Focus Pointe Global Buys watchLAB San Francisco

US data collection firm Focus Pointe Global (FPG) has acquired the San Francisco-based operations of qual research company watchLAB for an undisclosed sum. watchLAB will retain its Chicago business operations.

Founded in 1997, watchLAB sources consumer, B2B, physician and patient respondents across the US, while offering facility rental, hosting services and project management for qual methodologies from traditional focus groups, ethnographic research and depth interviews to shop-alongs and taste tests. The San Francisco operations, just off Union Square, offer access to three studios which can be configured for mock trials and usability studies, and into theatre/conference styles as well as for intimate IDI settings.

The San Francisco acquisition, which adds to FPG's existing nineteen research facilities across the US, will involve the combination of watchLAB's respondent panel with FPG's QualPanel for Bay area research studies. It follows FPG's acquisition of California-based qual agency Trotta Associates last year.

Laura Livers, FPG CEO, comments: 'FPG is committed to leveraging technology and innovation to deliver faster insights without compromising quality. With a goal of being the 'go-to' provider of marketing research data collection, we are looking forward to meeting new client partners as a result of this acquisition'.

Web sites: www.focuspointeglobal.com and www.watchlab.com .