MutualFundWire.com: A Beantown Market Research Shop Sells

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Thursday, May 16, 2013

A Beantown Market Research Shop Sells

A mutual fund industry market research consulting shop just found a new parent.

Today Cambridge, Massachusetts-based market research consulting shop Cogent Research revealed that it sold to Livonia, Michigan-based Market Strategies International on May 2 for an undisclosed sum.

Cogent dates back to 1996, and its syndicated reports debuted in 2007. In the mutual fund business, Cogent is best known for its numerous annual research reports, like Advisor Brandscape, Advisor Touchpoints and Investor Brandscape. Cogent co-founder and principal John Meunier confirmed that the Cogent name will continue, as those reports will be called "Cogent Reports."

Meunier and fellow Cogent founding principal Christy White will lead MSI's new syndicated division, while Cogent's Tony Ferreira will lead the wealth management piece (which includes mutual funds) of MSI's financial services division as a senior vice president. The 25-person Cogent team will remain in their Cambridge office.

Rob Stone, CEO of MSI, praised Cogent as "perfectly aligned with Market Strategies' promise to drive confident business decisions through industry expertise."

In addition to financial services, MSI also works with companies in a variety of other industries, including: communications, consumer goods, energy, healthcare and technology.

Company Press Release

Market Strategies International Acquires Cogent Research

May 16, 2013

Market Strategies Positioned to Lead Custom, Syndicated Research in Wealth Management Sector

Market Strategies International announced today that it has acquired Cambridge, MA-based Cogent Research, a market research and strategic consulting firm that specializes in the wealth management industry. The acquisition closed on May 2, 2013.

Since 1996, Cogent Research has delivered critical market insight and strategic consulting to leading asset management firms, investment distributors and insurance companies. The company launched its first syndicated report in 2007.

“Cogent has deep expertise in wealth management and a robust offering of almost two dozen syndicated products that provide actionable intelligence for key industry executives and decision makers,” said Dr. Rob Stone, chief executive officer of Market Strategies. “They are perfectly aligned with Market Strategies’ promise to drive confident business decisions through industry expertise.”

Cogent Research founders and principals, John Meunier and Christy White, will co-manage Market Strategies’ new Syndicated Division. Moving forward, Market Strategies’ syndicated products will be known as Cogent Reports. In addition to supporting the current product lineup, Market Strategies’ advanced technology and global reach will allow the Syndicated Division to bring a host of new offerings to the financial services community, as well as to other industries served by Market Strategies. The company will deliver insights and data to clients through a best-in-class web-based information delivery platform to be rolled out later this year.

Tony Ferreira of Cogent Research will join Market Strategies’ Financial Services Division, where he will be a senior vice president and sector lead for Wealth Management. Tony has delivered strategic research on product development, customer satisfaction, branding, pricing and segmentation for more than 20 years.

“We spent considerable time searching for the perfect partner,” said White. “John and I believe Market Strategies is that partner. Well-respected as one of the world’s largest market research firms, Market Strategies has invested heavily in technology, which provides enhanced access to data, analytics and operational support, which means we can do more for clients, better and faster.”

Meunier added, “Market Strategies and Cogent Research share the same core principles: evidence-based consulting powered by deep industry expertise, thought leadership and research rigor. The result is a work ethic and a drive to deliver excellence in every aspect of what we do. Bottom line: this acquisition is a strategic move that will result in significant value to all of our clients.”

Cogent’s 25 employees will remain at 125 CambridgePark Drive in Cambridge, MA.