Laben to Lead Newly Merged 'Research Now SSI'

Research Now and SSI have completed their merger, with the joint business now known as 'Research Now SSI' and led by former Research Now CEO Gary Laben.

The combined company will be privately held, with Court Square Capital Partners and HGGC, the current majority owners of Research Now and SSI respectively, remaining as majority owners of the merged business. The deal creates the industry's largest provider of online panel data and technology-based research solutions based on opted-in data.

Laben (pictured), who joined Research Now last year with more than 25 years' leadership experience, will now serve as Chief Executive of the combined company. He comments: 'Together, we are exceptionally well-positioned for growth in our established market research customer base as well as in new, strategic areas that span the entire marketing continuum of data-driven consumer engagement. With our core asset of verified, opted-in data, and an innovative approach to marketing services based on actual voice of the consumer, we can offer existing and new customers new ways to achieve optimized marketing performance'.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Web sites: www.researchnow.com and www.surveysampling.com .