Since joining Technomic in 2010, Rich Shank, Director of Consumer Research, has managed a wide variety of qualitative and quantitative-based custom research projects and has produced content for Technomic’s syndicated brand tracking study, Consumer Brand Metrics. Some of Rich’s recent projects include: menu optimization analysis for a large beverage chain; a market demand study for a number of international soft drink brands; customer segmentation analyses aimed at crafting marketing communications; a new product feasibility study for a large convenience store food supplier; as well as a wide variety of brand positioning and customer engagement studies within the foodservice marketplace.
Before joining Technomic, Rich worked as a professional researcher in a variety of capacities. Most recently he was a Senior Research Associate, supporting the marketing efforts of a high-end Senior Living community. During his time in Senior Living he managed the resident satisfaction research program and tested the impact of numerous value-added services and healthcare assessment protocols, as well as engaged in product design research aimed at improving the quality of life of residents of long term care.
Previously, Rich was an instructor of Sociology at Franklin College of Indiana, where he taught among other course, both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Prior to that, he was a graduate research assistant at Rutgers University’s, as well as a project manager conducting both qualitative and quantitative research for the Indiana Consortium for Mental Health Services Research.
Rich has a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. He earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis.