Winter 2013-2014
 
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Philadelphia Phlash  
MRA Philadelphia Newsletter
Winter 2013-2014
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Welcome

  Jason

 In Philadelphia, 2014 did not come in with a bang, rather a vortex of snow and wind! I hope our community has thus far enjoyed the new year from a business and personal perspective. We have a lot coming up in Philadelphia with another round of educational event, community service projects and much more. The MRA is ever growing and changing and we are not just along for the ride, but we are part of the direction it moves. Together, we can assist each other and make sure our industry continues to evolve in positive forms.

 

I hope to see many of you around the city and at upcoming events, not just in Philadelphia by in other areas as well.

 

Thanks, 

 

Jason Eric Saylor

President, Philadelphia Chapter of the MRA 

 

Recent & Upcoming Events

 

  • Consumer Insights Day / September 25, 2013, Philadelphia PA
  • MRA Corporate Researchers Conference / October 16-18, 2013, Dallas TX
  • Oktoberfest / October 25, 2013, Philadelphia PA
  • PMRG-Phila MRA Joint Networking Event / November 21,2013, Philadelphia PA
  • Post Holiday Party / February 2014 (revised date & venue tbd), Philadelphia PA
  • Philadelphia AMA - MRA Joint Educational Event /  Date and venue TBD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In This Issue
Event Review
Member Spotlight
From a Student Perspective
Recipe Box
2013-2014 Board Members
President
Jason Eric Saylor

Past President
Natalie Dunn
Schlesinger Associates, Inc.
215.564.7300 (x117)
President Elect
Omar Barquet
Focus Pointe Suite
215.561.5500
obarquet@focuspointglobal.com
 
Secretary/Newsletter
Rajesh
Bhai
Marketing Systems Group
215.653.7100 (x140)
rbhai@m-s-g.com

Mary Conran
Temple University
215.203.8152

mconran@temple.edu

 

Brian Kenyon
Bernett Research Services
617.746.2710 

brian.kenyon@bernett.com

 

Rick Eisenberg
M-S-G
215.653.7100 (x157)
reisenberg@M-S-G.com

 

Meghan Surdenas
Focus Forward, LLC
215.367.4000 (x258)
msurdenas@focusfwd.com

Angela Wood
Babbletype
888-678-7782 (x7305)
angela.wood@babbletype.com
 
         

Event Review

 

PMRG-Phila MRA Joint Networking Event Review

Five Managed Care Megatrends

 

Kim Murphy, Director of Marketing, PMRG

 

 

The MRA & PMRG co-hosted networking event was a huge success. Members from both organizations enjoyed an evening of networking, refreshments and an engaging presentation from Jane Dubois on the Five Managed Care Megatrends. I was pleased to see an interactive conversation continue after the presentation.  Many attendees commented that this was a partnership they had hoped to see happen for a long time. Additionally, the location of the event was top notch and received rave reviews from attendees.  PMRG looks forward to holding future events with MRA Philadelphia.

 

 

 



Member Spotlight -  Jennifer McCaffrey, Project Management Institute 
 

Interview with Jennifer McCaffrey, Project Manager, Project Management Institute.  

 

Tell us a little bit about your company?

 

PMI is the world's largest not-for-profit membership association for the project management profession. Our professional resources and research empower more than 700,000 members, credential holders and volunteers in nearly every country in the world to enhance their careers, improve their organizations' success and further mature the profession. PMI's worldwide advocacy for project management is reinforced by our globally recognized standards and certification program, extensive academic and market research programs, chapters and communities of practice, and professional development opportunities.

 

How did you get involved with Market Research?

 

I came out of college interested in pursuing a career in Market Research since my two favorite subjects were Economics and Psychology.  Plus my natural nosiness makes it a natural fit!

 

Why did you join the MRA?

 

I joined the MRA to take advantage of the knowledge that they have available, to stay current in my profession and to network with fellow researchers.

 

Where would you recommend MRA national holds one of the annual conferences?

 

With temperatures in the single digits I'm thinking someplace warm would be good - San Diego perhaps.

 

Are you a Philadelphia native?  

 

Yes

 

What is your favorite Philadelphia area/activity?

 

I love visiting Old City in Philadelphia.

 

What are your hobbies? 

 

I enjoy running, reading and spending time with my family.

From a Student Perspective

Enlightened and Excited: The Value of Attending the MRA Open-Forum Workshop September 25, 2013 at Temple University's Fox School of Business

 

Andrew Roche, Temple University Fox School of Business

 

Man was I wrong. I mean, I like problem solving and uncovering the nature of consumer behavior but advertising always seemed like the sexy and exciting side of marketing. Marketing research seemed too formulaic for someone seeking a fast-paced work environment. But with the chance to grab an extra credit point for attending the MRA Open-Forum Workshop hosted right on Temple's campus, I figured it was about time for me to give the profession a real chance.

 

In under an hour this group completely changed my mind. They gave us the best insight into a post-college career path possible - a reflection from researchers at various career stages and years of experience followed by an open-forum Q&A session. This session really helped me understand the day-to-day life of a marketing researcher. Before, I was apprehensive about the career path because of the formulaic nature of the research process and the endless frameworks we learn in class. During this workshop I was able to ask whether projects still feel new and challenging after years of research or if they become routine. Every MRA member assured me that even after years of doing research every project feels fresh and requires a unique, specialized approach.

 

Because every client is different, researchers must first understand the client and their culture to work with them effectively, already a challenge itself. And even though Jared admitted to using Venn diagrams religiously at Ogilvy, it was only a precursor that helped his team understand the research environment before they designed the actual research. Outside of brainstorming sessions and kickoff meetings, most marketing research must be completely original to take advantage of the newest data-capture technologies, methods, and secondary research.

 

I am much more interested in marketing research now that I know it can be a fast-paced field where I can continue to grow different skillsets while working. Thank you MRA for opening my eyes to this exciting career opportunity!

Recipe Box
 
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Each newsletter will feature a special recipe from one of our members.  For this newsletter, Angela Wood shares her "Mom's French Onion Soup Recipe."  A truly amazing recipe for the Winter Months! Click here to get recipe.


If you have a favorite recipe you would like to share with us in the next newsletter, please send it to rkumar23@hotmail.com

  
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