News notes
ESOMAR, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, has released its biannual Global Prices Study, which shows the U.S. holding its No. 1 position from 2010 as the most expensive country in which to do research. See the accompanying charts for the 10 most- and least-expensive countries in which to conduct research.
Boston research company Compete Inc. has agreed to settle charges from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Washington, D.C., that it violated federal law by using its Web-tracking software that collected personal data without disclosing the extent of the information that it was collecting. Compete also allegedly failed to honor promises it made to protect the personal data it collected.
The proposed settlement will require that Compete obtain consumers’ express consent before collecting any data from Compete software downloaded onto consumers’ computers; that the company delete or anonymize the use of the consumer data it already has collected; and that it provide directions to consumers for uninstalling its software.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Washington, D.C., has asked the FTC to investigate whether Facebook’s data-matching arrangement with Westminster, Colo., research company Datalogix violates a settlement between the FTC and Facebook. Facebook is matching the personal information of users with personal information held by Datalogix.
The settlement, adopted in August, prohibits Facebook from changing privacy settings without the affirmative consent of users or misrepresenting the privacy or security of users’ personal information. EPIC had previously asked the FTC to determine whether Facebook’s Timeline, which made archived user data widely available, or biometric tagging of user photos violated the terms of the consent order.
Acquisitions/transactions
Nuremberg, Germany, research company The GfK Group has acquired South Africa research company GlobalEDGE Marketing Consultants. GlobalEDGE will maintain offices in Durban and Johannesburg.
San Mateo, Calif., analytics company Actuate Corporation has acquired Miami research software company Quiterian. Quiterian Analytics will be integrated into Actuate’s product ActuateOne and will be known as BIRT Analytics.
White Plains, N.Y., technology company Informa Investment Solutions (IIS) has agreed to acquire Zephyr Associates Inc., a Zephyr Cove, Nev., analytical software company. Zephyr will continue to operate as a business unit within IIS.
London user experience design agency Foolproof has acquired Singapore research company One to One Global.
Pleasanton, Calif., software company Spigit has acquired San Francisco research software company Crowdcast.
Cisco Systems Inc., a San Jose, Calif., communications technology company, has acquired Cork, Ireland, location analytics company ThinkSmart Technologies.
Alliances/strategic partnerships
Research companies Tobii Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, and InContext Solutions, Chicago, have partnered to integrate Tobii’s eye-tracking solutions into InContext’s 3-D virtual research offering.
New York researcher The Nielsen Company and the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM), New York, have formed an Innovation Committee to collaborate on Nielsen’s mobile Television Audience Measurement initiative. Nielsen and CIMM will develop and test different approaches to television audience measurement using passive and active applications on mobile phones, tablets and through an online Web site, mirroring how individuals use technology throughout the day.
Association/organization news
The Council of American Survey Research Organizations, Port Jefferson, N.Y., has elected its 2013 board officers: Lynnette Cooke of Kantar Health, chair-elect; Michael Brereton of Maritz Research, chair; Steven Wilde of Directions Research Inc., treasurer; and Rahul Sahgal of Annik Technology Services, secretary. Joining the board for three-year terms are David Rothstein of RTi Research and George Terhanian of Toluna. Andrew Reid of Vision Critical was elected to a two-year term. Dave Richardson of Artemis Strategy Group will serve as past chairs representative.
Awards/rankings
The Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group (PMRG), Minneola, Fla., has selected Jim Kirk, formerly of Quintiles Marketing Intelligence, to receive the R.R. Fordyce award, which recognizes outstanding service to PMRG as well as exemplary character, leadership and dedication. Christina Bender of Novartis Global Oncology received the PMRG Marketing Researcher of the Year award, which recognizes a professional’s impact on health care marketing research over a 12-month period. The PMRG President’s award was given to Rob Faulstich of Daiichi Sankyo for demonstrating long-term value and commitment as a PMRG volunteer. Finally, Tim O’Rourke of Healogix, Tara Marotti of Burke Inc. and Alison Rose-Ped of Empirica received the Circle of Excellence award, which honors members for their extraordinary effort and commitment toward advancing PMRG in the last 12 months.
Research Panel Asia, Tokyo, has been named to the 2012 Red Herring Asia 100 list, which honors Asian technology companies and entrepreneurs, recognizing companies best positioned for explosive growth.
Oslo, Norway, research company QuestBack announced that it has been named a Niche player in the 2012 Magic Quadrant for Social CRM by Gartner Inc., a Stamford, Conn., research company. Gartner evaluates vendors based on completeness of vision and the ability to execute on that vision.
The American Marketing Association, Chicago, has named Phil Berry of Jibunu, Tom Ewing of BrainJuicer Group PLC, Melissa Hobley of Buyology and Alec Maki of InsightsNow recipients of the 2012 4 Under 40 Marketing Research Emerging Leaders Award. Recipients must consistently demonstrate a commitment to their industry and the advancement of marketing research; be passionate leaders who have a high potential for collaboration and success, including leading by example, mentoring, transferring knowledge, taking a risk to achieve a desired outcome and motivating others; and be under 40 years of age at the time of nomination.
New York research company Kantar Health has won Australia’s PRIME Award for Community Programs for its work, in collaboration with Sudler & Hennessey, Hill & Knowlton Strategies and InViVo Communications, on Leo Pharma’s “Know Your Own Skin” campaign. This award recognizes pharmaceutical companies and their health care partner companies for their outstanding commitment, achievements and contributions to the community.
New accounts/projects
Portland, Ore., research company Rentrak Corporation has signed a multiyear contract with Scripps Television to provide its Local TV ratings service for Scripps’ ABC-stations WMAR in Baltimore; WCPO in Cincinnati; WEWS in Cleveland; WXYZ in Detroit; and WPTV in West Palm Beach, Fla.
London research company Mintel has launched its Student Ambassador initiative, intended to engage students with the Mintel brand and offer a year-long program for students to business skills and industry experience. Students can register at mintel.com/studentambassador. Applicants will have the opportunity to apply for one of 50 ambassador roles via a selection process involving a creative project task.
McLean, Va., media company Gannett Co. has adopted Reston, Va., research company comScore Inc.’s validated Campaign Essentials and Digital Analytix Monetization viewable impression measurement for ad campaigns running on USAToday.com.
The CW Network, a New York television network, has added New York researcher The Nielsen Company’s Nielsen Online Campaign Ratings to its digital advertising strategy. The CW will use the Nielsen Online Campaign Ratings demographic impressions, reach, frequency and gross rating point measurement for all of its Internet ad campaigns.
Kiva, a San Francisco microlending non-profit has selected Plano, Texas, research company e-Rewards Inc. as its exclusive market research survey partner.
New companies/new divisions/relocations/expansions
Cincinnati research company dunnhumbyUSA has relocated its Chicago office to the 22nd floor of Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. The company plans to add 30 staff members to its Chicago operation in the next 18 months.
New York consulting firm Accenture has opened its Analytics Innovation Center in Singapore in collaboration with the Economic Development Board, whose role is to help enhance Singapore’s position as a global hub for business and investment.
Ipsos Understanding Unlimited, a Cincinnati research company, has created Fusiona, a practice focused on the U.S. Hispanic sector.
London research company Face has opened offices in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Telefónica Digital, a London business services company, has launched Telefónica Dynamic Insights, a global business unit dedicated to creating value from big data.
Berlin research company Goldmedia Group has launched Goldmedia Consulting GmbH in Munich, which will specialize in strategy consulting with a focus on the film industry, TV, digital media and the sports industry. Marcus Hochhaus will lead the operation.
Westminster, Colo., research company Datalogix has opened a sales and account management office in Birmingham, Mich., to support its automotive business.
Paradigm Sample, a Port Washington, N.Y., research company, has opened an office in Gurgaon, India.
Seamus McAteer has launched Metaresolver, a San Francisco research and mobile ad targeting company. The company is online at www.metaresolver.com.
Vancouver, B.C., research company Vision Critical has relocated its headquarter office from Yaletown to Granville Square at 200 Granville Street.
London research company BrainJuicer Group PLC has opened an office in Paris.
Research company earnings/financial news
Arbitron Inc., Columbia, Md., announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012. Net income increased to $15.8 million, compared with $15.4 million for third-quarter 2011. Revenue was $114.3 million, an increase of 8.3 percent over the third quarter of 2011.
Ace Metrix, Mountain View, Calif., announced 174 percent growth in monthly recurring revenue quarter-over-quarter in 2012.
Kadence International, Framingham, Mass., reported 15 percent revenue growth for the 2011-2012 financial year.
The Nielsen Company, New York, reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2012. Revenues for the third quarter increased 1 percent of over the same period in 2011. Net income for increased to $106 million, compared to $103 million in third-quarter 2011.
Revenues for the first nine months of 2012 increased 1 percent over the first nine months of 2011. Net income was $234 million, compared to a net loss of $9 million for the first nine months of 2011.
Ipsos, Paris, reported financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Revenues increased 51 percent over the same period in 2011. In the third quarter alone, revenues increased 53.2 percent.
AbsolutData, San Francisco, has received $20 million from Fidelity Growth Partners India.
EXelate, New York, closed a $12 million Series C round of funding led by NewSpring Capital, with existing investors Carmel Ventures, Menlo Ventures and Trident Capital also participating.