Samson Nabs Windle to Lead Digital Comms Practice

In the UK, newly formed full service MR agency Samson Research has appointed media research veteran Richard Windle to lead its Digital Communications practice.

Samson Research was founded in December by former Ipsos directors Sam McGuire and Alison Bigsby.

Windle joins as a Research Consultant, also from Ipsos, where he most recently held the combined roles of joint MD of the UK media research business, and Global Research Director of the Ipsos MediaCT Business.

In his UK role he was involved in the National Readership Survey, the RAJAR radio audience measurement survey and the Postar out-of-home audience measurement contract, while in his global role he worked with the local Ipsos companies in Europe, the US and Asia in the development of their media research businesses.

Earlier in his 30-year career, he served as Global Research Director for BMRB International's multimedia Target Group Index (TGI) survey. Before this, he was European Research Director for Internet audience measurement firm Media Metrix, where he was responsible for establishing panels of Internet users across Western Europe.

Windle began as a graduate trainee at RSL, and then worked in Audience Appreciation at the BBC, sampling and statistics at AGB, and technical consultancy for the Outdoor Advertising Association.

Commenting on the appointment of his former colleague, McGuire said: 'Richard is an industry renowned figure so to have someone of his calibre, knowledge and expertise working with Samson is a coup for us. It bodes well for both the further development of our Digital Communications practice, and also for Samson in general.'

Web site: www.samsonresearch.co.uk .