Stable Research Brings In CEO and General Manager

Australian firm Stable Research has appointed Mitch Gross as Chief Executive Officer, and long-time IRI exec Katie Ferro as General Manager. This follows the recent retirement of co-founder Karen Johnston, and the transfer of Pip Hooper to a new role.

Stable was launched in 1992 and acquired by its previous owners, Johnston and Hooper, eleven years later, then bought by Australian communications group Bastion Collective last year. Its offer includes the 'Soapbox' panel of more than 110,000 families and individuals, and three years ago it invested in mobile-based consumer MR firm Mobile Digital Indaba (MDI). Stable also partnered with video survey specialist Voxpopme a year ago, on the development of an on-demand video research app.

Gross joins from management consultancy Think Big Consulting, having previously served as Country Manager for Wunderman Data, responsible for the commercial launch of WPP AUNZ's data management platform. Earlier, he spent more than twelve years at eBay; latterly as VP, eBay Advertising in Australia, overseeing sales, account management, marketing strategy and operations, along with P&L management. Ferro previously spent more than eight years at consumer data giant IRI, most recently serving as Retail Services Director, overseeing the team responsible for delivering service through analytical recommendations, data integrity, awareness and adoption of existing and new services. In her new role, Ferro, will oversee operations and client management.

The appointments follow Hooper's move into an Executive Director role, managing sales; and Johnston's retirement in October. Gross comments: 'Stable Research has an excellent reputation within the market research industry and a strong existing core business. Yet there are terrific opportunities to build upon its core assets such as its Soapbox Community of 110,000+ members. I feel fortunate to join Pip Hooper and Katie Ferro, our new GM, in building the future of the Stable Research business'.

Web site: www.stableresearch.com.au .