Esomar Asia Pacific 2006 Conference

Company News

New Delhi, March 23

During three days – from March 19 to March 21 – more than 150 market research professionals gathered in Mumbai to share their perspectives on regional issues and exchange ideas on best MR practice. The “Grow India” session, specially dedicated to market research specialists, lead to sound and rich debates about the future of Market Research industry in India.

The “Grow India” session proved to be a unique opportunity for more than 15 top MR leaders to meet and openly discuss opportunities and threats identified in this fast developing $80 million market.

“Market research is a long established industry in India that is growing very rapidly”, said John Kelly, Chairman of Marketing Direction International, who chaired the Conference. “India’s growth both relies on a stronger demand for market research specialists able to answer to local needs and on outsourcing facilities offered to overseas companies”.

Participants agreed that the main advantage of India, beyond its strong economic development, is its large base of very well educated graduates. On the other hand, MR agencies also raised the pricing issue: market research agencies are being paid very little which affects the quality of research

A solution, according to participants, may be found through greater added value provided by market research agencies. Everybody agreed on the fact that market research should always go far beyond data to advice and counselling.

“That was a very fruitful session”, added John Kelly. “With ‘Grow India’, ESOMAR succeeded in having all the key Indian players around the table. Now THE next steps are IN THE participants’ hands”.

The APAC Conference on Monday and Tuesday also proved to be a real success with more than 150 delegates from 38 countries. Conferences focused on the new ‘Asian’ consumer with sessions lead by some of the most renowned local market research specialists.

“Asia is concentrating some of the world’s fastest growing countries from a market research perspective, among which India obviously plays a main role”, explained Fredrik Nauckhoff, ESOMAR Immediate Past President. “Having this APAC Conference organised in Mumbai proved to be very pertinent. We, at ESOMAR, are increasingly focusing on such countries where market research is considered a key matter for establishing Brands. As a global association, we really think one of our goals is to favour such cross cultural exchanges between dynamic, fast growing, very innovative markets and more mature, regulated and solid market research industries. I strongly believe that ESOMAR again demonstrated its ability to promote the industry and to value market research as a key success factor for companies and government”.

For further information on ASIA PACIFIC 2006, please go to ESOMAR website: www.esomar.org

For further information please contact:

Tiziana Tedoldi

ESOMAR External Affairs Manager

Tel: +31 (0)20 664 2141

Email: t.tedoldi@esomar.org

Vinay B Ullal

Abacus PR

Mumbai

022 – 2285 5689 / 90