Friend to Lead Getwizer

Consumer insights platform Getwizer has appointed veteran media and entertainment researcher Bruce Friend as its new CEO, replacing Gilad Gans who has held the role for the last three years.

Getwizer describes itself as a hybrid platform integrating tech and human expertise 'to deliver a custom, quick and efficient research experience'. Gans led the company through acquisition in 2022 - by investor Prytek, which also backs customer analysis software firm Revuze - both firms are US and Israel-based.

In his new role Friend will focus on client and strategic partnerships, product innovation and diversification, data quality and profitable growth. He brings more than thirty years of global experience in media measurement, entertainment research, brand insights and strategic planning, most recently from entertainment researcher Screen Engine/ASI where he was Chief Product and Innovation Officer, and Chief Data Monetization Officer. Earlier in his career he was Head of the Entertainment division at OTX; head of the Media and Entertainment division at Vision Critical; and SVP of Research for Columbia TriStar Worldwide Marketing Group - as well as working at Disney, MTV and Saatchi & Saatchi among others. A week ago Manchester, UK-based data gatherer RealityMine announced a partnership with Friend to expand its recently launched 'Connect' product in the US.

Gilad says of the hire: 'I'm delighted to have Bruce continue the growth and momentum we built in recent years with top customers, and take the company to new heights', while Friend himself comments: 'As someone who's worked in the research technology space for the past 20 years, it is evident to me that Getwizer has built a unique and innovative offering that combines the speed, efficiency and utility of an end-to-end, DIY insights platform with customization and exceptional research services support. Simply put, it's the best of DIY without clients needing to do it themselves'.

The company is on the web at www.getwizer.com .

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