Ameritest Gets Blessing for Chicago Lead Role

Albuquerque, New Mexico-based ad research agency Ameritest has appointed Ralph Blessing as Managing Director, in charge of its Chicago office.

Founded in 1989, Ameritest has developed proprietary methods for evaluating ad effectiveness and its customized services include TV, digital, web, print, radio, package, out-of-home, and early phase testing, as well as 'brandscape' and storyboard development and campaign tracking.

Blessing (pictured) joins with a 30-year research background. For the past five years, he worked at GfK Custom Research as EVP - GfK Strategic Innovation, and prior to this he spent nearly three years as EVP at brand innovation consultancy Arbor Strategy Group, acquired by GfK in 2008. Earlier, he held senior client-side roles for 22 years at Unilever, cosmetic firm Helene Curtis, and SC Johnson Wax.

During his career, Blessing has led consulting projects with dozens of US and global clients on brand (re)positioning, innovation and brand communication. He has also taught MBAs about brand building at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

Web site: www.ameritest.net .