North Shore Attracts Market Research Giant

North Shore Attracts Market Research Giant Out Of Australia

Auckland November 6 2003 – More than 100 new jobs have been created on the North Shore thanks to the efforts of Investment New Zealand, Enterprise North Shore and WINZ to encourage ACNielsen to transfer a large part of its Australian telephone interviewing operation to Auckland.

The international market research company has just completed transferring its Sydney Call Centre operation to the upgraded call centre facility in Takapuna.
Key to ACNielsen’s decision to transfer its Sydney operations was the availability and recruitment of suitable staff for its operation.

ACNielsen’s project manager Dean Fleischmann said Investment New Zealand worked with them on their staffing requirements as part of the feasibility study they undertook on the potential of the Auckland location to expand.

“We needed good staff quickly who could step into the role with minimal impact on our operations. We could not afford for Australian clients to notice any change in operation. The transition to New Zealand needed to be as seamless as possible.”

Investment New Zealand brought Enterprise North Shore and WINZ together to assist ACNielsen attract the quality of staff they were looking for, and WINZ provided a full recruitment and screening service.

“The result has been fantastic – we have achieved a success rate of between seven and eight out of 10 for successful applicants following relevant screening,” Mr Fleischmann said.

The ACNielsen North Shore call centre has 150 dedicated seats and its staff has quadrupled from around 40 interviewers prior to the transfer of the Sydney operation, to more than 150.

Investment New Zealand investment manager Paul Gestro said the relocation of the Sydney operation provides a significant economic benefit to the North Shore.
“We built a strong relationship with ACNielsen, introducing them to key agencies on the North Shore and providing concrete economic data demonstrating that the move would be worth their while.

“By working alongside companies in this way it is possible to reverse the trend of corporates leaving New Zealand.

“ACNielsen was able to tap into invaluable local knowledge and expertise and transfer the Sydney operations smoothly.”

ACNielsen’s New Zealand managing director Alistair Watts says the New Zealand business is looking at ways to earn export dollars including investigating opportunities to do work for its sister companies.

“I see the quality of the New Zealand call centre as a good marketing tool for ACNielsen in attracting potential new clients both locally and overseas.”

Ends

Investment New Zealand is the government agency charged with increasing New Zealand’s International investment profile and attracting investment into New Zealand.

The Strategic Investment Fund, administered by Investment New Zealand, is designed to supplement and facilitate investments that create either 200 new jobs and/or attract $50 million in new investment.

ACNielsen is the world’s leading provider of market research, information and analysis to consumer products and service industries, as well as to government and social services. More than 9000 clients in 100 countries rely on ACNielsen to measure competitive market place dynamics, understand consumer attitudes and behaviour and to develop advanced analytical insights that generate increased sales and profits.

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