Marketing Research & Marketing Strategy

Understanding the quirks, patterns and relationships in your current and target markets is key to being able to plan for success and earn sustainable and growing profits. Market intelligence gives you the confidence to be able to reliably forecast and plan.  Some examples of the many engagements where clients have applied our expertise include:

American Express. Created and ran Account Planning Workshops on the back of qualitative customer research for Account Executives and Account Managers across Europe to restructure and re-align accountabilities, grow client charge volumes, profitability, loyalty and tenure.

American Retail Online. Advised this EU-based business-to-consumer retail internet start-up on marketing strategy based on our commissioned qualitative and quantitative research (consumer and business-to-business).

Belfast Giants. Strategy advice to this UK ice hockey team about best allocation of marketing budgets and benefits packages for season ticket pass holders.

McArthur Glen. Conducted quarterly shopper intercept research, mystery shopping, focus groups, price comparison analyses for the UK operations of this designer outlet shopping centre developer. Suggested ways to grow share of wallet, spends/visit, dwell time and enhance the guest experience.

Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Conducted qualitative interviews with senior management in order to suggest management and marketing organisation changes and structures.

Britvic Soft Drinks. Developed and ran strategic planning workshops to re-allocate job elements more equitably while downsizing the sales function.

Cadbury Confectionery. Conducted a study of the US market for low-calorie candy and chocolates.

Care Alternatives. Re-wrote the business and marketing plans for this in-home nursing/carer bureau.

Clarity. Design and delivery of marketing planning workshop.

Commission for Racial Equality. Developed and ran strategic planning workshops to focus publishing activities on value-added, revenue-generating publications and partners.

Converse. Developed pan-European marketing plan and budgets.

Equant IS. Developed and delivered management development programme to improve skills of internal consultants.

EMI Records UK. Developed and ran strategic planning workshops to focus the Salesforce on consultative, value-added, revenue-generating services to retailers and VAR's.

Ford of Europe. Assessed the market opportunities for financial services sold via the dealership network of one of the world's largest car manufacturers.

Ford Credit UK. Conducted primary quantitative market research to assess the reasons behind a high drop-out rate of a 3 year leasing product.

Foseco Minsep. Conducted primary qualitative research to assess the EU trends in the metal fastener segment.

Fosters Brewing /Grand Met. Re-designed the Marketing and Sales functions at Grand Met following the acquisition of Fosters' retailing activities.

G Neil Companies. Re-wrote the US-version of this office services and stationery mail-order catalogue for the UK market.

W L Gore. Designed and delivered a Senior Management marketing and sales development programme for this leading international pharmaceutical company.

Guinness Mahon Merchant Bank. Conducted primary research into the range and features of leading high interest cheque accounts in the UK and Channel Islands.

Hansen's Soft Drinks. Advised this niche Californian new-age beverage manufacturer about the UK soft drinks market and trends.

Havas UK. Designed and delivered a Senior Management development programme module on business development for this leading advertising agency/marketing services network.

Hay Management Consultants. Developed the business development strategy for Hay's planned Hungarian foray.

Inamed Aesthetics International Corporation. Ongoing project researching "rest of world" market for dermal fillers, breast augmentation and breast reconstruction implants. Developing marketing plans for product ranges and the holding company.

Independent Registrars Group [IRG]. Conducted primary qualitative research and subsequently installed key marketing processes for this leading UK share registrar/analysis services company.

Institute of Directors. Identified, researched and approached US-based organisations with whom our client, one of Britain's leading business clubs, could partner to offer bi-lateral sharing of membership benefits, membership lists, facilities and publications.

Jack Rouse Associates. Acted as the European business development office for this US-based leisure concept developer/masterplanning organisation, taking in prospect identification, cultivation, conversion and relationship management.

KLM. Designed and delivered a Senior Management marketing and sales development programme for this leading global airline.

L L Bean. Conducted a comparative study (primary quant research) across 3 EU countries of the buying habits and preferences of current, prospective and lapsed mail-order shoppers of this US-based market leader in the mail order catalog segment.

Lend Lease Europe. Conducted detailed quantitative consumer research for Europe's largest retail development, Bluewater shopping centre in Kent. Conducted desk research in order to advise on the entertainment (British Music Centre)/retail/commercial/ residential mix for their redevelopment of London's Shell Centre.

Ministry of Defence. Designed and delivered a Senior Management development programme, Business Strategy, for the commercial and consultancy divisions of this UK government ministry.

Pilkington Barnes Hind. Undertook qualitative research across key EU markets about contact lens usage and fitting. Implemented key marketing improvements through management workshops in the UK division of this large US lens manufacturer.

Premier Python Products. Undertook qualitative research in the US to identify alliance candidates and competitors for this UK manufacturer of drinks dispense equipment and accessories.

Prime Richardson Tarmac. Commissioned to produce copy for this property developer's planned factory outlet development at Junction 28 of the M1, subsequently sold to BAA McArthur Glen.

Reuland Electric. Identified European alliance partners for this leading US custom motor consultancy/manufacturer, as well as acting as the European business development office, taking in prospect and alliance partners identification, cultivation, conversion and relationship management.

SFS Group. Localised/amended business presentation of JV proposal targeting US insurance underwriters for this UK marketer of school fees insurance.

Shoosmiths & Harrison. Developed and implemented the US alliance strategy and approach for this UK law firm.

South African Druggists. Developed and ran strategic planning workshops to focus the Salesforce on consultative, value-added, revenue-generating services to in-hospital chemists, pharmacies and township hospitals.

Staffordshire Building Society. Reviewed and developed the remit of the Marketing function in line with best services marketing practices. Transport Development Group [TDG]. Identified and pursued US and European retail partners seeking to expand within the UK and requiring European logistics advice and services.

Telecom Italia. Designed and delivered a number of senior management development programmes in the US and Europe for Italy's national telecom carrier.

The Sharper Image. Researched UK consumer trends for this US-based electronics and gadgets retailer.

Trustee Savings Bank [TSB]. Researched and installed value-added services to be delivered by Head Office to the fee-paying operating companies of this leading UK financial services institution.

Warner Cranston Solicitors. Advised this leading UK law firm about its US business development approaches and methods for attracting US alliance partners.

Weider Health & Fitness/IFL Ltd. Conducted qualitative research in Germany and Netherlands for this sports goods and fitness equipment manufacturer/ marketer to identify key competitors and leading retailers in order to recommend improved marketing strategies and practices.