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%.

Our Concord office has recently undergone an elegant remodel.

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

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.