Insights West Buys Focus Group Facility SmartPoint

Canadian opinion polling and consumer research specialist Insights West has acquired focus group facility SmartPoint Research, which has now been renamed the Vancouver Insights Centre. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2007 by research moderator Daniela Hassman, the Yaletown-based facility provides qual and quant MR services to Canadian, US and international clients - including focus group room rental, participant recruitment, senior-level moderation, simultaneous translation and project management. Participants can be drawn from a variety of sources, including Insights West's own 'Your Insights Panel'.

Insights West President Steve Mossop says opening a qualitative research facility represents 'another strategic building block' in becoming the largest full-service research firm in Western Canada. The firm's office in Gastown will be relocating to Yaletown early in the new year.

Web sites: www.insightswest.com and www.vancouverinsights.com .