Fly Buys Q Research to Build UK Mobile Panel

In the UK, online agency Fly Research has bought Q Research, which specialises in using the mobile phone to conduct large scale MR with young people. Through the acquisition, the firm plans to develop the UK's first nationally representative mobile panel.

Chairman Dr Liz Nelson and MD Liam Corcoran launched Q Research at the end of 2006. Now based at Fly's London HQ, Nelson - who co-founded Taylor Nelson in 1965 - will become Chairman; Corcoran will take up the role of Head of Mobile Insight; and Non-Executive Director Mike Penford - previously UK MD of TNS - will become a Non-Executive Director.

Fly Research began trading in 2005 and has grown rapidly, which Directors Ian Davidson, Dave Waddell and Greg Ward attribute to a 'down-to-earth, flexible and 'can do' approach' with their clients.

Using its proprietary online panel, MyVoice.co.uk, the firm delivers most projects within five days and a quarter of projects within 24 hours. The Directors say that Q's mobile research platform is a perfect complement to Fly's own online capabilities.

In addition, the new mobile panel will enable companies to survey people 'in the moment' wherever they are, reach traditionally unresponsive audiences, such as youth, and enjoy rapid response rates.

Davidson comments: 'We're extremely excited to be able to build on the considerable commercial, technical and operational expertise that Q Research has developed, and we're thrilled to welcome such an august senior team to the company.'

In response, Nelson described the acquisition as 'a perfect match'.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Web sites: www.flyresearch.com and www.qmobileinsight.co.uk .