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John Meagher 
Our founder and Group Chairman, John Meagher, died last February. John was one of those 'larger than life' personalities who have the inspiration, drive and charisma to create something worthwhile - in his case the Irish Marketing Surveys Group, of which Ulster Marketing Surveys is a member, and which has been the major force behind the development of market research in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The success of Ulster Marketing Surveys owes hugely to his constant encouragement and remarkable commercial understanding, and we hope we can continue to serve our markets with the dignity, veracity, and confidence he would be proud of. [ top ] Institute of Directors - Members Poll Last May, we carried out a telephone poll amongst members of the IoD Northern Ireland branch to ascertain their views of the main ingredients of IoD policy. An important part of the research involved an assessment of the priorities for Government, whether Downing Street or the precarious Northern Ireland Executive. IoD members were invited to assign a 'priority' rating on each of 10 issues impacting on the interests of business and industry. Subsequently, they were invited to rate the actual performance of the institutions of Government, for the same 10 issues. The results have been plotted on a 2-dimensional 'priority v performance' grid, which reveals that 2 of the issues emerged with easily the highest priorities: maintaining the Northern Ireland Agreement; and reducing 'red tape' and the administration burden. However, whereas the Government was considered to have been reasonably effective in maintaining the Agreement, IoD members were much more critical of Government performance with regard to red tape. This can be more clearly seen in the 'Action for Government Index,' which summarises the findings to highlight the profound concerns at the ever-spiralling burden of red tape and administration falling on the shoulders of business and industry. The other key issues for Government attention were reducing business taxation, and improving roads and transport infrastructure. (With regard to business taxation, it was widely felt that a reduced rate of Corporation Tax would be the most effective means of invigorating local enterprises to compete better with firms in the Republic of Ireland, where the economy has been hugely enjoying the fruits of EU membership and an advantageous exchange rate with Sterling). PRIORITIES v PERFORMANCE FOR GOVERNMENT  IoD MEMBERS' 'ACTION INDEX' FOR GOVERNMENT In the survey, members were asked to rate Government performance and priorities, and the results have been summarised as an 'Action Index' - evidently, the key issues for the institutions of Government to address are the ever-spiralling red tape and administration burden falling on the shoulders of business and industry, taxation, and infrastructure.  [ top ] Promotions 
Fiona Norman and Glenn Hall have been promoted to Project Research Manager. Fiona gained early experience with AGB before returning to her native Bangor (the real one in Co. Down) and brings an enthusiastic and attentive approach to a wide range of projects. A keen Liverpool supporter (nobody's perfect!) Glenn is a University of Ulster graduate and has extensive experience in both quantitative and qualitative research. [ top ] Ad-Watch Top 10: August 2001
The powerful execution of the Northern Ireland road safety campaigns has held its own in the Top 10, this month focusing on drink driving through the 'Shame' campaign. This advertisement concentrates on the male perspective, featuring the relationship of a father and son and horrendous effects of drink and driving on normal family life. Let's hope for all our sakes and especially in the run up to Christmas, more drivers heed the message and leave their cars at home when partaking in the festive spirit. On a lighter note, 'Whaats up?' is at number 2, the third consecutive wave in which it has held the number 1 or 2 position. I have noticed recently that the newts are back, and with two such popular advertisements aired in tandem we would expect to see the Budweiser presence in the Top 10 for a few more waves. James Nesbitt continues to inform us of BT products and services at number 4. Obviously life bodes well for the local actor judging by the size of his new residence in the call minder advertisements! BT also aired a more humorous portrayal in August featuring 'Grandad' caught by his family whilst ironing in his birthday suit. What a thought! The Ad-watch Top Ten is compiled through Ulster Marketing Surveys Omnibus. The results feature those brands where advertising is most frequently recalled spontaneously by a sample of 1100 adults. For more information please contact: Fiona Norman, Project Research Manager on 90 231060 or at fnorman@ums-research.com [ top ] The UMS Weblab
Always keen to be at the cutting edge Ulster Marketing Surveys launched, in August 2000, an important new research service and facility. Given the importance of having the right 'shop-front' on the world wide web UMS has introduced 'e-valuation', a service specially tailored to delivering website testing. That means we'll do the research on any issue related to your website, be it the simple matter of usability or the more complex issue of design acceptability. Our purpose-built laboratory provides the perfect facility to let you see just what customers and potential customers think (or might think) of your site. The research would involve having 'real' people to assess your website in the form of a informal focus group session. Each session involves the use of four persons and conducted by one of our Research Executive staff. [ top ] Internet Penetration - Internet access & usage by consumers in Northern Ireland  Ulster Marketing Surveys has launched ongoing Internet usage reports. Produced biannually, the reports are based on regular large-scale research to monitor the extent and frequency with which people in Northern Ireland are using the Internet. Amongst the findings, a very significant observation can be made regarding access to the Internet from home. In August 1999, just 12% of adults (aged 16+) had access to the Internet from home. This had more than doubled to 29% by April 2001, and is projected to reach almost 40% by the end of next year. So what does increasing Internet penetration mean in real terms? Some of the implications for Northern Ireland will be as follows:
(A more detailed report can be purchased from Ulster Marketing Surveys). [ top ] Meet The People
[ top ] Quality - We Never Miss The truth of public and business opinion has always been at the heart of our work at Ulster Marketing Surveys. Objectivity, integrity, and clear-sightedness are critical contributors in achieving these ends, along with a disciplined and well-organised approach. To demonstrate our trail blazing commitment in this sphere, we are delighted to announce that Ulster Marketing Surveys has recently been approved (by SGS Yarsley ICS), for both of the top quality standards in market and social research, MRQSA and ISO 9001.
[ top ] Award Sponsors This year's CIM awards focuses upon eight categories which have been selected to ensure that all industries across Northern Ireland can be represented.
[ top ] Chartered Institute of Marketing Awards - 2001 Pictured below is Clare Durkin, Associate Director, UMS at the recent launch of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Awards 2001. Clare is chairing the CIM Awards in 2001. Also pictured are Kevin McCann, LEDU and Noel Brady of SX3. 
The CIM Northern Ireland Marketing Awards have become one of the most prestigious social events in the Province's business calendar. [ top ] Qualitative Research - Viewing Facilities Although in qualitative research the primary task of moderating and interpreting the results lies with the researcher, clients can gain valuable additional insight by sitting in on the group discussions. As demonstration of this point, we were delighted when one of our clients Denman International enthused over their experience of sitting-in on several groups. Dear Fiona Just to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed attending the two focus groups in Windsor. Certainly actually being there and seeing/hearing at first hand participants' reactions/comments throws a whole new light on the process. The best presentation in the world from you to us as a client cannot recapture the atmosphere of the groups and I would urge any prospective client to attend. Best Regards Michael Porrelli - UK Market Manager [ top ] UMS Qualitative Laboratory Pictured below are some of the UMS staff demonstrating our state-of-the-art qualitative laboratory. Based at 94 University Street in Belfast the Qualilab caters for a large number of both local and national clients. Facilities include a viewing room with one-way mirror, video and cassette recording of group discussions, and catering facilities available for both participants and visiting clients. For more about our Qualitative Laboratory, including a movie clip, click here. 
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UMS, ulster, marketing, surveys, ulster marketing surveys, marketing, market research, research, troubles, irish, market, mystery shopper, CATI, CAPI, qualitative, media, red door, irish marketing surveys, imsi, qualilab, quail lab, quali-lab, mrs, nicci, aqrp, iqcs, cim, bmra |
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