Continuing in our efforts in providing excellence in marketing research, it is with great honor that we announce the inclusion of Nichols Research, Inc. in this year's 10 Year Honor Roll by the Impulse Survey of Focus Facilities.

The "10 Year Honor Roll" is achieved by facilities which have been rated Excellent (80 or above overall) by at least 10 moderators/researchers for 10 consecutive years or more.

Congratulations to the amazing employees at Nichols Research, Inc., without whom, this achievement could not be possible!

Nichols Research, Inc. is proud to announce that our very own Jane Rosen was awarded the Marketing Research Association's prestigious Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. Jane joins only 20 other people who have been honored with this award, including our Founder, Mimi Nichols. In doing so, Nichols Research becomes the only company in MRA history to have two recipients of the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award.

The following is a copy of the introduction used to announce Jane as this year's recipient of the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. It is quite impressive and so very appropriate:

"Each year, the Marketing Research Association recognizes one of its members to receive the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. This member has been a Chapter and National volunteer for at least 10 years and has been in the industry for at least 20 years, during which a strong commitment was demonstrated to our industry and the Association.

There is so much to consider about this year's recipient of the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award, but the thing that resonates the most is she's a quiet volunteer...someone who is rarely seen in the limelight, but who makes it possible for others to shine. She is a "doer" and never feels that something is beneath her, which is evident in her years of service to the MRA. Additionally, it was through her mentoring and support that many other volunteers were molded. She played an integral role in revitalizing what is now the Northwest Chapter, back in the late 80s and early 90s, when it was in very real danger of not making it. She was also involved in the creation of many of the current resources that are still in place today like training manuals and white papers. She was on the 50th Anniversary Committee and spent hundreds of hours working on the San Francisco conference. In addition to researching the history of MRA members, conducting interviews, and working on hospitality, she also single-handedly ran the on-site coordination of the gala dinner. She worked tirelessly on-site and solicited the help of a great deal of other volunteers for this event. She would never let down people who were counting on her. This volunteer was the recipient of MRA's President's Award, the NorthWest Chapter Service Award and the 1999 Award of Excellence. She was the President of the NorthWest Chapter, co-founder of the Membership and Chapter Workgroup and served on the MRA Board of Directors. She has served on and chaired countless committees and task forces, quietly moving the Association in a positive direction.

The MRA Board of Directors is honored to present the 2010 Honorary Lifetime Membership Award to Jane Rosen."

Please join us in congratulating Jane. We can confidently say that we speak for the industry as a whole in saying we are so grateful for everything you have done and continue to do for Nichols Research and the industry! Congratulations again, Jane!

New U.S. Health Care Law Contains Huge Victory for Marketing Research Click to read

It is with sincere gratitude to ALL employees of Nichols Research, Inc. (past and present alike) that we announce our achievement of the 2009 Marketing Research Association’s Celebrated Company Award. We could not have achieved this honorable award without the hard work, passion and dedication you all have committed and displayed to not only Nichols Research, but to our industry as a whole.

Nichols Research has set the standard for company involvement at every level for our association. Our company has a very long history with MRA. Nichols Research members have planned, participated in and attended National conferences for many, many years; we have presented at various education events; generously sponsored scores of conferences, and of course volunteered for countless task forces, committees and boards.

Mimi Nichols, our Founder and Chair, established Nichols Research in 1978 and shortly thereafter began her volunteer efforts on behalf of the MRA. Mimi is one of the founding members of what is now the NorthWest Chapter of MRA. She is a past president of MRA, and served on the board of CMOR as secretary and treasurer. Mimi is a Distinguished Service Award winner and the 2007 recipient of the Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. Three Nichols staff members have served on the National MRA Board of Directors, five have been Chapter presidents. Collectively, Nichols employees have won 4 Chapter Service awards, a Rising Star, Shining Star, Award of Excellence, Distinguished Service and Honorary Lifetime Awards.

NRI welcomes clients and fellow researchers to our newly renovated and upgraded suburban San Francisco (East Bay) facility in Concord, CA. Boasting some of the most beautiful views in all of the San Francisco Bay Area, each suite has been carefully re-engineered to maintain the highest quality of sound, sight, technology, and comfort. The high-specification facility is conveniently located in downtown Concord, only one block away from Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and just minutes from the neighboring and very upscale city of Walnut Creek.

NRI now offers Morae for Usability Testing Labs and enhanced research viewing capabilities. In our continued effort to provide value and support our clients and user experience researchers, Nichols Research constantly expands its facility services to include the latest technology and innovative hardware and software products available.

Nichols Research is proud to announce that Celsa Garcia has been promoted to Branch Manager of NRI's Fresno facility and recruiting center. Having started at Nichols in 1996, Celsa was most recently Senior Project Manager at NRI's Fremont recruiting center where she oversaw the company's video gaming research and teamed on all of the company's other consumer, legal, and B2B research. In her new position, Celsa will oversee all facility and recruiting operations, business development, and database development for NRI's Fresno office and other remote research in Central California.

Nichols Research now offers Online Focus Groups and Bulletin Boards along with the support and expertise to help in the design, moderation, and analysis of any study.

Nichols Research, Inc. a San Francisco Bay Area Marketing Research company located in Sunnyvale, CA is celebrating their 30 year anniversary.

Founded by Mimi Nichols in 1978, Nichols Research, Inc. is a full service data collection company which conducts research on everything from consumer products to technical products by using a multitude of methodologies including focus groups, in-depth interviewing, usability testing, ethnographies, executive interviews, taste tests, and on-line research.

After reflecting on 30 years of success in the industry Mimi Nichols comments: "It has been extremely rewarding to know that we have been an integral part of improving products and services to the public as a result of research we have conducted."

Recently, the family owned business is being managed by Aaron Nichols, a second generation Marketing Researcher. Commenting on the industry, Aaron explained: "The evolution of the marketing research industry is nothing short of astounding. With Web 2.0, researcher and end-users alike are experiencing a business revolution that is reshaping how methodologies and applications are used to collect data and in turn how products and services, new and old, are delivered to the consumer world. Nowadays you almost have to be a track star in order to keep up with the speed at which business and our profession is changing. And yet despite all these changes, it's quite telling that methodologies like focus groups, as old as they may be, are still incredibly popular and valuable in garnering rich and meaningful data. I am very proud of Nichols Research in its ability to adapt to change while continuing to embrace and offer to our clients all of the tried and true products and services that put us on the map."

Nichols Research, Inc. would like to give a big "Thank you!" to those whom we met recently at SiliCon, DeAnza College and at the 44 Montgomery Building in S.F. Among those who joined our database at these events, we congratulate the following gift card winners: Monique T. of Campbell, CA won a $50.00 GameStop gift card, Kit C. of San Jose, CA won a $25.00 Target gift card, J.A. W. of Emeryville, CA won a $25.00 GameStop gift card. The winners of a $5.00 Starbucks gift card each, were: L.C. A. of Petaluma, CA, David L. of East Palo Alto, CA, S.S. of Cupertino, CA, Lydia R. of San Jose, CA and R.D. of Hayward, CA.

Nichols Research, Inc. is pleased to announce our membership in the Your Opinion Counts® (YOC) program. This program is dedicated to ensuring the public voice by supporting the mutually beneficial relationship between the public and opinion research.

The "Your-Opinion-Counts" program is a community of legitimate research organizations that have pledged to uphold industry standards as well as the "Respondent Bill of Rights."

Anytime you are contacted and hear the words "Your-Opinion-Counts" or see the YOC Seal, you know that you've been selected to participate in a survey by an organization that will maintain your rights as a respondent, and will only use the information that you provide to them in order to improve products, services, or programs.

The "Your-Opinion-Counts" program is maintained by CMOR, a nonprofit survey research association.

Nichols Research would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to Mimi Nichols, Founder and CEO, who was given the prestigious Honorary Lifetime Membership Award by the Marketing Research Association at its 50th Anniversary Annual Conference in San Francisco. A true pioneer in the Marketing Research profession, Ms. Nichols was recognized for her 30 years of influence and contributions to the marketing research profession, as well as for helping the MRA continue to grow and evolve into the one of the most relevant associations for research professionals around the world. Ms. Nichols becomes only the 18th recipient of this award in the 50 year history of the MRA. Way to go Mimi! We are very proud of you! For a listing of past Honorary Lifetime Membership Award Recipients, please visit http://www.mra-net.org/50th/History%20Pages/Honorary.cfm

Congratulations to Aaron B. of Newark, CA for winning a $75 gift card to GameStop by signing up to become a member of our database at FanimeCon 2007! FanimeCon is the San Francisco Bay Area's biggest anime convention. It was held on Memorial Day Weekend, May 25th-28th, at the San Jose Convention Center. The event hosted 24-hour anime programming, panels, workshops, cosplay events, music, gaming, and dances.

Mimi Nichols was honored as the Founder and CEO of Silicon Valley's 22nd largest Woman Owned Business at the 'Women of Distinction Awards' held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. The awards dinner and ceremony were presented by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal and NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners), Silicon Valley. Congratulations to Mimi and Nichols Research!

Facility Nip ‘n Tuck - Nichols Research is pleased to announce our Sunnyvale facility has just undergone a major remodel completed in March. Among the changes include an expanded viewing room and food service area, newly furnished and remodeled client lounges and focus suites with the latest technology, as well as beautiful and historic artwork adorning our walls from Sunnyvale yesteryear. We invite you to visit our Sunnyvale facility and experience firsthand why the Impulse Survey consistently rates Nichols Research “One of the Wolds Best”.

Nichols Research will play a key role in the Marketing Research Association's 50th Anniversary Celebration and Conference being held in San Francisco June 6-8, 2007. Paul Valdez and Jane Rosen are serving as the onsite co-Chairs of the conference and are instrumental in planning the 50th Gala Celebration. Amy Shields is serving on the program committee which has arranged for outstanding speakers and presentations during the conference. For more information, contact the Marketing Research Association at www.mra-net.org.

Midnight - Congratulations to those lucky enough to get their hands on the new PLAYSTATION 3! Nichols Research, Inc. would love to talk to you regarding new research projects on gaming consoles and games. Please fill out our online file form to be contacted for future studies. CLICK HERE!

Congratulations to Andrew D. of Antioch, CA for winning a $75 gift card to GameStop by signing up to become a member of our database at FanimeCon 2006! FanimeCon is the San Francisco Bay Area's biggest anime convention. It was held on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26th-29th, at the San Jose Convention Center. The event hosted 24-hour anime programming, panels, workshops, cosplay events, music, gaming, and dances.

Nichols Research announces the opening of its new East Bay focus facility in Fremont, California. The new facility is located in San Francisco Bay Area’s 4th largest metropolitan city and is easily accessible to 3 major airports and BART. It offers a large 20' x 16' focus room with an observation room featuring three-tiered seating for 15, allowing maximum viewing and comfort. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with T1 high-speed Internet access, Wi-Fi wireless, usability testing equipment, translation equipment, video game testing capabilities and many more technological amenities. The city of Fremont offers a diverse selection of multicultural, high-tech, medical, and suburban respondents. It is the ideal location for consumer and business focus groups as well as in depth interviews, medical and technical focus groups. The address is: Nichols Research, Inc. - 39141 Civic Center Drive, Suite 425 - Fremont, CA 94538 - 510.794.2990

Nichols Research, Inc. now has Professional Researcher Certified (PRC) staff, as established by the Marketing Research Association! We are proud to join the ranks of other professionals who have met a set of rigorous criteria that encourages high standards within the profession. Attaining PRC Certification shows a serious commitment to our professional standing and to career development for our staff. Additionally, it is the goal of the MRA and of Nichols Research, Inc. that these certification standards ultimately increase consumer understanding of research and foster premier professional standards in the industry.

Nichols Research Employees in the News: Congratulations to Amy Shields and Paul Valdez, recipients of the Marketing Research Association's prestigious Shining Star and Rising Star Awards, respectively. Ms. Shields is the Branch Manager of NRI's Fresno office and the company's Director of Multicultural Research. She also serves as Vice-Chair of National MRA's Membership and Chapter Workgroup. Mr. Valdez is the Facility Director for both NRI's San Francisco and Concord research facilities as well as the MRA's Immediate Past President of the Northern California Pacific Northwest Chapter. The awards were presented to Ms. Shields and Mr. Valdez at the recent MRA's Fall Conference and Research Industry Forum in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Special Election Showdown - Nichols Research, Inc. was selected to recruit audience members for a Contra Costa Times/KTVU Channel 2 News Special Election Showdown featuring Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senate President Pro Tem Don Peralta and the Executive Director of the California Nurses Association Rose Anne DeMoro, for a LIVE television broadcast from the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts. For the first time in a LIVE television format, Governor Schwarzenegger answered unscripted questions from California voters about Propositions on the Special Election ballot.

A second Town Hall meeting sponsored by The Fresno Bee and ABC 30 News will be broadcast LIVE on October 28, 2004 from the ABC studios in Fresno.

Paul Valdez of our San Francisco facility was the proud recipient of the 2005 Chapter Service Award at the Marketing Research Association's Annual Conference in Chicago. This is Paul’s second consecutive win for this award.

Amy Shields of our Fresno office was recently elected to the National Board of Directors as Vice-Chair of the Membership and Chapter Workgroup of the Marketing Research Association.

Our flagship San Francisco facility has undergone a major facelift. We are expanding the Nob Hill observation room allowing more observers to experience the wonderful Nob Hill panoramic view. Test our new "indestructible" wallpaper in our focus group rooms designed to withstand pushpins, tape, ink, etc. Feel the "plushness" of our new carpets and connect to our wireless environment for your communication and technology needs. Experience for yourself our "World's Leading Facility" rating per the Impulse Survey. Allow us to partner with you on your next research project in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Our Fremont office, located in the East Bay, is now offering videoconferencing services.

Our Concord office is now Wi-Fi enabled.

Paul Valdez was awarded the Chapter Service Award at the MRA Annual Conference in Boston for his contributions to the Northern California/Pacific Northwest Chapter.

It is our pleasure to announce that Grace La Mer will assume the position of Branch Manager of our Fremont Office. Her duties will begin July 1st, 2004.

Fresno is the 5th largest city in California and is ranked #37 in the Top 50 Cities in the U.S. by Population and Rank. The percent population change between 1990-2000 was 20.7%.

Paul Valdez will be installed as the President of the Northern California/Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Marketing Research Association (MRA) in June.

Our Concord office has recently undergone an elegant remodel.

Our San Francisco and Sunnyvale offices are now Wi-Fi enabled. The Fremont office has expanded their phone center and has added videoconferencing and an IDI room.

Welcome to the new Nichols Research website. Please take some time to check out a few of the new features. We hope you enjoy your stay.