Interim Taskforce to Assist Canadian Researchers

In Canada, a 'Transition Taskforce' of more than fifty researchers has been formed to help guide the industry through to the establishment of a new professional organisation, following last week's shock announcement of the demise of the MRIA.

This new MRIATT (MRIA Transition Taskforce) aims to represent individual researchers at companies of all sizes, including consultants, freelancers, academics, students, government researchers, 'and any friends of the industry', and will work closely with the grouping of seven leaders from major research supplier companies, already announced.

The Taskforce team includes individuals from all sizes of company, across Canada, and who work in a full range of disciplines including qual and quant, nonconscious measurement, data science and competitive intelligence.

In a statement, the team said it was 'saddened and disappointed by recent actions taken by the MRIA' and 'recognizes that the membership currently has no leadership regarding industry standards of practice, ethics, advocacy, research neutrals for dispute resolution and expertise, education, and more'. The team states categorically that its intention is 'NOT to build or rebuild the association, but rather to act as an interim leadership and communication team to facilitate a transition that reflects the needs of the membership'. Its mission includes:

1. 'Find and share answers about the state of the MRIA, and transparently communicate all findings with the broader membership
2. Create a vision for a future organization that will meet the needs of all industry participants
3. Create a leadership and strategic plan for transitioning to a new organization
4. If necessary, facilitate building a new organization or rebuilding MRIA.

Offers of support - including time, funding, or resources such as meeting services or legal expertise - can be made to any of the individuals on the team, listed below.


MRIATT people:

Annie Pettit, PhD CMRP FMRIA, Research Consultant (Interim Contact Person)
Doug Anderson, Principal, The Earnscliffe Strategy Group
Jennifer Tilk, MA, CMRP
Anastasia Arabia, Partner, Trend Research
Barbara Campbell, President, BCCR Inc.
Carol Udell, CEO, Canadian Viewpoint, MRIA Gold Seal company
Chris Commins, FMRIA, Senior Partner, Commins Wingrove
Cora Waters, Market Intelligence
Dave Kains, Partner, Metroline Research Group
Dave McVetty, CMRP, Manager of Client Portfolio and Information Management, Parks Canada
David Coletto, CEO, Abacus Data
David Wiszniowski, CMRP, Senior Consumer Research Analyst, Skip the Dishes
Derek Blair, PhD, President, Insights Matter
Diana Lucaci, Founder, True Impact
Don Ambrose, International Chair ISO TC225
Elaine Robbins, CMRP, Partner, Network Research Field Services
Ellen Cooper, CMRP, Quadra Research
Enrico Codogno, Principal Consultant, Customer Foresight Group, Limited
Frank Grigel, Senior Business Advisor, Parks Canada
Inga Petri, CMRP, Founder and President, Strategic Moves
Ikbal Mebrouk, Research and Insights Manager
Jason Zweig, Vice-President, Canadian Viewpoint
Jeff Hecker, MBA, CMRP, Principal, Athena Brand Wisdom Inc.
Layla Shea, Founder/Chief Insights Officer, Upwords
Lidia Vetturetti, Partner, Pulse Group
Majid Khoury, CMRP FMRIA, Independent Research Strategist
Mike Gadd, CMRP, President & CEO, Gadd Research Inc.
Mohamed Ikbal Mebrouk
Nick Drew, CEO, Fuse Insights
Sharon Archibald, CMRP, President/Founder, Refresh Market Research
Susan Abbott, CMRP, President, ARC Strategy Ltd. (Abbott Research + Consulting)