Iconoculture Hires Global Retail and Asia-Pac Directors

Consumer research and trends agency Iconoculture has appointed former Planet Retail researcher Greg Hodge as Director, Marketing Strategist, Global Retail in the UK; and consumer trends specialist Michael McCune as Director, Marketing Strategist, Asia-Pacific, based in the US.

Iconoculture integrates consumer information from multiple data sources and combines it with interpretation and analysis from its Advisory Services team. In May 2010, the firm was acquired by Corporate Executive Board (CEB) for more than $15m, following the departure of founders Vickie Abrahamson and Mary Meehan to form G-20 consumer trends agency Panoramix Global.

Hodge (pictured), who is based in London, has spent the past seven years growing Planet's consulting division, while creating and delivering custom consumer research, most recently as a Research Director.

In his new role, he is responsible for leading Iconoculture's research in the global retail marketplace, and helping clients understand how global retail trends are impacting consumers and businesses around the world.

McCune, who is based in Oakland, CA, will lead the firm's research on consumer trends across Asia-Pacific, and oversee its annual ChinaFocus consumer impact program.

McCune spent the past few years working as an independent consultant, helping clients develop strategies for working in China. He previously lived in China and Japan for more than a decade, and is fluent in Mandarin.

MD Dan Frawley comments: 'With Greg and Michael joining the team, we have expanded our expertise in key areas, which helps us deliver deeper insights to our growing base of global clients.'

Web site: www.iconoculture.com .