Former Medallia and Savanta Exec Joins MrWeb

MrWeb, the publisher of Daily Research News, has appointed Sophie Goddard as Sales Director, focused on developing the firm's advertising client base both for the news emails and online presence. The latter now includes both mrweb.com and the InsightClopedia (IC).

The company has offered directories and job advertising since 1998 and published DRNO since 2000, building a regular global audience of some 50,000 mostly senior research and analytics professionals, and establishing itself as the insights world's 'daily paper'. Until now, it has never appointed a specialist salesperson, with execs handling sales and marketing as part of their broader job description: however MD Nick Thomas says the substantial potential for development of the thriving news business, along with the launch of the 'IC' this year have created the opportunity and the need for someone focused on the role.

Goddard (pictured) brings more then twenty years' experience in the market research sector, primarily selling research services to MR agencies, brands and ResTech companies. She worked for around three years in business and client development roles for SSI, before joining LivingLens in 2017 as Director, Business Development. The firm was acquired by Medallia in 2020 and she worked as Account Director growing the LivingLens brand, then as a Customer Success Manager within the broader group. Since leaving Medallia in 2022 she has spent more than a year apiece in commercial roles at automated research solutions pioneer Zappi, and at research group Savanta.

She comments: 'MrWeb has been a constant throughout my market research career - it's where so many of us go each day to stay connected to the industry and discover new opportunities. I'm really pleased to be joining Nick, whose passion and dedication over the last 25 years deserves far more spotlight. I'm looking forward to helping raise the profile of both MrWeb and the work behind it, and to championing the value it brings to our community.'

'Sophie's experience really jumped off the page when we first saw her CV,' says Thomas. 'All her previous roles have been in dynamic, growing, tech-oriented firms in the sector - nor does it hurt that we know and work regularly with most of them - and her enthusiasm for the role is already apparent.

'It's exciting to have our first sales specialist on board - after just the twenty-seven years - and we look forward to introducing her to clients and contacts over the next few weeks.'