As a researcher, I was always amazed at the cooperation of the people from whom we re­quested information. Often interviews would be an inconvenience for them. It might have been intercepting shop­pers at a mall in order to show them some proposed new product. Or, it would interrupt television viewers with a phone call to ask if they could recall certain commercials. Sometimes it was requesting participants to drive many miles on a stormy night for a focus group session to discuss the fire ant problems.

Despite the inconveniences, I've found that people want to help research efforts. Without this kind of support, marketing research would be much less effective.

This type of assistance is also impor­tant in establishing a publication. It has taken the efforts of many people to make this first issue possible. It is only fitting that I take space in this first issue to acknowledge them.

First, to those who have been so im­portant in putting together everything required to get this issue into the mail, I want to thank Emmet Hoffman, Robert "Smokey" Truhlar, Keith "Doc" Hunt, Jim Quirk and Beth Hoffman. They are the ones who took a concept and made it into a reality.

Next are the charter advertisers. As you are aware, this publication is circu­lated free to buyers of research products and services. The cost of the publica­tion will be covered by advertising revenues. It is our responsibility to provide an editorial environment through in­teresting, useful and readable informa­tion. We believe the material in the first issue meets that criteria. The advertis­ers' confidence in our capability to do so is appreciated.

Finally, I would like to thank those who returned the subscription forms over the last two months (especially those who gave us names of others in their organization who should also be receiving the publication). That you would take the time to do so without ever having seen the magazine is very reassuring. It reinforces our belief that there is a need for this type of publica­tion.

Now that the publication is officially launched I want to know that our goal is to serve you with practical and timely information concerning the marketing research industry. Don't hesitate to write or call us with your comments — pro and con. We welcome your sugges­tions. And we welcome your company news announcements concerning per­sonnel, expansions, products and ser­vices.