Anita Pollak (CMRP), President

Anita brings extensive experience as both a user and provider of research services.

As a user of research she worked as Brand Research Manager at R.J.R. MacDonald Inc., and as Market Research Manager at S.C. Johnson & Son Limited. Her professional research expertise was widened again when she joined the advertising agency BBDO as Vice-President National Research Director, with overall responsibility for all research conducted by the company's five offices across Canada.

Anita then joined a major research consulting company where, after several progressive positions, she became President with responsibility for all domestic operations.

Anita has volunteered her services to the marketing research industry in several capacities, including teaching market research to members of the marketing and communications industry in the ICA's certification program (C.A.A.P.), sitting on the Board of Directors of the MRIA's Qualitative Research Division - including serving as Vice-Chair of the Board, and serving on the MRIA Standards Committee.

As co-founder and President of Sage Research, Anita is committed to providing clients with outstanding research that is both actionable and pragmatic. Dedicated to client service excellence, Anita provides a unique blend of expertise that has been acquired working with 'blue chip' client, agency, and consulting organizations in all aspects of marketing, communications, and issues management research.

Dr. Rick Robson (CMRP), Vice-President

Rick holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Massachusetts. After receiving his doctorate, Rick joined the marketing research department of a U.S.-based consumer healthcare company, where he ultimately managed all consumer research on new and established over-the-counter medicinal products. In his position, Rick worked closely with brand management and product development teams, and with the three advertising agencies that shared the company's substantial advertising budget.

Rick then moved to Canada and joined a marketing research consulting company as a consultant and rapdily progressed through successive positions to Vice-President of the company.

He has worked as a statistical consultant for researchers in the social sciences. Together with Anita Pollak, Rick has convened and led three separate Advisory Panels to develop quality standards and best practices for public opinion research for the Government of Canada.

As co-founder and Vice-President of Sage Research, Rick is committed to providing clients with research that is both actionable and pragmatic. Coupled with his strong academic credentials and extensive experience as both a client and as a consultant, Rick brings considerable expertise in research design and a unique ability to relate research results to the management of communication and marketing issues.