The ICG has some of the most talented and experienced researchers in our industry and we are delighted to have them recognised in the MRS’s awards process. The MRS/ICG Award for Independent Consultants, now in its sixth year, is designed to recognise the contribution of researchers who choose to work as micro-businesses rather than in a larger agency environment.
Spotlight today is on our Finalists, Dan Parker-Smith and Roseann Smith, The Word Is Out:
Using video to conduct research and deliver insight for NPD
The Word Is Out’s paper showcases a project they completed in summer 2020 for global branding and design agency, 1HQ. The project was an in-depth look at how people manage gut health and to find opportunities for new products that could be developed and introduced into the market by 1HQ’s client, a Blue Chip company with >$30bn turnover.
They communicated their research through video and were subsequently able to present a range of emotive consumer desires and considerations to the client in a time when conventional methodologies were unavailable due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this niche area of the food market, we gave clarity and a clear focus to move forward with NPD.
What Dan and Roseann love about being independent consultants and their membership of the ICG:
We love being a small family-run business as it enables us to work more closely and flexibly with our clients, enabling us to build long term partnership relationships. Being a member of the ICG has been invaluable for us in terms of connecting with like minded people in the industry – sharing ideas, resources and work opportunities. It’s more than a network for business development, it’s a supportive community that we’re proud to be members of.
We are absolutely thrilled to be finalists for this award. We started our business just a couple of months before the pandemic hit and the first year of trading was precarious to say the least! But we had the opportunity to work on some great projects and our remote filming methodologies really helped our clients during a difficult time. We’re really proud that our hard work and dedication to our new business has been recognised.
Being a member of the ICG has been invaluable for us in terms of connecting with like minded people in the industry – sharing ideas, resources and work opportunities. It’s more than a network for business development, it’s a supportive community that we’re proud to be members of.
