Obituary: Bob Cohen of Scarborough Research

Bob Cohen, who served as President and CEO of consumer and media research firm Scarborough Research from 1993 to 2009, has died at home at the age of 58, after a battle with cancer.

Under his leadership, Scarborough Research grew from a newspaper measurement service into a joint partnership between Nielsen and Arbitron, with an expanded client base which included local media companies, ad/media agencies and sports teams and leagues.

During this time, the company also achieved Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation, and expanded its measured local markets to more than 100.

Prior to Scarborough Research, Bob served as Managing Partner at Yankelovich Partners, directing its West Coast consulting activities. Before this, he was Director of Marketing Strategy at The Los Angeles Times, and held senior positions at Yankelovich, Skelly & White, Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment, and J.Walter Thompson.

In addition, he served as President of the Market Research Consortium, Chair of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO), and as a member of the Board of Directors of Marketing Research Institute International.

In 1982, Bob earned a Doctorate in Sociology from Columbia University, with a focus on mass communications and public opinion research. After this, he assisted and taught courses in research methods, mass media and public opinion at Columbia University, New York University and the New School for Social Research.

He spent 16 years at Scarborough Research, before taking medical leave of absence in November 2009.

'Bob was a dynamic leader, respected CEO, passionate academic and a cherished friend,' states Gregg Lindner, EVP Service Innovation and CRO at Arbitron. 'He will be missed by all of us who had the honor of working with him and of knowing him personally.'