I Knew I Was Right

From the Times:

"Dr Peter Fenwick is an eminent neuro-psychiatrist, academic and expert on epilepsy and disorders of the brain."

"..."If, when all brain functions are down, the patient is able to receive information, then it follows that the mind can act independently of the brain. We must be able to demonstrate this objectively if we are to move forward; it’s vital for neurological science and our understanding of human consciousness.”

Market Research Can Help

You know in your heart you are supposed to care about what the consumer thinks.

Schooled in P&G Ways, SMG's Kaplowitz Puts the Consumer First

"...Ms. Kaplowitz is still looking at traditional media, but she's also concerned with channels such as public relations, direct marketing and the in-store experience as the consumer's relationships with media and brands change. In recent years, P&G has migrated to a communications-planning approach that accounts for all the ways consumers connect with brands -- not just paid media."

Market research can help.

Ah, but what is market research?

Is it the same people answering all the questions being asked?

Consumers Rebel Against Marketers' Endless Surveys

"...Though no truly global figures are available, almost every researcher has seen participation erode in recent years, with rates under 10% increasingly common. Surveys tend to poll the same people over and over, often "professional respondents" who go hunting for research for dollars. "

"Just 0.25% of the population supplies 32% of responses to online surveys, said Simon Chadwick, former head of NOP Research in the U.K. and now principal of Cambiar, a Phoenix consultancy, citing research by ComScore Networks. More broadly, he said, 50% of all survey responses come from less than 5% of the population. That leaves lingering suspicions that survey research may be getting less reliable."

""We're perpetuating a fraud," Mr. Chadwick said."

Is it internet users signing up for surveys and pretending to be who they're not?

Fact: I know of only one on-line survey company in London that recruits respondents face to face. Hi Ros.

Is it people who say something because they think they should?

Traditional Media More Trustworthy Than Emerging

"...The 1,500-person online survey, in which 1,162 responders were identified as consumers, found that the "future of trust" lies in traditional media forms -- mainstream newspapers, magazines, TV and radio."

"More than half (52%) anticipate relying on traditional sources for news that significantly affects their lives, while 13% will rely mostly on emerging media, such as citizen journalists, blogs and podcasts. More than a third, however, anticipate relying on both forms of media for news."

"Last spring, LexisNexis integrated licensed blogs into its online research platform. "We were looking at not only the current state of what people trust and rely on, but ... we wanted to also look at what's possibly happening in the future," said Jennifer Aleknavage, LexisNexis' communications manager. "What's interesting is that new media doesn't take away from traditional at all.""

"Though the company has done news surveys in the past, this is the first time it has explored attitudes toward emerging media forms."

So, according to LexisNexis, 'new media doesn't take away from traditional at all'.

Fact: audiences are declining for both press and television. Despite a strong start to the Fall season in the States, this is likely to continue, especially for news shows.

Fact: Merrill Lynch predicts flat newspaper ad revenues this year and a 1.5% decline for 2007.

Fact: the API spent a year developing a report "intended to help reshape and reinvigorate the newspaper industry".

Fact: the internet contributed $16.92 billion from advertising and subscription fees from 14 companies, up 20.5% - this from Ad Age and excludes internet retail transactions.

When I think of all the research I've done on the internet over the years, I'm amazed at how comfortable "normal" people are with it now. Everyone has a nose round these days. I see very few ads unless they're sent to me, in Grazia magazine, or popping up annoyingly on corporate sites.

Here are some fun ads just to round out this post:

Travelers Group: Snowball

Toyota: Nessie

Accura: Anthem