Obituary: Dr Maura Clancey

Knowledge Networks media research veteran Dr Maura Clancey died on Monday at the age of 50.

Clancey, who was born in Sydney Australia, had lived in Washington DC before moving to Dunellen, NJ, 21 years ago. For the past 20 years, she worked at Knowledge Networks-SRI as Senior Vice President, prior to which she served on the Media Analysis Project at George Washington University, and as Director of Research at C-SPAN (Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network).

She obtained all three of her degrees at the University of Maryland - a BA in Government and Politics; an MA in Speech Communication; and a PhD in Public Communication.

Clancey joined Statistical Research Inc (SRI) in 1989, where she developed and advanced ideas about understanding engagement with media, including the concepts of 'eyes-on', 'ears-on minutes', and 'in the room' in relation to the measurement of TV use. She also established the 'How People Use®' media methodology.

In addition, Clancey supported the creation of the S*M*A*R*T TV ratings laboratory, launched by SRI in the 1990s and funded by the industry to develop innovative approaches to TV measurement in the digital age.

During this time, she was also instrumental in creating MultiMedia Mentor®, an approach to measuring digital and traditional media use and allocating advertising spend.

When Knowledge Networks acquired SRI in 2001, Clancey became what CEO Simon Kooyman describes as 'the lynchpin of our Media practice'.

'It is impossible to sum up the loss of Maura's enthusiasm, wisdom, and creativity at KN,' said Kooyman. 'We honor her achievements and marvel at her passion for life, which never waned. Finally, we send our condolences and support to her family in this time of great loss.'

Clancey is survived by her husband and her two sons. With respect to her family's wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations in her name would be appreciated to the American Cancer Society or the Jefferson Foundation (supporting Thomas Jefferson University Hospital), 925 Chestnut St., Suite 110, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.