ORC Expands Consumer Focus through MRSI Buy

Global customer and employee research agency ORC International has acquired Cincinnati-based consumer specialist MRSI (Marketing Research Services Inc.) from market research network the MVL Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 1973, full service agency MRSI offers a range of consumer services - including product development, shopper insights and Hispanic research solutions for consumer and B2B companies - via a team of more than 250 research professionals. The firm was previously part of MVL Group, which owns a portfolio of agencies including Focalytic, Carbonview, ActiveGroup, PhoneBase, Quick Test/Heakin and Target Research Group.

Following the acquisition, MRSI's current President Todd Earhart will lead ORC International's consumer practice.

Marc Litvinoff (pictured), ORC International's President and CEO, commented: 'Strategically, MRSI is a great fit for us. This is a major step toward our goal of expanding our consumer research solutions and offering enhanced services to our clients. I look forward to the positive impact the acquisition will bring.'

Web sites: www.orcinternational.com and www.mrsi.com .