New Global Research Body Sets Out Programme

GRBN, the recently launched international community of research federations, has apportioned its activities for 2012-13 between member regions, following meetings in London and Miami attended by representatives of national associations in 17 countries.

The new body was launched eleven weeks ago with three core members - European, AsiaPac and US market research associations EFAMRO, APRC and ARIA.

Each element of the programme will be led by one federation:

• EFAMRO will lead development in the area of standards and self regulation, beginning with a comparison of members' existing codes of conduct, with an eye to future discussions on revising and reconciling codes where possible.
• ARIA will lead thinking on new initiatives to measure the sector's future growth and development, building on its State of the Business Survey
• APRC will lead the development of GRBN's information resources, including a central resource for shared knowledge and information, and the development of conferences, training and qualifications across the network.

Leaders of the three regional federations stressed their enthusiasm for their respective tasks. Jeffrey Resnick, Board Chair of CASRO, an ARIA member says the initiative will enhance members' business and adds: 'We have no doubt that the establishment of GRBN will prove to be an important milestone in the global research business.' APRC Secretary-General Michihiro Ota says members will get 'a repository of useful information that they can reference in their day to day professional life, both as a business owner and research professional'. EFAMRO President Andrew Cannon comments: Our work on standards will reduce barriers to international research and provide welcome harmonisation of rules where possible.'

GRBN (Global Research Business Network) connects 25 research associations and over 2500 research businesses on five continents, representing more than US$24.6 bn in annual research revenues. The global body is online at www.grbn.org and the federations at www.efamro.eu , www.aprc-research.com and www.aria-americas.org .