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Text analytics specialist Canvs AI has added translation capabilities to Canvs MRX, allowing users to analyze open-ended text from multiple languages, directly on the platform. More
Text analytics software firm Relative Insight, headquartered in the UK, has appointed long-time IBM exec Kimberly Shernoff to lead its US-based sales team from the firm's new Philadelphia office. 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
In the US, insight communities firm Fuel Cycle has added the Canvs MRX open-ended text analytics insights platform to its Fuel Cycle Exchange (FCX) Marketplace, providing customers with access to Canvs AI's solution for analyzing unstructured text from virtually any source. More
Consumer insights platform Toluna has added a range of new product development methodologies to its Start platform, including needs identification, ideation, and claims testing solutions. 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
Last year, Facebook agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit over the alleged inflation of its video audience metrics by anything up to 900%. An amended filing now claims the firm's execs were aware of its overestimating the number of people advertisers could reach, as far back as 2015. More
Emotion measurement specialist Canvs AI has unveiled what it describes as 'The MR industry's first AI-powered platform for automatic coding of open-ended survey responses'. More
Brighton, UK-based digital consumer intelligence company Brandwatch has unveiled new flagship product, Consumer Research, representing a '$50m investment' and integrating technology from social media analyst Crimson Hexagon, which it acquired last autumn. More
Social media monitoring firm Brandwatch claims to have launched a new category called 'Digital Consumer Intelligence', which combines social media, (other) digital, survey and first-party data and applies artificial intelligence and data science techniques to generate new customer insights. More
Verbatim analysis software company Ascribe has teamed up with Hamburg, Germany-based market and social research firm ASKi-Data to launch a new text analytics tool, ASKi-Data CX Snapshot. 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
Ipsos has launched Simstore, a suite of automated virtual shopper and packaging solutions to help clients understand how shoppers make decisions, improve navigation and optimize retail conditions and package designs. More
US firm Definitive Healthcare has acquired the data services business and assets of HIMSS Analytics, which provides research and consultancy in the sector. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. 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
In the US, social media monitoring and analysis firm Crimson Hexagon has extended its executive leadership team with the appointments of Lou Jordano and Bud McGann, and the promotion of Dana Miller. More
Social media analyst Crimson Hexagon has added proprietary image analysis technology to its offer, to help brands uncover insights contained in consumers' photos. 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
In the UK, recently formed software firm Digital Taxonomy has launched a machine learning tool called Codeit, designed to help researchers and analysts code answers to open-ended questions. More
US-based social media analysis firm Crimson Hexagon has partnered with business data platform Domo, to enable organizations to analyse social media data alongside other business information such as sales data, financials and web site analytics. 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
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
Facebook is being sued by three advertisers following its recent overstatement of the time users spend watching its video ads. 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
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, 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
Social media analyst Crimson Hexagon has launched a real-time social media analysis service called HelioSight. 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
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
US-based social media analysis firm Crimson Hexagon has raised $20m in a round of equity financing, which it will use to expand its infrastructure and products, and its global sales and marketing team. 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
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
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
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
Pharma data giant IMS Health has acquired healthcare big data analytics specialist Dataline Software. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 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
In the US, social media analyst Crimson Hexagon has added a feature called 'Audience Affinities' to its ForSight platform. This allows marketers to draw on the firm's library of more than 600 billion Twitter posts and determine how likely a brand's audience is to be interested in a specific topic. 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
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
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
US-based social media analysis firm Crimson Hexagon has opened European headquarters on London's South Bank. 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
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
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
In the US, ad technology audit specialist ImServices Group has been merged into The Alliance of Audited Media, enhancing its range of digital ad measurement services. The merged body has immediately launched a new service for companies preparing for MRC or IAB certification. More
Social media and text analytics specialist Texifter has entered a strategic partnership with DIY research firm SurveyMonkey, helping the latter's users get to grips with verbatim-heavy survey responses. 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
US-based Truven Health Analytics has acquired fraud detection specialist Fortel Analytics, whose predictive solutions are designed to identify suspicious patterns in healthcare insurance claims data. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
IMS Health has proceeded with its IPO, raising $1.3bn, and shares have risen by 15 percent on its trading debut. 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
Online MR software company Confirmit has acquired social media intelligence and text analytics specialist Integrasco. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. More
Canadian firm Leger Metrics has launched a solution to automatically analyze text responses from open-ended survey questions, social media, and anywhere else customers leave comments about their brand experiences. 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
Canadian customer feedback and analytics specialist iPerceptions has enhanced the text mining capabilities of its Active Research platform, adding clickstream data segmentation for more detailed analysis of open-ended feedback. More
IMS Health has acquired Swedish life sciences advisory and analytics firm Pygargus for an undisclosed sum. More
UK-based sampling agency SampleAnswers is looking to expand after an injection of cash from private investment partnership EXIMS. Meanwhile MD Neil Whelpton is leaving, and Abdi Mohamed has joined as group Technical Operations Manager. More
US-based social media monitoring firm Crimson Hexagon has added a trend detection feature called 'Topic Waves' to its ForSight platform, which it says will help customers discover emerging trends and topics across social media conversations. More
DIY mobile survey platform SlimSurveys has introduced a new 'widget' which can be added to web sites and used to run real-time customer surveys. 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
Australian firm QSR International has combined its flagship qual research software NVivo with SurveyMonkey's DIY research tool, which it says will make it easier for individuals to collect, organize, understand and report on open-ended survey responses. 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
DIY mobile survey platform SlimSurveys has introduced an API, through which developers can integrate micro-surveys and polls into third-party web and mobile applications. More
The founders of photo sharing site TweetPhoto have set up a DIY mobile survey platform called SlimSurveys, in a bid to take on companies like Survey Monkey which they claim provide a 'terrible experience' for survey takers. More
Pharma data giant IMS Health has acquired SaaS firm Incential Software, as it looks to extend its performance management capabilities for life sciences organizations worldwide. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
A New York state judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought last summer against WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell by Sabharwal & Finkel, the law firm at the time representing TAM India case plaintiff New Delhi Television. 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 the US, IMS Health and Remedy Informatics have partnered to deliver technology-based 'real-world-evidence' (RWE) solutions, promising life science sector clients a complete picture of the patient experience. More
US firm Civicom Marketing Research Services has launched a mobile app through which consumers can 'dial in' and record their thoughts while out shopping. More
US-based social media monitoring and analytics firm Crimson Hexagon has introduced a new feature called Live Stream, to enable real-time social media monitoring through its existing ForSight platform. 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
US research giant IMS Health has acquired social media analytics firm Semantelli for an undisclosed sum. 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
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
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
In the US, legal proceedings arising from the behavioral targeting trials of NebuAd in 2008 seem finally to be rumbling towards a conclusion. Claims against several of the six ISPs accused with the now defunct ad targeting company have recently been dismissed and/or downgraded. More
Social media analytics firm Crimson Hexagon has integrated Klout's influence scores into its ForSight platform, to help clients understand the impact key individuals are having on marketing campaigns. More
Healthcare research giant IMS Health is to integrate Health Intelligence Company's (HIC) health plan claims database into its IMS LifeLink portfolio of tools, which provide a view of treatment decisions for more than 210 million patients in the US. 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
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
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
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
US information and analytics provider IHS has bought UK-based IMS Research, which conducts market research for the global electronics industry. The deal, which is IHS's fourth acquisition in less than a month - is valued at approximately $46m. 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
Four German associations are backing a new radio ad campaign to promote the public's participation in market and social research surveys. More
In London, GfK NOP has appointed former IMS Healthcare manager Richard Lawrance to lead its Consumer Healthcare business. More
In Canada, former Optimisa CEO Simon Dannatt has joined youth-focused research specialist The Sound as Chief Executive Officer, with a specific remit to help the firm expand into Asia. 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
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
US company Integrity Marketing Solutions, which specialises in marketing services for estate planning and elder law, has acquired directory market analyst Simba Yellow Pages. Terms were not disclosed. 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
In the US, social media analyst Crimson Hexagon is moving its Boston headquarters to a new location in the Seaport District which will accommodate its 200% year on year growth to date. More
In the US, research and measurement consultancy StrategyOne has partnered with social media monitoring and analysis specialist Crimson Hexagon to launch a daily, multi-language media measurement and analytics tool called 'Sunrise'. 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
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
Despite a New York court's rejection of TRA's attempt to block the roll-out of Kantar's RapidView solution on the grounds of patent infringement, TRA has asked the courts to consider a further claim that WPP/Kantar 'improperly used' its trade secrets during development of the tool. More
In the US, a lawsuit has been filed against online measurement specialist comScore, claiming it collected personal and confidential data - such as credit card numbers, passwords and Social Security numbers - from consumers' computers without their knowledge. 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 US, digital measurement specialist Compete - now part of Kantar Media - has appointed former Crimson Hexagon CEO Scott Centurino as Chief Operating Officer, to help manage the firm's growth. More
A US judge has ordered media measurement firm TRA and WPP to settle their differences through mediation, following their row over alleged patent infringement. 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
Electronics market specialist IMS Research has opened an office in Tokyo, Japan, which President Ian Weightman describes as a 'key component' in the firm's growth strategy in Asia Pacific. The new office is headed by former comScore manager Masanori Wakabayashi. More
Voice-of-the-customer (VoC) software solutions firm ResponseTek has released a new version of its on-demand Customer Experience Management (CEM) platform. More
In the USA, social media intelligence firm Crimson Hexagon has announced an investment of $5m from Charles F Dolan, the founder and Chairman of the telecoms and media company Cablevision Systems Corporation. More
Electronics market specialist IMS Research has set up a Touch Market Research & Consulting practice in the US, and appointed touch technology specialist Geoff Walker to lead it as Principal Analyst. More
In the US, social media monitoring and analysis firm Crimson Hexagon has appointed media veteran Patricia Gottesman as President and CEO, to oversee further development of its proprietary technology platform and accelerate growth. More
In the US, linguistic research and technology firm Quester has launched the beta version of its self-serve 'Socrates OnDemand' solution, to provide access to its virtual interviewer platform Socrates and enable users to probe free-form text fields such as comment boxes or open-ended survey questions. More
UK-based electronics market specialist IMS Research has launched a new 'Strategic Market Assessment' (SMA) service, which will provide clients with recommendations for the best markets to focus on to achieve profitable business growth. More
Electronics market research specialist IMS Research has appointed 25 new analysts for teams across several sectors in the UK, US, Taiwan, China and Korea. More
FocusVision, a live video transmission, analysis and archive company based in Connecticut, USA, has announced significant enhancements to its video editing tool. 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
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
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
Electronics industry specialist IMS Research has opened an office in Seoul, South Korea, to be led by Harry (Sung Dong) Cho and with newly appointed Dkins (Dae Kwon) Cho as Senior Analyst for LEDs and Displays. A Tokyo office will follow shortly. 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
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
MR technology firms Insight Marketing Systems (IMS) in Australia and MarketSight in the US have partnered to offer a solution which enables research buyers to securely access and analyse research results online, and share them with internal stakeholders. More
US marcoms network MDC Partners has acquired a majority interest in media analytics firm Integrated Media Solutions (IMS). Terms were not disclosed. 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
US electronics market research firm IMS Research has expanded its operations to Seoul, Korea, where it has appointed two analysts focused on the display, LED and consumer electronics market. 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
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
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
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
Healthcare intelligence provider IMS Health is planning to launch an analytical tool that enables firms to assess treatment opportunities and guide commercial decisions in the $48bn global oncology market. More
US electronics market research specialist IMS Research has acquired recently founded Young Market Research (YMR), which provides marketing intelligence and consulting in the solar, solid-state lighting and display industries. Terms were undisclosed. 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
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
According to reports, pharma market research giant IMS Health is in talks with several private equity firms regarding selling the company. More
IMS Health has launched a new tool that provides an understanding at both the molecule and product level of market size, performance and changing biologics usage in more than 70 countries. More
Research software provider Confirmit and text analytics specialist Clarabridge have formed a partnership aimed at refining the value of open-ended customer responses. 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
Pharma market research giant IMS Health has launched a web-based Q&A service to provide healthcare industry market intelligence and insights to newly-founded biopharmaceutical companies. 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
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
US data analysis specialist Attensity has unveiled a new solution to enable government agencies and departments within large organizations to measure, chart and understand customer sentiment expressed in feedback from surveys. 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 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
From next Monday, Millward Brown IMS and Lansdowne Market Research will combine into a single company named Millward Brown Lansdowne. The new firm will be part of Millward Brown Ireland, along with Millward Brown Ulster. 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
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 (TÝAK) has apparently said it will change the system, and the supplier. More
In the US, media researcher Jay Guyther - a long-time executive at Arbitron - is joining broadcast consulting firm ROI Media Solutions (ROIMS) to expand its reach in new people meter markets. More
The UK Online Measurement (UKOM) company, which plans to launch a single online audience measurement currency, is in preliminary discussions with Nielsen Online to provide the data. 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
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
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
In the UK, the former Joint Industry Committee for Internet Measurement Systems (JICIMS) is to be re-launched as the UK Online Measurement (UKOM) company, following recent news that its original stakeholders had withdrawn financial support. More
In the UK, The Joint Industry Committee for Internet Measurement Systems (JICIMS) is having to re-think its plans to establish an online audience measurement standard, following news that its original stakeholders have withdrawn financial support. More
MR software provider Confirmit says it will integrate its new platform more closely with the Ascribe software of partner firm Language Logic, which provides simple coding of open-ended responses. The platform is due for release in early 2009. 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
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
In the UK, JICIMS (the Joint Industry Committee for Internet Measurement Systems) has appointed Research International's former Worldwide CEO Mark Cranmer as its first Chairman, heading up its initiative to establish a single online measurement currency. More
Pharmaceutical research leader IMS Health has confirmed the acquisition of Russian research and analytics firm RMBC, first announced in January. 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
The proposed $426m sale of Greenfield Online to media and communications investment firm the Quadrangle Group is being hampered by complaints from investors Springhouse Capital and Pennant Capital that the agreed sum undervalues the company. More
The Nielsen Company and its subsidiary Interactive Market Systems (IMS) have announced the launch of IMS Clear Decisions(TM), a new software platform claiming to simplify access to media and marketing data and speed up the generation of insights from it. More
In the US, pharma research giant IMS Health has joined with ten academic researchers to establish the Health Services Research Network (HSRN), to conduct detailed, national-level studies of key health services and their outcomes. More
In the US, IMS Health has finished quarter one with 13% revenue growth to $574m, on the back of its 'aggressive' restructuring actions. More
Three US organisations have partnered to develop a tool, the Miami University AIMS Sharability Scale, which they say quantifies the likelihood of advertising messages being shared with others. More
In British Columbia, Canada, new legislation has been passed which according to Health Minister George Abbott, prohibits disclosure of information from electronic databases for market research and allows individuals access to their own health records and medical information. 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
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
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
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 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
Pharmaceutical and healthcare research giant IMS Health has acquired analytics and technology firm MIHS Holdings, Inc, which has two subsidiaries – IHS and MedInitiatives. More
US translation and transcription technology firm Language Logic is to integrate the Verbatim Coding System (VCS) and text categorisation software developed by Italian body ISTI into its own verbatim management system, Ascribe(TM). More
Research agencies NPD, IRI and IMS have linked up to launch a twice-yearly study of the French beauty products market. More
In the US, pharma research firm IMS Health has reported poor third-quarter earnings and reduced its 2007 profit outlook – initially sending shares plummeting 22% to $22.99. 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
Swedish company Simstore International AB has received $2m in venture capital to develop SIMSTORE360®, an Internet based tool for the analysis of consumer decision-making at the point of purchase, using virtual store environments. More
In the US, Insight Marketing Systems (IMS) has hired Evelyn Lewin as VP Sales & Marketing North America to promote the firm's flagship Research Reporter application. 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
IMS Health has named Kevin Knightly in the new role of Senior VP, Business Line Management, and promoted Adel Al-Saleh to replace him as President, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). More
Pharma data management and performance analytics provider ValueCentric has hired Bill Henderson as Global VP for its International SOS Pharmaceutical Services Division, and appointed him to its board of directors. More
Pharmaceutical and healthcare intelligence giant IMS Health continues its recent growth, today announcing second-quarter revenue up 11% on the year (8% at constant currencies) to $537.5m. More
The Nielsen Company has appointed Paul Baynton as General Manager of its media planning and analysis software business IMS Worldwide. He has been with the division for two decades and was previously MD of IMS International. 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
Arbitron, Confirmit and IMS Health have all reported buoyant first quarters, with revenues up 7.9%, 14% and 35% respectively. More
In the UK Peter Bowman, a veteran of joint industry initiatives including the NRS and BARB, has been appointed as the inaugural General Manager of JICIMS, the Joint Industry Committee for Internet Measurement Systems. More
IMS Health has announced the full deployment of 'Next-Generation Prescription Services(TM)', a large-scale enhancement to its core prescription offerings in the US. Improvements include more timely delivery and better coverage of prescriptions by specialists. More
Pharma and healthcare research giant IMS Health has promoted Gilles Pajot to COO and Leslye Katz as Senior VP and CFO. The firm has also been in a federal court this week, defending the right of companies to see prescription data from individual physicians. More
The MRS is agency dominated and will work hard to get research clients more involved, according to Chairman Simon Lidington. The UK association must also broaden its base to include emerging professions and techniques on the edge of the sector – 'if we don't represent them, somebody else will'. More
Research giant IMS Health has announced the election to its board of directors of Bret W. Wise, President and CEO of Dentsply International, Inc. The company has also unveiled plans to repurchase another ten million of its shares. 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
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
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
Healthcare and pharma information giant IMS Health has announced a comprehensive global program – 'New Models, New Metrics' – to provide the industry's 'next generation of market measurement services'. The program's first launch is 'MIDAS Market Segmentation(TM)'. More
IMS Health has announced a multi-year alliance with oncology information provider IntrinsiQ Research. IMS gains an exclusive license to incorporate IntrinsiQ's US-based anonymized patient-level information with its own IMS Oncology Analyzer(TM) to create one of the largest oncology information sources. More
For a change, a major firm's Chief Financial Officer has resigned just after the publication of some *good* results. IMS Health has announced that Nancy E. Cooper will leave the company following a brief transition period, to join CA, an IT management software company. More
Interactive Market Systems Inc. (IMS) has announced a new tool, IMS Local TV Allocator, to help US planners and buyers use local television to reach target consumers. More
TNS Healthcare has appointed Paula Paradise as Vice President, Business Development. She worked at IMS Health in many senior positions in addition to spells at Elan, Wood MacKenzie and recently IMPACTRx. More
Pharmaceutical information giant IMS Health has announced a strong start to the year reporting first-quarter 2006 revenues of US$446.2 million, up 9% on the previous year. More
VNU and IRI have settled their ten-year antitrust case, with VNU agreeing to pay IRI US$55m. The case was recently valued at around $650m but was on appeal following judgement in favor of VNU and its co-defendants. Both sides appear to have preferred the settlement to the possibility of the case rumbling on for a number of years more. More
IMS Health has named David R. Carlucci as its Chairman, effective from April 1, in addition to his existing roles as CEO and President. Carlucci, 51, succeeds David M. Thomas, 56, who is retiring from the IMS Health Board of Directors at the same time. More
A group of VNU shareholders is pressing the Dutch company to break itself into three divisions and sell each separately rather than agree to the proposed 7.3bn Euro buyout deal with private-equity firms, according to reports today in the Wall Street Journal. More
IMS Health has reported a successful 2005, with revenues increasing by 12% and earnings per share 17% higher than in 2004. The company has also announced a $750m share repurchase, and plans to increase the annual dividend by 50%. 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
IMS Health has appointed Gilles Pajot to the new position of President, Global Business Management. Pajot was previously President for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) - a role now taken by Kevin Knightly, formerly Chief Financial Officer for North America and Europe. More
Technology and automotive MR firm ABI Research has appointed Stuart Carlaw, formerly of IMS Research, as Principal Analyst for Wireless Connectivity in its new London office. More
After weeks of speculation, VNU revealed today that it a private equity consortium has offered to buy the company for 28 to 28.5 Euros per common share. VNU says it is considering the proposal, and is not proceeding with discussions with any other party. More
VNU, owner of ACNielsen and Nielsen Media Research, is to give potential private equity bidders limited access to its books, according to reports in the Financial Times last week. Shares in the company rose by more than 4% following the FT report. More
PharMetrics, a unit of IMS Health, has launched a new Cost of Care market intelligence module to measure and assess the value of pharmaceutical products. The service, which incorporates insights from patients, is designed to help pharma marketers create more value-oriented messages. More
Global telecoms industry revenue will reach $1.2 trillion by the end of 2006, with growth in wireless leading the way, according to Insight Research. Meanwhile, a study from the Leichtman Research Group finds that US broadband providers acquired a record 2.6m new subscribers in the third quarter of 2005. 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
Shares in VNU, owner of ACNielsen and Nielsen Media Research, rose more than 4% on Friday after reports that two private equity firms were considering making bids for the Netherlands-based company. More
European consumers have less trust in food and drinks firms than in banks, insurance companies, utilities or car dealers, according to a new report from Datamonitor. The report also says nearly half of Europeans lack trust in mainstream media channels, and that trust in businesses overall is 'rapidly diminishing'. 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
IMS Health is launching a new range of tools for pharmaceutical marketers. The products - known as IMS Promo.360 - make use of industry benchmarks to measure promotion effectiveness and brand perception. More
VNU has announced that its plan to take over IMS Health may be about to collapse. The company says it is in 'wide-ranging discussions' with IMS Health over possible alternatives to the proposed merger. One of the possible alternatives is an end to the $7 billion acquisition plan. More
Many Americans turned to the Internet to help hurricane victims last month, according to new data from comScore. However, not all new surfing was altruistic: online share trading and TV web sites also experienced significant growth, and the latest analysis from NetRatings finds that online shopping continues to thrive. More
The US Pharmaceutical Institute has launched its own Research Center, offering custom research services to the industry. Meanwhile, IMS Health predicts that the international pharma market will grow by 6 to 7% in 2006, driven by above-average US growth and double-digit increases in China and Eastern Europe. More
IMS Health has announced third-quarter 2005 revenues of $432.8 million, up 13% from the third quarter of 2004. Meanwhile, reports suggest that the proposed $7bn takeover of the company by VNU may be scrapped due to opposition by VNU shareholders. More
US healthcare information and research provider Verispan has appointed Wayne P. Yetter, former COO of IMS Health, as its new CEO. Yetter has also worked as CEO of Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Odyssey Pharmaceuticals and Astra Merck, and was most recently the Founder and President of Biopharm Advisory. More
IMS Health has established a global partnership with business intelligence software and services company SAS, to develop leading-edge market intelligence solutions for the pharma and healthcare industry. The first result, IMS Sales Force Effectiveness Precision Suite, is launched this week. More
Synovate has achieved 17.9% revenue growth for first half of this year, compared with 14.8% for its parent Aegis Group as a whole. Similarly at VNU, the research division outperforms the rest of the company. Other company results vary, but all point to growth in the MR sector. 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
Arbitron is working with Interactive Market Systems (IMS), a provider of advertising information systems, to market 'Outdoor Navigator', a new outdoor and out-of-home media planning and evaluation tool. 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
IMS Health, which recently announced its merger with VNU, has reported positive financial results for the second quarter of this year. Revenues were up 14% from the same time last year, with the US and Europe reporting the strongest growth. 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
Marketing research firms in the US saw a healthy growth of 7.2% in 2004, according to the latest Honomichl Annual Review, prepared for US Marketing News magazine. The firms in the top ten are the same as last year, while many of the changes in the top 50 are due to company mergers. 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
IMS Health has announced a definitive agreement to acquire business intelligence provider PharMetrics, Inc., specialist in patient-centric integrated claims data. The terms were not disclosed. More
Melbourne-based Insight Marketing Systems (IMS) will open an office in the USA to service North American customers for its 'Research Reporter' application. Emmons Patzer joins from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) to head up the operation. More
IMSA, the International Mystery Shopping Alliance, has added another member this week. Hoed Mystery Shopping is one of the leading agencies in the field in Australia and New Zealand. 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
Australian MR software provider Insight Marketing Systems (IMS) has announced the opening of an office in London, to improve services to European customers of its Research Reporter system. Jonathan Rabson joins the company from E-Tabs to head up the office as European Director. 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
GfK has announced this week that it has sold its 50% stake in IHA-IMS Health, Switzerland, and at the same time has increased its participation in GPI Kommunikationsforschung, Germany, to 100%. More
IMS Health has announced an exclusive data and knowledge sharing agreement with the European Generic medicines Association (EGA). IMS will provide sales info from its MIDAS database, which tracks 90% of prescription drug sales in more than 80 countries, plus expert opinion, in return for access to EGA information and expertise. More
IMS Health has named David R. Carlucci, currently President and COO, as its new CEO from January 1, 2005. He succeeds David M. Thomas, who remains Executive Chairman of the board of directors and will focus on long-term growth strategy and new business development. More
IMS Health yesterday announced a multi-year agreement with Boots The Chemist to deliver more comprehensive, over-the-counter (OTC) healthcare intelligence on the UK marketplace. Boots, the UK's leading OTC and healthcare products retailer, will provide IMS with access to all OTC and healthcare EPOS data from its 1,300+ stores. 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
Pharmaceutical MR giant IMS Health, which last week announced positive second quarter results, is to acquire United Research China (URC) Shanghai, which offers OTC and Consumer Health survey services including syndicated research. More
IMS Health and Premier Healthcare Informatics have announced an exclusive co-marketing agreement for a new information service, IMS Inpatient Therapy Profiler. The service provide insights into hospital drug and medical device utilization and disease treatment. More
The USA's Marketing Research Association has announced a new President, Joe Ottaviani. Already strongly involved in MRA's Partnership initiative with other MR associations, Ottaviani sees progress towards 'a single voice representing the profession' as a key objective. More
The International Mystery Shopping Alliance (IMSA) has expanded its coverage to include North America, the Baltics and Pakistan, creating a combined panel of almost 500,000 mystery shoppers. More
Suggestions of a price war between the UK's major motor insurers are premature, according to a new report from independent market analyst Datamonitor. The report suggests that while the majority of insurers are still covering rising claims costs with increased premiums, the 'sky-high' rises of 2000 and 2001 will not be repeated. More
US consumer trackers Simmons Market Research Bureau have announced the appointment of Ken Wollenberg as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the rapidly expanding Simmons Integrated Marketing Solutions (SIMS) unit. Wollenberg will report to Simmons President and COO Chris Wilson. More
YupiMSN, the division of the MSN® network that delivers Spanish-language content and services to the US and Latin America, has this week selected NetRatings to provide media quality Internet audience measurement and online behaviour data for its US Hispanic consumers. More
Seven European providers have this week announced the formation of The International Mystery Shopping Alliance (IMSA). The IMSA offers mystery shopping and related services in 15 European countries, including the UK, and aims to expand quickly to offer worldwide coverage. More
Last week, a U.S. District Court judge set a trial date of September 20, 2004 in Information Resources, Inc.'s antitrust lawsuit against ACNielsen (now owned by VNU), The Dun & Bradstreet Corp., and IMS International, in which IRI is seeking damages in excess of $1 billion after trebling. The jury trial in this case is scheduled to last between ten and sixteen weeks. More
Last week the US District Court for the Southern District of New York issued two key rulings for Information Resources, Inc. in its $350 million-plus antitrust lawsuit against Dun & Bradstreet, ACNielsen and IMS International. More
IMS Health has recently announced a three-year agreement to provide Pfizer Inc. with data, analytics and advisory services. The collaboration is part of a comprehensive programme covering 23 countries that aims to enhance Pfizer's effectiveness in informing physicians about its innovative medicines. More
The US business unit of IMS Health has acquired New Hampshire-based Marketing Initiatives, Inc. (MII), an information and services firm specialising in healthcare facility profile data. More
IMS Health has reported diluted earnings per share from recurring operations of $0.27 for the quarter ended September 30, 2002, equal to last year's third quarter and consistent with previous expectations. More
IMS Health has reported diluted earnings per share from recurring operations of $0.23 for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, up 5 percent from last year's second quarter. Net income from recurring operations was $66.0 million, essentially unchanged year over year. More
Millward Brown has just acquired the Irish Marketing Surveys (IMS) Group. Founded in 1963, the group operates three major companies: Irish Marketing Surveys (to be rebranded Millward Brown IMS) and Lansdowne Market Research, both based in Dublin; and Ulster Marketing Surveys (to be rebranded Millward Brown Ulster) which is Belfast based. More
Healthcare researcher IMS has recently announced the launch of a new web-based aid to pharmaceutical marketing. Christened as the 'IMS Marketing Effectiveness Suite' of applications, the package should help professionals to address a raft of lifecycle questions for their medical products. More
IMS HEALTH has announced full-year 2001 diluted earnings per share of $0.90 from recurring operations, a 6% increase over 2000 results. Net income from recurring operations grew 7% year over year, to $270.6 million. More
At the end of last year, Martin Hamblin GfK acquired several PMSI services based at High Wycombe in the UK from IMS HEALTH. More
IMS HEALTH expects financial results for the 2001 fourth quarter to be below analysts' expectations, with core revenue ranging from US$295 million to US$305 million, or a range of negative 2 percent to positive 2 percent constant dollar growth, and earnings per share of $0.22 - $0.23, a decline of between 12% to 15% from the 2000 fourth quarter. More
IMS Health has acquired Cambridge Pharma, a privately held international consulting and advisory firm providing services tailored to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The transaction details have not been disclosed. More
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