Hello SoCal MRA Members,

We’re excited to announce our upcoming Education Day, “Reaching Generation Next”, to be held on May 12 at Disney’s Grand Californian. Panel members will discuss tween and teen research. Join us for this event and for post-event industry networking (more details on page 6). Also in this issue is the latest featured research on the mobile subscriber market, provided by comScore. We have an election coming up! Keep an eye out for the ballot in your Inbox which should arrive by April 11. We look forward to connecting with you at one of MRA’s upcoming events!

Inside this edition:

• Letter from the president
• Local Mobile Subscriber Market Share Report
• Academic Research and Marketing Research: A Case for Collaboration
• Member Spotlight: Ginger Blazier
• Announcing 2011-2012 SoCal MRA Board Elections
• Education Day – May 12th

You can download the newsletter here.

Linda Giniewicz
Vice President
Qualitative Insights/Field by design

The SoCal MRA recently sat down with Linda Giniewicz, a market research professional and long time MRA member, to get to know her on a personal level and to recognize her valued support.

How long have you been in the Market Research field?

I started my career in research in 1995 with a company by the name ofField Management Associates. I had just relocated to San Francisco, CA from NY and responded to an advertisement in the newspaper. The ad was for Research Manager, for which I was totally unqualified. The owner, Hal Berke, took a chance on me based on my prior management experience. I landed the job and a lifelong friend.

What do you enjoy most about your current role?

I love the diversity of my current role. I generate business and execute strategic initiatives, but I still get the opportunity to be involved in the data collection process. The team at QI is unique and versatile. Most of our core staff has grown and changed roles within the company. Watching the development of our team has been a great experience for me.

What advice do you have for anyone wishing to enter the MR field?

Market Research is a great industry with ample opportunity. It’s a creative environment that requires a solid problem solving skill set. It is an exciting time in MR as we are implementing advancements in technology to enhance data collection.

How has the SoCal MRA enhanced your professional experience?

SoCal MRA was my first exposure to the marketing research industry as a whole. My first speaking engagement in our industry was for the SoCal MRA in 1996. I continue to depend on the SoCal MRA for networking, education, and resources.

Position: Market Research Project Director
Company: AIM

AIM/LONG BEACH has immediate position available for project manager.  Expertise in Microsoft Office and availability evenings and weekends mandatory.  Overall responsibilities include briefing, reporting and executing qualitative and quantitative research studies.  Duties include training, managing and motivating staff, understanding questionnaire design and implementing summary reports in a timely manner.  Excellent career opportunity.  Please email or fax resume to dweinberg@aimla.com or 714-755-3930.

Visit our website at www.aimresearchnetwork.com

Kelton Research is looking for a Business Development Associate with at least 2 years of experience in primary market research (ideally on the business development side) who wants to be a part of a fast-growing company with opportunities for advancement. You must be able to manage a broad range of projects, leads and tasks, be absolutely polished, presentable, and able to interact with clients and vendors professionally, and have no trouble managing multiple priorities simultaneously. You should be able to scope out the logistics and costs of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies and clearly communicate them both orally and in written proposals.

Responsibilities include:

• Proposal development: Conceptualize methodologies and develop detailed proposals for a broad array of quantitative and qualitative research programs
• Contextual business research: Conduct secondary research to provide context for pitches and proposals
• Creative asset development: Design, maintain, and evolve PowerPoint decks for pitches and proposals
• Vendor management: Manage vendor outreach, communication, and negotiations with sample providers, focus group facilities, and other partners
• General sales & marketing support: Write project case studies, conduct ongoing prospect research, attend networking events, and manage website and newsletter updates
• Business intelligence: Oversee maintenance/reporting of CRM database (Salesforce.com)

Required Skills/Experience:

• Knowledge of the market research industry a must; minimum of two years experience/familiarity with both quantitative and qualitative research required
• Superior knowledge of PowerPoint design; samples will be requested. Familiarity with PhotoShop, Illustrator, and general design applications are also a plus
• Strong comfort level in Word; knowledge of Excel, Salesforce are a plus
• Strong writing skills a must; writing samples will be requested. Attention to detail, and ability to communicate concisely and precisely
• Strong time management and organizational stills with proven ability to manage multiple tasks, work well under pressure, and work independently to meet deadlines and objectives
• Strong interpersonal capabilities
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

Reporting & Growth Path

• Position will report to Executive Team, including partners, and support the needs of the Project Management Teams as needed
• Growth path: Business Development Manager, responsible for managing a specific prospecting territory/sales goals

About Kelton Research

Kelton has become the nation’s fastest growing research consultancy through the strength of its diverse consultants, the skill and work ethic of its researchers and analysts, and the profoundly different approach we take to market research.

This is not a data shop. Our clients come to us for our ability not just to do positioning research, but to create, test, and recommend positionings; not just for our ability to conduct tracking studies, but because of our ability to field research and deliver recommendations that fundamentally alter clients’ business strategies and impact their bottom line for the better. While we have specialized services that attract clients, our true specialty is our staff – a different caliber and mindset of individuals than is found at most major research firms.

Kelton is centered in Los Angeles, with a robust satellite office in NY. The company currently employs both quantitative and qualitative experts, PhDs and cultural anthropologists, as well as consultants with marketing, public relations, media, and business consulting backgrounds who specialize not in research but in driving strategy for our clients.

Also, as this position will occasionally require running errands outside of the office, all respondents must have a car, valid driver’s license, and insurance.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k)
To be considered for this position, please send your resume in Word or PDF format to: Careers@KeltonResearch.com.