GfK Names John Wittenbraker as Managing Director of Corporate Innovation and James Conrad as Managing Director of Brand & Communications Practice

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GfK Custom Research North America today announced that John Wittenbraker, currently Managing Director of GfK Brand & Communications, will move into the role of Managing Director of GfK Corporate Innovation.

In this newly created position, Wittenbraker will oversee GfK's Research Center for Excellence and (RCfE) and Product Innovation function for the firm.  In his role leading RCfE, John will ensure that the firm continues to drive leading edge marketing science and data visualization solutions into our client engagements and product portfolio.  As Director of Product Innovation, his focus will be on basic and applied research, development and commercialization of new products for the company's portfolio and enhancements to its current product suite.

"John Wittenbraker brings more than 27 years of market research experience and an industry-leading perspective on the factors driving innovation," said Thomas J. Finkle, co-president, GfK Custom Research North America.  "John will ensure that we continue to drive marketing science solutions into our product portfolio, while accelerating the adoption and utilization of our innovative service offerings."

In addition, GfK has named James Conrad as Managing Director of GfK Brand & Communications, a multidisciplinary organization of fact-based consultants and engagement teams specializing in research on brand strategy, management and communications.

James brings nearly two decades of marketing communications and media research experience to GfK. Prior to his current position, Conrad was president of Hotspex, Inc., a Canadian-based global research company focused on leveraging technology to build innovative research solutions. His global clients included Wrigley, Colgate, Coca-Cola, Molson Coors, RIM, and Pfizer. Conrad also served as President of Millward Brown (MB) Canada in Toronto where he was part of the North American executive leadership team. During his tenure with MB, James was based in Latin America as regional manager and spent several years in the US where he was responsible for MB's global relationship with Coca-Cola. James has held several industry leadership positions including Chairman of the ARF in Canada, Chairman of the Research Agency Council, and served as a National MRIA Board Member.

"Throughout his career, James Conrad has been instrumental in driving businesses forward and strengthening client relationships," said David Krajicek, co-president, GfK Custom Research North America.  "As our clients adapt to the ever-changing business landscape, James will be an integral component of our business development and the building of client service teams."

About GfK Custom Research North America

Headquartered in New York, GfK Custom Research North America is part of the GfK Group. The GfK Group offers the fundamental knowledge that industry, retailers, services companies and the media need to make market decisions. It delivers a comprehensive range of information and consultancy services in three business sectors—Custom Research, Retail and Technology and Media. The no. 4 market research organization worldwide operates in more than 100 countries and employs over 10,000 staff. In 2009, the GfK Group's sales amounted to EUR 1.16 billion. For more information visit www.gfkamerica.com. Follow us at www.gfkinsights4u.com or on Twitter @gfkamerica.

SOURCE GfK Custom Research North America