‘INFLUENTIALS’ Co-Author Jon Berry Rejoins GfK Roper Consulting as Vice President
NEW YORK, January 23, 2008 – GfK Roper Consulting, a division of GfK Custom Research North America, announced today that Jon Berry has returned to the company as a vice president. Berry is co-author of the book "The Influentials,” recognized as one of the leading sources in the growing field of world-of-mouth marketing. In his new position, he will serve as a consumer trend expert for the company and a marketing advisor to its client base.
Berry rejoins the firm after serving as an executive with the Keller Fay Group, a word-of-mouth research firm.
A thought leader in the industry, Berry was the first to identify many crucial trends that have impacted both the business and political landscape including the rise of the self-reliant U.S. consumer, the re-centering of American’s values in the 2000s and the growth of grass roots consumer activism.
During his first tenure with the company from 1994 to 2006, Berry played an integral role in elevating GfK Roper Reports® to become one of the premiere consumer trends services. He also helped develop GfK Roper's system for identifying word-of-mouth influencers at the social, product category and brand levels.
"We are excited to welcome Jon back into the GfK family," says Kathy Sheehan, senior vice president with GfK Roper Consulting. "His significant market research experience, ability to identify consumer trends as they are developing and his groundbreaking word-of-mouth work will further enhance the thought leadership and marketing guidance we offer our clients.”
"With all the changes and challenges facing the industry this year, having a 360 degree view of the marketplace will be critical for companies in developing new products and marketing strategies,” adds Berry. "The GfK Roper Reports research database provides this holistic understanding of both U.S. and global and I’m glad to be back, joining with our worldwide network of market and industry experts.”
Prior to moving into the market research industry, Berry was a journalist covering marketing for leading publications including BusinessWeek, Brandweek and Adweek.
Berry lives in Westchester, NY with his wife and two children.
About GfK Roper Consulting
With offices in the US and UK, GfK Roper Consulting is a division of GfK Custom Research North America. Offering over 30 years of syndicated research and analysis, GfK Roper Consulting is responsible for GfK Roper Reports® US and GfK Roper Reports® Worldwide, the most up-to-the-minute view of the consumer marketplace in the U.S. and around the globe. In addition, in the U.S. the division has an ongoing study of consumers' attitudes towards the environment - - GfK Roper Green Gauge® and insights into the U.S. Youth market through the GfK Roper Youth ReportTM.
About GfK Custom Research North America
Headquartered in New York, GfK Custom Research North America is part of the GfK Group. With home offices in Nuremberg, Germany, the GfK Group is the No. 5 market research organization worldwide. Its activities cover the three business sectors of Custom Research, Retail and Technology and Media. The Group has 115 companies covering over 90 countries. Of a total of approximately 8,760 employees (as of September 30, 2007), 80% are based outside Germany.
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