ENGINE Insights Hires GfK's David Albert

In New York, long-time GfK exec David Albert has been named Managing Director of research and data services company ENGINE Insights. The business is part of full-service media and marketing company ENGINE, which was previously the parent of ORC.

ENGINE, which was acquired by Chicago-based Lake Capital in 2014, offers market research and data analytics, along with ad, branding, CRM and PR services. In summer 2018, it restructured, bringing three of its existing North America-based business units - ORC, Deep Focus and Engine Media - under the single brand 'ENGINE'. The ORC International brand was retained briefly in the UK but has now also been absorbed.

Albert (pictured) takes up his new position after more than two decades at GfK, where he latterly served as Chief of Staff, North America, leading the development and implementation of the region's strategy. Prior to this he was MD, leading a team of 25 shopper marketing professionals; oversaw GfK's Research Development Program and was responsible for leading training and development of its custom research staff; and he was Director of Data & Insights Integration, establishing a department to build new integrated solutions. He joined the company as a Research Manager in 2000, having previously been a marketing research consultant at SRBI and Statistical Analyst at PERT Survey Research.

In his new role, Albert will lead ENGINE Insight's Business Advisory and Development teams, reporting directly to Don Simons, CEO of ENGINE Insights North America, who comments: 'We are thrilled to welcome David to the team, an industry veteran with years of experience and a diverse background in research, strategy, product development and team leadership, he will be imperative to the future growth of the business'.

Web site: www.enginegroup.com .