Market research news & analysis

Noelle McElhatton: Forget austerity. 'Agile' is the new 'a' word for marketers

The 'a' word much in evidence amongst marketers these days, is not austerity, but 'agility' - as in yesterday's packed Agile Government Communications Strategy Conference, attended by more than 400 agency chiefs.

Unilever tops 2012 Marketing Society Awards nominations

Unilever, ASOS, British Gas, McDonald's and John Lewis top the nominations shortlist for the 2012 Marketing Society Awards for excellence

Marketing Guru on... why meaningless brand surveys do not matter

The heyday of the meaningless survey is over, writes Will Harris, so it's time for marketers to convince their chief executives that there are more meaningful ways for brands to gain publicity.

Social media: how your research can get the most out of the world's biggest focus group

Brands are struggling to make sense of the babble they pick up from social-media networks, but tools are available to turn what marketers learn from online conversations into useful insights.

Carbonated drinks dominate in recessionary climate, says Britvic

Carbonated drinks are dominating the soft-drinks category as the recession causes consumers to trade out of pure juice and still drinks and go "back into brands they know", according to Murray Harris, Britvic's customer management director.

Is marketing at a crossroads?

Unilever's Keith Weed appeared to strike a chord this month when he peppered his keynote address at the Advertising Association's Lead 2012 summit with calls for a more responsible approach to marketing.

Marketers urged to tell the truth

In today's digital age, where consumers are more empowered and connected than ever before, honesty has become a brand's most powerful marketing tool, argues a timely new book about to make a splash on both sides of the Atlantic.

Rolex, Coca-Cola and Google top Consumer Superbrands of 2012

Rolex, the luxury watch brand, has topped the Consumer Superbrands 2012 index for the first time, leaving Coca-Cola and Google at second and third place, respectively.

Interactive: Twelve ideas for 2012

As the industry faces a period of unprecedented economic social and economic flux, Nicola Clark examines the consumer issues that will affect marketers most over the coming 12 months

Think BR: Learning from our failures

New product launches often fail and it can sometimes be difficult identifying why, writes Doug Findlay, director at Ipsos Marketing.

Market Research Agency of the Year: Brainjuicer

Continuing high levels of innovation, investment and business growth have led this mould-breaking research agency to scoop Marketing's title for the second successive year, writes Gemma Charles.

Ipsos completes acquisition of Synovate

PARIS - Ipsos has successfully completed the acquisition of Synovate for an enterprise value of US$723m. This transaction makes Ipsos the third largest global market research company.

Interbrand's top 100 global brands 2011: Coca-Cola still top but Apple gaining fast

Coca-Cola has been named the world's most valuable brand for the 12th year running while Apple has seen the biggest surge in brand value, according to Interbrand's latest annual global brand report.

Why managing your reputation is more vital than ever

Reputation is a company's most important intangible commercial asset. It is a function of everything that a company does.

YouGov restructures senior management

YouGov, the online market research agency, has restructured its senior management and promoted its UK chief executive to a broader role, to bolster its European executive team.

Consumers use technology to filter relationships with brands, says report

Consumers are using new technology to control their relationships with brands and filter out unwanted communications, according to a poll seen exclusively by Marketing.

Sovereign debt crisis lowers global brand values, report claims

The valuation of many of the world's biggest brands, including Microsoft, HSBC and Santander, has tumbled as a result of recent economic events, according to a report by brand valuation specialists Brand Finance.

Sector Insight: Baby Food & Milk

A resurgence in breastfeeding and home cooking may hamper demand, yet brands' increasing emphasis on convenience is building sales.

Sector Insight: Bottled water

The bottled-water sector is unlikely to match its sales-high of 2006, as experts forecast the market will be static in the next five years.

Gap between advertised and actual broadband speeds widens

The gap between advertised broadband speeds and actual broadband speeds has grown by 8% to 8.2Mbit/s in the past six months, while the investigation into the use of the phrases "up to" and "unlimited" rolls on.