Ed Keller Named MRII Executive Director

Ed Keller, co-founder of consumer conversation specialist Keller Fay Group, is joining non-profit MR educational institute the MRII (Market Research Institute International) as Executive Director, effective from Monday (November 14th).

MRII offers online market research courses covering the fundamental skills of the profession, to the standards of worldwide industry associations. The organisation partners with the University of Georgia on 'Principles' courses for Market Research, Mobile MR and Pharmaceutical MR, and has taught more than 9,000 practitioners from 107 countries.

Keller (pictured) is a specialist in consumer and word-of-mouth insights. He began his career at Roper Starch Worldwide, where he worked for fifteen years, latterly as COO. Following the firm's acquisition by NOP World, Roper and ASW (Audits and Surveys Worldwide) were merged and Keller became CEO of RoperASW and then of NOP World Consumer. He co-founded word-of-mouth research and consulting firm The Keller Fay Group in 2006, and later sold the company to social media analyst Engagement Labs, where he served as CEO until its acquisition by DGTL Holdings earlier this year.

In his new role, Keller takes over from Stephen Kraus, who has accepted a full-time professorship at the University of San Francisco. Dan Coates, past President and search committee Chair, comments: 'Ed's strong thought leadership, experience, credentials and connections to education and learning will help the MRII achieve our important mission'.

Web site: www.mrii.org .