Canoeist to Lead Team BMRB in 2012 Build-Up

BMRB has appointed James Smythe as head of its Sports Research unit. He joins from GCap Media (owners of Capital Radio) where he was Head of Market Research. MD Richard Asquith says the firm expects 'strong growth for research in this sector'.

Smythe is a keen sportsman and currently team manager of the Great Britain Marathon Canoeing Team. Prior to GCap, he worked as an Associate Director at Carat Insight.

BMRB already collects a wealth of sports data from its TGI (Target Group Index) surveys and offers fast turnaround, tailored research through its range of omnibus services and panels. It describes its 'Taking Part' survey for the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) as 'the gold standard for sports participation research'.

Smythe comments: 'With London 2012 on the horizon, its potential legacy for the country and increased pressure for growth and results, sport has never had so much to compete for. Effective research is going to be at the heart of this and I'm greatly looking forward to ensuring that BMRB meets this demand.'

Asquith welcomes the new arrival's combination of 'a great understanding of research and a passion for sport', and notes: 'The business of sport is becoming more professional and the government is investing heavily to promote participation, so we anticipate strong growth for research in this sector.'

BMRB won the last Best Agency award from the now-merged BMRA (no relation), the British Market Research Association, in 2005. Part of the KMR Group, BMRB is online at www.bmrb.co.uk .

The London Olympics are already generating research on a major scale – the role of Sport England was discussed in last December's MRWho (www.mrweb.com/who ) in an interview with its Head of Research Nick Rowe – download the issue at www.mrweb.com/who/issue25olympic.pdf .

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

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