Ilka Fischer, Market Research Analyst at Virginia Lottery; Thomas Norris Jr., Community Insights Analyst at AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses); and Ava Toro, Agency Lead-Strategic Insights at Reddit (pictured left to right), have been named winners of this year’s Betsy Jane Peterson Award. Each awardee will have the enrollment fee for The Principles of Market Research course, presented by MRII and the University of Georgia, fully covered.
The Principles of Marketing Research is a completely online, self-paced course that covers the 13 topics of the Market Research Core Body of Knowledge (MRCBOK™), helping practitioners understand the entire research process from beginning to end.
“There were dozens of deserving applicants. Each had impressive backgrounds and compelling stories, which made it difficult to choose just three winners,” commented Melanie Courtright, CEO of the Insights Association. “We are excited to assist this year's winners with their continued growth and development. The insights community will be made stronger by the future contributions of Ilka, Thomas, and Ava.”
Added Pamela Bracken, Senior Development and Special Initiatives Manager at the University of Georgia and a Market Research Institute International (MRII) board member, “We can’t wait to welcome Ilka, Thomas, and Ava into our program. They exemplify the purpose of the curriculum – to expand the knowledge of motivated professionals with current, readily applicable training to succeed in the fast-evolving world of insights.”
The Betsy Jane Peterson MRA Award was created in 2003 by the Marketing Research Association, which merged with CASRO in 2017 to form the Insights Association. Betsy was among the founders of MRII (formerly known as the Marketing Research Association Institute (MRAI) in 1995. During this time, she also held the position of Executive Director of the MRA.
The Principles of Market Research graduates are recognized by industry associations, employers, peer groups, and other professionals as having mastered the core body of knowledge that forms the basis of market research. Successful completion of the Principles course earns a Certificate of Program Completion presented by the Insights Association, ESOMAR and MRII, a Digital Badge, and University of Georgia Continuing Education Units.