Market Research Council, Inc. to Induct Advertising Research Foundation's CEO and President Gayle Fuguitt Into the MRC Hall of Fame

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Jun 19, 2014) - The Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) is proud to announce that Gayle Fuguitt, CEO and President of the ARF, will be inducted into the Market Research Council, Inc.'s (MRC) Hall of Fame. Gayle is receiving this honor alongside Stuart Agres, Trustee & Chief Financial Officer, Adduce Foundation. The recipients will be honored at MRC's luncheon at the Yale Club of New York on Friday, June 20.

The Marketing Research Council was founded in 1927 and meets regularly to promote new research technology and maintain quality in the industry. Its Hall of Fame, established in 1977, recognizes those who have made distinguished and outstanding accomplishments in the Market Research industry, specifically as leaders or high-profile researchers. Previous inductees include many names familiar to the general public such as David Ogilvy, Erwin Ephron, Art Nielsen and David Poltrack.

Holly Jarrell, MRC President, described why Gayle was bestowed with this honor: "Gayle has been a change agent in the field of research both during her 32-year tenure at General Mills and as the ARF's transformative leader. She has served our industry with distinction and truly embodies the qualities MRC seeks in its Hall of Fame members."

Prior to her appointment to the ARF as CEO and President, Gayle served General Mills for 32 years, where she most recently was the first ever Vice President of global consumer insights. Gayle is widely cited for her pioneering research and leadership role at General Mills. For example, Gayle led the transfer of 85% of research from traditional to internet research at General Mills back in 1998. Today at the ARF, Gayle has led the organization to a new role of strategic relevance, and is creating an organization that will lead analysts through the most complex challenges of this era, including audience measurement and programmatic buying. 

"It is a true honor to be a part of MRC's Hall of Fame, and it inspires me and the Advertising Research Foundation to continue to make strides," said Fuguitt. "At this year's 2014 Audience Measurement, I issued a code red imperative for analysts to lead their organizations through measurement challenges present in today's new media environment. We will continue to build on this important work." 

The Advertising Research Foundation and its members have a legacy within MRC's Hall of Fame. Past winners include 14 of the ARF's former Board Chairs, and one former president.

About The Advertising Research Foundation
Founded in 1936 by the Association of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising Agencies, the ARF is dedicated to aggregating, creating and distributing research-based knowledge that will help members make better business decisions. ARF members include more than 400 advertisers, advertising agencies, associations, research firms, and media-tech companies. The ARF is the only organization that brings all members of the industry to the same table for strategic collaboration. The ARF celebrates more than 75 years as the industry's authoritative source of advertising knowledge. The ARF is located at 432 Park Ave. South, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10016 and on the Web at www.thearf.org.