TNS-BMRB Opens Social and Political Unit

In the UK, TNS-BMRB has launched another new division, the Social & Political Attitudes Unit (SPA), which will focus on tracking social and political trends.

TNS-BMRB, which offers insight into public policy for government and not-for-profit clients, recently opened 'The Communications Research Centre', dedicated to communications research for the public sector.

The latest unit has been established to better understand wider social issues and their relationship to voting intentions. The SPA team will include Nick Howat and Joel Williams, Head of Methods, both reporting to TNS-BMRB CEO Michelle Harrison.

'Voting intention data is one thing, but understanding the context and motivations behind these intentions as well as the political and social landscape, is equally, if not more important, in understanding society,' stated Harrison. 'This SPA Unit will be dedicated to offering an accurate, rigorous and unbiased snapshot of the attitudes which are shaping our nation.'

Sampling will cover all areas of society, and each month respondents will be interviewed by telephone, in person or online using TNS' omnibus capabilities. Data will be weighted to be nationally representative and will include weighting variables that allow for a politically balanced perspective.

TNS-BMRB is part of Kantar, within WPP. Web sites: www.tns-bmrb.co.uk and www.kantargrouptns.com .