Market Research Consultants in Philadelphia to Watch For in 2025

‍Why We’re Watching the Philadelphia Market in 2025

Philadelphia has long been a rich hub for innovation, from its historic roots to its dynamic present. In 2025, the City of Brotherly Love is truly blossoming as a powerhouse in market research, a crossroads where analytical rigor meets creative strategy, and local insights meet global trends. Whether you’re a brand seeking actionable intelligence or a researcher fascinated by shifting consumer behavior, this region delivers expertise with heart and precision.

At Digital Reference, we’re excited to spotlight some of Philadelphia’s top market research consultants who are shaping the future of the industry. The consultants featured below are based in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro area, and they span a wide range of industries and specialties. We chose them not just because of their resumes, but because of how they’re influencing teams, outcomes, and decision-making in 2025. Many of these experts embody the key themes we've highlighted in our recent features on marketing executives and our guide to hiring a market research consultant.

Let's meet Philadelphia's leading market research consultants in 2025:

Gary White

CEO, Reason Research
LinkedIn | Reason Research

Gary White is a creative market research executive with three decades of experience designing and conducting custom research across diverse industries. As CEO of Reason Research, he leads a dedicated team specializing in life sciences research, helping innovative biotech, diagnostics, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies improve patient outcomes worldwide.

• 🎯 Healthcare focus: Deep experience serving emerging and established companies in biotech, diagnostics, medical devices, and big pharma sectors.
• 💡 Strategic research leadership: Known for delivering clear, impactful insights that directly inform client strategy and execution.
• 🌱 Talent development: Passionate about nurturing the next generation of market research professionals

Daniel Erlbaum

CEO, Finch Brands
LinkedIn | Finch Brands

Daniel Erlbaum is the visionary co-founder and CEO of Finch Brands, a real-world branding agency rooted in his experience growing and leading successful businesses. At Finch Brands, Daniel applies his deep knowledge of business-building, strategic partnerships, and brand growth to help clients identify and communicate what makes them truly unique.

• 🚀 Business builder: Key contributor to David’s Bridal’s expansion, IPO, and acquisition through hands-on leadership and operational expertise.
• 🎯 Brand strategist: Leads Finch Brands in crafting powerful, authentic brand stories that resonate with target audiences and drive growth.
• 🔍 Insight-driven: Daniel ensures that market research informs every branding decision, bridging the gap between consumer understanding and business strategy.

Linda Rink

President, RINK Consulting
LinkedIn | RINK Consulting

Linda Rink leads RINK Consulting, a full-service market research firm dedicated to helping clients gain a competitive edge through strategic, fact-based decision-making. With over 25 years of experience in marketing branded products and services, Linda brings deep expertise in research design, business development, and new product strategy.

• 📊 Insight-driven: Helps clients understand customer feedback, identify new prospects, and track competitors’ strategies.
• 🔍 Strategic research: Delivers industry trends, statistics, and marketing plans to fuel smarter business decisions.
• 🤝 Diverse client base: Serves business and professional services, manufacturers, non-profits, and healthcare providers.

Kara Robinson

Research Manager, Blueberry Marketing & Sensory Research
LinkedIn | Blueberry Marketing & Sensory Research

Kara Robinson is a research manager who thrives on collaboration and creativity, delivering fact-based insights that guide smarter product decisions. At Blueberry Marketing & Sensory Research, she partners with clients across a wide range of categories to design and execute tailored research projects that uncover the hidden truths behind consumer experiences.

• 🧠 Product-focused insight: Specializes in guiding clients through the consumer experience with research that supports real-world product decisions.
• 🤝 Collaborative leadership: Works closely with both internal and client teams to clarify project objectives and deliver focused results.
• 📈 Strategic reporting: Provides clear, compelling deliverables that drive action and help brands navigate challenges with confidence.

James Rohde

Managing Director, Clock Tower Insight
LinkedIn | Clock Tower Insight

James Rohde is a data-driven strategist and Managing Director of Clock Tower Insight, where he leads a team committed to transforming raw data into strategic consumer intelligence. With a deep passion for uncovering hidden patterns, James helps brands sharpen their focus and make smarter, faster decisions through enriched analytics and market measurement.

• 📊 Market measurement expert: Specializes in interpreting consumer behavior data to unlock untapped opportunities.
• 🧩 Insight activation: Translates complex datasets into accessible, decision-ready insights for stakeholders across organizations.
• 🚀 Strategic partner: Helps clients prioritize initiatives and refine their consumer strategies through enriched, actionable data.

Tyler Baldor

Independent Market Research Consultant
LinkedIn

Tyler Baldor is a customer experience strategist and research consultant who blends academic rigor with business relevance. With over a decade of experience exploring how people interact with brands and physical spaces, Tyler brings a unique, ethnographic perspective to voice-of-customer research, journey mapping, and brand experience design.

• 🧭 Journey-focused: Designs clear and actionable roadmaps to enhance how customers move through physical and digital brand touchpoints.
• 🎯 Brand alignment: Helps companies retain authenticity while engaging diverse audiences and evolving their experiences.
• 🧠 Research-driven strategy: Brings deep expertise in mixed-methods research, translating insights into tangible improvements across customer experience ecosystems.

Merle Holman

Founder & CEO, Group Dynamics
LinkedIn | Group Dynamics

Merle Holman is a trailblazer in qualitative market research and the founder of Group Dynamics, a Philadelphia-area firm she launched in 1981 after already spending 15 years in the industry. With more than four decades of leadership, Merle has built a legacy of exceptional recruiting, facility support, and client service for focus groups and other qualitative research projects.

• 🏆 Industry veteran: Over 40 years of hands-on experience across every phase of the qualitative research process.
• 🗣️ Specialized support: Provides full-service recruiting and state-of-the-art facilities for qualitative studies, including videoconferencing and meeting spaces.
• 💼 Client-centered legacy: Known for first-class service, long-standing client relationships, and a commitment to mentoring the next generation of researchers.

Jim Jacobs

Founder & CEO, Focus Insite
LinkedIn | Focus Insite

Jim Jacobs is the founder and driving force behind Focus Insite, one of the most trusted qualitative recruiting firms in the U.S. Jim built Focus Insite to simplify life for researchers. His team excels in fast, targeted recruiting for hard-to-reach audiences, from patients and consumers to B2B professionals, and delivers with seamless project management and transparency every step of the way.

• ⚡ High-performance recruiting: Known for fast-turn, high-quality recruitment for in-person and virtual qualitative studies, including focus groups, TDIs, ethnographies, and product testing.
• 🧠 Visionary entrepreneur: Grew Focus Insite from the ground up, earning industry acclaim while staying true to values of trust, grit, and consistency.
• 🔍 Industry leader: Active member of the Insights Association, QRCA, AMA, and ESOMAR, and frequently shares his expertise on panels, podcasts, and mentorship platforms.

Mike Mayer

Co-Founder & Managing Director, Magic Layer
LinkedIn | Magic Layer

Mike Mayer co-founded Magic Layer, a research and analytics agency in Philadelphia. Since 2020, he’s helped brands use predictive analytics in a way that makes sense—turning numbers into stories that guide decisions, boost ROI, and get teams aligned.

• 📈 Data storytelling: Breaks down complicated data into simple insights that marketers can act on and use to back their budgets
• 🧪 Proven + predictive: Mike focuses on helping clients go beyond just looking at what happened, so they can confidently plan what’s next.
• 🔁 Performance-driven: Magic Layer’s approach is all about delivering value now and setting up for success over the long run.

Why Philadelphia Is a Market Research Powerhouse in 2025

Philadelphia is more than a historical landmark, it’s a modern engine for innovation, healthcare, education, and consumer insight. The city and its surrounding metro (including Wilmington and Camden) are home to a vibrant ecosystem of seasoned consultants, niche firms, and data-driven strategists who help brands make smarter, faster decisions. At Digital Reference, we’ve spent countless hours researching and evaluating consultants who stand out for their methodological expertise, creative thinking, and real-world impact. Our mission is to make it easier for companies to find research partners who don’t just deliver data, they deliver clarity, action, and growth. Whether you're launching a product, rebranding, or deepening customer insight, this guide highlights the professionals who are shaping the future of research in Philly and beyond.

👉 Explore more insights and research strategy resources at Digital Reference.