Market Research Consultants in Dallas to Watch for in 2025
These Insight-Driven Professionals Are Shaping the Future of Research in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
Market research in Dallas isn’t just about stats and spreadsheets, it’s about people. From the bustling business hubs of Uptown to the innovation corridors of Plano and Arlington, the DFW area is home to some of the most adaptive, strategic, and creative minds in the industry. These professionals don’t just follow the trends but instead they help define them.
At Digital Reference, we’ve spent months curating this list of standout consultants across Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington. Whether they’re solo experts, running boutique firms, or pioneering innovative methodologies within larger teams, we evalute leaders based on originality, industry contributions, research rigor, and local impact. Many of these professionals also reflect themes we’ve explored in our guide to marketing consultants and our spotlight on marketing executives.
Let’s dive into the Dallas-area researchers to keep your eyes on in 2025 👇
The Market Research Stars of Dallas
📌 Carl Thompson – Marketing Consultant & Business Owner
Carl Thompson brings over 15 years of experience in guiding B2B and consumer brands through complex research challenges. His work centers on developing custom research solutions that support clear, data-driven decisions.
- Expert in market opportunity assessments and customer experience research
- Designs innovative survey instruments and analytics frameworks to uncover actionable insights
- Strong track record of partnering with clients in CPG, QSR, and real estate sectors
📌 Brad Russell – Consulting Analyst & Smart Home Consultant
Brad Russell specializes in helping companies interpret consumer behavior and market dynamics to inform growth strategies. His experience covers competitive analysis, trend forecasting, and product innovation.
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- Experienced in consumer technology, writing and editing, and content marketing
- Adept at turning complex data into clear strategic recommendations
- Has worked with clients across technology and entertainment
📌 Leila Cranford – Owner at Emergent Research
Leila Cranford leads Emergent Research with a focus on qualitative and quantitative methodologies that uncover deeper insights. Her expertise spans small business, non-profits, and equity and social justice initatives.
- Specializes in competitive intelligence, consumer insights, and market segmentation
- Helps clients with market research design and analysis and online market research
- Known for blending thoughtful insights with rigorous research to create strategic business impact
📌 Jerry Thomas – CEO at Decision Analyst
Jerry Thomas is the visionary founder behind Decision Analyst, a respected research firm. He focuses on advanced statistical modeling and survey design that help clients optimize pricing, demand forecasting, and segmentation.
- Specializes in marketing strategy, strategic planning, and new product development
- Extensive experience in volumetric forecasting, advertising and product testing, and qualitative research
- Brings over 50 years of leadership experience in research and analytical consulting
📌 Michaela Mora – Founder & Chief Research Office at Relevant Insights
Michaela Mora brings a unique blend of UX expertise and quantitative research skills, helping clients optimize customer experiences through data-driven decisions. She works across diverse industries with a global perspective.
- Certified in UX research and usability testing, blending qualitative and quantitative methods
- Specializes in CX and UX research, brand and advertisting research, and multicultural research
- Experienced in discovering connections between academia and the research industry
📌 Mike Courtney – Founder & CEO at Aperio Insights
Mike Courtney leads Aperio Insights in delivering foresight and decision science research to help brands navigate uncertainty. His work focuses on qualitative moderating, data analytics, and strategic foresight.
- Specializes in qualitative and quantitative research to discover true consumer insights
- Collaborates with clients on innovation pipeline development and consumer trend forecasting
- Known for utilizing technology to drive research innovation and insights
📌 Steven Riskey – Partner & Co-Founder at Strop Insights
Steven Riskey applies his expertise in economics, statistics, and decision theory to deliver deep market insights. His approach challenges conventional market research to focus on the consumer logic behind decisions.
- Expert in decision sciences and brand management and marketing
- Known for critiquing traditional brand tracking and providing actionable, impact-driven insights
- Passionate about making consumer behavior insights accessible to any organization striving to make informed decisions
💡Why These Consultants Matter + What Makes Dallas a Hub for Research in 2025
Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the fastest-growing metros in the country, and its research talent reflects that dynamism. From tech to retail to B2B SaaS, DFW companies need data that’s local, strategic, and built for growth. The professionals we’ve highlighted aren’t just consultants, they’re thinkers, builders, and decision-makers shaping the next chapter of Texas business.
At Digital Reference, we’re proud to support the industry by surfacing professionals who challenge norms and drive results. Whether you’re navigating a rebrand, launching a new product, or simply trying to understand your customers better, the talent in this article can help get you there. For more industry insights, check out our full marketing consulting spotlight series.
Let’s keep building smarter business, together. 🚀
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