After a rewarding 50 years in the market research industry, Ken Roberts has retired. Ken started his career In August 1974 in Cincinnati with Burgoyne, a sales research organization. A few years later he moved into their newly created consumer research division. This is where he met Sandy Cooper, former CEO and President of Burke, and a founding member of CASRO.

In 1984, Ken accepted a transfer to the west coast from Burgoyne, where he managed their western operations and client service office. Ken and Sandy stayed in touch, as Sandy had become a valued mentor. In 1991, they formed Cooper Roberts Research. This young firm soon became one of the most respected boutique market research operations in the country.

In preparation for his retirement, Ken sold the firm to Chicago-based Rabin Research Company in 2023. The newly merged company is Rabin Roberts Research. Ken assumed the one-year role of President, with primary responsibility of a seamless merger.

One of the greatest joys of Ken’s career has been the many opportunities to give back to the industry in various volunteer roles. This includes:

• American Marketing Association (AMA) San Francisco Chapter Board 1987-1996, Chapter President 1992-93 and 1994-95.
• American Marketing Association (AMA) National Professional Chapters Council 1996 – 2002, Council President 1999 – 2001
• Marketing Research Association (MRA), now Insights Association, National Board Member 2007 – 2013. Board Chairman 2011 – 2012. Some of Ken’s accomplishments with MRA include: 
• Lead the development of the Professional Research Certification (PRC, now IPC).
• Author, Research Industry Index (RII) 2008 – 2016
• Member of the selection committee for a new CEO and assisted with the relocation of headquarters to Washington, DC.
• Initiated board discussions that eventually lead to the merger with CASRO
• MRA Meritorious Service Award 2015
• MRA Honorary Lifetime Membership Award 2016
• Market Research Institute International (MRII) in association with the University of Georgia, Board Member 2013 to 2021

Ken would like to thank all the wonderful people he has met over the years. This is truly an amazing industry, never boring, with constant opportunities to grow and learn. And more importantly, we always help and support each other.

While you are more likely to find Ken out on his boat at their summer camp in Maine than at his desk, he will continue to help guide Rabin Roberts Research in an advisory role.