Nielsen promotes Oliver Rust and Fanny Chan

The managing director of Hong Kong for the past five years, Chan will now oversee the efficiency of data acquisition, processing and reporting for Greater China. She will continue to base in Hong Kong.

Rust will be returning to Hong Kong for the managing director role. He was most recently executive director of integrated services for Nielsen China in Shanghai. Rust joined Nielsen in 2002.

Speaking of the challenges that market research companies are facing, Rust said: “The market research industry faces complexities as a result of client's shrinking budgets. Fierce competition is another challenge we face.”

“People-wise, there is more room for research firms to invest in and engage their people, as well as to develop a pool of high-quality research talent,” he added. “Since the change in the economic environment, it is more important then ever for us to stay in close touch with our clients, to understand their issues and challenges, stay relevant and provide clients with clarity and innovative solutions.”

Separately, in March this year, Nielsen in Taiwan promoted Jennifer Wang, a former client leader, to the position of managing director.