China JV for Online Research Firms

Japan-based GMO Research has announced an ambitious Chinese JV with Internet research specialist Horizon E-lab Ltd. A new company, GMO E-Lab Marketing Research (Shanghai) is scheduled to open in April and aims to be 'number one' in the region 'within three years.'

Both companies are part of groups: GMO Internet Group and Horizon Research Consultancy Group, respectively, and already have a presence in China. GMO runs the China Cloud Panel of 1.6m members while E-lab's established offer includes social media research

The firms says the new venture will combine GMO's 'proven research processes, panel quality management methods, operational management and the ChinaCloudPanel' with E-lab's local knowledge, operating methods, marketing strength and business operating expertise.

Shinichi Hosokawa, CEO of GMO Research, comments: 'We are excited to establish an official presence in one of the most significant markets for online research worldwide, and we plan to begin rolling out services through the new joint venture for the China market this month. I am confident the combination of GMO Research's high quality research panel and E-Lab's proven track record in the Chinese market will enable GMO E-Lab Marketing Research to become number one in China and Hong Kong within three years.'

GMO Research and its subsidiary GMO Japan Market Intelligence (GMO Research/JMI) opened their first operations centre in India at the end of August, led by former GMI exec Anupam Kaul.

Web sites are at www.horizon-china.com and www.gmo-research.jp/en .