New York – Primary Global Research (PGR) is an expert network with a differentiated service approach. The firm has created three structured products that address the needs of the buy side: a highly regarded expert network; a group of in-house analysts who provide intelligence and insight into sectors and stocks; and a new “push” data stream of information called “Expert Pulse” that bypasses the usual channels.
Expert Pulse is part of a new generation of real-time information systems that leverage the power of online communities to reach institutional investors. The data is reliably sourced and validated, and spreads its reach beyond the traditional methods to capture new information in a new way. PGR developed proprietary technology that enables the firm to systematically produce these packets of data in a manner that is both user-friendly and rich. Additionally, Expert Pulse will give clients the ability to direct message experts.
In this sense, the service is transformed from the familiar pull model to a push model of information. The firm offers these services to its clients in the technology, healthcare, retail, Financial Services , Media, Cleantech, Energy-Industrials-Commodities, and real estate sectors and has an established presence in Asia.
Headquartered in the West Coast, it has recently opened up shop in New York. The office has 7 staff members comprised of salespeople and analysts to serve New York clients locally. Evan Reich, formally of head of the Financial Services group at Vista, will oversee Financial Services and Real Estate coverage at PGR. Lloyd Walmsley, formerly a high profile media analyst at Thomas Weisel, will lead PGR’s new media vertical.
PGR’s approach is to map out the company’s ecosystem, from its suppliers to the resellers to the end users as well as to the regulatory and political bodies that affect a company’s success. It then recruits professionals within this ecosystem to speak directly with clients to give them data points and insights into the marketplace. Finally, the company provides additional services, such as customized research reports, direct consultation with experts, self initiated analyst reports, conferences, and seminars.
While the traditional expert networks are catching on to the concept of panels and more push services, PGR has been executing this model for several years already. PGR’s approach is definitely well advanced and is, in our opinion, predictive of the direction that the expert networks will need to continue to pursue.