Toluna Completes Common Knowledge Integration

In the US, panel and survey technology provider Toluna has completed its integration with Common Knowledge Research Services, and re-named the firm Toluna USA. It has also restructured its US and Asia Pacific team with four new appointments.

Toluna paid an initial $8.49m for Common Knowledge last summer, and agreed a deferred cash sum of $2.16m which will be payable in two instalments.

'While we take pride in having served the marketing research industry for the past 20 years as Common Knowledge, we look forward to an exciting future as part of the Toluna Group, and offering our clients global sampling capabilities, and innovative approaches to online research,' commented Common Knowledge Founder Steve Lavine, who now becomes CEO of Toluna USA.

Toluna's North American and Asia Pacific sales organization has also made the following changes:

Mike Billingsley becomes SVP of Sales for North America, from his previous role as MD of Asia Pacific, during which time he opened Toluna's office in Sydney, Australia. Billingsley has a 20-year background in marketing research, having served in senior sales and research roles at Authentic Response, Global Market Insite (GMI), SPSS and America Online (AOL).

Hugh Bloch takes over Billingsley's former role as MD of Asia Pacific. He also has more than 20 years' experience in the market research, communications and Internet industries. Previously, Bloch was President of Millward Brown in Japan, and MD for Nielsen//NetRatings North Asia. He started his market research career at Frank Small & Associates and has worked in senior management positions for Nielsen and for companies later acquired by Millward Brown and TNS.

Matthew Worden has been appointed Business Development Director for the South Eastern territory of the US. He joins with nine years' marketing research expertise, having previously held research and business development positions with Harris Interactive, Ziff Davis Media, and Authentic Response. Most recently, he was Senior Business Development Director at YouGov/Polimetrix.

Sarah Terrelonge has joined as Business Development Director for Canada, having most recently worked in a senior business development role for customer experience management provider Empathica. Terrelonge began her career in market research nearly nine years ago as an analyst for Novintel, and later moved into sales for Global Market Insite (GMI).

'We're very excited to welcome these research veterans and know they are well-equipped to meet the challenges we face as our business expands,' said Lavine.

Toluna provides global online sampling, survey technology and custom panel building services and has built and manages a panel community of more than 2.5 million active members across 30 countries.

Web site: www.Toluna-Group.com .