Reid (No Relation) is New Vision Critical MD

Canadian-based custom panel and technology specialist Vision Critical has appointed former GfK Director Andrew Iain Reid as Managing Director of Corporate Development.

Reid (no relation to the firm's founders, father and son partnership Angus and Andrew Reid) joins with more than 30 years' experience working with global ad and brand agencies. For the last six years, he served on the Global Board of GfK Custom Research and worked as GfK's Head of Strategic Innovation. Prior to this, he spent seven years with brand agency Imagination in London and Stockholm, and worked at Saatchi & Saatchi, and brand identity consultancy Siegel & Gale.

In his new role based in the firm's Vancouver head office, Reid will guide and support the expansion of Vision Critical's research and panel offerings.

'Andrew's extensive international experience and leadership is the perfect fit for our next phase of expansion,' commented Angus Reid. 'We're seeking to lead the industry as it adapts to the digital era, and Andrew's background is perfect for the job.'

Last October, Vision Critical merged with sister firm, public opinion and MR agency Angus Reid Strategies. During the year it hired more than 95 new employees and announced its intention to fill another 120 global staff roles in 2010.

The company has offices in the US, Canada, UK, France and Australia, and is planning to expand global operations into China, Germany and other parts of Europe.

Angus Reid's thoughts on how technology and custom panels are changing the face of MR can be found in our 'Trends, Technologies and Techniques' section, MRT (www.mrweb.com/mrt ).

Web site: www.visioncritical.com .