MRA Appoints Shields for New Research Role

US research body the MRA (Marketing Research Association) has appointed its magazine Editor and former Board Director Amy Shields for a newly created role, Director of Research.

US research body the MRA (Marketing Research Association) has appointed its magazine Editor and former Board Director Amy Shields for a newly created role, Director of Research.

Shields (pictured) joins with nearly twenty years' industry experience, including that of independent Research Consultant/Moderator, EVP at New York-based research firm Advanced Focus, and VP of Operations at California-based full service firm Nichols Research. She has also been active for more than ten years as an industry committee volunteer, as well as previously serving on the MRA's Board of Directors. Most recently, she chaired the Industry Relations Committee of the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA).

In her new role, Shields will continue as Editor of MRA's Alert! Magazine (a role she has held since September 2011), as well as Contributing Editor of MRA Update. In addition, she will act as an industry spokesperson, develop and implement marketing research standards, and create online training programs. Other initiatives will include internal research as well as overseeing data collection, analysis and reporting of industry metrics such as MRA's Research Industry Index.

MRA CEO David Almy comments: 'Our members are fortunate to directly benefit from Amy's depth and energy. She will be making the best use of her longtime research and industry expertise to expand MRA's resources to support MRA member success.'

Shields will be based near Dallas with regular visits to MRA's Washington, DC headquarters, as well as a daily presence in online industry forums and industry events.

Founded in 1957 and based in Washington, DC, the MRA is online at www.marketingresearch.org .