Martin Redfern

Research and Writing

For over 25 years I have provided research and writing services to clients in the public and private sectors.

 

 

About me

For over twenty-five years, I have provided strategic advice, research -- including survey and public opinion work -- and writing services to high profile clients as they tackle challenges relating to advocacy, communications, consultations, branding, and change management. I worked with high profile Canadian research firms such as Decima, Pollara and Ipsos-Reid. I formed my own company in 2003.

Over the years I assisted hundreds of public and private sector clients to understand and react to public opinion and market trends. I researched and wrote about such diverse topics as provincial politics, railway safety, health care, social media, post-secondary education, brand positioning and economic development. I contributed to branding campaigns, assisted in the development of advertising, provided research foundations for advertising design and helped craft communication strategies for a wide variety of clients.

I have a special interest in using high quality research to advance social and political causes in Canada.

Born in Liverpool England and raised in St. John’s Newfoundland, I now call Ottawa home.

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Services

Many research projects can benefit greatly from experienced and objective input at the design stage from a seasoned research professional. Even a few hours of consultation can save significant amounts of time and money. I have designed and managed many hundreds of research projects since 1992. I understand methodologies, resourcing, timelines and costs. I know which approaches are truly useful and which are not.

I help my clients by:

1. Defining research objectives and developing appropriate methodologies for primary or secondary research.

2. Writing accessible analytical reports based existing information, such as web forms, consumer feedback, or consultation input.

3. Executing research studies, including

a. Survey Design

b. Focus group moderation

c. In-depth interviewing

d. Statistical analysis

e. Reporting and presentations.

4. Managing subcontractors on the client's behalf.

5. Providing guidance on low-cost, in-house research alternatives for smaller organizations.

6. Evaluating and synthesizing the results of other research projects.

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Clients

It has been my privilege to work - often at the center of branding, communication and advertising initiatives - for the many organizations including the following.

Social Research and Advocacy

The Suzuki Foundation

Parkdale Activity and Recreation Centre (PARC)

The Association of Women's Right in Development (AWID)

Global Fund for Women (USA)

Mama Cash (Netherlands)

Foundation for a Just Society (USA)

Railway Association of Canada

Consumer Health Products Canada (formerly Non-prescription Drug Manufacturers of Canada)

Health Canada

Health Products Stewardship Association (HPSA)


Branding and Communications

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

University of Ottawa

The Ottawa Hospital

Seneca College

Modern Niagara

University of Saint Paul (Ottawa)

SOCAN

Tarion Warranty Corporation (Formerly Ontario New Home Warranty Program)


Professional Affairs and Membership Management

Railway Association of Canada

Global Fund for Women

LGBT Funders (New York)

Ontario Medical Association

Meridian Credit Union

Canadian Precast and Prestressed Concrete Institute

Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association


Marketing

North York General Hospital

Shiplake Developments

Sico Paint

Rogers Communications


Public Consultations

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada

Environment Canada

Health Canada

Niagara Public Health

Community of Federal Regulators

 

 

 I would be pleased to provide a more detailed description and a reference for any of the clients listed above.

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Work History

 

 

Employment History

Sole Proprietor, Redfern Research

September 2003 – Present


Achievements: Establishing a successful small business based on strong relationships with repeat clients which has prospered for 16 years.

 

Responsibilities: Providing all aspects of project management and design for both quantitative and qualitative research projects. Managing budgets, timelines and subcontractors. Analyzing and presenting results. Providing high quality, thoughtful research counsel to a wide variety of clients.


Vice President

Toronto, San Francisco and Ottawa offices of Ipsos-Reid (Formerly Angus Reid Group)

March 1997 – September 2003

 

Achievements: The creation and management of a team-oriented work environment, design of consistent resource allocation and budgeting tools, and the mentorship of junior research colleagues. Maintained efficient resource allocations, training and mentorship during a period of rapid growth and significant workloads.

 

Responsibilities (Toronto and San Francisco): Management/co-ordination role for operational aspects of a research division with annual revenues in excess of $5 million . Directly accountable for budgeting, resource allocation, methodological and operational leadership, and professional development. Responsible, in conjunction with Executive Vice President, for all aspects of management except remuneration. 

 

Responsibilities (All locations): Entirely responsible for the management of quantitative and qualitative research projects for a variety of private and public sector clients. Responsibilities included research design, project management, analysis and reporting, focus group moderation, budgeting and budget tracking. Provides all aspects of research design and analysis including the recommendation of methodologies and analytical approaches.

 

Independent Consultant (Research and Analysis)

March 1995 - March 1997

 

Achievements: The successful maintenance of a small consulting business with satisfied, repeat customers. The delivery of high quality analytical reports on deadline and within budget.

 

Responsibilities: Provided research, analysis and writing services to corporate clients in the public opinion research and program evaluation industry. Conducted all aspects of research programs with a concentration on questionnaire design, source location, data analysis and reporting.

 

Senior Research Analyst

Insight Canada Research (now Pollara)

January, 1994 - March, 1995

 

Research Analyst

Decima Research

November, 1992 - November, 1993

 

Foreign Service Officer  

Department of External Affairs and International Trade

April, 1990 - October, 1992

Education

French Language Training. Federal Department of External Affairs, January, 1991 - September, 1991.  Attained full proficiency in reading and writing, and working proficiency in oral communication (CCB).

 

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science, 1989, University of King's College / Dalhousie University. Thesis: Public Opinion and Canadian Defence Policy, 1979-1989.

 

Completed graduate-level courses in Political Science and advanced statistical analysis at Carleton University from 1995 to 1997.

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Contact

I'll be happy to respond quickly to enquiries and provide ballpark costs for any project.

 

- Call: 613-816-4975

- Email:  martin@martinredfern.com (or just click here). 

 

 

Martin Redfern of Redfern Research at Martinredfern.com provides strategic advice, marketing research, writing, survey, and public opinion services in Ottawa and Canada.