Ed Keller, CEO of Keller Fay Group, Wins ARF's Prestigious "Great Mind Grand Award"

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., March 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) has named Ed Keller, CEO and co-founder of the Keller Fay Group, as the winner of its Great Mind Grand Member Recognition Award, which goes to individuals who made an outstanding contribution to the ARF in the prior year.

Keller, whose second three-year term as member of the ARF Board of Directors ends this year, was honored for his many contributions to the ARF throughout his tenure including serving as an active member of the ARF Board, the program committees for the Audience Measurement Conference and annual Re:think convention, as well as judge for the annual ARF David Ogilvy Awards for Excellence in Advertising Research.  "In all these capacities and more, Ed works tirelessly to promote the value of the ARF to current and potential members by sharing his research on the relationship between advertising, media and word of mouth at ARF events," noted Bob Barocci, president and CEO of the ARF.  "In all he does, Ed brings intelligence, clarity, and leadership skills that serve the ARF and the industry well."

He received the award on March 23, 2011, at the annual ARF Re:Think convention in New York City.

In addition to serving on the ARF board, Keller is also treasurer and past president of the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA), and co-author of The Influentials, which has been called the "seminal moment in the development of word of mouth."

About the Keller Fay Group (kellerfay.com)

The Keller Fay Group is the first full-service market research company focused exclusively on word of mouth (WOM) marketing with its full suite of best-in-class research techniques.  The company measures WOM trends and campaign effectiveness; tests costs, ads, and messages to maximize their WOM potential; and offers a complete array of custom research and advisory services related to WOM.  The first was founded by Ed Keller, former CEO of RoperASW and NOP World Consumer, Brad Fay, former managing director at Roper and NOP World.

About the ARF (www.thearf.org)

Founded in 1936 by the Association of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising Agencies, the ARF is dedicated to aggregating, creating and distributing research-based knowledge that will help members make better advertising decisions.  ARF members include more than 400 advertisers, advertising agencies, associations, research firms, and media companies.  

SOURCE Keller Fay Group