic. In the UK this week, Her Majesty's Opposition appear to have done away with the nuisance of elections for leader and agreed one among themselves in a few hours. Across the Pond however, the long lead-up to the Democratic Nomination is still giving few hints, according to the Harris Poll, as to who will challenge President Bush next year. More
Australia's Eureka Strategic Research has announced the appointment of two members of staff to the Board, doubling its size - Peter Fairbrother and Jennifer Crawford become Directors and co-owners alongside founders Tom Loncar and MRSA President John Sergeant. More
Approval ratings for practically all the politicians and groups asked about in the Harris Poll have declined in the last 6 months - some more than others. President Bush, Colin Powell and the Republicans in Congress have all lost ground, but Donald Rumsfeld and John Ashcroft have fallen further while the Democrats have failed to show corresponding improvements. More
Almost half of all adults (49%) in Britain, France and Germany believe that many top athletes and sporting personalities are using non-approved performance-enhancing drugs, according to a new CNN/TIME poll conducted by TNS. More
Thirty-nine per cent of Canadians say they are likely to vote for the new Conservative Party of Canada, according to a new Ipsos-Reid/CTV/Globe and Mail poll released today. The party will be the result of the recently announced merger between the federal Progressive Conservatives and the Canadian Alliance. More
It may be unlikely to convert many British Euro-sceptics, but new research by Synovate Germany can confirm that seven out of every ten Germans believe Britain should join the Euro. The feeling is particularly strong among men, and among the young. More
A majority of Europeans (57%) feel that the policies of President George W. Bush have 'made the world a more dangerous place to live' according to a new poll conducted by TNS for CNN/TIME. More than a third say their feelings about the US are more negative than a year ago, although a slight majority say they have not changed. More
The MORI Reputation Centre is launching a second wave of its CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) study among members of the British public. The first results from the new multi-client study will be available next March. More
Research agency BPRI is to introduce a panel of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), running along similar lines to its existing Political Opinion Panel of 135 backbench MPs. Panel members include Chief Executives, Director Generals and Chief Press Officers of the UK's major NGOs, all of whom have signed on and agreed to participate. More
The war on obesity continues to fascinate the US press and attract column inches on a scale comparable to the war on terrorism. Three recent studies / surveys, of which DRNO presents a digest (sic) this morning, highlight the nature of the problem, the response, and some possible opportunities. More
Ipsos has acquired two Australian agencies, to operate under the existing Ipsos Australia banner. One is the Research Division of the NCS Pearson group, the Australian subsidiary of the British media group Pearson, specialists in data collection, software and systems, the other social research agency Mackay Research. More
Mintel's latest research into working patterns in the UK underlines the decline of the 'job for life' and charts the steady growth of flexitime and homeworking. A third of British workers (c.10m people) have been in their jobs for less than two years, and a sixth less than one year. More
The world's businesspeople and analysts see corruption - defined as the abuse of public office for private gain - as rife in most parts of the globe, according to the 2003 'Corruption Perceptions Index' published by Transparency International. Seventy percent of the 133 countries covered score less than half marks, while half the developing countries in the survey score less than 3 out of 10. More
Canadians' use of real estate web sites has remained at a very high level, according to a recent Ipsos-Reid study. 85% of those who have purchased a new home in the past two years have used the Internet to look for home information, slightly above the 80% who had done so in 2001. More
American consumers are less inclined to use credit, go out of their way to buy American merchandise or pay more for environmentally safe products than they were in 1998, according to new 'Buying Styles' data from Mediamark Research Inc (MRI). More
Toys are more important to North American parents and children than ever before, but children give them up earlier in life, according to a recent survey by Playthings magazine and Reed Research Group. More
The UK's Consumer Confidence Index, researched by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission, remained static in September with an overall score of -3. The index appears to have stabilised after swings around the time of the Iraq war. More
The American public will have been pleased to learn - if they heard the headline from his Conference speech yesterday - that Tony Blair has no reverse gear. British polls may be showing a loss of trust in the PM, but the latest Harris Poll shows that in the US he is extremely popular and widely trusted, while Britain is held to be by far the most influential of European states. More
Bans on pre-election opinion polls are still in place in many countries, and in some have recently been put in place or increased in scope, according to a recent study conducted by the Foundation for Information in association with ESOMAR and WAPOR. Those maintaining or increasing bans include some EU countries. More
Despite all the high profile press coverage of legal action against food companies, most Americans with weight problems / children with weight problems accept responsibility themselves, according to an online study conducted by Research International and Lightspeed Research. Whilst holding up their hands, however, they're often grabbing another burger. More
UK agency MORI has announced that it is bringing together the different strands of its reputation work to create a new body, The MORI Reputation Centre. The Centre is a joint initiative of its private and public sector divisions and will cover stakeholder audits, branding & identity, image tracking, corporate social responsibility, communications evaluation and employer brand. More
The United Nations is considered to have lost its relevance to solving world problems by a majority of British adults and more than 40 percent in France and Germany, according to a new CNN / TIME poll conducted by TNS. More
The total value of the worldwide MR market remained flat in 2002 according to ESOMAR's latest global market research study. The 2002 figure of US$16.6bn (Euro 17.6bn) is up in dollar terms but down in Euros due to exchange rate movements. The USA and the EU each accounted for 38% of the total world market in 2002. More
Three quarters (76%) of council officers feel that the government is being unrealistic about the resources needed for authorities to meet the e-Government agenda, according to recent survey results from ORC International. The target for authorities to make all government services available electronically, set by the Office of the e-Envoy, is December 2005. More
Two years on from September 11th, more Americans are fearful of personal harm from a terrorist attack, more are doubtful that terrorism can be eliminated, and more believe the world has been changed fundamentally than thought it would be, according to a poll conducted for the Orlando Sentinel by Ipsos Public Affairs. More
Eating habits in Europe and the US seem to be following some familiar patterns despite rumours of change. Italians are still the most likely to eat with the family, Britain is second to the US in takeaway consumption and very few people in the former eastern bloc countries eat out, according to Ipsos' global reporting service World Monitor. More
Brahm Research has been commissioned to examine perceptions of the city of Leeds, kicking off a campaign to raise its profile to rival other regional capitals such as Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool. The work is funded by the Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward. More
ORC International has announced the appointment of Mark Beauchamp, formerly Research and Consultation Manager at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, to the role of Associate Director in the public sector research division. More
The last few days have seen the announcement of a number of new segmentation products and services by US companies. Three of them, from FGI Research, Burke and Claritas, are detailed here for readers of DRNO. More
US consumers see generic prescriptions as offering far better value for money than brand-name drugs, and the gulf is probably growing, according to results from the recent Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll. The survey also looked at perceptions of services such as doctors, pharmacies and nursing homes. More
Millward Brown has appointed research agency MRB Hellas as its licensee in Greece. Established in 1969, MRB Hellas works across a broad range of clients including packaged goods, leisure, IT, telecoms, media, and government bodies, both Greek and European. More
Many Americans think the imminent 'recall election' in California shows the state in a bad light, according to a recent Harris Poll. However, as most email users / spam recipients worldwide are probably aware, there is little chance of the election remaining remotely low key with Arnold Schwarzenegger standing against incumbent Gray Davies. More
Almost six out of ten (57 per cent) adults in Britain, France and Germany trust neither their own government nor national TV companies most to give them truthful facts about Iraq, according to a recent CNN/TIME poll conducted by TNS. More
As the second anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center approaches, Americans have once again voted New York their favourite city, according to the Harris Poll. The 'Big Apple' has topped the poll in six of the last seven years, beaten only in 1998 by San Francisco. The remainder of this year's top five are in the west - San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. More
Recent figures from Nielsen Media Research put the total number of television households in the USA (including Alaska and Hawaii) at an estimated 108,400,000. This represents an increase of 1.7 million television households, or 1.6%, from the 2002-2003 season. More
The Consumer Confidence Index, based on research carried out by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission, fell in August for the first time since March. The index is down two points to -3 despite a general improvement in the FTSE 100. More
In the late nineties, the US FDA loosened restrictions on branded promotional advertising of drugs to consumers, leading to a 200% rise in activity over the last six years. This has resulted in increased awareness not only of brands but also of symptoms of illness, and the need to follow drug regimens, according to Rx and OTC purchase tracking service Ipsos PharmTrends. More
Kantar has announced that Tamara Ingram, former CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi and of McCann-Erickson in the UK, is joining as president of 3 of its insight companies, Added Value, Fusion 5 and Henley Centre. Ingram will report in to Kantar CEO, Eric Salama and the CEOs of the three companies will report in to her. More
They may already be disappearing into memory for most of us, but August's record temperatures have contributed to growing concern among British mothers about the effects of strong sunlight on their children's skin, according to the latest data from TNS Omnimas. More
Britons are far more worried about education than citizens in any other major European country, according to the GfK Group's annual report on 'The Challenges of Europe'. Almost one in four British citizens (24%) believe the current education system is a problem that urgently needs solving, compared with 10% in France, 4% in Germany and 3% in Spain. More
Americans may be less likely to travel abroad since September 11th, but according to Harris Interactive their ideal destinations have not changed much. France has actually recovered from 6th to 4th place in the rankings despite its stance on Iraq. Australia is the no.1 choice for the 7th year running, and the biggest faller this year is Canada. More
In yet another show of the increasing importance of the Hispanic consumer in the US, Mediamark Research Inc. is building several new Hispanic elements into its Survey of the American Consumer, including the use of Spanish-speaking interviewers and materials and additional questions on language capability and country of origin. More
The US computer industry continues to enjoy the best image of any of the countries business sectors, although most segments have seen an improvement in the last year, according to Gallup. The restaurant and grocery sector is second, while accounting, suffering last year from scandals and failures, has jumped back 14 points. More
A minority of the Hong Kong population are taking any precaution against mosquito-borne diseases, despite Government attempts to raise awareness, according to results from Synovate. Dengue Fever is the most widely considered with 71 per cent of the population aware of it but still only 17% reporting concern about it. More
The MRS will be holding a one day conference for local government researchers, supported by LARIA (The Local Authorities Research & Intelligence Association), on 18th September at the IPA in London. The central theme is 'The Modernisation Agenda'. More
There is no coherent body of opinion among British MPs about the timing of a referendum on the Euro, according to recent research by agency BPRI. Backbenchers are split down the middle over whether the timing depends on Chancellor Gordon Brown's five economic tests, and are deeply divided on whether or not next year might be a suitable time. More
Opinion Research Corporation has announced a multi-year strategic alliance between its commercial marketing research unit, ORC International, and Greenfield Online, Inc., a pioneer in conducting marketing research via the Internet. Greenfield will power ORC International's online research data collection needs for its syndicated and proprietary research products and for new online offerings. More
MrWeb has today launched the first four of its new 'Sector Focus' pages. Each page brings together the site's news, desk research links (UK-based) and listings of suppliers for researchers working in a particular vertical sector. More
Nearly two thirds of consumers believe that certain foods can reduce the risk of developing some ailments and conditions, according to new research from food and groceries specialists IGD into 'functional foods' - but only one third have bought such a food and less than a quarter buy them regularly, indicating enormous untapped market potential. More
Sir Isaac Newton has been named the greatest ever Briton in a worldwide follow-up to the BBC TV series 'Great Britons', at the end of which a British audience originally chose Winston Churchill. Votes were cast by overseas viewers to international TV channel BBC World. More
If death and taxes are the only two certain things in life, it must be significant that Americans are feeling less worried about the latter. A poll by Harris Interactive shows that only 52%, comfortably the lowest percentage since the question was first asked in 1970, believe themselves to have 'reached the breaking point on the amount of taxes they pay'. More
NOP World has appointed Jim Follett as Chief Operating Officer. Follett joins from Information Resources, Inc where he spent 15 years in various senior roles, most recently President, US Client Services and Consulting. More
Moderate drinkers are more likely to succeed at work than those who don't touch the stuff, according to economists at the University of Stirling, who have studied the habits and careers of more than 17,000 people born in the same week in 1958. The results are reported in the newspaper Scotland on Sunday. More
New York has moved rapidly up the list of Americans' favourite states to no.5, according to the Harris Poll - but it may struggle to climb higher as the top 4 are unchanged from last year with California first and then Florida, Hawaii and Colorado. More
The Consumer Confidence Index figure, based Research carried out by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission, improved fractionally in July, by one point to -1, continuing a slow rise since April. Likelihood to make major purchases is up significantly, but is mostly cancelled out by a fall in the figure for savings intentions. More
The race for the Democratic nomination for the US Presidency is wide open at present with four candidates polling between 12 and 16% of votes in a recent Ipsos/Cook Political Report Poll. Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean has come into the running with a rise from 7% in May to 12% choosing him now. More
Responses to a survey conducted online may suggest sharper opinions than a paper equivalent, with more high and low ratings and strong agreements / disagreements, as opposed to fence-sitting or moderate answers, according to a paper at the recent ORC International 8th annual employee research conference. More
Public opinion is divided over two recent high-profile rulings of the US Supreme Court, according to a Harris Poll conducted in mid-July. The rulings cover murder convictions where the defendant has no competent lawyer, and the right of a university to use race as one of several factors when deciding whom to admit. More
ESOMAR will be hosting its 56th annual congress on September 14-17 in Prague. This is the first time that the congress will be taking place in a former soviet bloc country. About 1200 delegates will attend, from over 70 countries. More
A poll conducted by Harris for the thirteenth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has found that both awareness of and support for the key principles of the Act has declined in the past four years. More
The latest report from Datamonitor, 'Targeting Seniors Effectively', heralds a 'new-age' of senior consumerism in the UK and Europe, revealing that 50-64 year olds, in particular, are one the most affluent segments of European society, yet overlooked or misunderstood by marketers and the packaged goods industry. More
Around forty per cent of US workers would like to leave their jobs for new opportunities in the next 12 months, despite the troubled national economy and a difficult employment market, according to the 2003 Spherion Emerging Workforce Study. More
The latest quarterly Financial Activity Bulletin produced by Martin Hamblin GfK and John Gilbert Associates shows consumers' appetite for savings and borrowing fell in June despite an 8-point rise in consumer confidence since March. More
The British Market Research Association (BMRA) has released figures from its annual survey of the industry showing growth and decline in revenues for specific sectors. More
A study sponsored by a US center for mid-and long-term strategic thinking has predicted that the US will continue to lead the IT revolution, while Europe's prioritisation of the protection of existing business will hold it back. The study also looks at the relative strength of Asian economies in IT and the way in which IT may transform the world in the next 20 years. More
Consumers in most countries feel closer to their own culture than they did a few years ago, and more distant from American culture, according to the recent Roper Reports 2003 Worldwide study. Some of the likely causes are short-term and results vary with region, but generally consumers are more likely to be thinking as well as acting local. More
UK market research salaries have remained fairly flat in the past 12 months, according to the first statistics from MrWeb vacancies for Jan to June '03. Full details will be in this month's MRWho. The number of jobs posted (and specifying salaries) has risen by 27% in the last 6 months. More
Most American companies claim to be committed to corporate citizenship and see it as a fundamental value, according to a recent survey by the US Chamber of Commerce and Boston College. Although cynics will observe that the top executives of Enron would no doubt have voted the same way if questioned, the results could help to shift discussion of the topic to a more positive plane. More
High Profile Australian MR firm The Leading Edge is providing research backing for the Reach Out! Web site, which helps young people get through tough times. A new advertising campaign for Reach Out!, informed by Leading Edge research, will be launched this week across print, radio and online. More
Overall support for President George W. Bush is still strong among older and younger voters, but on aspects of job approval not related to foreign affairs he is faring much worse, especially among voters age 50 and older, according to the Ipsos-Public Affairs/Cook Political Report Poll. More
Web site competitive intelligence provider Hitwise has published lists of top performing UK sites for the year June 2002 - June 2003. The stats are arranged by sector and are interesting both from the point of view of individual battles and the whole dotcom vs High Street saga. More
Taylor Nelson Sofres plc has announced the completion of its acquisition of NFO WorldGroup, Inc. (NFO), from The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (Interpublic). The acquisition, which was announced on 14 May 2003, consolidates TNS' position as one of the top three global companies in its industry. More
Coinciding with the extension of President Bush's 'No Child Left Behind', Fisher-Price and Gallup today revealed the results of a survey of teachers' views of early learning methods. Aside from strong support for finger-point reading, there is a groundswell for Laura Bush as a guest celebrity reader, way ahead of Shaquille O'Neal and only a few points shy of Elmo from Sesame Street. More
Prices charged by UK research agencies will be investigated over the next few weeks by UK Consultancy RHMR - this is the 6th year in succession that the price check has been carried out. Between 1998 and 2002 the average quotation received from participating agencies has risen by only around 10-15%, reflecting very competitive conditions in the industry. More
Ipsos are the fastest growing market research firm in the US for the second year running, with US revenue growth of 14.8 per cent in 2001-2 and a total of 443 per cent between 1997 and 2002, according to the 'Inside Research' newsletter. More
ORC International has announced a syndicated mystery-shopping product for social landlords in the UK who are preparing for Housing Corporation inspections or looking to test their delivery of housing services and telephone helplines against Customer Charters. The service was launched at two seminars in early July. More
ESOMAR has been pressing ahead with its 'Quo Vadis project' to promote the convergence of worldwide MR standards, despite recent setbacks in the creation of a Federation of Research Associations. More
Online MR software company FIRM (Future Information Research Management) has announced that founder Bjĝrn Haugland is to leave the company. More
American public opinion about the merits of the Iraq war is changing with the lack of positive news about weapons finds, peaceful reconstruction or capture of Saddam and his sons. More
Ipsos-RSL has released data from Europe 2003, the fourth wave of its annual survey of 'top' Europeans for pan-European media planning. The results give a picture of an elite 4% (10.4m) of Europeans including insight into their outlook and attitudes, alongside their media consumption and lifestyle. More
In what will undoubtedly be the MR Event of the Year, BMRA Chairman Peter Jackling and fieldwork guru Jill Lonsdale completed their planned merger in a ceremony in Chalfont St Peter in June. More
Americans feel slightly more positive about race relations in their country than they did in previous years, according to The Gallup Minority Relations poll, conducted in June. Large majorities of Americans believe that relations among the races and ethnic groups are good. In most cases, results are fairly similar regardless of which group is being surveyed. More
The Ipsos Group has this week announced the integration of its two Chicago offices into one, new downtown office to optimize cross-company efficiencies and to better serve its growing client base. More
US CPG research giant Information Resources Inc. has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by a newly formed corporation owned by Symphony Technology II-A, L.P. and Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC. IRI's Board of Directors has unanimously approved the acquisition. More
UK consultancy Through The Loop has released details of recent research among the single-sided deaf, which aimed to develop a patient perspective for the BAHA direct bone conduction hearing device. This morning's DRNO brings you a rare insight into the lives of this group, a small agency case study with a life-changing message and the chance to confound your spellcheck with the word 'osseointegration'. More
The UK's Consumer Confidence Index figure has risen for the third consecutive month and is now at a level higher than that of December last year. However, the rise is slow and the mood cautious, according to research carried out by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission. More
In the recent Week of Audience Measurement in Los Angeles, AGB unveiled its latest television audience measurement technology, UNITAM. Radical advances claimed for the technology include measurement of all kinds of TV platforms without requiring embedded codes in the broadcast signal, accurate measurement of time-shifted viewing such as that permitted by TiVo, and simplicity of installation. More
Women make up only 42% of the European online population, according to the latest research from Nielsen//NetRatings. The proportion is growing but only slowly, and if current trends continue it will be nearly a decade before parity is reached. More
The surge in US public support for President Bush seen during the war with Iraq has subsided, leaving his ratings in a similar position to that at the beginning of the year - but still fairly strong - according to Ipsos-Public Affairs / the Cook Political Report. More
TNS has started its European polls for TIME and CNN (as reported on DRNO on 10th June) with a survey on views of air travel, and found more than one-third of people in Britain, France and Germany 'less likely to travel by air' than they were 12 months ago. Britons and Germans were most likely to cite terrorism, whereas the French cite 'economic factors' as the main reason. More
Older Americans are uncomfortable with the idea of private insurance companies delivering them prescription drugs, and happier with the Medicare system as it is, according to a survey released last week by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Legislation currently before Congress aims to attract more people into privately run prescription drug programs. More
According to the latest Harris Poll, a majority of Americans believe that what they were told by the government before the Iraq war about Weapons of Mass Destruction and links to Al Qaeda was generally accurate. More than two thirds of all adults believe that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, and more than one third believe that the US has found clear evidence of these weapons. More
American marketers have been reminded of the importance of the Hispanic community by information from the US Census Bureau this week, confirming that Hispanics are the nation's largest minority group. Meanwhile research by comScore suggests that there are more Hispanics online in the US than in any other country. More
A typical survey will cost over a third more to conduct in the USA or Japan than it does in the UK, France or Germany, according to new research from ESOMAR, the World Association of Research Professionals. The 2003 Research Prices Study invited 407 member companies worldwide to quote for six different types of project. More
The MrWeb site, combining news, jobs, directories, diary and link libraries for market researchers, enjoyed a busiest-ever month in May with record numbers of jobs posted, pages viewed, recruiters advertising and subscribers signed up. On three occasions in the past four weeks, more than 10,000 site pages have been viewed in one day. More
MR agency Nunwood Consulting is are offering Local Authorities in the UK an online system for disseminating data and documents across various user groups. The launch of 'e-Government Solutions', a secure information management system, follows a two-year development period involving extensive liaison with a number of authorities. More
The Lord Chancellor's Department (LCD) has just published a public consultation paper about attitudes to traditional court dress in England and Wales. The paper is based on public opinion research conducted by ORC International. Wigs get majority support but (other) traditional attire does not. More
The Board of MORI, the UK's largest independent MR agency, is entering discussions with a number of potential buyers. The company was the subject of an MBO 3-4 years ago and the decision to invite bids is reportedly in line with the original plan under the venture capital model. A price tag of £100m has been mentioned by the FT, but has not, according to MORI, come from anyone within the company. More
Support for Canada's involvement in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States and Mexico has grown in the past two and a half years from 64% of Canadians to 70%, according to an Ipsos-Reid/CTV/Globe and Mail poll conducted last week. More
The Census and Geodemographics Group of the MRS is hosting a seminar looking at the wealth of data available free to researchers from the 2001 UK Census, on Wednesday 2 July in London. More
Results are in from MRWho's June poll of over 200 UK research professionals, and the shock news is that only thirty per cent think that MR is 'Not Very Well Paid'. We had certainly feared worse, and the 1% who think it is 'Very Badly Paid' are a drop in the ocean. Hours worked are also less off-putting than they might have been, with a mean of only 43 a week. Nevertheless, many researchers dream of dropping out and 'doing some good for society'. More
Janet Kiddle, former MD of UK top 12 Agency TRBI, has launched what is described as 'the only strategic market research consultancy specialising in understanding the 50 plus market place'. The formation of the company, named Steel Magnolia, is a response to the increasing importance of this age group in the economy. More
TNS today announced details of a new partnership with CNN and TIME magazine to provide consumer opinion based research across eleven European countries. The research will cover current affairs and world issues and findings will feature in CNN programmes as well as regular news items in the European edition of TIME magazine. More
Harris Poll results for May show that US support for President Bush's handling of Iraq is still high - four points down on April's 67% high but 7% ahead of the rating in March when the war was underway. However, more people would prefer the U.N. to take the lead in the rebuilding of Iraq than the United States, and 80% believe more generally that it is important to involve a broad coalition of countries in the process. More
The much-reported rise in obesity in the UK is being mirrored by a rapid expansion of health and fitness club membership, according to the latest research from Mintel. Private health and fitness clubs in the UK have an estimated 3.8 million members, more than double the figure for ten years ago but more significantly over a million up on last year. More
According to a recent consumer spending study, released by market information company The NPD Group, many US consumers are now planning to spend more on apparel and footwear, despite disappointing retail sales of late. According to NPD, the apparel and footwear industries saw dollar volume decreases of two and five percent respectively in 2002 over 2001; however, consumers surveyed said they are willing to spend more on apparel and footwear post-war, compared to an identical study conducted prior to the war in Iraq. More
For those conference enthusiasts out there already planning next year's schedule of events, The Market Research Society in the UK has released the first details on its annual conference for 2004 entitled 'Welcome to the Dream Economy'. The conference, for the first time in its history, is to be held in central London. More
Synovate has released survey results showing the impact of SARS on the behaviors and attitudes of Taiwanese consumers. More
Britons bought nearly 24 million Mother's Day gifts and only 10 million for Father's Day last year, according to research by TNS GiftTrak. There is a similar ratio between the amounts spent, with the average Father's Day gift costing just fractionally more. More
There is little sign of German economic recovery from the May 2003 GfK consumer climate survey, conducted on behalf of the European Commission. The indicator for economic outlook fell slightly, almost entirely cancelling the increase in the previous month. Income expectations of German consumers reflect a slight upward trend of three per cent, but the propensity to buy is down for the second month in a row, losing more than seven points. More
Employees' trust in upward communication has risen dramatically in the past decade, according to MORI's latest research in the UK, presented at the Communicators in Business conference in May. The survey pinpoints the most and least trusted information channels, enabling internal communicators to fine-tune their communications strategies. More
In the last two months, despite the recent resurgence of the disease in Toronto, Canadians' personal fears over SARS have declined, according to a new Ipsos-Reid/CTV/Globe and Mail poll released last week. They are also less worried than they were about BSE, despite one recent case. More
The Consumer Confidence Index figure has returned to levels seen at the beginning of 2003, according to Research carried out in the UK by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission. Perceptions of the general economy and personal household situation in the last 12 months remain low, but future expectations continue to improve, now that the Iraq war has concluded. Purchase intentions and preparedness to save have also risen. More
Brahm Research and public affairs specialists Cicero Consulting played host to a major pensions event at the House of Commons in London last week, attended by key policymakers. Speakers included the former minister for welfare reform, the Rt Hon Frank Field MP and Edward Garnier QC MP, currently masterminding the Retirement Income Reform Bill. More
Leaders of market research associations from the Americas, Europe and Asia have decided to join efforts initiated by industry leaders during the RELEAS process aimed at strengthening the market research industry. More
Americans are generally happier with their lives and more optimistic about their future than are Europeans, according to a new Harris Poll. The poll was based on a recent Eurobarometer survey conducted for the European Union in fifteen countries, with Americans asked some of the same questions. More
ORC International will be hosting its eight annual employee research conference in London on 3 June for client-side HR personnel. The event will enable participants from a wide range of organisations to share best practice for conducting employee research, and provide the opportunity to discuss how employee research can be used to address the challenges facing HR professionals. More
CASRO's 8th Annual Technology Conference is a forum that will identify and address the latest issues in technology for research to be held in New York on 19 and 20 June. More
Many people believe that the risks to American tourists travelling outside the United States are worse today than they were three years ago - before September 11 - and over a quarter (26%) of Americans think they are much worse. In this context, a new Harris Poll in the US has both good and bad news for the travel industry. More
Some 54 per cent of people in Britain feel that recent US military action against Iraq was justified, according to new research from TNS. This is a significant increase from the 10 per cent of Britons who said they would support the war in a similar study in January, reflecting a major shift in opinion since the war took place. More
In the UK ATP and MORI have been awarded a contract by the ODPM to develop a package that will support local authorities as they collect the survey-based data that is required for the 2003/4 Best Value Performance Indicators. More
According to the findings of a GfK consumer climate survey commissioned by the European Commission there was a slight improvement in consumer sentiment in Germany in April compared with March with even income expectations rising somewhat. More
The Market Research Society (MRS) and the Association for Survey Computing (ASC) in the UK have announced a new award, the MRS/ASC Joint Award for Technology Effectiveness. More
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) in the UK has commissioned research agency BPRI for the second year running to manage its large scale Accuracy and Impartiality Survey. This mystery shopping programme is a strategic tool to assist train operating companies in monitoring the extent to which they are fulfilling their licence condition to provide an accurate and impartial service to passengers at station ticket offices. More
Weekly book sales dropped by 5% in value the week the Iraq war started, recording the lowest week of revenue for the Australian book industry in 2003, according to the latest data from Nielsen BookScan. More
UK polling and research agency O.R.B. conducted a survey of those demonstrating in London on May Day, The O.R.B. May Day Poll, revealing that 'Global Capitalism' is considered the greatest cause of global problems (51%) and blamed as most responsible for many of today's global problems (49%). More
Europinion (part of the Virtual Surveys group) is running a free seminar on the subject of online research on 17th June in central London. The seminar will aim to provide a thorough understanding of the issues and best approaches for conducting conventional research online. It will also provide an update on the latest trends in the area of website research. More
Early booking for the ASC (Association for Survey Computing) International Conference entitled 'The Impact of Technology on the Survey Process' closes next week on the 30 April. The conference itself takes place in September at Warwick University. More
Latest research from Mintel in the UK sees the complementary medicines market rising almost 60% in the last five years to reach £130 million. More
Figures released this week by the British Market Research Association indicate that expenditure on market research in the UK grew by 2.6% in 2002, to a value of £1.18 billion. More
The American news sites cnn.com and news.google.com experienced the biggest monthly audience increases among UK surfers in March as Britons turned to the Internet to find different perspectives on the war in Iraq. Figures released this week by Nielsen//NetRatings show that the news sector as a whole saw a 25% jump in audience during March, with audiences peaking at 1.3 million on March 20th, the day war was declared. More
Global market research firm, Synovate, has recently issued data that shows the people of Hong Kong are doing whatever it takes to combat the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus, even if it means abandoning social conventions. More
Record divorce rates over the last decade show little sign of undermining most Americans' love affair with marriage, according to a nationwide study of love and romance by American Consumer Opinion, a consumer online opinion panel operated by Decision Analyst. More
The Market Research Society (MRS) and Pearson Education in the UK have this week launched two books which broaden the learning resources available for prospective and new entrants to the market research profession, and for marketing professionals seeking to extend their skills in market research. More
Synovate has announced that its Pan Asia Pacific Cross Media Survey (known as Synovate PAX) will publish a special report for subscribers analysing changes in media consumption in the Asia Pacific region due to war in Iraq and the battle to contain the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). More
As America's 78 million baby boomers become increasingly unsettled about looking and feeling old there is an opportunity for marketers to take advantage of a new anti-ageing market, according to a recently published research brief available from FIND/SVP. More
New research completed by Nunwood Consulting's Youth Research Unit last week in the UK shows that the war in Iraq has captured children's natural curiosity, with 1 in 4 children paying more attention to the news. More
Users of market research (clients) are focused on increasing the profitability of research. The changing business environment dictates the introduction of innovative business solutions and models from the research provider side. ESOMAR'S second event on 'Managing research for profit' will take place from 18-20 May in Brussels in the quest to identify critical success factors in the client-provider relationship and to continue the dialogue. More
A recent Harris Poll showed a national sample of 2,271 adults in the USA a list of 15 industries and asked them which ones should be more regulated, and which should be less regulated. Four industries were mentioned by more than fifty percent of those surveyed as needing more regulation, and the top three are all in the health care industry - managed care (60%), health insurance (59%) and pharmaceuticals (57%). The only other industry to be mentioned by more than fifty percent is the oil industry (52%). More
RedSheriff has this week unveiled its new market intelligence capabilities and the results of a demographic survey of more than 60,000 New Zealand Internet users. In Auckland, RedSheriff's Chief Executive Officer, Richard Webb, commented on the progress the New Zealand Internet industry had achieved since the company's unique web measurement methodology was established as the standard by the Online Publisher's Group six months ago. More
According to a GfK consumer climate survey in Germany commissioned by the European Commission, carried in March, a reversal in the consumer confidence trend is likely to take a while as consumers continue to have their doubts concerning an economic upturn. More
A survey commissioned by the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) in the UK, carried out by MORI, finds that headteachers are viewed as better leaders than any other group in Britain. More
When eating out, consumers' priorities are the taste of the food and knowledge of its ingredients. However they will sacrifice taste for products that are easier to prepare when shopping for food. Although on the whole, consumers make decisions in the same way when eating out and when buying food in a supermarket, their expectations of taste are higher when eating out according to IGD's Consumer Tracker in the UK, part of the Consumer Watch series. More
The Consumer Confidence Index figure in the UK as carried out by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission continued to fall during March, registering a score of -10. The latest drop of one point, following a large fall in February, brings the overall Index score to the lowest level since December 1995. More
Asked about their life goals, an overwhelming majority of teenagers recently surveyed by Mediamark Research in the USA placed quality of life and relationships with family and friends far above being famous or entering the corporate world. More
E-Tabs has announced its partnership with Insight Marketing Systems (Melbourne, Australia) to market and distribute Research Reporter - market research management and library software - to research buyers in UK and Europe. E-Tabs will be premiering Research Reporter at Esomar's Excellence in Consumer Insights conference in Madrid (30 March - 1 April). More
Despite the complaint that Americans are squeezed for time, when presented with the question -more time or more money? - they opt for the cash. And that's not simply a sign of Americans' renowned materialism. The same choice was made by a majority of people in 30 countries worldwide, according to preliminary results from a survey conducted by RoperASW. More
Retailers and prescription drug and consumer healthcare products manufacturers must evolve their traditional approaches to marketing and begin seeking new ways of understanding the total wellness needs of the individual -- from a consumer, patient, and customer perspective -- according to Ed Kuehnle, North America Group President of Information Resources, speaking at the recent Consumer Healthcare Product Association's (CHPA) annual conference. More
The Market Research Society's (MRS) Census and Geodemographics Group is to host a new seminar to encourage market and social researchers to make better use of the wide array of alternative data sources now available. The 'Using External Data in Market Research Seminar' will take place on 31 March in London. More
A new report from Mintel in the UK finds 62% of mortgage holders willing to switch to a euro mortgage if it means paying a lower interest rate. More
A first 'World Industry Network (WIN)' meeting is to be held on 22-23 May 2003 in Brussels. More
Business in the Community in the UK has recently published the first Corporate Responsibility Index. This is the first business-led, voluntary, Index, publicly benchmarking the responsible business practice of companies in a range of different industry sectors - no company was excluded because of the nature of its core business. More
On-going collaboration between Techneos Systems and SPSS MR has produced an improved solution for mobile collection of structured data. Techneos, the mobile data collection specialist, has just released a new version of its Entryware Professional software that is integrated with the SPSS MR Dimensions Platform. More
A recent Harris Poll in the USA finds that there are three very different consumer groups when it comes to issues of privacy. More
Global agency Synovate has released data confirming that Indonesia is a country of smokers - or rather a country of male smokers. More
New research from Millward Brown reveals that two in three global tweens (children ages 9-14) influence big ticket family purchases like cars, the fashion brands their parents wear, and mobile phones. And a further one in seven has an opinion about what brands their parents should buy, but doesn't express it. More
New research conducted by MORI in the UK for ABTA (the Association of British Travel Agents) shows that the prospect of war and the threat of terrorism are not generally affecting travel plans. More
In the second of our features looking at what's on show at this week's Market Research Society conference in Birmingham, MrWeb previews a paper by Keith Dugmore from Demographic Decisions on the 'New Free Data for Researching the UK's Population from the 2001 Census'. More
Latest research from Mintel highlights rapid growth of some 165% in the food intolerance and allergies market since 2000. Valued at £55.6 million in 2002, there have been a number of key factors driving this sector, including the growing number of consumers who perceive that they have a food allergy/intolerance. More
Prior to the annual MRS Conference next week, this year to be held in Birmingham, MrWeb previews some of the papers to be given at the event. Firstly, we look at a paper entitled 'Oh no, the consultants are coming!'(presented by Sid Simmons from Incite Marketing Planning and Angela Lovejoy from McKinsey) which looks how the research industry can learn from the consulting sector and whether the traditional apprehensions about management consultancy by researchers are truly justified. More
The latest Child Track Survey from Carrick James Market Research in the UK shows continuing growth in the use of the word wicked to describe something they really like. More
MORI's client UNITE has won the Tesco Award for best research document at the Property Advertising, Marketing and Design Awards (PAMADA) 2002. UNITE is the UK's leading provider of accommodation services for students and NHS key workers. More
Companies of any size can develop a brand to sustain business performance during tough times, according to Laurie Young, a Trustee of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) in the UK and marketing partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. More
Businesses in the UK seeking a better understanding of the opportunities and pitfalls of the online world have been given access to a new platform for advice and knowledge sharing, thanks to a new partnership between NOP and e-consultancy. More
While Americans are far from gung-ho about attacking Iraq, they are much more supportive of doing so than are the British and the Canadians, according to a new Harris Poll conducted in these three countries. More
Under the umbrella of Itracks' Partners in Research programme, Square One Research, a full service market research firm specialising in technology products and services, has announced a strategic partnership agreement with Itracks, to focus on website usability testing. More
'Reality Research', organised by research agency SKOPOS and the Market Research Society in the UK, is gearing up for action this Friday, 7th March. The event will turn the tables on market researchers and offer the public a chance to put them under surveillance, 'Big Brother' style. More
Overall, the Consumer Confidence Index figure as carried out by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission in the UK plummeted by six points in February and currently stands at -9. This score is the lowest seen since October 1998, when economic turbulence in Asia impacted greatly on UK consumer confidence. More
Henley Centre Chairman Martin Hayward predicts a distinct change in consumer attitudes during 2003, towards taking a long term view and away from the 'sod the consequences' thinking of the past few years. More
The Interactive Advertising Bureau(IAB) has recently released new research results from the latest of its Cross Media Optimization Studies (XMOS) based on advertising campaigns from Kimberly-Clark's Kleenex Soft Pack tissues and Colgate-Palmolive's Colgate Total toothpaste. More
Global brand design agency Enterprise IG has set up a new specialist practice area to advise organisations on internal brand engagement. Three WPP Group companies, Enterprise IG, MCA Communicates and Added Value Internal Communication , are joining together to launch 'Babe'. More
Latest research from Mintel studying ready meals consumption across the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy highlights the UK as having the largest ready meals market in Europe. More
MrWeb, the publisher of Daily Research News and MRWho, has appointed Michael Kenyon to the new post of Director, US Operations. The move follows a successful year in which the company has consolidated its no.1 position in the UK research job ads market and broadened out into new areas. More
World research organisations ESOMAR, EFAMRO and WAPOR have this week joined forces in the case of two Iranian survey researchers arrested earlier this month and have addressed the matter to the EU Government, the United Nations, the Iranian Government and other international bodies in order to release the Iranian pollsters. More
Aravati Global Search Network, a leading international executive search organization, recently held its biannual partner meeting in New York. Representatives from the Americas and Europe met to discuss future developments in international executive recruitment and to meet with client CEOs to hear what their growth expectations for 2003 are. More
The online gaming sector in Europe is showing remarkable levels of growth, according to the latest research from Nielsen//NetRatings. In January 2003, 5.9 million Europeans visited an online games site on the Internet - more than double the 2.8 million surfers who visited sites in this sector in January last year. More
The nation's interest in sport - and its viewing of sport on TV - are generally on the decline, according to MORI's latest SportTracker survey in the UK. More
With the traffic congestion charge imminent in London, more than a quarter of people who drive in or around the centre of the city say they will avoid driving in the charge zone altogether after its introduction according to research from BMRB. More
ESOMAR has this week announced that the organisation is to join UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme). Within its role of improving decision making in business and society worldwide, ESOMAR wants to promote research-based 'responsible marketing'. More
The British Market Research Association (BMRA) is teaming up with the Market Research Society (MRS) and Marketing Week to create the first awards to cover the market research industry in a single event - The Market Research Effectiveness and Excellence Awards. More
In a recent survey carried out by Martin Hamblin GfK, car drivers in the UK were asked to think of all the different options for powering a car, either in existence or to be developed. More
Trust in the UK Government is low, with a quarter to a third of Britons believing that the Government is acting in the public interest in relation to each of five different risk issues. This is according to one of the largest and most comprehensive surveys of British attitudes to risk in recent years, carried out by MORI Social Research Institute for the University of East Anglia (UEA). More
Four out of ten people in Britain (40 per cent) are not in favour of military action against Iraq 'under any circumstances' according to findings published by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) and Gallup International Association (GIA). A further 39 per cent of Britons would only support a war with Iraq if it were sanctioned by the United Nations, with just one in ten (10 per cent) fully supporting military action. More
A recent study conducted amongst 200 schoolchildren in the UK by Vox Pops International reveals some interesting insight into eating patterns and attitudes towards food. More
At the beginning of 2003, consumer mood in Germany remains virtually unchanged compared with the last few months of 2002. In view of the weak economic situation and the general uncertainty surrounding the conflict in Iraq, consumers are not confident of an economic upswing. These are the key findings of the GfK consumer climate survey carried out on behalf of the European Commission in January 2003. More
Latest research from Mintel for the British Lifestyles 2003 survey questioning 2,005 adults paints a picture of a surprisingly balanced British consumer, with around 50% of adults enjoying a good balance between work and life. More
Overall, the Consumer Confidence Index figure as reported by Martin Hamblin GfK in the UK on behalf of the European Commission has risen by 1 point in January and currently stands at -3. More
At the Technovate conference hosted by ESOMAR this week, NOP World, MORI, NFO Europe and SPSS MR have announced the creation of ECOR (European Consortium for Online Research) to shape the future of online research in Europe. More
Recent results of an on-going study from ORC, which examines trends in the UK's gaming industry, have highlighted that the proportion of the population participating in the Lotto game has been declining for some time - falling to around 61% of adults in 2002, compared with 75% in 1998. More
Europe will continue to expand and in future will be able to measure up to the USA, at least in terms of the economy. According to the results of a representative 'Future of Europe' survey carried out by GfK Ad Hoc Research Worldwide on behalf of The Wall Street Journal Europe in the European Union countries, the USA and Russia, this is the opinion held by one in two people in these countries. More
In light of the government announcements in the UK this week on higher education, the UNITE Student Living Report 2003 carried out by MORI reveals interesting insights into what students make of it all. More
Jupiter Research has recently announced the launch of two new services to its product portfolio, the Web Site Review service and dedicated research analyst Weblogs. More
Market research would benefit if it were more business-focused, according to the newly elected Chairman of the British Market Research Association (BMRA), Peter Jackling. More
The noticeable transition of the in-house research function from passive to pivotal was the major topic of discussion at a recent one-day client forum hosted by Nunwood Consulting in the UK. More
The latest September/October wave of the Baby and Young Child Track survey carried out by Carrick James Market Research in the UK, shows that the BBC's Tweenies are still the favourite cartoon characters with kiddies and have remained so since December 1999. More
The Q4 2002 Bellwether Report, the quarterly survey of marketing budgets in the UK, published this week by NTC Research on behalf of the IPA, shows marketing budgets were revised down in Q4 2002 for the second consecutive quarter. However the extent of the downward revision was less than seen in the same period a year ago. More
While between a fifth and a third of Americans with health insurance are unhappy with their own health plans (depending on which plans, and which measures of unhappiness are used) most people continue to be satisfied with their health insurance according to Harris Interactive. This is true with employer-provided plans, health insurance which is bought by individuals and families, Medicare and Medicaid. More
The Inland Revenue in the UK has commissioned ORC International to help evaluate its company car tax reforms that were implemented in April 2002. The aim of the research is to assess the impact that the new reforms are having, by talking to those who have been affected. More
The BBC's Watchdog programme made history this week, becoming the first British television programme to gauge public opinion by text message. The groundbreaking research, which shows that half the British public think the MMR vaccine is safe, has been developed and tested by research agency MORI. More
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) in the UK has appointed a new chief executive, Peter Fisk, as the organisation looks to increase its presence within the international marketing arena. More
The lineup of keynote speakers for the forthcoming Market Research Society conference, 'RESEARCH2003 -the thought leadership: revolution', has now been announced. The event takes place in Birmingham between 19 and 21 March. More
Delegates meeting in Geneva this week at the Third Market Research Leaders Summit (Releas) have decided to support a new worldwide initiative to represent the market research industry at the legislative level in all major world markets to promote laws that protect consumer privacy while assuring the freedom to perform market and opinion research. More
For the first time, the British Safety Council (BSC) has formed a partnership with employment research consultancy, ORC International, to promote the importance of measuring stress in the workplace by using the company's recently launched online survey tool called ORC SAFE (stress analysis for employers). More
KnowledgeBase Marketing and its parent company Wunderman have recently unveiled Digital Neighborhoods, a unique tool that segments consumers by their online behaviour - the amount of time they spend online and the purpose for which they use the Internet. More
Following a low in October and November, the mood among German consumers did not worsen any further in the last month of 2002. However, talk of a change in trend would be premature according to the consumer climate survey which GfK regularly conducts on behalf of the European Commission. More
According to new research from ACNielsen U.S., half of all heads of household are too tired to put much time or effort into evening meal preparation, and nearly two-thirds are constantly looking for faster ways to do household chores. More
Overall, the Consumer Confidence Index figure as compiled by Martin-Hamblin GfK in the UK fell by 6 points in December to stand at -4. This is the lowest index figure recorded since October 2001. More
What are the legal requirements of film and video images? How to preserve respondent rights? How to conduct observation amongst children and young people? How to ensure the well being of respondents? These are just some of the issues which will be tackled in new draft guidelines on the use of observational research, announced this week by The Market Research Society (MRS). More
With a share of 31 per cent of sales, German discounters have succeeded in expanding their share of the retail food market in 2002 more than almost any other type of store. According to the 2002 discount store survey recently published by GfK Panel Services Consumer Research, more than half of this growth is accounted for by Aldi. More
Monthly Internet shopping soared into ten figures for the first time in November as Britain's 14.3 million online shoppers flooded e-retailers with £1,000 million worth of orders, according to the IMRG Index. More
The Market Research Society (MRS) in the UK is to host a topical new conference on public policy research. Entitled 'Challenges and Opportunities in Public Policy Research', the aim of the event is to explore how the government agenda for policy and research is changing and what implications this has for those involved in research. More
More people in the UK who play golf every month are not members of a golf club, according to new research from Mintel this week. More
People who suffer discrimination at work are more likely to be a victim because of their age than any other factor, including race or gender - according to new research from the MORI Social Research Institute in the UK. More
Asia Market Intelligence (AMI), rebranding as Synovate in January 2003, has this week revealed the affluent of Hong Kong are more likely to be making decisions in shopping malls than in the office or boardrooms. More
The '2003 Latin American Marketing Report,' published this week by Strategy Research Corporation (SRC), now part of Synovate, presents buying power estimates for 18 countries, plus Puerto Rico, and 70 metropolitan markets across Latin America. More
People would generally be opposed to being charged for producing non-recyclable rubbish, according to a new report from the MORI Social Research Institute. Many are worried about 'stealth' taxes, but they are more likely to accept the idea if certain conditions are met. More
Seventy-six percent of all meals in the US are prepared at home, according to NPDFoodworld, a division of The NPD Group, but Americans are spending less time in the kitchen preparing those meals than ever. More
Today's older children are transforming tactical marketing because they are more independent and comfortable with money, according to the latest research carried out in association with The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) in the UK. More
Research carried out by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission shows that the overall picture for consumer confidence in the UK has changed little this month. More
Corporate responsibility continues to be an important influence on the opinions and behaviour of stakeholders - including consumers - towards companies, according to new research in the UK by MORI. The results are from MORI's annual Corporate Social Responsibility survey. More
Research consultancy, ORC International, has recently eveloped a mathematical analysis ool for Nationwide Building Society in the UK that reveals the link between employee commitment, customer satisfaction and business performance. More
Some 34 per cent of employees in Britain admit to having low levels of commitment to the both the job they do and the company they work for, according to the results of the Global Employee Commitment Report 2002, released by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS). This is in keeping with the global average figure of 35 per cent and suggests that a significant proportion of the companies in Britain may be failing to get the most out of their employees. More
Today's global consumers want to protect their favourite brands and will preserve their allegiances to the extent of turning a blind eye to political and ethical malpractice of parent companies according to the findings of a major global research study, RIO (Research International Observer), released this week. More
Interactive Tracking Systems Inc. (Itracks), specialising in online market research data collection services, has launched its new Online Usability tool for website testing. Designed with the input of leading market research firms, Online Usability is designed specifically for market researchers, allowing them to expand their service offerings in the area of website testing. More
Internet research agency RedSheriff is running its syndicated Christmas survey for the third consecutive year this December. Over the past 3 years, more than 250,000 respondents have completed RedSheriff surveys from 30 countries. More
The key findings of a recent consumer survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK into attitudes to advertising aimed at children shows that the number of adults who think that advertising should be restricted has dropped by just over eleven per cent, compared to survey results of two years ago. The number of adult consumers who think it should be banned completely remains the same. More
Wundermann, a member of the WPP Group, has recently announced the results of a groundbreaking research initiative, the Wundermann Brand Experience Scorecard, which demonstrates the key role that consumer-brand experience plays in the brand building process. More
In a lightning poll carried out this week by The Mobile Channel, 48% of the British public stated that firefighters should accept the new 11% pay offer with only 15% saying strike. More
Just 13 per cent of adults in Britain have used the Internet to access government services or products during the past 12 months according to the findings of the second Government Online Study published this week by Taylor Nelson Sofres. Compared with a global average of 30 per cent, Britain is ranked as one of the lowest users of e-government among the 31 countries surveyed. More
The Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) receives a considerable number of complaints from members of the public about the content of soap operas. The BSC recently asked MORI's Qualitative HotHouse to explore the role of soap operas within the family and in a social context, and to shed light on the standards that are expected of programmes generally broadcast before the 9 o'clock watershed. More
Senior executives in Europe are downbeat about the outlook of the global economy over the next 12 months, according to research published this week by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) in consultation with Deloitte Consulting. More
Teenagers in the UK believe young people commit crimes because they have nothing to do and nowhere to go, according to recently released research by MORI. The survey, commissioned by Nestlé and the Kids Clubs Network, found that among 11-16 year olds, seven in 10 believe a lack of facilities and things to do leads young people to commit crimes. More
MORI has just been commissioned by the Department of Transport (DfT) in the UK to research public opinion on the labelling of cars according to their environmental credentials. The research will determine the most effective use of labelling, so that consumers are clearly presented with information about environmental performance when buying a car. More
ORC International in the UK has recently won the one-year contract to conduct First Great Western Trains' customer satisfaction research, with effect from December 2002. ORC International will conduct 400 interviews a month across the FGW region and the results will be presented on a quarterly basis. More
Marketing is the biggest driver of business results, reveals PA Consulting Group in new research underpinning the October 2002 Marketing Effectiveness campaign run by The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). More
Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) has just announced the launch of 'EmployeeScore', a new approach for measuring employee satisfaction and commitment in Britain. More
Latest research from Mintel finds call centres in the UK are dramatically failing in terms of meeting customer service expectations. Exclusive research questioning 2,020 adults finds just 5% of consumers having never experienced a problem with a call centre. A further 5% of adults do not use call centres. More
Scrutinising the future of corporate reporting is the theme of a new half day conference organised by The Market Research Society in the UK to be held in London on 6 December under the title, 'Corporate Reporting and Performance Measurement: The Challenge'. More
CRAM International and Second Sight International have launched QualiQuant (QiQ) International to add the measurement of consumer emotions to the group's resources for clients around the world. More
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has recently launched a new website, developed by ORC International, which will provide open access to all the UK's local government Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPI). More
Latest research from Harris shows that corporate scandals-from Enron and WorldCom to Global Crossing and Adelphia-have had a big impact on American public attitudes toward top business managers, in general, not just those in the companies under investigation. More
One in four adults have either direct experience of adoption or have experienced adoption through a member of their family or a close friend, according to new research by the MORI Social Research Institute. More
The Market Research Society (MRS) has this week announced the launch of new guidelines on Employee Research, aimed at reinforcing The MRS Code of Conduct in this sensitive area of research. More
On balance, a recently released Harris Poll in the States finds that a 49% to 27% plurality thinks Americans should take military action to change Iraqi government. More
A new Golin/Harris Trust in Asian Business survey reveals 72 percent of Asians cite a 'crisis of trust in the way we do business,' compared to 69 percent in the USA- but the most and least trusted businesses differ dramatically. More
A major survey commissioned by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc as part of the BUSINESS: The Ultmate Resource database reveals shocking evidence about ethics and morality in business today in the UK. More
Taylor Nelson Sofres and Tokyo-based INTAGE Inc have announced the launch of the Asiapanel 2001 Annual Report, Asia's first pan-regional continuous consumer panel offering. More
According to ESOMAR's latest global market research study, turnover of the marketing research industry in Spain totalled US$275 million in 2001. More
Opinion Research Corporation's Social Research Business has this week been awarded US$18 million in new contracts or contract additions. These contracts, in the USA for the National Science Foundation, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, the National Eye Institute, the Department of Education and the University of South Carolina, are mostly for periods of at least two years. More
Just 44 per cent of adults in Britain feel that the use of military force is the most effective way to reduce international terrorism, according to research findings released this week by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) and Gallup International Association (GIA). This compares to a global average (across 45 countries) of 55 per cent. More
At the recent ESOMAR annual congress, the initial findings of the three-stage Marco Polo research project were presented. The research focuses on cooperation between customers and market research providers. It was found in essence that market research clients often live on an island isolated from both end users in their own organisation and research providers. More
ESOMAR's latest global market research study shows that the total market for market research worldwide in 2001 was US$15,890 million or 17,756 million. More
The Market Research Society (MRS) in the UK has this week announced the launch of its first Internet-based training course. Developed in partnership with specialist electronic publisher Nelson Croom, The MRS Questionnaire Design course will be delivered entirely online and is designed to improve the professionalism and skills of research practitioners, both in the UK and internationally. More
New research from Marketing Sciences Ltd in the UK suggests that consumers are increasingly looking towards other ways of saving for retirement than pensions. More
The Harris Poll at this time of the year asks US consumers how much time they spend working, including at school and housework, how much time they have for leisure and what their favourite pastimes are. In most years, the numbers do not change very much. This year's survey, however, shows a sharp drop in the average number of hours spent working (including housekeeping, studying and commuting). More
According to the Marriage 2002 Study recently published by Taylor Nelson Sofres, mutual respect, trust and fidelity are the key ingredients to a happy marriage within Central Europe. Consumers in this region are also confident that getting married does not mean giving up on romance or losing your freedom. The majority also believe that it is acceptable for a wife to be older than her husband and for couples to live together without being married. More
A wide range of prices is being quoted for identical surveys, suggesting agencies may not be maximising their profits. This is a major finding from £quotecheck, a recent pricing study undertaken among MR agencies by research consultancy Richard Horswell Market Research (RHMR), in its latest survey - the third to date. More
The proportion of the British public that has been to either a museum or gallery in the past 12 months is at an all time high. According to research carried out by MORI in August, the proportion is now higher that at any time since the end of the 1980s, when MORI first started recording this information. More
A series of recent video interviews conducted amongst both sexes by Vox Pops International in the UK has revealed that men think that personal care is extremely important in order to feel and look good and to enhance self confidence, whilst women are struggling to find enough time for themselves due to the demands of family and work. More
Never before has the need to understand the interaction between economics, consumer behaviour and attitudes, political and technological factors been so great. To provide the boardroom with the best possible chance of calling next year correctly, The Henley Centre has designed a one day event 'Planning for 2003' to be held on November 8 in London. More
'Europe at the Gates of Union' is a recently published book that gets right to the heart of consumer lifestyles across Europe. Using TGI and other data sources, the book presents detailed information and commentary covering eight European countries (four from Western Europe and four from Eastern Europe). More
When compared with traditional media, one out of five Americans feel that the Internet is the 'most essential' medium to their lives, according to a new study by Arbitron and Edison Media Research. More
The hint of optimism about economic expectations evident among German consumers in July has been somewhat dampened in August according to the results of a survey on the domestic consumer climate recently carried out by GfK Marktforschung on behalf of the EU Commission. More
Recent analysis, produced by the MORI Social Research Institute for the Today programme on Radio 4, highlights a new phenomenon of a particularly frustrated and discontented section of UK society, the 35 to 54 age group. More
Latest research from Mintel highlights growing concern over food safety among British consumers. In 1997, 41% of adults were concerned about the safety of our food, this has risen to 44% of consumers in 2002. More
For the fourth year in a row, New York City is the most popular city in the USA where most people would like to live in or near if they were not currently living somewhere else according to recent results from a Harris Interactive survey. More
Despite the recent majority vote to move to the next stage of developing a new GP contract, 3 in 4 GPs (75%) in the UK, according to recent research by Martin Hamblin GfK, do not expect it to have a positive effect on work-related stress. More
The most recent annual statistics breakdown of the UK industry from the BMRA (British Market Research Association) shows total industry turnover for the year 2001 was £1.15 billion, up from £1.07 billion in 2000. Although lower than the 9.3% increase over 1999, when turnover was £1 billion, last year's increase still outstripped inflation. More
In a study commissioned to coincide with the Johannesburg Earth Summit, it was found that eight in ten British travellers would be willing to pay to offset the environmental impact of their flights, car rental and accommodation. More
ESOMAR has just announced its 2003 calendar. Covering a wide range of subjects, the calendar consolidates regular events and also launches a number of exciting new initiatives. More
IT agency ATP has just released Winyaps 3.43. This version contains two important new features as well as providing numerous small enhancements requested by customers. In addition research agency NFO have standardised on Winyaps as their table presentation and distribution software after a lengthy evaluation process. More
With the first wave of 2001 Census outputs expected in September in the UK, how many readers are prepared to act on the new information? The outputs from the 2001 Census will provide unprecedented detail about the UK population - both the traditional residential population and also the workplace population of each specified area. More
More than half of Britain's small businesses (56 per cent) are against the Government's plans to improve public services by raising National Insurance contributions, according to the findings of a survey by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS). Businesses with between 10 and 49 employees were the least supportive of an increase. More
A recent poll by Lightspeed Research has revealed a positive view towards the introduction of ID cards, across Great Britain. 91% of people interviewed were not apposed to the introduction of ID cards. However, there was a clear message of what was acceptable in terms of information stored on the card. More
The Independent Consultants Group (ICG) in the UK is hosting the 'Research Clinic', an exclusive service for research buyers and consultancies, at the forthcoming Research Show to be held in early October in London. More
The Market Research Society (MRS) in the UK has announced its next one-day conference on 'Delivering Good Practice in Local Government Research' supported by LARIA (Local Authorities Research & Intelligence Association) to be held on 26 September in Birmingham. More
The Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK is challenging the traditional strategy of reducing costs, especially marketing spend, and cutting investment to ride the storm of a downturn in consumer spending. More
The National Statistics unit in the UK is holding an Open Day on October 11 in central London giving statistics users the chance to hear about latest developments and to discuss future directions and priorities. More
Market research consultancy ORC International will be hosting its annual local government and housing conference on 5 September 2002 in London. The conference will cover a broad range of current consultation and research issues being faced by organisations serving local communities. More
comScore Networks has recently announced the immediate global expansion of its comScore Media Metrix audience measurement service. In September 2002, comScore Media Metrix will deliver audience measurement services covering 25 countries and eight world regions, far exceeding the reach of any other service in the industry. More
The Market Research Society (MRS) in the UK has recently announced the launch of new draft guidelines on public opinion research - one of the most sensitive areas of market research. More
Lack of job security, a deteriorating global economy, health and the threat of terrorism are all factors keeping consumers in the Asia Pacific region up at night, according to a recent ACNielsen Consumer Confidence Poll conducted in July this year. More
Consumer confidence in Britain's economy slipped in July among both consumers and small businesses, according to the latest State of the Nation survey published last week by NOP Financial, the specialist financial research division of NOP World. More
Switzerland is an oasis of affluence: seven out of eight of the richest European regions are in the Swiss Confederation. Geneva leads the way with disposable income per capita of around EUR 36,000 per annum. The inhabitants of Eastern Europe, on the other hand, have to live far more modestly, the countries with the least disposable income being Albania (EUR 563), the Ukraine (EUR 379) and Moldavia (EUR 223). These are the findings of a survey carried out by GfK-Regionalforschung. More
According to the most recent findings of the Eurobarometer, which GfK Ad Hoc Research Worldwide, INRA (EUROPE) and IRS carry out bi-annually on behalf of the European Commission, support for the Euro and the EU as a whole strengthened slightly since the changes on January 1st 2002. More
Latest research from Mintel finds children living in the North raking in considerably more income than their Southern contemporaries. Affluent parents are considerably less generous towards their children than those in lower income families. Meanwhile, Mintel forecasts a promising outlook for Britain's youth, with children's weekly income set to grow by a promising 15% between 2002 and 2006. More
Online estate agents in the UK have experienced a surge in visitors to their sites so far this year, and have been able to convert them into loyal customers, according to the latest research from Nielsen//NetRatings. More
A slight majority of senior company executives in the UK are confident that worldwide economic conditions 'will improve' in the coming year, but they are less optimistic than they were in the first quarter of 2002, and UK executives showed the biggest fall in optimism out of all the countries surveyed. The results come from new global research by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), working in association with Deloitte Consulting. More
ORC International has appointed Simon Holroyd Divisional Manager of its Central Government Research Division. He takes up the newly created position following a period of growth in the company's sales of public sector research. More
The latest edition of Research News from the Market Research Society of Australia reports that the next Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey of the domestic market research industry will go into field in August. More
MORI has this week been commissioned to undertake the initial qualitative and quantitative stages of customer consultation research in England and Wales, for the water industry's major stakeholders. More
Almost eight out of ten people (78 per cent) in Israel 'support' or 'strongly support' the peace process between Israel and the Arab world, according to a recent survey by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) Teleseker, the Israeli arm of marketing information group Taylor Nelson Sofres. More
Two pioneers of Internet research, Ray Poynter and Pete Comley, have teamed up to launch a new company called Europinion Ltd to specialise in conducting conventional research online. More
'Count the beats of your heart not the fingers on your hand' is the message Kevin Roberts, Worldwide CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi will give to the world's market researchers in his keynote speech to the ESOMAR Congress in Barcelona this September. More
For those readers experiencing conference withdrawal symptoms as the summer season approaches, The Market Research Society in the UK has just unveiled radical new plans for its annual Conference, 'Research 2003'. This will take place between 19-21 March 2003 and will run at a new venue, the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. More
ESOMAR is holding its 54th Annual Congress from 22 to 25 September in Barcelona with the conference returning to Spain for the first time in ten years. Entitled 'Consolidation or Renewal? From Research to Customer Insight', the congress will examine the impact of consolidation in business and include papers on important areas such as innovation, branding, segmentation, new technologies and market research methods. More
Figures for job postings and mean salaries from MrWeb for the first six months of the year show an industry returning to normal. Mean salaries are higher than in the first half of 2001 and numbers of jobs advertised are very similar. There has been a significant shift towards recruitment of senior people and away from junior, and a steep rise in client side hirings since March. Detailed stats will appear in MRWho later this week. More
Long-term low interest rates, now a feature of British economic life for the first time in decades, affect everyone from pensioners whose income from investments could be decimated to business strategists trying to plan for the future. The BIG will be addressing the implications of this new world for research and marketing in a seminar on Friday 5th July, headed up by high profile TV and radio pundit and government advisor Douglas McWilliams. More
New facts are emerging about the greatest threat to our green urban spaces. The finger of blame appears to point not towards local planners, politicians or pollution - but to the general public itself! This is according to a new MORI Social Research Institute survey commissioned by the New Opportunities Fund. More
A polite reminder from the MRS has just reached the offices of DRNO. Apparently, the annual researchers' Golf Tournament, sponsored by NOP, is set for Thursday 27th June, at the Wyke Green Golf Club in Middlesex. More
Billions of dollars are spent worldwide on marketing to children, but this type of promotion is seen as a highly contentious and controversial one. Many European countries ban it, while others are considering imposing further restrictions. More
Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council in the UK has created a new citizen's panel that will enable it to take the views of Oldham residents into account when making its decisions. The panel, called 'The Oldham Way- Listening to Oldham' consists of 1,280 volunteer members from the local community. More
Online researcher Itracks has announced the results of its 2002 Market Research Industry Survey. This year's survey is the third annual industry study conducted by Itracks; the inaugural survey won honourable mention at the 2000 EXPLOR competition, awarded by the A. C. Nielsen Center for Marketing Research Awards. More
Claritas Interactive, the email marketing division of Claritas Europe, has re-launched its consumer-facing website, emailinform.com. Developed in conjunction with High Street names, the site now offers discounts, vouchers and special offers in return for information on consumers' lifestyles and interests. More
The vast majority of Kashmiris oppose India and Pakistan going to war to find a permanent solution to the situation in Kashmir. This is the main finding of a new MORI poll on the recent escalation of conflict in the region. More
As a research provider, do your know how your prices compare with the market? Are you charging your clients too much? Could you benefit from greater marketplace intelligence? Independent consultants Richard Horswell and Sally Donovan are possibly able to help you with these difficult questions. More
A new official body representing European market research is to be launched later this year. The brainchild of ESOMAR and EFAMRO, the organisation, entitled the 'European Marketing Research Alliance' (EMRA), will primarily lobby against any negative legislation across EU member states. More
Marketing and opinion research appears to be a growth industry in Brazil, with a turnover of US$ 197 million in 2000. This is according to information released in ESOMAR's new global market research study. The sector grew by 11 percent overall during 2001 and continues to show steady growth into 2002. More
Most researchers believe that response rates have declined steadily over the past 20 years. Many are gloomy about the future as well, with rates set to continue falling. In the face of this, the CMR Group are running a seminar for all concerned researchers offering some smart solutions to this serious problem. More
The winds of change sweeping through the world of the Big Five accountants are proving to be beneficial. This is according to new research in the recently released 'Global Tax Monitor' from Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS). More
More young offenders caught committing crime are being punished, new MORI research commissioned by the Youth Justice Board has shown. The 2002 Youth Survey suggests that authorities are increasingly applying punitive measures, such as paying fines or compensation. More
ESOMAR has this week announced the second phase of an important new research project called Marco Polo. Aimed at gathering information on the needs of market research in client companies, the project aims to find ways in which to maximise the impact of market research. More
The majority of people in Britain appear to have embraced a sense of multiculturalism, with almost nine in 10 saying that being British is not about being white. But whilst 86% of the British public disagree that to be truly British you have to be white, there is no consistent view on what it means to be British. More
The mindset in client companies is shifting towards increasing the profitability of research. The common characteristic is broadening the range of clients that the research company works with and widening the types of services offered. There is a stronger focus on fund raising and on the contribution of marketing research to the bottom line. These are main conclusions of the unique cross MR industry forum 'Managing Research for Profit' held by ESOMAR last month. More
Our enthusiasm for e-government appears to be on the rise according to a new survey released by KPMG Consulting. In a repeat of its February 2001 study, KPMG's research shows that two-thirds of Brits would now like at least one local service available for interaction online. More
With the local elections now upon us, two thirds of people in the UK have never met their local councillor and a similar number cannot name one, according to a new survey from MORI. Conducted for Green Issues Communications, the research also shows that three in ten adults don't actually know that there are local elections this week. More
'Pitch Stick' has just been launched by youth consumer insight team, Fat Group to provide marketing clients with a cost-effective rapid tool for gaining a deeper insight into the attitudes and motivations of the ever-changing youth market. More
Chris van Schijndel has stepped down from his forthcoming appointment as Director General of ESOMAR. Unforeseen private circumstances have been offered as the reason for his change of mind. More
Media researcher Ipsos-RSL is set for a summer launch for the new addition to its Europe 2000 family of surveys. The latest study, entitled 'Europe 2002', will be welcomed with a host of events during the month of July. More
Given the controversial environment surrounding marketing to children, those in the industry must be doubly sure that they get their marketing approach right. A relaunched journal, Advertising & Marketing to Children, is designed to assist by aiming to help marketers reach under-18s through both responsible and successful campaigns. More
PMB, Print Measurement Bureau, and KMR, owners of the Global Target Group Index (TGI), have announced an agreement establishing PMB as Global TGI's Canadian partner. Under the terms of the agreement, PMB is granted Canadian sales rights to Global TGI's research data internationally, and Global TGI member companies are granted corresponding rights to PMB research data. More
Ipsos-New Media Research has this week signed an exclusive agreement with Lunarstorm, Scandinavia's largest youth portal, hosting more than 950,000 registered members. The deal will allow the agency to research the so-called 'early adapting' Swedish population. More
Employee research specialist ORC International is hosting a free seminar at its London offices on 2 May, focussing on its new on-line tools designed to help HR professionals collect and analyse their employee research data. More
According to newly released data from Jupiter Media Metrix, Internet usage more heavily affects the television viewing habits of women with children than women without children in the USA. More
The future of smart cards, and their likely effects on us good or bad, is to form the basis of an intriguing half-day seminar from Logica Consulting and Teleconomy. To be held in London on the 2nd May, the session promises to reveal useful new research on consumer behaviour. More
Less than a quarter of NHS employees in the UK feel it is safe for them to challenge the way things are done within their organisation, according to the findings from ORC International's latest benchmarking study. More
Most of the British public are pessimistic about the government's ability to improve public services, according to the baseline survey for the new MORI Delivery Index. More than half, 54%, say they disagree that 'in the long term, this government's policies will improve the state of Britain's public services', whereas only 36% agree. More
Research agency RDSi has just completed a brand new survey on pregnant women and parents of pre-school children. The results are to be presented at two seminars in early May at the agency's London offices. More
Latest data from the British Market Research Association shows the UK MR industry is holding up well economically. It appears to be showing better returns than other marketing disciplines, such as advertising, and has fair prospects for the present year's trading in total. More
The Market Research Society of Australia (MRSA) has announced it is to hold the inaugural meeting of its new Independent Research Group (IRG) during the first week of May. The group has been set up in response to the reported needs of independent researchers. More
The fact that consumers feel that retail and service companies have used the introduction of Euro cash currency as a pretext for putting up their prices evidently placed a considerable damper on willingness to buy in the first two months of 2002. This is one of the significant results of a survey on the consumer climate in six EU countries, recently carried out on behalf of the European Commission by GfK. More
The Association for Qualitative Research (AQR) is offering an innovative new training seminar on Social and Public Research later this month. Focusing on a wide range of research issues, the half-day is scheduled for 12th April and will be held in London. More
In response to the Government's recently announced changes to the UK's gambling regulations, ORC International has released findings from its latest GamblerTrack 2001 study. This research shows a significant and ongoing decline in the number of Brits now visiting casinos. More
Online tax preparation in the US has still to develop as a significant alternative to software-based and professional tax preparation methods. This is according to the latest findings from a Jupiter consumer survey entitled 'Failed Experiment: Online Tax Preparation'. More
A new MORI / RSPCA survey, released after the recent Common's vote on banning hunting with dogs, shows that most British adults believe in imposing a ban. This appears to be irrespective of the voting outcome from the House of Lords. More
When asked to rank their brands' attributes, marketers gave 'value for money' the highest average ranking in the Chartered Institute of Marketing's (CIM) recent Marketing Trends survey in the UK. More
The UK is currently seen as the worst country in Europe at protecting the environment, according to the latest Yellow Pages Annual Recycling Survey. Sweden is ranked the greenest country in Europe, with Germany a close second. More
To what extent are today's consumers interested in environmental and other sustainability issues? How can advertisers and agencies reflect this in their communications? These are the two key issues to be addressed at the IPA's 'Can Sustainability Sell?' conference to be held this Wednesday 20th March 2002. More
Over half the UK's viewing public (52%) believe that TV programmes have at least remained as good as in previous years. Half also believe that there is the right amount of regulation on air at present. These are two of the findings from recent Independent Television Commission (ITC) research. More
Traffic to employment websites has been enthusiastic across most of Asia since the start of 2002, according to new figures published by NetValue. Taiwanese women appear to be particularly keen visitors, closely followed by Korea's students. More
SPSS MR has forged a new alliance with Optimum Pay, a leader in online payment systems in a drive to boost survey participation rates. With Optimum Pay, customers can create highly differentiated incentive programmes that drive cooperation rates in surveys. Since Optimum Pay runs on the Web, administrative burdens and costs are kept to a minimum. More
Employee research specialist, ORC International, has just calculated that its 'Perspectives' benchmarking database - launched back in 1996 - now contains the opinions of nearly 1.1 million UK employees. More
UK recruitment consultancy pricejamieson, has introduced a dedicated team to provide HR services for its clients, with Claire Lloyd appointed as Head of HR Services. More
This week sees a two day conference (March 14 and 15) in central London organised by IQPC entitled 'Generating and Leveraging Consumer Insight'. More
The UK's first national email ethics survey has revealed that over half (53%) of white- collar employees from the UK's largest cities behave 'e-morally' on email whilst at work. This untoward behaviour includes the use of email to 'back stab' colleagues, along with the deliberate sending of racist, sexist, pornographic or discriminatory emails. More
Women may have come a long way in the male-dominated world of football, but watching it remains strictly the province of men. According to new AMI research, this summer's televised FIFA World Cup matches are likely to be enjoyed by an a predominantly male audience, at least across Asian countries. More
Sweden has once again been rated as the world's leading information economy, according to the 2002 IDC/World Times Information Society Index (ISI). More
Just published, Excellence in International Research 2002, the third in the series, contains a collection of the best papers from ESOMAR events in 2001, selected for their major contribution to excellence and best practice in international research. More
Ivor Stocker, Chairman of the British Market Research Association, has been appointed to the council of the Market Research Society in the UK. More
Despite a difficult trading environment, preliminary figures from GfK indicate that the agency has achieved good results for the 2001 year. Total revenue rose by 11% to EUR 534.0 million, whilst earnings before interest and tax including income from participations (aEBIT), increased by 14.5% to EUR 45.1 million. More
Around nine out of ten companies in the US (93%) and UK (86%) are now using the Internet for activities such as CRM, marketing, order fulfilment and selling to deal with customers according to research by Taylor Nelson Sofres Information Technology. In stark contrast, six out of ten (60%) companies in Japan and fewer than four out of ten (36%) companies in France are using the Internet as a marketing channel or customer service mechanism. More
The first ESOMAR Conference on Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) is scheduled for 17 to 19 March in Prague. The event aims to provide a unique platform to review the current state of the market research industry in relation to the opportunities offered by CRM. More
Net auditor RedSheriff is offering UK website owners a two month, reduced rate fee for the measurement and filtering of their ABC traffic data. ABC ELECTRONIC already offers website owners a half price registration fee to all those that use RedSheriff. More
Britain's wealthiest people are apparently quietly confident about their finances for the year ahead. At the same time, the country's increasing concentration of wealth is unlikely to alter over the coming 12 months. These are among the main findings of a new Mintel report entitled 'Private Banking & Wealth Management'. More
Australia's overall 2001 advertising economy has been depressed by a decline in major category advertising post September 11. This is according to the latest annual advertising expenditure figures released by ACNielsen Media International. More
ACNielsen Burke Institute and Burke, Inc. have entered into a joint venture to combine the ACNielsen Burke Institute and Burke's The Training & Development Center under one organization to be named The Burke Institute. This joint venture will bring together the faculty and course content from both organisations, combining over 70 years of marketing research knowledge. More
Consumer confidence in Germany has not improved since the beginning of 2002, with the mood amongst consumers remaining hesitant. These are the essential findings of the latest survey on consumer confidence carried out by GfK on behalf of the EU Commission in January 2002. More
The GfK Group has been busy expanding. News of its continuing growth includes a recent increase in UK and Irish healthcare/life science research, along with raised interest in subsidiaries Institut de Sondage Lavialle (I.S.L.) and Procon GfK. The group has also established a new Yugoslavian subsidiary, GfK Belgrade. More
The Independent Consultant's Group (ICG) in the UK has this week launched its website at http://www.indepconsultants.org More
The Aegis media communications and market research group has just acquired an effective 25% interest in The Filter Group, a marketing consultancy operating in Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. More
Global agency Ipsos has reported consolidated revenues of Euros 480.1 million for the year ending December 31, 2001, an increase of 46% over 2000 turnover. On a like for like basis growth came in at 8% for the year, confirming the ability of Ipsos to maintain a growth rate higher than that of the research market overall. More
At the recent Net Effects 5 Conference, the ESOMAR Programme Committee met to select the nominations for the John and Mary Goodyear Award of Best International Papers. More
ACNielsen U.S. has released findings from its new Consumer Pre*View service that provide positive news for the domestic consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. More
Results from NetValue's newest product, the e-Lifestyle Report, reveals that in nearly all Asian markets, females have increasingly made use of different facets of the Internet as their communication tools. More
27% of financial decision-makers in businesses trading for less than a year think the economic condition of the UK will improve over the next twelve months, according to a recent survey by NOP Financial. More
The latest Trends in Television Report covering the fourth quarter of 2001 released this week by the IPA shows that television is on the way out. More
MRS Conference-goers among us will probably remember that the annual Brighton event approaches soon. As ever, the events will include an auction for the Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA), to be managed this year by NOP. More
Ufi (University for Industry) has just commissioned research consultancy ORC International to undertake a two-year project, which will include mystery shopping all 1,400 learndirect centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. More
Happy Valentine's Day! The more romantically-inclined of our readers will be heartened to know that modern amour is still officially alive and kicking. An estimated one in six Britons claim to have sent a card to a loved one today, according to new research released this week from Mintel. More
Over 90% of senior executives in the Australian direct mail industry believe that the country's new Privacy Act will impact on their businesses to some extent. This is according to the detailed findings of the first ACNielsen MailTrack survey of Australian direct mail online released this week. More
Do you want to hear industry views on 'Understanding and Overcoming the Limitations of Web-Based Market Research'? If so, the forthcoming second annual Henry Stewart conference on the subject is scheduled for central London on 26th February. More
Over one in four British adults claim to be strongly against participating in the single currency of the Euro. A further one in four are generally opposed but might be persuaded otherwise by good economic reasons. Such are the main conclusions of a new MORI survey conducted earlier this month and published this week. More
Taylor Nelson Sofres/Gallup Media has stated that it is looking to expand outside of its media ratings stronghold in its Russian operations. The company now intends to build a general market research operation and capability in the region within the next two years. More
WARC's new 'European Advertising & Media Yearbook 2002' is now available. Claiming it is the most comprehensive and authoritative source of European and media data available, it should be an asset to any marketer's bookshelf or briefcase. More
Internet betting in the UK appears to be on the rise despite a more general downturn in traditional gambling. This is the main finding from the latest research in ORC International's 'GamblerTrack 2001'. More
As of today you can register for a free, regular email with details of market research *events* of relevance to you - conferences, seminars, courses, speaker meetings, training, interest groups and others. Select the types of event you want and choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly emails. Register at www.mrweb.com/input/evt-not.htm or read more details first... More
Research2002, this year's Annual Conference of The Market Research Society (MRS), is now approaching fast, to be held in Brighton on 20th to 22nd March. The central theme of this year's event is 'Insight into Action' with the aim of demonstrating to attendees how, in an increasingly competitive market, consumer insight has clear implications for marketing activity in both the public and private sectors. More
The Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK just has launched an important initiative 'The Knowledge Centre'. CIM's goal is to create an encyclopaedia of knowledge, tools and information, which practitioners will find practical and useful. More
Latest figures from Taylor Nelson Sofres Hospitality and Leisure (TNS H&L) show a significant drop in customer service performance across the UK hotel industry in the three months following the September terrorist attacks in America. More
Local communities put activities for teenagers at the top of their 'wish list' for neighbourhood improvements. In research carried out by the MORI Social Research Institute for the Audit Commission, the issue gathered more support than the need to improve local health services, public transport or the local crime rate. More
Leaders of the market research industry, meeting last week in Geneva for the second consecutive year, to discuss ways to strengthen the position of market research, agreed to take action on a number of key priorities. The 50 leaders attending the global Research Leaders Summit, also called RELEAS 2, organized by ARF and ESOMAR, have decided to establish a global lobbying body for the market research industry. More
Netusability has been appointed by iVillage UK, the UK's leading women's website, to undertake a usability testing project to analyse customer opinion of its newly-redesigned website. More
The willingness of British children to give out their home address on the Net has dropped by two-thirds in 18 months, according to a survey just published by NOP Family. More
Global agency Taylor Nelson Sofres has issued a trading update ahead of its preliminary results announcement on March 18 this year. The group expects its underlying improvement in 2001 to be slightly ahead of market growth, which is generally estimated to be 5%. More
According to the latest MORI annual Captains of Industry survey, belief in the value of the Euro to Britain has risen again following a decline over the previous three years. By around 3:2, Britain's business leaders support rather than oppose Britain joining. More
The Council for Marketing and Opinion Research (CMOR) has released new views on Internet respondents and their views towards surveys. According to Jane Sheppard, Director of Respondent Co-operation, many now find the research process a positive experience. More
Online software provider Itracks has just announced the acquisition of the patent for online focus groups from US agency Greenfield Online. This represents the next stage in developing the company's Online Focus Group facility. More
In an interview with China Daily, the secretary general of the China Marketing Research Association has urged domestic research agencies to develop new growth areas quickly so as to adapt to changing circumstances in the sector. More
Around two hundred post offices UK wide will have been visited, anonymously, by a researcher from MORI this Christmas as part of the Postwatch nationwide research survey. This is to gauge the level of service customers received when posting their presents via Royal Mail and Parcelforce. More
The British Market Research Association (BMRA) is hosting a free directors' briefing on 31st January in central London with the aim of helping to benchmark your company's performance. More
The MRS in the UK is to host a topical forum on research best practice in local authorities with the support of LARIA (Local Authorities Research & Intelligence Association) - the first time that The Market Research Society has organised an event on local government. More
WARC is holding its fourth one day conference on Models of Thinking later this month on Thursday 17th January in central London. The event promises to explore how creative thinking can improve your brand, your marketing strategies and your methods of communication. More
Have you ever hidden a price tag from your spouse? Suppressed a secret desire or just wished you weren't married any more? With 40% of British marriages now heading for divorce, MORI recently conducted an exclusive Reader's Digest Poll of married people looking at their attitudes towards marriage, their experiences and how honest and open they are with each other. More
Surgeons fear they are letting patients down, with two thirds of consultants now saying that new money has not reached their hospital unit. These are the key findings of a British Medical Association (BMA) survey on the current state of the NHS reported by the BBC. More
Citing a recent Forrester report that 63% of Global 3500 firms surveyed are not satisfied with the effectiveness of their website assessment, Netusability has launched its Customer Experience Platform, a solution of website monitoring, usability testing and online analytics software and services for businesses with an online channel. More
What are the new realities of research and business on the Internet? This is the key topic to be discussed at the forthcoming 5th ESOMAR Net Effects Conference scheduled for Berlin next February. More
Young SuperChef Jamie Oliver is thought to top the table of celebrity chefs who influence the way we cook. This is one of the conclusions of a new MORI study, Eating and Today's Lifestyle, conducted for the Nestlé Family Monitor and released this week. More
Just over half of today's 7 to 16 year olds in the UK are proud owners of the ultimate 'must have' accessory, the mobile phone. In consequence, handset upgrades are becoming ever more common. This is the main finding of a new survey from NOP World. More
The Market Research Society (MRS) has just completed a deal with publishers Pearson Education to develop a textbook and website for The MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice. More
WPP has recently acquired full control of Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc., (PS&B), a US strategic research and polling consultancy headquartered in Washington DC. More
At this week's Online Information 2001 conference in London, Outsell, Inc announced the release of a landmark multi-client study summarising the information needs, habits, and preferences of 500 European sales and marketing professionals across 10 industries in the UK, France, and Germany. More
UK agency RBA Research has just marked two decades of work in research and public consultation for local government. It has also finished a company move to new premises in Leeds City Centre. More
Britain's industrial sector has recorded its worst annual output in October since the country's last economic recession a decade ago. This is according to the latest official industrial production data from the National Statistics office. More
About half of all UK smokers (46%) think that smoking can't really be all that dangerous, or the Government wouldn't let cigarettes be advertised, according to results from a new ASH survey recently carried out by ICM Research. More
New research from Taylor Nelson Sofres Healthcare (TNSH) shows that over half (54%) of all HIV infections in the UK are from heterosexual contact - an increase from 37% last year. More
Aegis Research has significantly expanded its global network of market research companies through the acquisition of a 100% stake in Research Fact, a Tokyo-based market research company. More
Over a third of the GB population believe that medical developments have had the greatest impact of all on people's lives over the last 50 years. At the same time, only 7% want to see the greatest future advances within the field of pregnancy and birth. Such are the main results of a new MORI poll conducted on behalf of Action Research. More
German agency GfK has won contracts for two major projects with a total volume of approximately Euro 10 million for 2002 and 2003. The projects will be carried out by GfK companies in the Consumer Tracking division in the Netherlands and Switzerland, giving the division a head start in the coming financial year. More
Specialist public sector agency RBA has taken on Debbie Wilson as Head of Local Government Research. More
Asians rank air conditioners as the number one household white goods product they intend to buy in the next twelve months. This is according to the latest household products research from AMI's regional omnibus survey AsiaBUS conducted across 14 key markets in the Asia Pacific region. More
Almost two-thirds of UK parents believe exams grades have improved in the last decade due to the fact that students now work harder. This is the main finding from a new Edexcel report just released on "Perceptions of the Examination System" using exclusive MORI research. More
Corporate sponsorship in mass-market entertainment has always been a controversial subject. However, Americans do not seem to mind the link, as in the case of the current Harry Potter film tie-in with Coca-Cola. Such is the conclusion of the latest Harris Interactive Sportainment poll in the US. More
FDS International has been commissioned by the London Transport Users Committee to carry out a comprehensive study into the ways in which different train operators present timetable information, in a bid to identify which are the most intelligible and effective among rail users. More
Recent analysis of 1,200 brands on Millward Brown's BrandDynamics(TM) and BRANDZ database, as reported in the recent e-Perspectives newsletter, refutes the commonly held belief that brands follow an inevitable life cycle. More
More than a third (38%) of SMEs (small to medium enterprises) in Britain believe that the UK economy is currently experiencing a "slow down" rather than a recession, according to the findings of a recent survey from Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS). More
Is your company doing all it can to capture the £10 billion a year of student spending? This is the main issue under discussion at the forthcoming "Marketing to Students 2001" conference organised by Marketing Week on the 5th December. More
Brand success depends on four broad drivers, and marketing visibility has a strong part to play in adding to a brand's equity. These messages were at the core of a client breakfast seminar organised by Millward Brown UK earlier this week entitled "World Brands". More
Private health club membership is soaring, with one in ten GB adults currently signed as members, and two fifths of them visiting at least three times a week. This is according to the new "Heath and Fitness" research report published this week by Mintel. More
WARC and Admap are hosting the 2nd Annual Benchmarks in Buyer Behaviour one day seminar in London on November 27th. The event will examine patterns of buyer behaviour based on results from the R&D Initiative at South Bank University. More
ORC International has announced the introduction of two new online tools for HR managers. Launching at the end of this week, the new tools in particular should greatly aid research into employee pay and benefits. More
Brits overwhelmingly believe that UK companies should show a high degree of responsibility to the public in difficult economic times. This is the headline finding from MORI's latest survey on Corporate Social Responsibility. More
UK research agency Hauck Research Services has been acquired this week by Incepta Group plc, the international marketing and communications group. More
Opinion Research Corporation's (ORC) Social Research business has just been awarded US$2.5 million worth of new American research. This win falls under the company's recently signed Multiple Task Order Contract with the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). More
Itracks, the online MR software supplier, has just announced the launch of its new Research Engineer software programme. This system is billed as a "one-stop hub for research professionals, allowing them to manage their online projects from one central location." More
The latest website monitoring data from Jupiter MMX1 reveals that friendsreunited.co.uk, the online friend finding service, has now entered the UK's top 20 listings. According to research for October, the site is believed to have attracted over two million unique visitors for the month. More
In the paper "Similarity and diversity in European attitudes" presented by Ruben Mohedano-Brethes, Daniel Debomy and his team at ESOMAR´s recent Qualitative Research Conference in Budapest, highlights were given of a European-wide study aimed at strategy development for the European Commission. More
NFO World Group has announced the North American launch of its relationship management software TRI*M. The recently updated system processes stakeholder relationship data to create simple customer information, useful in preventing customer "leakage" and securing good returns from company customer satisfaction programmes. More
Marketing and opinion research is a fast growing industry in Hungary, and shows more dynamic growth than the economy itself. According to ESOMAR and PSMZ data, turnover in the sector reached roughly US$30 million last year, showing an annual growth rate of 20%. More
The CBI has renewed pressure for a half-point cut in interest rates after publishing a survey showing the US terrorist attacks further eroding UK business confidence. The survey of almost 250 top executives, carried out by MORI, paints the most comprehensive picture yet of the impact that September 11 had on British firms and will have in future. More
According to a new study from ACNielsen, only 43 consumer product brands ring up annual sales of more than US$1 billion each and so can be considered truly global. More
Research carried out this month by Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission indicates that consumer confidence is still falling. The October Consumer Confidence Barometer (CCB), which measures the public's confidence in the UK's economic climate, shows confidence dropping by 4 points to register a score of -5, the lowest score since the fuel crisis last autumn. More
In a bold new move, the MRS and the BMRA in the UK have decided to rationalise their directory publications. This is in place of the previous publication of the two separate listings of research suppliers and services. More
How can firms maximise the revenue they generate from their online activities? This is the central issue to be examined at "Maximising Key Revenue Streams", Forrester Research's forthcoming free Executive Breakfast to be held on November 6 in London. More
Insightful Corporation, a leading provider of enterprise software solutions for data analysis, and FIRM Inc., a provider of Internet-based survey and feedback software, are to integrate their respective technologies into a single, seamless market research and CRM solution called confirmit Customer Behaviour Modelling (CBM). More
A new "one-stop-shopping" website called INVEST JAPAN! has been launched this month. Offering a wide range of information and statistics on Japan's various industries and regions, the site has been created by the government-supported Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). More
Asia Market Intelligence (AMI) has recently unveiled results from its regional Asian omnibus study AsiaBUS. The latest findings have highlighted that a large majority of Asians are distinctly in favour of the city of Beijing acting as host to the forthcoming 2008 Olympic Games. More
American researcher Harris Interactive and PR company Witeck-Combs Communications are to launch The Gay and Lesbian Pulse in the USA. This new research follows and supports the previously launched specialised American research practice focusing on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) consumer market. More
FDS International is to sponsor the Customer Insight category in next year's Marketing Society Awards. This category is open to all those who demonstrate the best use of research or database development to provide real insights into customer behaviour. This can include research for new product development. More
The market of Internet service providers (ISPs) in the European core countries Germany, Great Britain and France is consolidating. This is according to the results of the latest eighth wave of research from the Internet user monitor EURO.NET run by NFO Infratest. More
A new MORI survey, commissioned by British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), reveals that 1 in 4 people have considered or would consider adopting in the future. The research also reveals the surprising fact that, among those most likely to adopt, single and co-habiting couples are more likely to do so than married couples. More
The Annual Research Industry Angling Competition will take place at the Willinghurst Estate Fishery near Cranleigh, Surrey on Friday 2nd November. Once again, the day will be generously sponsored by the New Fieldwork Company with tackle prizes and trophies being presented to the winners. More
Peter Hutton, deputy managing director of MORI and BMRA Council member, has reported on the recently conducted survey of BMRA members in the organisation's newly launched newsletter. The results show an overall desire for the MRS and BMRA to work more closely together. More
The opening address at the recent ESOMAR Annual Congress by President John Kelly neatly summed up the transformation of the market research industry. As we are all aware, globalisation and developments in ICT are transforming international business on an unprecedented scale. The swing to a different economy is producing profound and unexpected changes in the structure of society, business and ways of working. More
UK agency, FDS International has been awarded a research contract to measure customer service and satisfaction among employers who use the Employment Service, part of the Government's Department for Work and Pensions. The contract runs for three years with an option to extend for a further two years. More
The Council for Marketing and Opinion Research (CMOR) in the US has appointed Larry Mock as its President and CEO, effective immediately. More
French agency Ipsos has reported strong first half results with revenues up 64% and net income up a considerable 106% as well as an improvement in operational profitability. More
The MRS in the UK (Market Research Society) has announced the launch of its Accredited Interviewer Training Scheme (AITS), a cross-industry initiative designed to enhance professional standards of interviewing throughout the market research industry and improve the experience for interviewees. More
Research consultancy, ORC International, is organising two free seminars at its London (11 October) and Manchester (8 November) offices, focusing on the needs of HR professionals. More
Nielsen//NetRatings has received government approval to conduct Internet research in China. In doing so, the Nielsen//NetRatings service is the first and only service to be officially approved by the Chinese Government to measure consumers' Internet behaviour. More
British children are thought to lead hectic lives and to treat exercise as a low priority. This is according to the findings of a new MORI survey commissioned by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) looking at 7 to 16 year-olds' attitudes towards physical activity. More
The European manufacturing sector is now thought to be firmly in economic recession. This is according to the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for September as measured by Reuters, September 2001, and reported by NTC Research. More
In a bid to revolutionise the delivery of data, ActiveGroup, a leader in delivering streaming media solutions for marketing research, is partnering with AcuPOLL(r) Research, Inc. More
Habbo Hotel (www.habbohotel.com), the growing teenage community website, was recently commissioned by the online youth market research company, the Fat Group to supply a large sample of UK teenagers for a new product development task for a major food and drink client. More
The key issues facing marketers in their search for globalisation are discussed in the latest edition of MarketLoop from Through the Loop Consulting. More
ORC International is hosting an one day Stakeholder Consultation seminar in London on October 25th. The event will address a number of factors to be borne in mind at the outset of a stakeholder consultation programme. More
WARC is hosting an one day event on October 2 in London which aims to stimulate the brain cells. "Rethinking the Consumer" promises to bring new thought processes into how consumers are researched and targeted. More
The Market Research Society (MRS)in the UK has just received accreditation from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). This move makes The MRS the sole official UK awarding body for qualifications in market research. More
American agency Greenfield Online has renewed its commitment to maintaining its position as the leading provider of online data collection and infrastructure services in response to recent trends in the marketplace. More
Henry Stewart is organising an one day event in London on September 26th, designed to provide assistance to all those who collect, analyse and use data from market research. "Case Studies in the Application of Mathematical and Statistical Techniques that Add Value to Marketing" promises to illustrate what can be achieved and how to achieve it by using state of the art maths and statistics. More
Arbitron has signed a long term Research Technology Development and Licensing Agreement with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), in the States. Under this agreement, APL will provide research and development expertise to enhance Arbitron's audience measurement capabilities and services, including its Portable People Meter audience measurement system. More
Frost & Sullivan's Fourth Annual Advanced Marketing Research Conference, being held between November 4th and 8th in Florida, promises to reveal the hottest marketing trends, research technologies and competitive strategies used in business today. More
ESOMAR's 54th International Annual Congress takes place in Rome on 23-26 September, entitled 'Marketing Transformation: Research for the Bottom Line.' More
Opinion Research Corporation has been awarded a US$4.7 million contract by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA to implement National Youth Risk Behaviour Surveys (YRBS). More
Half of all Europeans believe that the creation and preservation of enough secure jobs should be the focus of their country's future policies. This is the major finding of a survey conducted in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK, commissioned by GfK-Nürnberg. More
Now accounting for one in eight Americans, Hispanics will make up an increasingly large proportion of the American population as the 21st century progresses. According to The U.S. Hispanic Market, a new market research report published by Packaged Facts, the Hispanic population grew more than four times as fast as the US population as a whole between 1990 and 2000. More
While many large companies have come through the dot.com hype having implemented clear and effective online communication strategies, others appear to have gone backwards by failing to adjust their global Internet strategies to meet public demand. This is the conclusion of the third annual Rainier Web-Index(TM) Study on the use of the Web by FTSE 100 and the top 100 Fortune companies. More
First Great Eastern Railways (FGER) is currently expanding its continuous customer satisfaction programme through use of advanced regression analysis techniques to discover how it can best improve customer satisfaction by managing those elements of the FGER passenger's journey which are directly under the company's control. ORC International, has been conducting FGER's customer satisfaction programme since January 2000, and has now been commissioned to design the "FGER Customer Satisfaction Predictive Model." More
The Census and Geodemographics Group of The Market Research Society is hosting a seminar on 24 October in London on "Market Research Meets Database Marketing". Aimed primarily at market researchers and database users, the event is designed to enable practitioners to get the most out of their research sources for database marketing and customer relationship management. More
Almost three quarters (74%) of SMEs in England and Wales feel that their economic contribution is undervalued by the government, according to the findings of a new survey from Taylor Nelson Sofres. More
Thomson Intermedia has recently published a detailed investigation into the marketing and advertising strategies of the key players in the UK online betting industry. More
The latest edition of MORI's Corporate Image survey suggests public hostility towards profitability is waning and that two decades of animosity towards business success may be coming to an end. More
The UK - allegedly a nation of dog lovers - is needlessly killing nearly 15,000 healthy dogs a year, a survey by NCDL / MORI can reveal. The shocking figures show that 13% of the nation's 113,500 stray dogs are being killed just because their owners cannot be traced or a new owner found. The NCDL, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, believes that no healthy dog should be put to sleep and is urging all dog owners to help them stop this senseless destruction. More
'Consulting with Communities - Effective research and consultation within local authorities' is a one day conference to be held in London on September 19 hosted by Neil Stewart Associates and supported by MORI. More
Americans view their money in highly distinct ways according to the findings of a new US Gallup telephone survey. Nearly half (45%) say they enjoy spending money, with 48% also claiming they prefer saving. Surprisingly 44% of men stated they enjoyed shopping, matching the 45% of women of happy spenders. More
MORI and the British House Trust completed a survey into attitudes towards housing this summer. When asked about which material would give the quietest type of house, 73% stated that concrete block would do the trick. Similarly, when asked which structure has the longest life, 71% were in favour of concrete, and for best resell price, 69% also opted for concrete. More
Three quarters of all 7 to 16-year-olds in the UK are now Internet users, according to a survey just released by NOP Family. Based on the latest six-monthly findings from kids.net, NOP reports a 10% surge in Internet use growth in the six months to April 2001. More
Essex County Council has joined forces with Essex Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership1 (EYDCP) to commission market research consultancy, ORC International to examine the perceptions of childcare as a career option in Essex. More
Harris Interactive has announced the acquisition of Market Research Solutions Ltd (MSRL), the Oxford-based research agency. In a part cash and part stock deal, Harris Interactive has agreed to employ 75 MRSL employees, as well as running the existing offices in Oxford and Newport. MRSL is expected to add up to £6 million to revenues in the first year. More
A consortium between BMRB Social Research and Ipsos UK has just won the contract for the research on two Home Office social research surveys. These are the British Crime Survey (BCS) 2001-2003 and the Home Office Citizenship Survey (HOCS) 2001. Both will be based on random probability sampling and CAPI data collection. More
Half the Irish public believe that their Government should help fund contraceptive and family planning advice. The same level also agree with the provision of sex education in schools. More
News has just been released that Harris Interactive Inc. and Total Research Corporation are to merge, forming one of the world's largest research companies. The two companies expect to report approximately US$115 million in combined revenues for their 2001 fiscal years. More
MORI chairman Professor Robert Worcester has been recently feted with honours for his political research contributions. MORI has announced that he has received no less than three awards for his work as the UK's foremost pollster. More
Roper Starch Worldwide is to be acquired by NOP World and merged with Audits & Surveys Worldwide. On the basis of this acquisition, NOP will form a new integrated company called RoperASW Audits & Surveys Worldwide. More
A recent survey conducted by MORI and Vox Pops International has found that reality TV is playing a major part in young people's lives. Indeed, three in five (61%) 15 to 24 year olds in the UK agree that these programmes help to teach them about the ways in which people interact with each other. More
A new Forrester report on "Winning The Affluent In A Downturn" recently surveyed 2,500 affluent North American households on the state of the economy, the market, and technology. The findings show the population to be generally confident about the economy and the market, secure in their wealth, and optimistic about technology. More
Almost two thirds of people in the UK (60%) believe that roadside litter is a worse problem now than was five years ago. This is the headline finding from a new MORI survey commissioned by jamjar.com, Direct Line's motoring site, timed to support the Tidy Britain Group's Car Litter campaign launched this week. More
Opinion Research Corporation has been awarded a new, US$7 million contract by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support the new, "Healthy Passages" initiative, a longitudinal study of health behaviours. More
The Ipsos group is planning to open a new US Public Affairs Polling Division, putting to use its recently acquired assets in the form of political pollsters Riehle Research. More
Cheskin, the US market research and consulting firm, is planning a new range of titles in its forthcoming Market Insight Series. These are designed to provide companies with overviews of the key consumer trends in evolving or emerging US markets as well as providing the strategic recommendations needed to capitalise on them. More
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