Focalyst Expands Expertise with New Appointment

Baby boomer specialist consultancy Focalyst has recently announced the appointment of David van Nostrand as Senior VP and Chief Research Officer.

Van Nostrand comes to Focalyst with 20 years of research experience, most recently as head of the Global Consumer Research Group of John Deere's Worldwide Commercial and Consumer Division. Prior to Deere, he led Global Consumer Insights for Motorola's New Product Development Group and managed research and analysis for Gtech, a leading gaming technology and services company.

In his new role, van Nostrand will be responsible for expanding Focalyst's research products and services; recruiting and developing a world-class research and strategy team; and strengthening Focalyst as the premier research and advisory business for understanding Boomers and older consumers.

'Baby Boomers are the most educated segment of the population, a group that has driven social change for decades' comments van Nostrand, 'yet until now, no company has stood out as the definitive source of information about them. I look forward to helping Focalyst fill this void. Our goal is to improve the quality of life of older Americans by advising companies on how to address their wants, needs, expectations and preferences.'

Just last week, Focalyst announced the most comprehensive survey ever of this market, 'Focalyst View', to include 35,000 respondents aged 42 and older in its first wave (DRNO www.mrweb.com/drno/news5376.htm ). The nationally representative survey covers a range of topics, from media preferences and technology adoption to retirement plans and spending habits.

'People often try to deduce too much information from too small a sample,' adds van Nostrand. 'The size and scope of Focalyst's research will change the way business looks at and serves this consumer segment.'

New York-based Focalyst is a joint venture of AARP Services and The Kantar Group, and can be found online at www.focalyst.com .

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