Category Archives: Focus Groups

Son of a researcher

Posted on 10/07/2011 by Steve Quirk

I am the son of a marketing researcher. My father, Tom Quirk, spent nearly 25 years conducting and coordinating marketing research, primarily in the agricultural industry. Growing up as the child of a researcher in the 1970s and ’80s, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Focus Groups, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, The Business of Research | 3 Comments

Who’s zoomin’ who?

Posted on 06/28/2011 by Joe Rydholm

I read with interest this piece from Adweek about how ad agency Wieden + Kennedy’s success on the Old Spice campaign has supposedly caused Procter & Gamble to throw caution to the wind and bypass its usual ad-testing procedures. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising Research, Consumer Research, Focus Groups, Market Research Humor, Qualitative Research, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Don’t shoot the focus group messenger

Posted on 05/11/2011 by Jim Quirk

One of the most difficult situations a researcher is put in is delivering the news to a client that their marketing strategy or product plans are not supported by the research data. Often brand managers and marketing executives use research … Continue reading →

Posted in Brand and Image Research, Consumer Research, Focus Groups, Qualitative Research | 3 Comments

Unusual research applications: branding babies on Bravo

Posted on 04/19/2011 by Emily Goon

I was watching the premier of a new series on Bravo called Pregnant In Heels, which follows the business of maternity concierge Rosie Pope as she guides Manhattan moms-to-be into motherhood. The first episode focused on the Jacobs family, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Brand and Image Research, Focus Groups, Market Research Humor, Market Research in the News, Name Development Research | Comments Off

The media, Madison and misappropriation: co-opting the research language

Posted on 03/03/2011 by Emily Goon

As of late, the American media eye has been fixed on the political protests and general unrest in Madison, Wis. Having grown up and gone through the Wisconsin public school system under the 14-year-long reign of ex-Gov. Tommy Thompson, I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Focus Groups, Market Research in the News, Political Polling, Qualitative Research, The Business of Research, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Focus group: Should a beer bottle have breasts?

Posted on 02/25/2011 by Dan Quirk

Several years ago I stumbled upon this video and I’ve finally gotten the courage to share it (perhaps against my better judgement). I have no idea why this video was created, but I certainly hope it was meant as a joke. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Brainstorming Research, Brand and Image Research, Concept Research, Consumer Research, Focus Groups, Food/Sensory Research, Market Research Humor, Packaging Research, Product Research, Qualitative Research | Comments Off

Focus groups are killing Spider-Man!

Posted on 02/15/2011 by Joe Rydholm

I had to laugh after reading this bit of news on the Entertainment Weekly site about how the ill-fated Broadway production of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark has – GASP! – taken to using focus groups to gain audience feedback. … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer Research, Focus Groups, Market Research in the News, Qualitative Research | Comments Off

A focus group commercial we love

Posted on 01/28/2011 by Dan Quirk

Lately there have been numerous commercials featuring focus groups. Some, like the Domino’s spots, have taken a kind of reality TV “gotcha”-style approach. Others have aimed at a more humorous take. No matter their intent, their mere presence on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising Research, Focus Groups, Market Research Humor, Moderating, Product Research, Qualitative Research | 4 Comments

Quirk’s has been spoofed!

Posted on 12/17/2010 by Steve Quirk

Every year, Fieldwork sends out a calendar to their customers featuring the lovable critters used in their advertising/marketing material and handed out at industry events. Today, we received their 2011 calendar that spoofs the magazine industry by placing their critters as … Continue reading →

Posted in Focus Groups, Market Research Humor, Qualitative Research, Research Recruiting, The Business of Research | Comments Off

Is Kim Kardashian a market research guru?

Posted on 11/30/2010 by Dan Quirk

Just the other day, Kim Kardashian appeared on the Today Show and was interviewed by Matt Lauer. She and her sisters are more than reality TV stars – they are now a full-fledged brand. In addition to their TV shows, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising Research, Brand and Image Research, Business and Product Development, Consumer Research, Customer Satisfaction, Focus Groups, Innovation in Market Research, Market Research Case Studies, Market Research Techniques, Packaging Research | 2 Comments