Marketing research sits at the center of the goal of integrating the customer’s voice into every aspect of an organization. Yet even as customer-centricity grows in importance as a modern business best practice, the insights function still doesn’t get all the acclaim it deserves.
The Marketing Research and Insight Excellence Awards are here to change that.
Powered by Quirk’s Media, the awards will shine a much-deserved spotlight on the researchers, vendors and products and services that are adding value and impact to marketing research.
There are already other awards in our industry and our goal is not to replace or obscure the efforts of their respective issuing bodies. But with our decades of focus on the client-side researcher, born of Tom Quirk’s formative years as a client-side researcher before jumping to the vendor side just prior to launching Quirk’s Marketing Research Review in 1986, we felt like an awards ceremony that focused on elevating and celebrating marketing research and insights, especially on the client side, was a natural fit for us.
And we wanted to make sure that our awards are selected by a panel of judges and/or Quirk’s editorial staff rather than just being an Internet-voting popularity contest.
At the time of this writing in mid-May we are still hammering out some of the details but here’s what we do know for sure: the black-tie ceremony will be held on November 18 at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. Nominations opened in early June and must be received by July 19. Awards will be judged by client- and supplier-side researchers and Quirk’s editorial staff.
Here is a quick snapshot of the awards and their criteria:
Researcher of the Year (end-client)
Researcher of the Year (supplier)
Judged by Quirk’s
The Researcher of the Year award recognizes one client-side researcher and one supplier-side researcher who are proven game-changers for the marketing research industry. We’re looking for trailblazers, individuals making a significant difference in the overall promotion of MR as well as the performance of their organization.
Client-Side Team
Judged by a panel
The Client-Side Team award recognizes client-side marketing research and insight teams making outstanding contributions to the success of their company. Researchers who consistently execute high-quality research; elevate the role of research and insights within the company; and work to collaborate with key internal stakeholders.
MR Supplier
Judged by a panel
The MR Supplier award recognizes marketing research and insight firms making outstanding contributions to the success of brands. These companies consistently exhibit a collaborative business relationship with clients.
Global MR Project
Judged by a panel
The Global MR Project award aims to highlight an MR-related multi-country project. It is open to end-clients and supplier/end-client teams. Nominated teams must be able to document the successful launch of a multi-country MR-related project.
Nonprofit/Social Enterprise Research Project
Judged by a panel
The Nonprofit/Social Enterprise award recognizes a research project (completed or ongoing) that has had a demonstrated impact on a nonprofit organization, government project or social/human interest issue. Nominations are open to end-clients and supplier/end-client teams.
Best New Product/Service
Judged by a panel
The Best New Product/Service award recognizes a research product, tool or service making an impact on the marketing research industry.
Groundbreaking Research Project
Judged by a panel
This award aims to highlight a marketing research-related project that took an innovative approach. It is open to suppliers, end-clients and supplier/end-client teams. Nominated teams must be able to document the successful launch of an MR-related project.
Outstanding Young Researcher (end-client)
Outstanding Young Researcher (supplier)
Judged by a panel
The Outstanding Young Researcher award will be given to an individual 30 years of age or younger to recognize their contributions to the marketing research and insight industry.
B2B Research Project
Judged by a panel
The B2B Research Project award acknowledges the effectiveness, creativity and innovation in business-to-business marketing research. It is open to suppliers, end-clients and supplier/end-client teams.
MR Impact
Judged by a panel
The MR Impact award recognizes end-clients who have successfully implemented MR solutions within their organization. Teams will be selected based on demonstrated performance of an actual MR implementation across any vertical or application.
Philanthropic Company of the Year
Presented by the Marketing Research Education Foundation (MREF)
Judged by MREF board
This award is given to a marketing research company that leads by example in the giving of time and financial resources in relation to the size of their organization. It encourages volunteering, supporting its employees to go above and beyond to make a significant contribution to our world. It displays philanthropic leadership in its community and gives of its resources, financially supporting its causes for a lasting impact.
MREF Everyday Hero Award
Presented by the Marketing Research Education Foundation (MREF)
Judged by MREF board
This award is designed to recognize a researcher – client- or supplier-side – who selflessly gives of his or her time and talent to make the world a better place but who may not be getting the accolades he or she deserves. This individual is impacting their world through efforts such as: volunteering a significant amount of time/resources to a worthy cause; doing the behind-the-scenes work an organization depends on; or leading and encouraging others to give back through volunteering or other efforts.
More complete information on categories, rules and eligibility is available at quirks.com/awards.