Harris Interactive Opens UK Youth Division

Harris Interactive has launched a specialist youth and kids practice that will operate within its Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT) division in the UK. The new division is headed by Steve Mellor.

TMT Research Group Head Jinty Weldon says the practice will complement the firm's existing expertise in the sector, in particular its US Youth Centre of Excellence. Harris currently offers a number of youth research services including multi-client studies of through its YouthPulse reports, and custom research projects among children and teens, using its YouthQuery Omnibus.

'The new practice is a great fit with our TMT research team and fulfils the evolving needs of our international clients,' said Weldon. 'The existing Harris Interactive panel is also an excellent vehicle for researching youth and kids, with access to many thousands of under 16 year olds, and 16-24 year olds, and will be an important tool in the development of the practice.'

Mellor joins from Catalyst Marketing Consultants where he specialised in insight and brand development. Prior to this, he held planning and research roles at Logistix, RDSi and TNS NFO. He has a BA in Business Studies from Thames Valley University.

'Steve brings to the team an enviable track record of youth experience gained across a number of years, so this is an exciting proposition for our clients, as well as for the company,' adds Weldon.

The firm is already planning to introduce new products and services using methods suited to communicating with this target audience.

In December, following a first quarter loss of $2.3m, CEO Kimberly Till announced a series of restructuring initiatives to reshape the company and rebuild revenue and profits.

Web site: www.harrisinteractive.com .