BRETT GARRISON

Atlanta, GA (2014-Present)

A premier provider of essential information to help business and government customers assess, predict, and manage risk - via cutting-edge technology, unique "big data, " and advanced scoring analytics.

Director, Market Research

Set the global market research agenda for the business. Lead, design, and develop all primary research initiatives (both quantitative and qualitative) - including high-profile custom strategic and Voice of the Customer (VOC) studies - and communicate resulting research implications to business leadership.

-Oversee and execute 50+ projects annually - the majority of which are handled completely internally - with a very limited market research budget.

-Saved the company over $200,000 per year by redesigning and repurposing its annual True Cost of Fraud industry study.

-Conducted company's first-ever international research, which has since grown to constitute almost 25% of all work.

-Revamped internal Net Promoter Score (NPS) and ongoing brand-tracking program sampling approaches to assure better representation of customer base / target market.

-Led company's initial market segmentation initiative, enabling more efficient customer-centric targeted marketing and retention strategies.

Atlanta, GA (2011-2013)

A subsidiary of The Nielsen Company, NeuroFocus is the market leader in bringing neuroscience expertise - via neuromarketing research (consumer neuroscience) - to advertising, branding, product development, packaging, and entertainment.

Director, Client Service / Senior Partner, Consulting Practice

Served as senior strategic consultant to The Coca-Cola Company. Identified and communicated client needs and objectives. Designed, developed, and managed critical neuromarketing research studies, including compilation of detailed reports and presentation of key-insight findings and implications.

-Achieved 200% of first-year target revenue recognition in first 6 months of Coca-Cola's Atlanta neurolab operations.

-Took on 3-month emergency assignment in Shanghai, China; running Coca-Cola's dedicated neurolab in order to prevent contract cancellation due to previous lack of production.

-Won Nielsen's 2012 "Simply Excellent" award for outstanding performance.

Atlanta, GA (2009-2011)

A marketing strategy and innovation consulting firm best known for creating and patenting the Outcome-Driven Innovation (ODI) process - a modified Voice of the Customer (VOC) strategic approach.

Lead Research Advisor / Consultant

Managed all research functions across global consulting engagements (typically $300,000 - $500,000 projects), primarily in the pharmaceutical, healthcare / medical equipment and technology sectors. Collaborated with clients and strategic consultants to determine best-fit research applications to meet business needs and objectives. Conducted in-depth analyses of qualitative and quantitative (via SPSS) research findings.

-Conducted 150+ in-depth C-level interviews and ethnographic observations, moderated 30+ focus groups, and designed and fielded 20+ online surveys on a global basis.

-Created opportunity landscapes and market segmentation models, identifying areas of underserved need and presenting clients with frameworks to develop new products / services - with a new product / service success rate of over 80%.

Atlanta, GA (2007-2008)

A full-service quantitative and qualitative marketing research and consulting firm covering the healthcare, pharmaceutical, home improvement, and consumer brand industries.

Research Director

Served as Chief Operating Officer. Supervised production of strategic presentations and management reports provided to client executives. Led project management teams. Interfaced regularly with third-party vendors on collaborative initiatives; handled daily client communications and clarified analytical recommendations by authoring detailed summaries.

-Reengineered procurement process and customer pricing structures of research and field services. Efforts reduced firm expenses by more than 25%, elevating net profit margins by 20%.

-Utilized change-management ideology to diagnose obstacles to success throughout the organization. Conducted deep-dive analyses to refine existing project management methodologies, resulting in reduction of client project delivery times by more than 15%.

Atlanta, GA (1999-2007)

A full-service business-to-business market research and consulting firm serving technology and healthcare clients globally.

Vice President Director - Research Design

Directed all production-related activities and validated client deliverables (presentations and market analyses). Allocated project management resources to consulting teams. Contributed quantitative and qualitative expertise to advise client executives on product profitability tactics.

-Successfully realigned and automated multiple operational processes following acquisition and integration of a complementary research firm. Merger created significant revenue streams and increased company's customer reach by 300%.

-Developed, maintained, and managed profitable client relationships that added in excess of $200K annually in new business.

-Designed and integrated project management procedures that produced significantly higher returns and shortened completion cycles by more than 20%.