Innovate Blog

Mark & Lisa’s Epic Journey in the Fight Against Survey Fraud

Last year, Mark Menig and I took you on a scary ride through the dark web. We dove deep into the actions of fraudsters and cyber criminals in an attempt to burst the bubble of the market research industry and show what really happens in those hidden corners of the Internet.

Survey Respondents: The Polar Ice Caps of Market Research

In partnership with my esteemed colleagues, I had the fortunate opportunity of developing one of the industry’s first online panels, The Harris Poll Online. Since then, I have built hundreds of panels. Mothers, gamers, business professionals, mortgage brokers, teens, high income earners, GLBTers, physicians and the list goes on.

I’ve recruited every audience you can imagine. With all this in mind, I have some ideas about panels and the research ecosystem that may be hard for you to hear. Sit down, grab an ice-cold beverage and buckle up. I’m going to serve you the hard truth. I’m not doing this to win or lose friends. My goal is laser-focused. I want to see this industry survive. I want to see research budgets increase, and marketers around the world to rely on our space for trusted, reliable insights for the long-term.

Technical Approaches to Sampling Fraud Detection for Surveys

Good fraud detection process requires a careful understanding of the different tactics that might be used by those with nefarious intent. Many of these quality checks should be built into the process from the moment of registration, but also as part of panel quality control over the long term.

Innovate Announces Major Enhancements to Sample Supplier API Suite

LOS ANGELES, January 31, 2017 – Innovate (www.InnovateMR.com), a global leader in audience sampling, has released a newly enhanced Supplier API Suite.

Innovate’s SAS platform is an application programming interface that seamlessly connects supplier sample to Innovate’s internal sampling system.  For market research agencies, this development will help clients gain greater access to hard-to-reach global audiences and reduces the need to use multiple sampling vendors. 

OMG Survey Panel Pains – WTH is Really Going On?

LOS ANGELES, March 23, 2016 — In the last few weeks, I’ve read numerous blog posts from researchers and panel companies about the sad, sad (yes double sad) state of online panels.

The Panelist Dilemma: Quality Isn’t Expensive, It’s Priceless

Illustrating the parallel between hiring qualified staff and recruiting top-notch panelists.

LOS ANGELES, March 15, 2016 — Many years ago, while at a former company, I was asked to fill several key positions in the Operations department.

The FBI vs. Survey Panelist “John Doe”

A true story about guns, pickles and an arrest one foggy night.

LOS ANGELES, March 2, 2016 — I’ve never shared this tale publicly, but instead of ranting about survey panel quality and the sampling industry in general, I thought it might be time to tell this remarkable story.

5 Tips for Being a Successful Sample Delivery Project Manager

LOS ANGELES, February 28, 2016 — In Market Research, the Project Manager is extremely important. It’s the Project Manager that takes a project from start to finish, establishes expectations and delivers on those expectations.

Are You Cutting Corners on Sample Quality?

LOS ANGELES, February 13, 2016 — A tale about how cheaper might not always be better.

The other day I had a headache, so I went down to Long Beach Harbor in Californiaand waited at the docks for a boat from China to unload palettes of acetaminophen.

Once unloaded, I took out a spoon and scooped some of the powder out and