MRS Fellowships 2008

Ken Baker MD, Ken Baker Associates

Ken is one of the leading statisticians working in market research.  He pioneered the use of geodemographics with his early support and development of ACORN, and is now a leading exponent of the use of small area statistics.  Ken is valued for his easy to understand style in communicating statistics, is always willing to give advice, and has a delightful sense of humour that makes statistics seem fun.

Ian Brace Director of Research Methods, TNS

A prolific author, presenter and award winner, Ian has made a huge contribution to MRS and the industry on many fronts.  Everyone he has worked with over the years will attest to his commitment to the profession, and to ensuring the highest quality and value of market research to suppliers, buyers and users alike.  His Fellowship has been long overdue, only prevented because he was ineligible while an MRS Council Member.

Simon Lidington MD, The Insight Exchange

As an MRS Council Member, Simon was instrumental in influencing restructuring of industry associations.  While MRS Chairman, he was a thought leader, and challenger of the industry establishment and of MRS positioning.  He successfully advocated greater focus on the client/end-user, and on the value of research more than the process.  As Vice-President, Simon continues to be one of research’s most effective ambassadors.

Martin van Staveren Technical & Quality Control Director, BMRB Media

Martin has the distinction of having practised as a survey researcher before specialising as a statistician.  Consequently, his understanding of the practicalities has made him an ideal teacher and his communication skills are second to none.  Martin is in his element when it comes to public presentation of difficult concepts which he somehow manages to make deceptively simple.

Jeremy Bullmore

Jeremy Bullmore spent 33 years at J. Walter Thompson, starting as a trainee copywriter, progressing through many roles, serving finally as Chairman and member of its worldwide board.  He was a non executive director of WPP until 2004, and continues to serve on its Advisory Board.  He was awarded the CBE in 1985.

Jeremy is a master craftsman as a wordsmith both as a writer and an accomplished and inspiring speaker.  In a foreword to one of his recent books, Sir Martin Sorrell states that: “No one writes with the fluency, deftness of touch, insight, and humour about the vital function of marketing as this man.”

And so Jeremy brought this very special talent to the Presidency of MRS, where he will conclude his five-year term in March 2009.  He has been the contributor of much charm, wit, and wisdom to the proceedings of MRS Council.  We are delighted to confirm what was said of him in one of his many reviews: “he always brings a much-needed blend of creative thinking, commonsense and crankiness to the grown-up advice he dispenses.”

Equally, as a mentor for our industry, he is uncompromising about standards of workmanship.  He has reminded us that we are not mere advocates of research, but advocates only for thorough and outstanding effective research.

He has urged rigour and vigour on both practitioners and users of research, perhaps never more telling than in his President’s message in 2007!  “As MRS seeks to reach out to a wider world, there can be no more important constituents  to reach than those ultimately responsible for making decisions of quite frightening cost and implications….  For the providers, the agencies, it means they’d better get it right.  Slipshod research is even more culpable than slipshod marketing counsel, its potential consequence are more fundamental and more lasting.  The responsibility is a heavy one.”