Kenyan Partner for Harris Network

Kenya-based Infotrak Research and Consulting has become the fifteenth member of the Harris Interactive Global Network of independent MR companies. As part of the deal, Infotrak will run its own Infotrak Harris Poll in August, covering social, political and topical issues in East Africa.

The Network was established in 1992 to exchange research expertise and local country knowledge. Harris say that the move provides Infotrak with the opportunity to participate in the international research arena, while at the same time expanding its own reach into East Africa, and its ability to provide multi-country, multi-lingual, multi-mode surveys.

Infotrak was founded in 2004 and as well as its Nairobi headquarters, has offices in Uganda, Tanzania and fieldwork contacts in more than 12 African countries. Alongside its general market research services, the company also conducts social research including its highly publicised 'Sextrak' study, and is currently building an omnibus panel which will be used both for opinion polling and syndicated studies.

Angela Ambitho, MD of Infotrak Research and Consulting, says that joining the network will help the firm expand its expertise in political opinion polling, information and communications technology, retail, and pharmaceutical research. She explained: 'Infotrak's mission is to be a formidable market and social research provider in Sub Saharan Africa. To achieve this we need to work with the best to assimilate best practices and innovative research techniques. It seems only natural that we join Harris' Global Network.'

Harris Interactive, which recently scooped six trophies at the ARF (Advertising Research Foundation) Ogilvy Awards (www.mrweb.com/drno/news6701.htm ) is on the web at www.harrisinteractive.com .