BPRI launches NGO panel

Research agency BPRI is to introduce a panel of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), running along similar lines to its existing Political Opinion Panel of 135 backbench MPs. Panel members include Chief Executives, Director Generals and Chief Press Officers of the UK's major NGOs, all of whom have signed on and agreed to participate.

The panel reflects the growing influence of NGOs in shaping public opinion, setting standards for corporate behaviour and in drawing up national and international legislation. It represents three broad segments of interest: economic/social, environmental and human rights. Like the MPs panel, the NGO panel will run 3-4 times per year and take the form of a self-completion postal survey.

According to BPRI's Head of Marketing Debbie Senior, it will allow organisations to identify what the elite UK NGOs are thinking with regard to their organisation, their industry sector or a given issue, helping them to manage their corporate reputation and possibly flagging up issues 'before they have the chance to become bad news stories'.

Jonathan Shingleton, BPRI's Executive Chairman believes that the service is 'unique and important... We have been involved in major research programmes that review stakeholder communications and corporate reputation for a number of years and the launch of a NGO Panel is the next logical step'.

BPRI, which is part of the WPP Group, will be inviting organisations to place questions from February 2004, and is offering a 10% discount on the cost of first time participation. Further information is available from Simon Goldie at simon.goldie@bprigroup.com

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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