Obituary: Dr Stephan Buck

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.

Born in London's East End on 17 October 1936, Buck was then educated at University College London (UCL) where he studied statistics. He received his PhD at Rothamsted Experimental Station, and became Chief Statistician at PIDA, the Pig Industry Development Agency.

Then in 1962 he took his first job as a Statistician with TV ratings specialist AGB Research, where he rose through the ranks to the role of Board Director and ultimately worked as the right-hand man of co-founder Sir Bernard Audley. During this time, Buck was part of the team which developed the PeopleMeter technology, to monitor the viewing of individuals, as distinct from households, and was involved in the audience measurement contract for BARB.

Following AGB Research's acquisition by newspaper proprietor Robert Maxwell in 1989, and its subsequent sale to Taylor Nelson in 1992, Buck became a Board Director of what is now known as TNS. More recently, he ran his own consultancy, Stephan Buck Research Limited.

Aside from his focus on TV audience analysis, Buck was known as one of the first researchers to identify the concept of 'brand loyalty delusion', while highlighting the increasing role supermarket own label brands play in consumer choice.

From 1968 to 2004, Buck co-edited the International Journal of Market Research - initially with the late Ian Haldane; then with former MRS Chairman Peter Bartram; and from 1974, with former TNS Technical Director James Rothman. After Buck and Rothman retired as Joint Editors, the pair were awarded MRS Gold Medals for outstanding service to the research industry.

After he retired, Buck also served as an expert witness, providing unbiased advice involving market research and giving evidence in court around the country, a role he greatly enjoyed.

Outside work, he was a keen poker player in the 1960s, and more recently a member of London's Acol Bridge Club and a skilful golfer. With former Thames TV research client and long-time friend Doug Thornes, Buck previously owned a racehorse called Naked Welcome, which won the Magnet Cup at York Races in 1995. Doug comments: 'Stephan was a good friend, a witty companion, a great father and grandfather, and a fiery competitor. He was also the most accomplished and entertaining presenter that I have ever seen.'

Buck is survived by his wife Rosemary, with whom he recently celebrated a golden wedding anniversary; along with their four children and seven grandchildren.

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