Friend is New President of Market Research Council

In New York, media and entertainment research veteran Bruce Friend has been named President of the Market Research Council (MRC).

Chartered in 1929, MRC was created to champion excellence and advance scientific fact-finding and analysis in the field of market research. Friend (pictured) has served as President of MARU/VCR&C's Media and Entertainment practice, since MARU's recent acquisition of Vision Critical's North American Research Consulting division. Before joining Vision Critical, he was President of Ipsos OTX MediaCT, and earlier in his career he held senior research positions at Columbia Tristar Worldwide Marketing Group (a division of Sony Pictures), MTV Networks, the Disney Channel, Home Box Office, Telemundo Group, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Y&R Advertising.

As MRC President, he replaces Leslie Wood, Chief Research Officer of Nielsen Catalina Solutions. Friend says he plans to focus his initial efforts on expanding awareness and attracting new members for potential election to MRC. He adds: 'There's a whole new generation of market researcher leaders now coming up and we want to make sure they're aware of the benefits that membership in the MRC can bring'.

Web site: www.mrcouncil.org .