Discovery to Merge Operations After Growth in 2009

In the UK, qual specialist Discovery Research has reported a 10% increase in revenues for 2009, and a 40% year-on-year rise in profits on turnover of £2.8m. The firm has also announced plans to merge its three businesses under one brand.

Founded in 1995 by husband and wife research team Trish and Ken Parker, Discovery comprises three businesses: full service agency Discovery Research; London and Leeds viewing facilities provider Spectrum; and The Thinking Shed, a tool launched last March and designed to enhance and improve the online respondent-researcher experience.

During 2010, the three businesses will be brought together under one brand. Discovery will be led by Andrew Therkelsen and Alan Hathaway, while Spectrum will be managed by Donal Kelly and Ben Parker. The Thinking Shed business will be relocated to London in the Spring, where the founders say it will have capacity to expand.

'With an outstanding team of qual and quant researchers, nine state of the art viewing facilities and an innovative online tool that has won widespread acclaim from within the industry, we are confident that Discovery will be one to watch in 2010,' states Managing Director, Trish Parker.

Web sites: www.discoveryres.co.uk , www.spectrumview.co.uk and www.thethinkingshed.com .