Phoenix Hires Willard for New Client Advisors Team

US research agency Phoenix Marketing International (PMI) has appointed financial services sector research veteran Mark Willard as Executive Vice President and Client Advisor in its newly launched Client Advisors team.

Founded in 1999, PMI offers a range of consulting services such as syndicated research, database analytics and modelling proficiency for clients in the financial, CPG, auto, travel and leisure, and healthcare sectors. Earlier this year, it acquired full service agency Sterling Research Group, and financial industry specialist Synergistics Research Corporation.

Willard (pictured) joins with a 25-year MR background. Most recently, he was Managing Director of Market Strategies International's Financial Services division, and before this he was EVP at Research International, leading the Financial Services practice and serving as General Manager of the East Coast office. Earlier, he co-founded full-service research and consulting firm The Willard and Shullman Group, and he worked with Citicorp to develop its customer satisfaction measurement programs worldwide.

In his new role, Willard will be part of the new Client Advisors team, created under the direction of Chief Client and Marketing Officer Steve Wolf, who comments: 'Overlaying Mark's depth and breadth of experience with our two recent strategic acquisitions and unique multi-client offerings, further demonstrates our tireless commitment to further enhance the level of expertise which we provide'.

The company has eleven offices in the US and Europe, and is online at www.phoenixmi.com .