California Buy for MDC

In the US, full service agency MDC Research has expanded to California through the acquisition of San Francisco-based qualitative research firm and focus group facility Ecker & Associates. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Situated about ten minutes from San Francisco airport, Ecker & Associates offers four fully equipped focus group suites to accommodate projects such as usability tests, video game trials and one-to-one interviews. The company also provides recruiting services for projects including consumer, business and medical panels.

The acquisition adds to MDC's existing base in Portland, Oregon, call center in New Mexico and sales office in New Jersey. As part of the deal, previous owner Rebecca Ecker will stay on as General Manager of the facility, overseeing a team of approximately twenty staff.

MDC Research President Michael Oilar comments: 'This latest acquisition strengthens MDC's ability to service its growing Bay Area and Silicon Valley clientele. We look forward to enhanced relationships with existing clients, as well as further expansion in the Bay Area.'

MDC (previously Market Decisions Corporation) is online at www.mdcresearch.com while its new acquisition is at www.eckersf.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.