In anticipation of the upcoming Market Research in the Mobile World conference in Cincinnati, OH, July 18-19, Renee Murphy, Digital & Social Media Research Consultant at Hello There Research, interviewed presenter Brooks Pettus, President at Qualvu, on the mobile market research industry. Pettus will be co-presenting with Scott Slagle, Head of Consumer Insights at Chrysler, on July 18 on driving research to the next level.
Renee: What are you most excited to share about with us at MRMW and why? What difference could it make for your audience if they were to implement what you’ll be talking about?
Brooks: The tidal shift from offline to online research − in particular, video-based qualitative − has begun and with it remarkable opportunities for innovation. Chrysler and Qualvu struck a partnership because we were, essentially, two start-ups − albeit one at 40B in revenue − in a time of incredible dislocation in the US economy. By embracing innovation and change, each of our businesses have grown dramatically and we have been able to assume the mantle of true innovator. No matter what your motivations are, it’s a whole lot more fun to define a shifting landscape than to react to it.
Renee: What do you think that the current market research world is afraid of when it comes to innovating on research in the mobile world? What enabled you to get over the fears and innovate? What motivated you?
Brooks: Qualvu has strategically positioned itself as the leader in online qualitative research since its start four years ago. Qualvu made the bet that there was a better way to conduct qualitative: by essentially bringing the research to the participant and letting them share their moments of truth as they occur via video, uninfluenced by the presence of a researcher. In an industry that has remained largely unchanged for the past 55 years, potential disruption is tough to accept, particularly if you are a moderator that derives their value based on the focus group experience. This shift is not only to better data, but the ability of the moderator to focus more of their value-add around delivering insight that makes richer data truly actionable. It’s the innovators and early-adopters who are winning today and who are well positioned for the future.
Renee: You’re right about the benefits that moderators receive in this new era of opportunity. I have experienced these benefits myself and they sure are compelling. And yes, it’s not necessarily fear. Others in this interview series have also pointed out that “there’s considerable inertia to overcome” in the market research space. Thanks for challenging us, and I look forward to hearing more in Cincinnati.
To register for this event and see Brooks and Scott live in action, click here and use the discount code, SPK20, to get 20% off.


Denver – June 6 - In conjunction with its accelerating growth abroad, Qualvu will be presenting and exhibiting at the largest market research conference in the United Kingdom −
Denver – May 30 – In conjunction with its 10th anniversary, the
Denver – May 17 – Always on the leading edge of 
Denver – March 21– In conjunction with The Advertising Research Foundation, Qualvu – a leading next-generation qualitative research solution – will be driving a webcast with the help of StubHub – an online marketplace for concert, sport, and Broadway event tickets – entitled, “Behind the Cheering: How Understanding the Roots of Sports Passion Helped StubHub Score with Fans.” The session will discuss how to successfully leverage 

DENVER – February 14 – For a second year in a row, Qualvu has been named one of the top 50