SAN FRANCISCO and WILTON, Conn., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MarketTools, Inc., the leading provider of software and services for market research and enterprise feedback management (EFM), and Top Box Associates LLC, a global consulting firm specializing in new product forecasting, today announced that they are joining forces to offer a streamlined, end-to-end product forecasting solution.  The offering combines MarketTools' expertise in concept testing and shopper research with Top Box Associates' powerful volume forecast modeling capabilities in a "one-stop shop" approach – to quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively forecast performance for new product launches, line extensions, and relaunched products. 

This joint solution provides a new level of transparency into the product forecasting process, integrating product concept screening in a competitive context, shopper testing in a virtual store environment, launch plan analysis, and an accurate forecast of consumer sales volumes.  Clients in the technology, financial services, consumer goods and services, restaurant, and healthcare industries benefit from this integrated solution to drive market-leading product plans for national and global brands.

"By combining primary research and forecasting analysis, our clients get the best of both worlds," said Scott Arnold, President and CEO of MarketTools.  "Together, MarketTools and Top Box Associates deliver rapid and accurate testing to help brands gain a thorough understanding of consumer preferences so they can develop winning products that maximize profitability."

"Clients taking advantage of the combined forecasting solution from Top Box Associates and MarketTools will receive more accurate forecasts, in a shorter timeframe and for a better value, compared with the typical approach to scoring and measuring a new product's potential," said George Ciardi, Founding Partner of Top Box Associates.  "In addition to the efficiencies that will save both time and money, our clients will benefit from access to deeper insights into the factors that will help them succeed in a competitive marketplace."

About MarketTools, Inc.

MarketTools, Inc. is the leading provider of software and services for market research and enterprise feedback management (EFM). The company is focused on providing leading organizations the actionable insights they need to make better business decisions that lead to high-value business impact. As the first company to make online surveys widely available on the Web, MarketTools continues its market-leading position by providing the broadest range of powerful, accurate and integrated customer insight technologies that empower companies to become the most customer-centric organizations in their industries.  MarketTools is a privately held company with corporate headquarters in San Francisco and European headquarters in London. For more information, please visit www.markettools.com.

About Top Box Associates LLC

Top Box Associates is dedicated to improving the decisions its clients make about which new products to launch and how to best support the products they do launch. It specializes in forecasting the sales of new products, line extensions, and relaunches prior to in-market introduction with validated proprietary forecasting tools. This helps manufacturers and service providers avoid the financial risks of rolling out new products that are unlikely to achieve sufficient sales. Operating worldwide, Top Box Associates offers expertise to help assure clients that their marketing and promotional support budgets are properly aligned to the size of the business opportunities they face, thereby maximizing the profitability of new product programs. For additional details, please visit www.topboxassociates.com.

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SOURCE MarketTools, Inc.; Top Box Associates LLC