When two companies merge, everyone wants to know why. Especially when those two companies saw a combined growth rate of 4600% over 4 years—pretty much a perfect example of not broken, doesn’t need fixing. So why change when each entity is doing so well, just as they are?

Put simply, a marriage of classic research big guns and innovative new tools is inevitable. Best to let Angus, our CEO, explain.

“The internet has already caused the entire field of research to undergo a shift—not just in terms of economics or survey delivery, but in terms of the whole research environment,” he says. “Vision Critical is a hybrid company in a market that’s looking for innovative forms of research as well as new methods of engagement. And in this market—in which respondents see stimuli everywhere—vision is literally critical.”

Today’s market research puts equal premium on interactive technology, strategic research and global panels. Together, Angus Reid Strategies and Vision Critical are the quintessential research company for the internet age—one as comfortable with social marketing and community engagement as with traditional customer satisfaction studies.

The merger is already inspiring us, underscoring how we do things both everyday and profound—the new Vision Critical website is built on a blog platform. We’re lit up by what lies ahead. In the VC offices we’re feeling energized by what feels like a good fit—so tell us…

How do you mine for insight? How have you seen raw data applied for smarter strategy in the social media age? Where do you see market research heading—and what can researchers and technologists do to work together more seamlessly?

It’s a new era. Join us. Comment. Share. Link.