Virtual Surveys Launches Marketing Sciences Division

UK-based online research agency Virtual Surveys has launched a new Marketing Sciences division to provide advanced analytics together with web-based research. The division will be led by Ray Poynter, one of Virtual Surveys' Directors and leader of the Future Place research consultancy.

Marketing Sciences @ Virtual Surveys will apply analysis techniques, such as conjoint analysis and brand price trade off, to online research. Examples of tecniques include:

• Regression/Correlation to understand what drives loyalty, satisfaction and value
• Conjoint analysis to assess which service/product scenario offers the greatest potential
• CHAID to analyse how best to target customers, by identifying the behaviours most correlated with a key dimension such as loyalty
• Tracking studies to track customer satisfaction, brand health, advertising or competitors.

Poynter has 25 years' research experience, with expertise in online research and statistical and analytical techniques. He has previously held director-level appointments with The Research Business, Millward Brown, Sandpiper and IntelliQuest. In addition to his work with Virtual Surveys, he set up The Future Place Consultancy in 2001, aiming to 'navigate the convergence of market research, future research, and business consultancy'.

Virtual Surveys also offers the following services:

• Conventional research conducted online (including the company's UKopinion panel of over 30,000 Advisors)
• Web site visitor surveys (using the pop-up 'V-Survey')
• Web site usability testing (using 'V-Surfs' - individual accompanied surfing and depth interviews)
• Information architecture (using software to analyse responses and provide data about optimal web site structure).

Virtual Surveys, which has offices in Hampshire and Manchester, is online at www.virtualsurveys.com The Future Place is at www.thefutureplace.com.