It’s been a fast and furious year for the world of market research. To put this evening’s proceedings into a little context, Research magazine takes a look back at some of the year’s biggest news stories.

NOVEMBER04
Eight of the UK’s biggest public opinion research companies launch the British Polling Council. Four of Synovate’s UK companies join together under a new management team, a move that marks the end of the ViewsCast and TRBI names. TNS trials the new MRS Diploma in Market and Social Research.

DECEMBER04
Strategic Research puts itself into liquidation. US businesses launch a $1m global MR campaign to help combat rising anti-Americanism. Public sector researchers voice fears about the new Freedom of Information Act.

JANUARY05
Kelvin MacKenzie’s The Wireless Group loses its legal challenge over Rajar’s decision not to adopt electronic people meters. Merger talks between Chime and Incepta collapse. A US District Court rules that the economic analysis used to support IRI’s anti-trust action against ACNielsen is inadmissible.

FEBRUARY05
Ivor Stocker wins the race to become Chairman of the BMRA. Gordon Black resigns as executive chairman of Harris Interactive. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister launches the first survey of homeless families in England.

MARCH05
The annual MRS conference, Research 2005, kicks off at The Barbican. Bidders line up in the sale of NOP World. IRI plans an appeal to rescue its $650m anti-trust case against ACNielsen. Esomar announces a review of how global industry statistics are collected.

APRIL05
The world’s largest MR agencies report healthy revenue growth. YouGov announces a stock market listing on AIM later in the year, looking to raise £3m. Eamonn Santry takes office as Chairman of the MRS as the organisation launches its Company Partner Service.

MAY05
GfK beats Ipsos and WPP to acquire NOP World for £383m. O2 announces that it may cut market research positions. Greenfield Online buys Ciao, the German online agency in a deal worth $154m. MR agencies come to terms with strict new privacy laws in Japan.

JUNE05
Anti-trust officers from the European Commission raid ACNielsen offices in Belgium, Cyprus, Holland and the UK following a complaint lodged by IRI. The UK election polls are declared the most accurate ever.

JULY05
Global data company Experian buys its second market research firm. Online panel provider ToLuna embarks on an AIM listing and raises £4.4m. Sir Robert Worcester steps down as chairman of Mori, but remains on board as life president.

AUGUST05
The market is shocked as VNU buys IMS Health for a cash and shares deal worth $7bn. A study suggests that sharing a summary of results with respondents could curb falling b2b response rates. Ipsos takes up MRS Company Partner Service.

SEPTEMBER05
GfK Martin Hamblin is to be broken into two under merger plans stemming from GfK’s acquisition of NOP World. A survey shows UK researchers have low expectations of an increase in client budgets. Nielsen Media Research is attacked in a US Senate hearing for being unresponsive to concerns over its local people meter.

OCTOBER05
Ipsos buys Mori for £88m. Research agencies may have to run criminal checks on all staff working with children and vulnerable people on projects commissioned by the Central Office of Information. Global research revenues climb 7.5% to $21.5bn.