Most recent news
BackWhat does a company do on the 12th anniversary of its first day of business? If it's ActiveGroup Ventures, Inc., it brings back the founder of the company. ActiveGroup Ventures, Inc. (http://www.activegroup.net) has led the way in developing advanced online tools for qualitative market researchers, first bringing video streaming to facility-based research 12 years ago today. But in some ways, what was once old is now new again, as ActiveGroup announces on its 12th birthday the hiring of David Nelems, the original founder of the company, as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Nelems and his family have been fixtures in the marketing research industry for over three decades. Started as an experimental side project of the family’s focus facility business, Compass Research, Mr. Nelems quickly saw the growth potential of video streaming focus groups and in-depth interviews. Over the next 6 years, Mr. Nelems built ActiveGroup into a standalone business that toppled video conferencing as the dominate broadcast format in the industry, and set the standard for customer service and innovation. In 200x, Mr. Nelems sold the thriving business to MVL Group, a Honomichl Top 50 company, and has since been semi-retired.
“I’m a passionate guy,” says the “new” CEO. “When I left ActiveGroup, it was on a meteoric rise, quickly expanding internationally, adding new clients daily, and really challenging the competitors in our space.” Since his departure, ActiveGroup has become an international organization and has seen the landscape for marketing research and technology quickly evolve. “I want to put us back at the forefront of the evolution of technology for marketing research. Many of the core people who made this company strong and who have continued to build on what we started all those years ago are still here, and I look forward to forging a new cycle of innovative thinking with the team. It’s like we’re getting the band back together.”
When asked what Mr. Nelems return means for ActiveGroup, Brian Sites, Director Global Marketing and Communications at ActiveGroup and its longest-serving member of staff says, “It has been a tough couple years at AG, as we have seen some quick leadership changes. That has presented challenges in all areas of the company, not least of which is continuity with our clients. With David’s return, we not only see a return to that continuity but also a return to our core values as a company. We are all incredibly excited to have him back at the helm.”
What does Mr. Nelems hope to accomplish? “I want to return to our customer-focused innovation and continue to provide the superior customer service that made us great. And I want to shake up the industry--again.” Sounds like interesting times ahead.
ActiveGroups online solutions for market research are used by clients around the world. These solutions were developed with one focus in mind—give clients the ability to Be Anywhere, Research Everywhere™. ActiveGroup, with primary offices in Atlanta, London, Beijing, and Sofia, offers access to 1200 focus group rooms worldwide and works with clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to the leading global market research agencies.
ActiveGroup Ventures, Inc., a division of The MVL Group (www.mvlgroup.com) - The Foundation for Informed Decision Making and a multi-year Honomichl Top 50 firm.
All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.
