Market Research firm Harris Black International Ltd.
(HBI) launched a new operating group, Harris Interactive,
which will develop new data collection methodologies harnessing the Internet
and other new technologies.
Among the new unit’s current Web-based client services is Harris Poll Online, a full, online
counterpart to the firm’s traditional, telephone-based Harris Poll.
Harris Interactive’s market research services leverage HBI’s growing
electronic cooperative panel of more than 1.5 million online households. HBI
began recruiting the “cooperative” panel in early 1998 through its Web site.
Plans call for the expansion of the panel in Europe and Asia.
“The launch of Harris Interactive underscores HBI’s commitment to developing
the enormous market research potential of the Internet and provide clients
with leading edge Internet solutions,” said Gordon S. Black, chairman & CEO of
Harris Black International. “Traditional data collection methodologies are
more time-intensive, intrusive, inconvenient and expensive than electronic
surveying techniques which enable panelists to respond quickly and easily, at
a time of their own choosing. Furthermore. . .we can target specific consumer
populations based on narrow demographic and other qualifying criteria.”
The Harris Poll Online currently has the capacity to deliver 10,000 five-
minute, dynamic questionnaires per hour over HBI servers. These computer-
assisted surveys are fully compatible with any type of complex research design
using Computer Assisted Telephone Interview systems. The online questionnaires
can also be programmed into 32 languages, which gives the Harris Poll Online
the capability to reach consumers in all the industrialized nations of the
world.
Harris Black International, Ltd. (HBI), a holding company established in 1997,
also manages the Gordon S. Black Corp., Louis Harris & Associates, Harris
Black International Consulting, Data Collection Services and the Harris Black
International Network.
