Launch of Sandpiper Research & Insights

Asia Pacific-based reputation and policy management specialist Sandpiper Group has launched a Research & Insights company, focused on supporting communications and public affairs practitioners and led by Craig Young as interim Managing Director.

Young will be supported by an experienced team based across the region, including Paul Chong leading brand, market, and reputation research and measurement; Alexander Thomas leading social and digital analytics; and Kelly Johnston and Iris Ng leading thought leadership and partnerships.

The Group says its work providing dedicated research to support communications and public affairs programmes for clients has experienced 'huge growth' in the past year.

Young brings 30 years' experience developing research and evidence-based programmes to shape policy and business outcomes in APAC, with a particular specialism in high impact social research. Most recently he was CEO for Australia at Big Village, and he has worked at Nielsen, Roy Morgan Research, ORC International and Engine. He is also the immediate past-President of Australia MR body ADIA.

Chong also brings 30 years' experience, in market intelligence, customer experience measurement and insights for businesses. He began his career with the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Reark Research before co-founding and working as Managing Partner at NWC Research. NWC grew to become one of the country's top 10 market research firms before being sold to ORC International in 2007. He also managed ORC's global Customer Experience practice, based in the US.

Thomas brings in-depth skills in social media and data analytics, having worked in sectors including energy, financial services, technology and healthcare across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. Johnston is COO for Sandpiper Communications and Public Affairs while Ng is a Senior Account Manager - both based between Hong Kong and Singapore.

Johnston says of the latest news: 'In a world driven by data, we have had an increasing focus on building the research and insights capabilities within our business. This has helped us to develop world leading thought leadership platforms for clients and unlock more strategic and measurable results. As a growing competitive advantage for our firm, the time is right to launch Sandpiper Research & Insights as a stand-alone sister brand within the Sandpiper Group. We are delighted to have Craig onboard to lead this business and to welcome Paul and Alex to our growing research team'.

Young adds: 'Sandpiper Research & Insights meets a growing need in the market for research approaches that can help address the unique challenges faced by communications and public affairs practitioners. Modern communicators need research partners that have a clear understanding of their objectives, storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and an ability to operate at pace'.

The Group, which also includes Sandpiper Health, is online at www.sandpipercomms.com .