Trender Research™

Technology meets people.

Brian Mahony
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  • Westford, MA
  • United States
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Started Jan. 12, 2008

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Introduction from Brian Mahony, CEO Trender Research, Inc.

Welcome to Trender Research! Trender Research is a news, market research, and marketing consulting firm that covers the use of technology-based devices and services by everyday people. Trender Research is dedicated to capturing the voice of not just the technically adept, but demographic groups that are often overlooked by established market research firms and the developers of new gadgets and services--- women, young adults, seniors, various ethnic groups and nationalities, various socio-economic groups, and other folks who as distinct groups and as a whole are often behind the major trends driving the adoption and use of new technology.

Why Trender Research?
I have been in the hi-tech business for 17 years and, as VP Marketing for my past five companies, have engaged many different market research and consulting firms for their services. Many of them provide excellent qualitative and quantitative services for their clients. Some of them cover competitive intelligence, some dig deep on technology, others analyze market share and make forecasts for specific industries. Many of them are also my friends. I see them often on the speaking circuit at trade shows and conferences. They are typically very bright, with perhaps 10-20+ years in the technology industry. They get paid to help companies or investors predict where the market is going, or provide specific advice on new products or emerging markets.

And despite all this, I can't help but to observe that many of the major trends of the past 15 years went largely unpredicted. Google displacing Yahoo as market leader, YouTube, iPod, FaceBook, Instant Messaging, etc. Name the trend. Every time I think everything with regard to technology and services has already been done, something new and revolutionary comes along.

Compounding this fact is the nagging feeling I have had for some time that too many products are defined and designed by engineers and industry insiders, with little thought to the consumer. How many times have I heard from teens, seniors, folks of different ethnicities… really any demographic… that a particular service or device did not hit the mark for them, either because it was too complex or was not tailored to how they actually live their lives?

I was at a recent trade-show, where I was delivering a presentation to about 200 people, once again trying to predict where the market was going (this time internet protocol-based video services), when it finally hit me. I was preaching to the choir. Oh yes, there was Larry, Jeff, Graham, Jon, Tom, and many of my other "industry insider" friends, but where was Grandma, Aunt Gertrude, my nephew Colin recently gone to college, Warren my plumber, my brother in the military? Where was the global voice of Reinhart, Pedro, Yukio, and Srinivas? Not in my audience. As I thought about it some more, I realized this voice is largely unrepresented in the market research industry. If it is captured, it is through a fairly expensive and time-consuming process of focus groups and phone surveys (who really takes the time to respond to those never-really-just-5-minute phone surveys anymore? Is this where you want your survey data from?).

So you get the idea. Trender Research is dedicated to providing a true voice for consumers of all demographics, and clients a vehicle for tailored and fast feedback from the communities important to them. Trenders who are part of this community contribute by 1) providing their own thoughts about how they use technology, what they like and dislike; and 2) through custom consulting services that allow clients to get specific feedback on a new or existing product or service.

I hope you will sign up as a Trender, a client, or just watch this space for informed and lively debate on the technology that enhances, shapes, and sometimes invades our lives.

Sincerely,

Brian Mahony

Please contact me about IPTV, OTT Video, robotics, or communications consulting opportunities including custom research, speaking, webinars, white papers, or product strategy: bmahony@trenderresearch.com.

Profile Information

City and/or State, and Country
Westford, MA
Techno-Comfort Level (1=Techno-Phobe; 10=Techno-Geek)
8
Trender Status (select "Trender" unless otherwise directed)
Chief Trender

Brian Mahony's Trender Post

Brian Mahony

New Over the Top (OTT) Video Study: Trender Research Predicts 7 Percent of Households Will “Cut the Cord” on Pay TV Subscriptions by 2012

Full announcement here: http://www.trenderresearch.com/page/ott-video-report

Thanks to everyone who provided data and perspectives for this report. I think you will find this the most comprehensive analysis of this fast-moving industry.

Westford, MA, — Trender Research™ Inc. (www.trenderresearch.com), a consumer technology market research and co… Continue

Posted on August 8, 2010 at 7:45pm —

Brian Mahony

Cutting the Cord Part 6: Roku Review— Simple and Easy OTT Video Device


(Click here for Parts 1: Why?, 2: Device Options,Continue

Posted on August 8, 2010 at 7:39pm —

Brian Mahony

Digital Security Thought Leaders Highlight Evolving Trends in a New Report by Trender Research

Concern for identity theft and rise of social networking and mobile applications have changed view of online safety and driven the development of comprehensive security suites.

Westford, MA, — Trender Research™ Inc. (www.trenderresearch.com), a market research and consulting firm that combines expert analysis with the voice of everyday people, announced a new Trender Thought Leaders report for the digital security industry. The… Continue

Posted on July 27, 2010 at 12:30pm —

Brian Mahony

OTT Video Adventures Part 5: Cutting the Cable Cord on Pay TV Sports and News


While my dear sweet wife Kirsten seems to be hedging on giving up on our Pay TV service from Comcast, I am doing one last reflection on over-the-top (OTT) video content before we jump into evaluating our h… Continue

Posted on July 15, 2010 at 11:30pm —

Brian Mahony

Healthcare Thought Leaders Predict the Impact of Technology in a New Report by Trender Research

Amidst major policy reforms, industry luminaries and a focus group of everyday people are optimistic that technology can substantially reduce costs and improve patient care.


Westford, MA, — Trender Research™ Inc. (www.trenderresearch.com), a market research and consulting firm that combines expert analysis with the voice of everyday people, announced a new Trender Thought Leaders report for the healthcare industry. The repo… Continue

Posted on June 8, 2010 at 7:30pm —

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At 4:13pm on February 20, 2009, Barbara Steele said…
Brian, love the fact you are keeping seniors in mind as you do your research.B. Steele
 
 
 

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