Harris Insights & Analytics Announces Additional Leadership Staff

NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times, is pleased to announce new roles within the leadership team. Known for "The Harris Poll", one of the longest running surveys in the U.S. tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963.

Merrill Raman will be Chief Information Officer, Erica Parker has been tapped to lead the firm's Omnibus Business, and Kenesha Brown will be VP of Sample Acquisition.

Merrill joins Harris from The Hayat Group and brings extensive experience in technology strategy, market research innovation, and business transformation.

"Our analytic and reporting technologies are the key underpinnings of our data-driven consulting methodologies," said Jonathan Gardner, Chief Operating Officer at Harris. " Merrill brings a unique blend of technology and business acumen and will be instrumental in achieving our vision and strategy for the company. We are delighted to welcome him to the organization."

Prior to his role as the Chairman of Hayat Group, Raman was the VP of Technology at the market research firm Penn Schoen and Berland. With more than 15 years of experience in market research, Raman's extensive technical background, paired with his ability to empower organizations around innovation & transformation, will complement the strong talents at Harris Insights & Analytics.

Erica Parker has been selected to lead Harris On Demand, the firm's relaunched omnibus business (formerly known as QuickQuery).  She brings to the role over 15 years of experience in custom market research at Penn Schoen and Berland as well as Harris Interactive and Nielsen.  Under Erica's leadership, Harris On Demand will provide an affordable, timely pulse on public sentiment, while delivering the research expertise and credibility the Harris Poll is known for.

Kenesha Brown has joined Harris Insights & Analytics as Vice President of Sample Acquisition and Vendor Management, responsible for establishing and maintaining critical partner relationships.

"With the market research industry undergoing such dramatic change, we're excited to have Kenesha as part of the team to help keep us on the cutting edge of sample acquisition strategies," said Gardner.

About The Stagwell Group

The Stagwell Group LLC is a registered investment advisory company formed by Mark Penn who serves as the Managing Partner of Stagwell Media LLC, a private equity fund. The Stagwell Group portfolio includes more than a dozen collaborative, digital-first agencies. The fund previously announced it has raised $250 million in capital and may leverage that to make up to $750 million in acquisitions. Online at www.stagwellgroup.com.

About Harris Insights and Analytics/The Harris Poll®

Harris Insights & Analytics, is a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. Known for "The Harris Poll", one of the longest running surveys in the U.S. tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963. We work with clients in three primary areas; building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible.

SOURCE Harris Insights & Analytics