Edison Research To Be Acquired By SSRS Research

SSRS, a full-service market research and survey firm based in Pennsylvania, announced its acquisition of Edison Research, a prominent media and polling research company headquartered in New Jersey.

This deal combines SSRS's expertise in public opinion, political polling, and custom survey solutions with Edison's renowned capabilities in audio research (particularly podcasts and radio), election exit polling, and digital media trends. 

The acquisition aims to create a more comprehensive research powerhouse, enhancing services for clients in media, advertising, politics, and consumer insights.

While financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, it positions the combined entity to better serve evolving demands in data-driven decision-making, especially in the rapidly growing podcast and audio sectors. 

Edison Research will continue operating under its own brand, with its leadership team, including President Larry Rosin, remaining in place to ensure continuity.

➤Background on SSRS (formerly known as Social Science Research Solutions) was founded in 2010 and has grown into a trusted partner for complex research challenges. The firm specializes in: 

✔Public opinion and political polling: Conducting surveys for major media outlets, academic institutions, and non-profits, including work with the Pew Research Center's American Trends Panel.

✔Market research: Custom studies on consumer behavior, brand tracking, media usage, and social issues like financial security and hobbies.

✔Methodological innovation: Using mixed-mode approaches (e.g., phone, online, in-person) to reach diverse audiences with high accuracy and transparency.

SSRS emphasizes ethical, rigorous research and holds certifications from organizations like AAPOR (American Association for Public Opinion Research) and ESOMAR. With around 200 employees, it has built a reputation for solving "challenging research problems" through collaboration and advanced analytics.

➤Background on Edison Research:  Established in 1994 by Larry Rosin and Joe Lenski, Edison Research has become a global leader in survey-based insights, conducting studies in over 66 countries. 

Key highlights include:

✔Audio and media research: Producers of flagship reports like The Infinite Dial® (tracking digital audio, podcasts, and smart speakers since 1998) and Share of Ear® (the only single-source measure of U.S. audio consumption). It's the world's top podcast researcher, with Edison Podcast Metrics providing listener data for brands.

✔Election polling: Since 2004, the sole provider of exit polls and race projections for the National Election Pool (serving ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and others) during U.S. presidential elections.

✔Custom services: Qualitative and quantitative studies for Fortune 500 companies, governments, and non-profits, including focus groups, dial testing, and consumer exit polls at events like concerts and retail locations.

Edison employs a network of over 20,000 interviewers and is known for "gold-standard" methods that deliver reliable, actionable data on trends like podcast growth (now reaching 115 million weekly U.S. listeners).