FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 13, 2013

Contact:
Jack Jefferson, Market Probe, 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

MARKET PROBE PARTNERS WITH U.S. BANK IN FOURTH ANNUAL SMALL BUSINESS SURVEY

Study shows majority of small business owners are optimistic, but feel economic uncertainty is a significant challenge to future business growth.

Milwaukee, WI – The fourth annual U.S. Bank Small Business Survey conducted by Market Probe, monitored the attitudes, perceptions and outlook of small business owners across 25 states. The survey was conducted via an online sample in January 2013 among 3,210 small business owners with less than $10 million in annual revenue.

To facilitate differences in select U.S. Bank markets, the Market Probe study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was comprised of 1,000 “national” responses to serve as a baseline across U.S. Bank’s 25 state footprint. The second phase, or Market Phase, captured an additional 2,210 interviews across ten select states, referred to as Markets. Quotas were set to allow for no more than 60% with greater or less than $200,000 in annual revenue.

In an exclusive interview with Entrepreneur Magazine, John Elmore, vice chairman of community banking and branch delivery at U.S. Bank of Minneapolis, stated, "The majority of small businesses are in good financial condition. They are optimistic about what the future holds, but there certainly is a level of caution." According to the article, of particular concern to Elmore is the reluctance small businesses are expressing when it comes to hiring. "If we don't get unemployment and underemployment down, the pace of the recovery will continue to be slower than what we would like it to be," he added.

Related article:  American Banker

Market Probe is a full-service global marketing research and consulting firm specializing in stakeholder measurement engagements as well as a wide array of custom research assignments. The firm strives to build long-term partnerships with its clients, based on its team of professionals with research savvy, industry knowledge and technical experience. Market Probe’s customer, brand and employee-satisfaction expertise reaches businesses around the globe. In addition to their corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they have full-service research offices in nine countries and have formed several strategic partnerships with field agencies around the world. Market Probe employs over 350 full-time employees worldwide and as many as 1000 part-time employees. They appear among the Honomichl list of Top 50 U.S. Firms.

For information, contact Jack Jefferson, Manager of Marketing Communications, Market Probe at 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 4, 2013

Contact:
Jack Jefferson, Market Probe, 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

MARKET PROBE ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF 2013 MULTI-SECTOR CUSTOMER ADVOCACY MONITOR

Milwaukee, WI – Market Probe, a global research firm, announced the launch of a national consumer survey of 6,000 households to compare the advocacy profiles with the top brands in six major industry sectors including, banks, investment companies, credit card companies, auto-manufacturers, casual dining chains and major retailers. The national survey will ask customers to evaluate their recent customer and brand experiences to assess their impact on Satisfaction, Net Promoter Score and Advocacy. Over 80 leading U.S. companies will be included in the national study.

Since 2010, Market Probe has conducted an annual customer advocacy monitor for the largest U.S. retail banks. In 2012, leading banks were ranked by the percentage of customers who actively advocated for their bank to others. The research demonstrated that the banks with the largest percentages of Advocates within their customer base realized more revenue growth.  Advocates have more accounts at their primary bank, are more likely to have recently opened new accounts at their bank, consistently maintained higher balances, and demonstrated higher levels of retention. Market Probe’s 2013 monitor will expand the research to six industry sectors.

* Market Probe provides consulting services to help those businesses with an existing customer experience program develop a transition strategy to this lower-cost syndicated CEM program.

ABOUT MARKET PROBE
Market Probe is a full-service global marketing research and consulting firm specializing in stakeholder measurement engagements as well as a wide array of custom research assignments. The firm strives to build long-term partnerships with its clients, based on its team of professionals with research savvy, industry knowledge and technical experience. Market Probe’s customer, brand and employee-satisfaction expertise reaches businesses around the globe. In addition to their corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they have full-service research offices in nine countries and have formed several strategic partnerships with field agencies around the world. Market Probe employs over 350 full-time employees worldwide and as many as 1000 part-time employees. They appear among the Honomichl list of Top 50 U.S. Firms.

www.marketprobe.com

For information, contact Jack Jefferson, Manager of Marketing Communications, Market Probe at 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  November 1, 2012

Contact:
Jack Jefferson, Market Probe, 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

MARKET PROBE ADDS SENIOR RESEARCH EXECUTIVE,  MR. STEVEN MARKS, AS VICE PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF ST. LOUIS OPERATIONS

Milwaukee, WI – Market Probe, a global market research and consulting organization with world headquarters located in Milwaukee, WI, today announced the addition of Mr. Steven Marks as Vice President and Head of St. Louis Operations.

Steve brings over 30 years of research and management experience to Market Probe. His knowledge of the applicability of specific methodologies and analyses has proved invaluable to the companies and clients he has served, allowing for timely, proactive and strategic marketing decisions. 

Steve’s ongoing focus is on the identification, and subsequent translation, of new technological and methodological approaches to research. These approaches allow for proactive and strategic marketing decisions, establishment of best practices for Internet panel research, and the development of methods to marry and evaluate social media contextual analysis with attitudinal and behavioral data.

Prior to joining Market Probe, Steve headed his own strategic research and consulting group, serving clients in numerous industry sectors, including telecommunications, entertainment, media, financial services, retail and CPG. Earlier in his career, he established Internet research practices for Synovate and Response Analysis Corporation, now part of GfK, and he launched a new business unit for Lightspeed Research.  During his years on the client side, he was Research Director at Deloitte & Touche and also  managed large research teams at AT&T that were focused on new product development, pricing strategy and advertising effectiveness.

He holds an MBA in Marketing from Fordham University School of Business in New York and a degree in economics from Union College in New York.

ABOUT MARKET PROBE
Market Probe is a full-service global marketing research and consulting firm specializing in stakeholder measurement engagements as well as a wide array of custom research assignments. The firm strives to build long-term partnerships with our clients, based on our team of professionals with research savvy, industry knowledge and technical experience. Market Probe’s customer, brand and employee satisfaction expertise reaches businesses around the globe. In addition to our corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we have full-service research offices in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Belgium, United Arab Emirates, India, Singapore, Hong Kong and China; and we have formed strategic partnerships with field agencies around the world. We employ over 350 full-time employees worldwide, and as many as 1000 part-time employees. We appear among the Honomichl list of Top 50 US Market Research Firms. For more information visit www.marketprobe.com

www.marketprobe.com

For information, contact Jack Jefferson, Manager of Marketing Communications, Market Probe at 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  August 20, 2012

Contact:
Jack Jefferson, Market Probe, 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

MARKET PROBE CONTINUES TO GROW ITS AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL HEALTH PRACTICE, ADDING JILL ROGERS AS VICE PRESIDENT OF AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL HEALTH
As part of Market Probe’s Global Agriculture and Animal Health practice, Ms. Rogers will oversee the development, execution, and management of strategic marketing research for Agriculture and Animal Health clients in North America

Milwaukee, WI – Market Probe, a global market research and consulting organization with world headquarters located in Milwaukee, WI, today announced the addition of Jill Rogers as Vice President, Agriculture and Animal Health Practice.

As part of Market Probe’s Global Agriculture and Animal Health practice, Ms. Rogers will oversee the development, execution, and management of strategic marketing research for Agriculture and Animal Health clients in North America.
Ms. Rogers steps into this senior position with 15 years of experience in the Marketing Research field, bringing advanced knowledge in both quantitative and qualitative analytical methods. Her achievements demonstrate forward-thinking in research approaches and a demonstrated strategic orientation in positioning, communications methods, forecasting, market segmentation, pricing, quadrant analysis and customer advocacy.

Prior to joining Market Probe, Jill Rogers managed a full-service custom firm specializing in Agri-business and Animal Health marketing research on both a national and international scale. Additionally, Rogers holds credentials in a broad range of related industries and topic areas, including Human Health Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Packaged Goods, Hospitality, Transportation and Finance. She comes to Market Probe directly from M/A/R/C Research, where she directed custom research for Fortune 500 clients around the world in diverse industries.

Rogers holds a degree in Political Science from Armstrong Atlantic State University, and has pursued additional education in Qualitative Research Techniques, Conjoint and Discrete Choice Analysis, and Market Research Statistics.

About Market Probe
Market Probe is a leading full-service global market research firm with offices in 10 countries. Founded in 1976, Market Probe holds a strategic focus in Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Health research. Market Probe’s experienced researchers have pioneered new applications of quantitative research methods and statistical models as well as customized software for reporting results. With offices throughout the United States and in Canada, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Brazil, Market Probe is well positioned to meet the domestic and global research needs of companies throughout the world. For more information visit http://www.marketprobe.com.
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www.marketprobe.com

For information, contact Jack Jefferson, Manager of Marketing Communications, Market Probe at 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  August 6, 2012

Contact:
Jack Jefferson, Market Probe, 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

MARKET PROBE ANNOUNCES THE LEADING BANKS IN THE 2012 RETAIL BANKING CUSTOMER ADVOCACY MONITOR
The third annual survey found that banks with higher levels of Customer Advocacy had higher levels of new customer acquisition, sales and retention


Milwaukee, WI – Market Probe, a global research firm, is pleased to announce the names of the five banks that posted the highest levels of Customer Advocacy in their respective peer groups in 2012. Based on a survey of National Banks, Super Regional Banks and Regional Banks, the results are determined by surveying retail customers who considered these institutions to be their primary banks.

Winning Banks
The banks that score highest in each of their respective categories are recognized for their exceptional ability to produce and sustain advocacy behavior. Citibank led the way for Customer Advocacy in the category of National Banks. Of the Super Regional Banks participating in the study, PNC Bank and BB&T Bank ranked at the top of their category, and M&T Bank and Bank of the West scored highest among Regional Banks. Additionally, 2012 marks the second year that both PNC Bank and Bank of the West have received the Advocacy Award.

Award winners were determined by a national survey conducted in May of 2012 by Market Probe. Established to compare the advocacy profiles of the 20 largest banks, the Retail Customer Advocacy Monitor surveyed over 3,600 households to determine the depth of relationship between each bank and their respective customers. Consumers shared positive and negative comments about their banking experiences, recent account activity with the bank, and general attitudes toward each financial institution.

Since 2010, Market Probe has ranked the largest US retail banks by the percentage of customers who actively advocate for their bank to others. The research has demonstrated that the banks with the largest percentages of Advocates within their customer base will realize more per-customer revenues.  Advocates had more accounts at their primary bank, were more likely to have recently opened new accounts at their bank, consistently maintained higher balances, and demonstrated higher levels of retention. “Advocacy offers the most direct linkage to explaining and measuring business performance. Advocates are your most-valuable customers, do your marketing for you at no cost and acquire more customers for you” said Dr. T.R. Rao, President and CEO, Market Probe.

Market Probe will recognize the 2012 regional winners during the 2012 BAI Retail Delivery Conference in Washington D.C. Winners will be announced at the Thought Leader Session on Wednesday, October 10, at 11:45 am in the Business & Customer Analytics Showcase area in the BAI expo.
Market Probe will host a reception for award winners at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel during the BAI Conference and Mr. Edward Rollins will be the keynote speaker.

Evening’s Keynote Speaker
Mr. Edward Rollins has long been considered one of America's premier political strategists. Currently serving as the Senior Advisor to Teneo Strategy, Mr. Rollins has also served in the administrations of four Presidents of the United States. He has advised Fortune 400 chief executives and leaders of major trade associations, and holds extensive experience on the international level.

Next survey scheduled
Market Probe will conduct the next Retail Banking Customer Advocacy Monitor in May of 2013.

Market Probe
In addition to our corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we have offices throughout the United States and in Canada, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, India, Bahrain, Singapore, Hong Kong and China with in?house facilities for field services by Web and phone. We are listed among the Honomichl Top 50 US Research Firms and have been providing business solutions to various industry sectors for more than 30 years.

www.marketprobe.com

For information, contact Jack Jefferson, Manager of Marketing Communications, Market Probe at 414?778?6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 28, 2012

Contact:
Jack Jefferson, Market Probe, 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

MARKET PROBE CONGRATULATES WINNERS OF THE 2012 EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AWARDS
Honorees Announced at 2012 MRIA Conference in St. John’s Newfoundland


Milwaukee, WI – Market Probe, a global research firm, was honoured to serve as the sponsor of the Excellence in Research Awards competition at the recent Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA) 2012 National Conference held May 30 – June 1 in St. John’s Newfoundland.

Seven winners were announced at the prestigious annual Gala Awards Soiree including honourees in categories including communications, advertising research, public opinion research, competitive intelligence, data mining and more. Award recipients received the coveted Excellence Crystal as a tribute to their pursuit of excellence and for setting an example for others in the industry.

“The winners’ programs exemplified the importance of what we do, as market researchers, in this industry -- improve the customer experience through exceptional products, service and people,” said Tim McCutcheon, Senior Vice President of Research and Operations at Market Probe Canada, who handed out the awards on behalf of Market Probe during the evening. “In addition, the winners confirmed my own thoughts that ‘excellence’ should never be an assumed outcome of any research program. Rather, it is earned through hard work, smart employees, innovative research solutions, top-notch sampling and rigourous data collection.”

Market Probe would like to recognize the following winners of the 2012 Excellence in Research Awards as presented at the 2012 MRIA conference:

Best in Class: Awarded for a research project that serves as a shining example to research practitioners and users.
2011 (10th Annual, Presented 2012)
Sylvestre Marketing & PepsiCo Canada – "Pepsi Refresh Program"
2011 (10th Annual, Presented 2012)
Kraft Foods & Fresh Squeezed Ideas, IPSOS, Nielsen – "Big, Bold and Brewed to Perfection"

Best Integration: Awarded in recognition of a research project that demonstrates successful integration of market research with other information sources.
2011 (10th Annual, Presented 2012)
Environics Research Group, IMS Brogan Inc. & SANOFI
2011 (10th Annual, Presented 2012)
Corbin Partners Inc., MBA Recherche, Leger Marketing & Counsel for Canada Bread

Murray Philp Altruistic Award: Awarded for a market research project done on a pro-bono or reduced profit basis, for a not-for-profit organization that has contributed positively to the individuals, groups or communities that form part of our Canadian network that it was meant to help.
2011 (10th Annual, Presented 2012)
Upwords Marketing Solutions & Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada

Public Policy Impact Award: Awarded for a research project in the broader public sector that has had a demonstrable public policy impact.
2011 (10th Annual Presented 2012)
Corbin Partners Inc. & Lerners for CBC & Bell Media – "A little birdie told me"

Client Side Researcher Impact and Effectiveness Award: Recognizes a member, employed at a Client Side Researcher Corporate member of the Association, for outstanding achievements over the past year which have served to elevate the stature of marketing, survey and public opinion research and market intelligence at senior decision-making levels of his or her own organization.
2011
Marina Gutman, Knowledge and Insights Manager, Juice Business Unit, Coca Cola

Market Probe
Market Probe is a full-service global marketing research and consulting firm specializing in stakeholder measurement engagements as well as a wide array of custom research assignments. The firm strives to build long-term partnerships with our clients, based on our team of professionals with research savvy, industry knowledge and technical experience. Market Probe’s Voice of Customer, brand and employee satisfaction expertise reaches businesses around the globe. In addition to our corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we have full-service research offices in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Belgium, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, India, Singapore, Hong Kong and China; and we have formed strategic partnerships with field agencies around the world. We employ over 350 full-time employees worldwide, and as many as 1000 part-time employees. For more information visit www.marketprobe.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 4, 2012

Contact:
Jack Jefferson, Market Probe, 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

Market Probe adds Mr. Lalit Sangtani, Vice President, Technology Services, to its Global IT Management Team


Milwaukee, WI – Market Probe, a global market research and consulting organization with world headquarters located in Milwaukee, WI, today announced the addition of Lalit Sangtani as Vice President, Technology Services.

Lalit brings nearly 30 years of industry experience to Market Probe with advanced expertise in providing technology enabled value added research solutions to global clients. Prior to joining the firm, he served as Director of Data Processing at ORC International, and he has held similar positions at TNS, ACNielsen and Gallup. His client experience includes Unilever, P&G, Colgate Palmolive, Henkel and Nestle, as well as other leading global CPG companies.

He holds a degree in commerce and economics as well as a postgraduate degree in electronic data processing and computer management from University of Bombay.

Market Probe is a full-service global marketing research and consulting firm specializing in stakeholder measurement engagements as well as a wide array of custom research assignments. The firm strives to build long-term partnerships with our clients, based on our team of professionals with research savvy, industry knowledge and technical experience. Market Probe’s Voice of Customer, brand and employee satisfaction expertise reaches businesses around the globe. In addition to our corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we have full-service research offices in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Belgium, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, India, Singapore, Hong Kong and China; and we have formed strategic partnerships with field agencies around the world. We employ over 350 full-time employees worldwide, and as many as 1000 part-time employees. For more information visit www.marketprobe.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 11, 2012

Contact:
Jack Jefferson, Market Probe, 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

Advertising Research Foundation Recognizes Market Probe EVP Judith Ricker For Brand Passion Research

Milwaukee, WI – Judith Ricker, Market Probe’s Executive Vice President of Brand Research, has been awarded the 2012 Great Minds Silver Innovation Award by the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF).

The award, presented at ARF’s “Re:think 2012”conference in New York City at a March  28th luncheon, recognizes Ricker for her pivotal brand passion research. In connection with her award win, Ricker recently delivered highlights from the celebrated study in the leading market research industry publication: Survey Magazine.

Ricker is a recognized brand research leader; responsible for developing a unique approach that sheds new light on the drivers of brand passion and its effect on consumer choice.  She developed IMPACT+, a new research model based on the premise that, in the 21st century, the consumer’s relationship with brands continues to evolve and that brand destinies are increasingly controlled by the consumer. Managers continue to choose the IMPACT+ model for both consumer and business markets.

About the Market Probe Brand Passion study
In addition to ongoing brand passion research, and in preparation for the ARF conference, Market Probe conducted a short study to assess not only consumer “passion” for 30 brands across multiple industries, but also how well consumers thought these leading brands might thrive in the future.  More than 1,000 general population consumers responded to the online study, resulting in “passion” scores that put Google, Target and Apple at the top of the rankings.

About Market Probe
In addition to its corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Market Probe has offices throughout the United States and in Canada, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, India, Bahrain, Singapore, Hong Kong and China with in-house facilities for field services by web and phone. Market Probe is listed among the Honomichl Top 50 US Research Firms and has been providing business solutions to the financial services industry for more than 30 years. Learn more at www.marketprobe.com. www.marketprobe.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  November 7, 2011

Contact:
Jack Jefferson, Market Probe, 414-778-6000 or j.jefferson@marketprobe.com

Market Probe Adds To Its Strength In Financial Services And Pharmaceutical Market Research

Milwaukee, WI – Market Probe, a Milwaukee-based global marketing research and consulting company, recently announced the acquisition of Richard Day Research Inc., Evanston, Illinois. RDR is a highly respected custom market research firm specializing in Financial Services and Pharmaceutical research. RDR President and Founder, Dr. Richard Day, is the former President of CASRO, and he presently Co-Chairs their Government Affairs Committee.

When asked about the acquisition, Day said: “Market Probe provides business solutions to the world’s largest banks, pharmaceutical companies and other industries.  We believe that its global presence along with its advanced technology will benefit our clients as well as our staff.  Their acquisition of RDR brings us access to systems, technologies, advanced analytic solutions and innovations that a larger company like Market Probe offers.  For example, they have a very sophisticated reporting dashboard offering advanced tracking survey technology. Our clients will still receive the attentive service, flexibility and customized solutions that the RDR team has always provided.”

According to Dr. T.R. Rao, the President and CEO of Market Probe, this acquisition fulfills an important strategic goal for the company.  Rao said: “With this acquisition, we have significantly strengthened our position as a global leader in Financial Services and Pharmaceutical market research. Being a global company with a presence on all continents, we are now in a better situation to service the needs of global firms in these sectors. Market Probe values RDR as a well-run business with long-time client relationships. We look forward to introducing our latest findings and industry innovations, including our SHARE+ Advocacy model to the RDR team and their clients.”

Market Probe
In addition to our corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we have offices throughout the United States and in Canada, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, India, Bahrain, Singapore, Hong Kong and China with in-house facilities for field services by Web and phone. We are listed among the Honomichl Top 50 US Research Firms and have been providing business solutions to various industry sectors for more than 25 years.