Spych Market Analytics

Spych Market Analytics was created by Ben Smithee as a strategic business unit of D. Gustafson & Associates, LLC (DGA), a boutique full-service qualitative research firm.

Dave Gustafson, founder of DGA, has a rich and extensive background in qualitative research. By recognizing the dearth of young, talented professional moderators, Ben and Dave launched Spych Market Analytics in the fall of 2008.
Its focus on the ever-changing and challenging youth and young adult markets gives their clients the opportunity to truly get to know their target markets.

SXSW is only 9 days away! The Spych team is excited to be working with the SXSW team and will be on-site interviewing attendees and speakers.

if you see us, stop by and say hello!

A few events to keep on your calender:

AMA DFW Beyond Borders - April 15th

DFW UPA Big (D)esign Conference - May 30th
Ben will be speaking with Elysa Rice from www.genpink.com
They will be talking about social media and how MR, design and usability have been impacted.

Keep checking our blog at http://spych.wordpress.com

New logo to be revealed today!!!!!!!

Our blog will keep you updated with the most up to date news for Spych and the industry!

Over the past few months we have been using our lens here on Squidoo as our Spych blog. However we are proud to share our new blog on Wordpress.

http://spych.wordpress.com

Stop by and see what we are up to!

The design process of the Spych logo is underway!

We have been working with a design firm based out of Philadelphia, called Singularity.

www.singularitydesign.com

They have quite an impressive portfolio, and really seem to fit the essence of Spych!

We should have the first phase of designs next wed.

Updates to follow!

Great news!

Our current efforts to launch the NEW Spych Market Analytics website is under way!
Our planned launch date is May 1 and throughout the process I will keep you updated with what is going on.

Our team is very excited and I think you will be very pleased with the new site!
Speaking of our team, as a follow up to a previous post, our newest team member has officially started. Elizabeth joins DGA- Spych Market Analytics as a Market Research Analyst and will be a great asset to our team.

Have you checked out our other lenses?
http://www.squidoo.com/youth-trends
http://www.squidoo.com/youthresearch

Til Next Time!

I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year!

This year brings us great joy and opportunity. Here are just a couple things in store:

- We have a new team member starting in Jan. - Elizabeth Merrick!
She is a wonderful addition to our team and we look forward to having her on board.

- Spych website - The new Spych Market Analytics website will be launched within the first quarter, so keep a eye on our Spych Updates.
The URL will be www.spychresearch.com

Thanks for your continued support, and we definitely would enjoy getting to know our lens readers! Drop us a line in our feedback section or send us an email at
ben@dgaqual.com

Capturing the thoughts and backing from the elusive prosumer is a task well-rewarded!

Getting key-opinion leading consumers (especially in the youth and young adult markets) to champion your brand is worth more than most dollars spent on bulk print ads.

First let's define the "Prosumer" - the Prosumer is exactly what the name suggests - Pro - consumer. These can be industry leaders, key opinion leaders or highly visible individuals. For example, if you are looking to develop new marketing to moms, why not ask moms who work in the marketing industry. Hence - Professional Consumers.

For the youth markets, why not take it one step further?
Get the people who's popularity thrives on your brand, to be the one who champions it. Reach out to those youth who are considered the "trend-setters", get their voice and hear what they have to say about your brand. At the same time you are creating valuable equity with this group and they will be the first ones to help spread your success. More often than not, they are the ones most in touch with social networks and can make your idea/product go viral in no time!!!

But, do you research! it is imperative to know who you are speaking to and have the ability to really connect with your audience. It is more than just "talking the talk", as youth and young adults are very smart and increasingly savvy in their consuming habits. Develop your research wisely and incorporate things that show you are "one of them", if successful you will reap the benefits of truly connecting with your target audience.

Does your company utilize the myriad of social media/networking tools available in the market?

It is not just about facebook or myspace anymore. Many savvy business professionals, marketers and researchers are capitalizing on the readily available information found in sources such as squidoo, blogger, digg etc...

What social media do you and your colleagues use?

Starting to twitter and getting Linked In is just a start!!

Good news this week from the Spych team! We recently met up with some of our biggest clients in NYC this week as well as visited a potential collaborative partner in Minnesota.
The cold and snow tried to hold us back due to flight delays (0 Degrees and tons of snow at MSP Airport) but we persevered and made it through!!

The meetings went well and now I am in Austin for a friends wedding!

More to come...