In high-profile addresses and presentations at this year’s ARF Re:think conference, GfK will focus on some of the most pressing topics for marketers and advertisers today – emerging markets, mobile technology, the evolving relationships between consumers and brands, and the search for a new generation of innovative market researchers.

The conference takes place on March 17^th through 20^th at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, and features dozens of speakers from around the world.

On Tuesday morning, GfK Global CEO Matthias Hartmann will deliver a keynote address on “How the Research Industry Will Win in Emerging Markets,” One of the foremost leaders in market research worldwide, Hartmann will describe how mobile technology and other innovations will be key to leveraging these growing markets for marketers and researchers alike.

“I am very pleased to be leading such a strong GfK presence at this year’s ARF Re:think,” said Hartmann. “As digital information transforms advertising and marketing globally, we see rich opportunities for market research to play a broader, more strategic role. Understanding consumers and adapting quickly to their changing needs remain the keys to success for brands in every category.”

On Monday, GfK will host a Learning Session on “Dating the Promiscuous Consumer,” in which brand and planning executives from ExxonMobil, Leo Burnett, Method KPH, and Tremor Video will dialogue with GfK’s Eric Villain (Managing Director, Brand and Customer Experience) about people’s increasingly fickle relationships with brands.

As part of the Key Issue Forums on Wednesday, John Wittenbraker (Global Director of Innovation, Brand and Customer Experience, GfK) and Helen Zeitoun (Global Head of Brand and Customer Experience, GfK) will discuss “Brand Strategy and Influence in the Relationship Economy.”

Also on Wednesday, GfK’s Tim Kenyon (Manager, Consulting) will take part in the panel discussion “A Day in the Life of a Young Researcher,” focusing on ways that MR can nurture up-and-coming professionals.

At the Great Mind Awards luncheon on Wednesday, David Krajicek, CEO of GfK Consumer Experiences North America, will present awards for research innovation, rising stars, outstanding ARF member contributions, quality in research, lifetime achievement and more.

A team of GfK brand experts – Danica Allen, Oliver Hupp, Raimund Wildner, John Wittenbraker, and Helen Zeitoun -- are finalists in the Innovation category for their groundbreaking studies of consumer/brand relationships (CBR) and the ways consumers experience brands (ConX). In addition, GfK’s Nicole Tomei Zwolinski is a President’s Award finalist.

At the Great Mind luncheon, Krajicek will also introduce the winners of GfK’s second Next Generation Competition for undergraduate marketers and market researchers. The winning team will present the results of its original research on Hispanic consumers in the US.

“We are thrilled to be nurturing the next generation of market researchers through this competition,” said Krajicek. “As the world of consumer information changes, market researchers need to take on new roles and acquire fresh skills. We want to be instrumental in giving today’s college students early experience with our dynamic industry, and help them focus on the issues that will face tomorrow’s ‘insight hunters’.”

About GfK

GfK is one of the world’s largest research companies, with more than 12,000 experts working to discover new insights into the way people live, think and shop, in over 100 markets, every day. GfK is constantly innovating and using the latest technologies and the smartest methodologies to give its clients the clearest understanding of the most important people in the world: their customers. In 2012, GfK’s sales amounted to EUR 1.51 billion.

To find out more, visit www.gfk.com/us or follow GfK on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GfK_en.