MRIA | NEWS

Dr. Ruth M. Corbin has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF). Based in Ottawa, TIRF is an international leader in the development of scientific research and evidence-based practices for preventing injuries and loss of life on roads and highways due to road user behaviours. In addition to its staff of prominent research scientists and administrative personnel, TIRF has research associates in Canadian and U.S. universities and strategic partnerships with international research agencies. One of TIRF’s current priorities is to ensure the full recognition, valuation and protection of its considerable intellectual property.

Tel.: 416.413.7600 E-Mail: akosciuszko@corbinpartners.com
Website: www.corbinpartners.com

Western Wats UK survey research panel, Opinion Outpost UK, now includes over 100,000 panelists. The firm’s UK panel launched earlier this year and,through its unique mix of panel management techniques and recruiting methods, has quickly grown to 100,000 members.

"We are pleased by the success and rapid growth of our panel in the UK" said Bob Fawson, Vice President of Online Services at Western Wats. "We attribute success in the UK to our ability to recruit and manage panelists, who are highly engaged in the research process. Their responsiveness to survey invitations and profiling questions has given us the ability to target and deliver the right panelists for the right research."

Western Wats’ North American panels have been recognized by independent panel quality initiatives like Mktg Inc’s Consistent Track and MarketTools’ TrueSample. Western Wats’ UK panel utilizes the same recruiting techniques, member profiling, contact frequency and quality control measures that have been used for their North American panels.

Western Wats continues to invest in the growth of its survey panels in Europe and is committed to supporting independent panel quality initiatives that improve the quality, consistency and reliability of online research.

CONTRACT TESTING INC. TURNS 25 AND OPENS IN MONTREAL,
QC – Founded a quarter century ago by Lanny Scholes, CMRP; CTI is pleased to mark its 25th year in business by announcing the grand opening of its new facility in greater Montreal, allowing our clients to better tap into the French Canadian market. This new field site makes CTI the only sensory company in Canada that manages and run its own studies from coast to coast; and coupled with our seven field sites in the United States, the only sensory company in North America that manages and executes its own studies on both sides of the border.

For more information on our new Montreal site or any of our field sites, please contact Andrew Scholes at 905-456-0783 ext. 233 or andrew.scholes@contracttesting.com.

A new alliance of pan-American research associations has been established to support and improve the business and integrity of market, opinion, and social research. The current membership of the Americas Research Industry Alliance (ARIA) includes the National associations for research businesses in nine countries in North and South America.

The South American countries of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay, and Canada, Mexico, and the United States in North America have joined together to support the growth of the research industry in the Americas, to build client and public confidence in research, and to maintain industry self-regulation. These countries together represent about 36% of the global research industry, or $11.5 billion (US).

Among the major issues that ARIA will focus on are standards and guidelines, education, self regulation, emerging technologies, business management and development, and relationships with clients and research participants. ARIA will reach out to other countries in Central and South America to encourage their research business associations to join. ARIA believes that the collaboration of national associations will strengthen the research industry in each country and enhance the quality of research and research business services across the Americas.

Alejandro Garnica, Director General in AMAI, Mexico has been appointed to coordinate ARIA establishment and startup.

For more information, please contact:
Alejandro Garnica, AMAI: agarnica@amai.org
Diane Bowers, CASRO: diane.bowers@casro.org

OnePoint Surveys, the global market leader in mobile phone survey technologies and services, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Schwab as Senior Vice President of Business Development for the USA and Canada. Jim has over 20 years sales and marketing experience spanning market research and more recently social media and whilst Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing at Harris Interactive, Schwab was instrumental in their significant growth in terms of revenue and market share. In this new position Jim will be engaging with market research agencies as well as exploring new opportunities where OnePoint’s mobile research solution can be implemented. Neil Jessop, OnePoint CEO said “We are extremely pleased to welcome Jim into the OnePoint team. Jim’s appointment signifies another milestone in our expansion and as we continue to grow, Jim will head up the recruitment drive to further expand our team based in North America.” More information about OnePoint Surveys can be found at www.onepointsurveys.com.

Survey Sampling International (SSI), the world's leading provider of sampling solutions to the market research industry, announces that Helen Ryan has been named SSI Singapore Country Manager. Prior to her new position, Ms. Ryan spent four years as a Senior Account Manager at SSI's London office. Ms. Ryan is responsible for managing SSI's Singapore office, as well as developing and strengthening local client relationships.

David Stark has joined GfK on July 6, 2010, as Compliance and Privacy Officer, North America. In this role, David will report directly to Roland F. Fürst and will be responsible for developing and maintaining up to date compliance guidelines and processes for all sectors in North America. David will focus on compliance topics in the areas of privacy and data security, compliance with contractual client requirements, with laws, industry standards and internal GfK Group guidelines. David will develop an education program to ensure internal knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, internal guidelines and our Code of Conduct. David will serve as GfK North America's Privacy and Compliance Officer. David holds a Certified Information Privacy Professional designation, a certificate in public relations from Ryerson University, and a Master of Arts degree in political science from McMaster University.

Tel.: 647-274-1716 E-Mail: david.stark@gfk.com
Website: www.gfk.com

The Techneos SODA® mobile research application powered a Luminosity Marketing proprietary research tool, The Real-Time Lifestyle MapTM, in a recently published project called “The Boomerang Consumer Study”. The research analyzed the lifestyles, attitudes and purchasing habits of young adults called Boomerangers who have returned home to live with their parents.

Business professionals, eager to see what the U.S. Census Bureau publishes about the diversity and growth of the American population, may not need to wait for the release of this decennial report. Geoscape®, a market intelligence firm based in Miami, produces a detailed information resource that enhances and updates Census data then deepens it with a myriad of metrics on the diverse American consumer. The American Marketscape DataStream™ (AMDS): 2010 Series provides current year and 5-year forecasts on over 1,500 data elements. A companion resource called Consumer Spending Dynamix™ estimates spending potential for households by race and ethnicity and across over 300 hundred product categories. Both information resources are available from the national level to micro-mapping detail such as ZIP codes and block groups. The applications for this data are endless and include strategy development, forecasting, retail distribution and media planning. The AMDS: 2010 Series Executive Summary report is available now at www.geoscape.com/AMDS-ES.

Joanne McNeish, an MRIA Fellow, has joined the Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University as Assistant Professor, Marketing. She recently completed her PhD thesis entitled 'Consumers' Resistance to Discontinuing an Existing Technology, The Paper Bill'. She speaks and publishes on topics that include the exploration of consumers' attitudes and behaviour toward paper-based information, consumers' trust/distrust of organizations and managing marketing return on investment.

Today GfK Custom Research North America and Kantar announced the formation of an important new alliance devoted to the advancement of online data quality. In response to concerns by industry leaders such as P&G, Microsoft, Coca-Cola and General Mills about online data quality, GfK and Kantar are launching a comprehensive quality service that includes a suite of tools to validate the physical address of online respondents, identify respondent uniqueness and overlap across sample sources as well as capture category participation using a common standard. The new service also includes a tool to prevent duplicates in studies and provides automated reports of widely used industry metrics. For more information visit www.gfkamerica.com. Follow us at www.gfkinsights4u.com or on Twitter @gfkamerica

Tel.: 905 277 2669 E-Mail: public.relations@gfk.com
Website: www.gfkamerica.com

Pre- and post-event studies with Survey Sampling International's global panels reveal 2010 World Cup sponsorships had varying levels of success for different companies. The attached press release reveals which sponsors are seeing good results from their World Cup participation and which are not. It also shares the brands most associated with the World Cup--and the level of interest in the 2014 games. For companies considering future sponsorships, this is valuable information.

Tel.: 203.567.7230 E-Mail: ilene_siegalovsky@surveysampling.com
Website: surveysampling.com

Conservation Potential Review Study: To examine available energy efficiency technologies and determine their "conservation potential" including the amount of energy savings within the Terasen Gas service territory that can be achieved through energy efficiency and conservation programs over the study period.

End User and Influencer Energy Preferences Study: To examine consumer and influencer energy preferences; identify market opportunities in alternative energies and mixed platform systems; and to help inform marketing strategies.

Vancouver-based International strategic research agency The Sound Research is excited to announce the launch of their Toronto office, to be headed up by former Youthography Director of Research and Strategy Barbara Brooks. Launched in 2007 by one of the world’s leading researchers Ian Pierpoint, The Sound has quickly grown to fifteen people and four offices - New York, London, Vancouver and Toronto, with 100% year-on-year growth and annual sales of over $4.5m per annum in 2009/10. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT KIM ELBO OR SEE OUR WEBSITE www.thesoundresearch.com kim@thesoundresearch.com or 604 732 1090

Tel.: 604 732 1090 E-Mail: kim@thesoundresearch.com
Website: www.thesoundresearch.com

Universal Survey announces enhanced Global Healthcare Data Collection Services
Larry Schneider, Chief Strategy Officer of Universal Survey announced today that they have established physician and healthcare professional panels across the major European, Asian, and Russian markets. This is in addition to the already established North American panels, including the United States and Canada. In total the Universal Survey Global Healthcare Network now has over 2 million Healthcare Professionals worldwide, including physicians across all major specialties , nurses , medical office personnel, hospital and clinic personnel, technicians, dentists, pharmacists and HMO senior staff.

Shelton, Connecticut, USA, July 16, 2010—Survey Sampling International (SSI) announced today that it has appointed Chris Watson as Managing Director of its UK business. In his new role, Watson will focus on strengthening SSI’s position as the premier provider of sampling solutions in the UK market. In addition, he will continue to drive SSI’s thought leadership in online marketing research.

Watson has spent more than 25 years in the market research industry, most recently at Greenfield‐Ciao Surveys, where he managed sales for the UK and Dutch markets. Prior to Greenfield‐Ciao, he jointly led one of the fastest‐growing international market research agencies in the UK, working with a roster of blue chip clients. He ultimately sold the agency to MASMI Research Group.

MRA Supports Research Industry Self-Regulation, Applauding Financial Reform Bill Passage That Rejects Expanded FTC Power
Congress approved sweeping financial system reforms today, eschewing a provision that could have threatened the entire research profession by vastly expanding regulatory control of the industry.

The Marketing Research Association (MRA) worked successfully to help defeat a provision approved earlier by the House that would have dramatically expanded the power of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and facilitated increased Federal regulation of the marketing research industry.

As originally passed by the House, the bill would have increased FTC regulatory authority taken from the agency in the 1970s. Because the FTC regulates commerce across most of the economy, Congress felt it necessary to ensure that the agency discuss and debate regulatory changes with as many stakeholders as possible before setting or changing rules. MRA and its coalition partners were able to convince Congress to reject any change to those rules at this time. The Chairmen of the House Energy & Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee remain intent on FTC expansion, so MRA expects this issue to remain active.

Strategic interactive research and technology company Vision Critical launched its 2010 intern program with twelve young Client Services Associates who will be based in their offices across North America. The interns are all graduates of US and Canadian colleges with degrees in marketing, research, sociology or business. Jennifer Reid, SVP, Strategy at Vision Critical has masterminded the initiative designing the program structure and recruitment strategy, and overseeing the program. Reid went through a similar intern program at Angus Reid Group and recognizes the value of engaging young researchers early in their careers. To read the complete article click here.

Tel.: 212.402.8228 E-Mail: jennifer.hall@visioncritical.com
Website: visioncritical.com

Interactive research and technology firm Vision Critical is proud to announce that Andrew Reid, President and Founder of Vision Critical, is a Pacific finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year Award. Andrew Reid, the son of Canadian market research icon Angus Reid, was one of the pioneers of online market research. With a background in internet advertising, a lifetime exposure to the market research industry and inheriting his father’s “firecracker” ambition and visionary tendencies, Reid saw the opportunity to use the web as a way to improve market research for both the client and the respondent. To read the complete article click here.

Tel.: 212.402.8228 E-Mail: jennifer.hall@visioncritical.com
Website: visioncritical.com

MARILYN IRENE AMBROSE (nee ANTLIFF) 1945 - 2010 Peacefully at Princess Margaret Hospital on July 10th, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Beloved wife of Don, loving mother to Greg and Derek and caring grandmother of Nicholas and Isabel; survived by mother Irene Antliff and sister Barbara O'Kane. Marilyn will be remembered by all who loved her as a kind and engaging friend who supported everyone who came into her life. Marilyn led an active career in marketing research starting at Canadian Facts in the 1960s and later partnering with Don to manage their own firm, Consumer Contact. Her most cherished memories were of traveling, hiking and exploring in remote parts of the world and spending time with family and friends at the lake. The family wishes to thank all the wonderful staff at Princess Margaret Hospital for their loving care. A memorial service will be held for immediate family only. Marilyn's many friends are invited to join in a celebration of her life on Wednesday, July 21st at Bellevue Manor: The Library, 8083 Jane Street in Vaughan from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, condolences and donations to Princess Margaret Hospital or the Canadian Cancer Society can be made through www.rskane.ca. You may also visit the Guest Book.

Tel.: 416 493-6111 E-Mail: info@consumercontact.com
Website: n.a.

Survey Sampling International (SSI), the world's leading provider of sampling solutions to the market research industry, introduces today SSI ClicKnowledge™--a new interactive tool designed to assist researchers all over the world. SSI ClicKnowledge delivers critical metrics on 30 countries right to an individual's PC--for free.

Researchers choose the information they need and how they want it displayed: one metric across multiple countries, several metrics within the same country or a world map of all country information. Colorful maps and easy-to-read tables reveal a world of powerful information with a click of a mouse. For more details and to learn how researchers can access this complimentary resource, please download the full release.

MARKHAM, ONTARIO – July 7, 2010 - - How do Canadians decide where to grocery shop? According to a new study by The Nielsen Company, product assortment, shopping ease and good value for the money top the list of attributes that matter most to Canadians deciding where to shop, while low prices and loyalty programs are much less important. Nielsen’s research also shows that promotions are a big influence when Canadians decide which grocery retailer to visit, and depending on the region, between 20 – 30 percent of consumers will switch stores based on the best promotions offered, up from 2009. To read the entire report, visit http://en-ca.nielsen.com/

GfK has become the first foreign market research company to be granted a license by the authorities to open a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia. As a result of government regulations, even minority stakes in Saudi companies have only been possible to a limited extent for foreign investors up to now. GfK Middle East, which specializes in ad hoc research, therefore conducted Saudi Arabian surveys through local partners from its headquarters in Dubai. Seven employees at GfK Custom Research Saudi Arabia can now offer data on markets in Saudi Arabia from within the country. They also collect information about Yemen from the capital city, Riyadh. For the complete set of press releases, go to www.gfk.com

Techneos announced a new collaboration with Ipsos, a leading global survey-based market research company. Ipsos and Techneos are working together to pilot new technologies and applications for mobile research. Their latest project called “The Great British Weekend” was conducted during the May 2010 Bank Holiday long weekend using Techneos’ survey research application, SODA across multiple mobile phones; Nokia and BlackBerry devices. Continue reading this news on the Techneos website.

GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.) a leading technology and services provider to global online researchers, enabled Sony Music UK to deliver interactive and engaging online survey experiences, a creative approach that has revolutionized Sony Music UK’s move towards artist research. GMI Interactive™ service, with its technology platform’s state-of-the-art animated graphics and interactive techniques, has enabled Sony Music UK to develop a new hybrid approach for artist insight gathering that crosses the divide between qualitative and quantitative research. Born out of a need to scale their research activity, Sony Music UK worked with GMI to develop an online survey that can emulate the quality of insight generated from qualitative research and enable them to conduct research faster and more cost effectively. To read the entire press release, go to www.gmi-mr.com

Tel.: 206 315 9329 E-Mail: kmiller@gmi-mr.com
Website: gmi-mr.com


	© Marketing Research and Intelligence Association. All Rights Reserved.