Verve Expands International Communities Team

London-based online communities specialist Verve has announced seven more hires, including former GfK execs Rich Preedy and Olly Robinson who will help drive the expansion of its International service.

Verve says Preedy and Robinson bring substantial experience in International strategic ad hoc and tracking research, along with data integration, and will help to drive 'a number of innovative new propositions' at the company.

Also joining the company are former Ipsos MORI exec Ben Kume-Davy, as a Research Manager focused on brand tracking and ad testing; and four International Community Managers:

• Hungarian Specialist Katalin Kekesi, previously of the United Nations University
• Thai specialist Sumana Pernot, from Lightspeed Research
• Spanish specialist Hernan Farinas, whose previous experience includes Elexu.com and Galterragolf.es, and
• Laura Martin-Carrera, also a Spanish Specialist, who joins from Orange's Online Community team.

CEO Andrew Cooper comments: 'Growth at Verve continues apace and we are determined to add further fuel to the flame through expanding the range of strategic research services we can provide to our International Community Panel clients'.

Founded in 2008, Verve is online at www.addverve.com .