Support for Savage is up across the municipality, especially in the former City of Halifax and in the former county. Preference for Tom Martin continues to be highest in the Bedford/Sackville area, while support for Connors, Worona, and Hall is generally consistent across communities.

These results are part of the CRA Halifax Urban Report, an independent survey of Halifax Regional Municipality residents. The results are based on a sample of 400 adult residents, conducted from May 2 to May 8, 2012, with results accurate to within ±4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact: Don Mills, Chairman and CEO at (902) 493-3838 or Margaret Brigley, President and COO at (902) 493-3830.

View full media release here

“It is increasingly important for businesses today to understand what implications social media might have on a marketing strategy,” said Don Mills, Chairman and CEO of Corporate Research Associates. “Businesses need to know which social media platforms are being used by consumers, and by which audiences.  Our new report provides a cost effective way for businesses to get that insight.”

CRA’s SocialShadow report provides clear direction for social media strategies by offering detailed information on technology and social media usage among the general public.   SocialShadow includes insight from over 70 questions on a wide variety of social media platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and newer applications such as Pinterest, Google+ and Foursquare.  The report also includes information on general communication habits and the use of apps.

“If you’re marketing a product to young adults, which platform is most important?  Are ads on Facebook reaching the intended audience?  How are trends changing?” asked Mills.  “These are just a few examples of questions that are answered in our SocialShadow report.”

The results are from an independent survey of Atlantic Canadian adults, based on a sample of 1,906 random telephone interviews conducted in February 2012. Overall results are accurate to within plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times in 20.

“A key consideration for SocialShadow is that it is a telephone survey, rather than an online study.  By design, this approach allows us to truly understand how prevalent social media is in the general population, rather than in online audiences alone,” said Mills.  “This is a key consideration for any business as it contemplates shifting its marketing spend to non-traditional methods, as it is imperative that it understands which groups, are not actively engaged in various social media.” 

The SocialShadow report provides a detailed analysis of social media habits and includes a number of different reporting options.  Businesses can also choose a custom reporting option that looks at a specific population group, with their own products in mind.

For more information on SocialShadow or other CRA marketing research services contact:
Don Mills, Chairman and CEO, at 902.493.3820

With 26 years of progressive experience in the public and private sectors, locally, nationally and internationally, Margaret is well positioned to lead CRA into the future.  Margaret has been with CRA for the past 14 years and has assumed increasingly responsible positions over that period.   With a strong commitment to volunteerism, she is actively involved in both the local community and the national market research and intelligence industry.

“I have full confidence in Margaret’s abilities and look forward to continuing to work closely with her as she assumes responsibility for CRA’s operations,” said Don Mills.  “She is well respected as a research professional both locally and nationally and is an exceptional relationship building individual.”   Don will continue to be actively engaged in the business with a focus on business growth and development.   

Don also announced a number of other important changes to the executive management team.  Peter MacIntosh assumes the role of Executive Vice President, while Anna Moran and Margaret Chapman have each taken on the role of Vice President.
 
“This is an important time of transition for CRA as the company continues to be a leader in the market research industry,” said Don.  “We have an exceptional team of research professionals.  The strength of our people has been a major contributor to the company’s success since its founding in 1978.  I’m enthusiastic and excited about its ongoing evolution.” 

Corporate Research Associates

This survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in Atlantic Canada, benefiting the region’s economy, workforce and businesses.

We will be recognized and honored at the Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada awards ceremony coordinated by Progress magazine on May 17th and will be profiled in a special publication by Progress magazine in early June.  The final rankings will be announced at the event.

For more information on the Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada program, visit Best Places to Work.

Despite high levels of government satisfaction, support for the governing Progressive Conservative Party decreased. In terms of voting intentions, over one-half (54%, down from 60% three months ago) of decided voters back the PCs, while support for the NDP has been steadily increasing over the past year (28%, compared with 26% in November 2011, 24% in August 2011, and 8% one year ago). Just under two in ten (18%, up from 13%) prefer the Liberals, while less than one percent prefer the Green Party (unchanged). Two in ten are undecided, do not plan to vote, or did not state a preference (21% compared with 24%).

PC Leader Kathy Dunderdale’s personal popularity declined this quarter (48%, down from 59% three months ago). Preference for the next leader of the Liberal party increased slightly and rests at 13 percent (compared with 8%), while backing for NDP Leader Lorraine Michael is stable and rests at 22 percent (compared with 21%). Sixteen percent like none of these leaders or have no definite opinion at this time.

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a sample of 400 adult Newfoundland and Labrador residents.  The survey was conducted from February 13 to February 29, 2012 with overall results for the province accurate to within ± 4.9 percentage points in 95 out of 100 samples. 

For more information, please contact:  Margaret Brigley, Executive Vice President, at (902) 493-3830.

View full media release here.

In terms of voting intentions, one-half of decided voters back the Liberal Party (50%, down from 53% in November 2011), while one-third support the Progressive Conservative Party (33%, compared with 34%). Support for the Island New Democrats is stable (11%, compared with 9%), as is support for the Green Party (5%, compared with 4%). The number of Islanders who are undecided or refuse to state an opinion stands at 36 percent.

Liberal leader Robert Ghiz’s personal popularity declined this quarter. Presently, four in ten (41%, down from 50% in November 2011) residents prefer Ghiz for Premier, while Olive Crane, leader of the PC Party, has the backing of one-quarter of Islanders (26%, up from 22%). Support for James Rodd of the Island New Democrats is stable (6%, compared with 4%), while five percent favour Sharon Labchuk of the Green Party (compared with 3%). Meanwhile, one percent prefer Billy Cann, the leader of the Island Party of PEI (compared with less than 1%). Seven percent (compared with 11%) prefer none of these leaders, while 14 percent (compared with 11%) are undecided at this time.

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a sample of 300 adult Prince Edward Islanders, conducted from February 9 to February 26, 2012, with overall results accurate to within ± 5.7 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times. 

For more information, please contact: Margaret Brigley, Executive Vice President at (902) 493-3830.

View full media release here.

Voter support for the provincial PCs is stable, with over four in ten residents supporting the Progressive Conservative Party (45%, unchanged from three months ago). Three in ten New Brunswickers back the Liberals (31%, compared with 28%). Backing for the NDP is also stable (22%, compared with 23%), as is support for the Green Party (3%, unchanged). Less than one percent of decided voters back the People’s Alliance of New Brunswick (compared with 1%). Over four in ten residents are undecided, do not plan to vote, or refused to state a preference (45%, compared with 43%).

Support for David Alward declined, returning to levels in August 2011. Three in ten residents prefer Alward for Premier (31%, down from 36%), while the next leader of the Liberal Party is preferred by less than two in ten (17%, compared with 15%). Support for Dominic Cardy of the NDP stands at 11 percent (compared with 14%). Three percent (compared with 5%) prefer Jack MacDougall of the Green Party, while two percent (unchanged) prefer Kris Austin of the People’s Alliance of New Brunswick as Premier. Fifteen percent of New Brunswick residents like none of these leaders or prefer others, while two in ten do not offer a definite opinion.

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a sample of 400 adult New Brunswickers, conducted from February 16 to February 29, 2012, with overall results accurate to within ±4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.  
 
For more information, please contact: Margaret Brigley, Executive Vice President, at (902) 493-3830.

Ce communiqué de presse est également offert en français.

View full media release here.

Le support des électeurs accordé aux Progressistes-Conservateurs provinciaux est stable, avec plus de quatre résidents sur dix qui supportent le parti Progressiste-Conservateur (45 %, inchangé par rapport à il y a trois mois). Trois sur dix des Néo-Brunswickois supportent les Libéraux (31 %, par rapport à 28 %). Le support pour le NPD est stable (22 %, par rapport à 23 %), de même que le support pour le Parti Vert (3 %, inchangé). Moins d’un pour cent des électeurs supportent l’Alliance des gens du Nouveau-Brunswick (par rapport à 1 %). Plus de quatre résidents sur dix sont indécis, prévoient ne pas voter ou  refusent de préciser leur préférence (45 %, par rapport à 43 %).

Le support accordé à David Alward a diminué, retournant aux niveaux en août 2011. Trois résidents sur dix (31 %, en baisse par rapport à 36 %), disent qu’Alward est leur choix préféré comme premier ministre, tandis que le prochain chef du Parti Libéral est préféré par moins de deux résidents sur dix (17 %, par rapport à 15 %). Le support pour Dominic Cardy, le chef du NPD se situe à 11 % (par rapport à 14 %). Trois pour cent (par rapport à 5 %) préfèrent Jack MacDougall du Parti vert, tandis que deux pour cent (inchangé) préfèrent Kris Austin de l’Alliance des gens du Nouveau-Brunswick comme premier ministre. Quinze pour cent des résidents du Nouveau-Brunswick ne préfèrent aucun chef de parti en particulier ou préfèrent un autre chef, tandis que deux résidents sur dix n’ont pas d’opinion ferme.
 
Ces résultats, qui font partie du document Atlantic Quarterly® de CRA, un sondage indépendant auprès des adultes canadiens de l’Atlantique réalisé du 16 février au 29 février 2012 s’appuient sur un échantillon étendu de 400 Néo-Brunswickois. Les résultats sont exacts à l’intérieur de + 4,9 points de pourcentage, 95 fois sur 100.

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, veuillez communiquer avec :
Margaret Brigley, vice-présidente exécutive, au (902) 493-3830. 

This press release is also available in English.

 Cliquez ici pour voir le communiqué de presse.

In terms of voting intentions, support for the governing NDP is stable, with 44 percent of decided voters backing the NDP (compared with 45%). Support for the Liberal Party increased (27%, up from 22%), while support for the PC Party declined slightly (25%, down from 29%). Three percent prefer the Green Party (compared with 4%). Over four in ten are undecided, do not plan to vote, or did not offer a response (44%, compared with 40%).

Premier Darrell Dexter’s personal popularity decreased this quarter, with three in ten preferring Dexter for Premier (29%, down from 36%). Support for Stephen McNeil of the Liberal Party is stable (21%, compared with 22%), while support for Jamie Baillie of the PC Party increased slightly (22%, up from 18%). Preference for John Percy of the Green Party is stable at three percent (compared with 5%), while preference for Jonathan Dean of the Atlantica Party remains unchanged at one percent. Just under two in ten Nova Scotians (17%, compared with 14%) are undecided in terms of leader preference, while the remainder prefer none of these leaders (7%, compared with 5%).

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent, quarterly survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a sample of 806 adult Nova Scotians, conducted from February 8 to February 26, 2012, with overall results accurate to within ± 3.4 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact:
Margaret Brigley, Executive Vice President at (902) 493-3830.

 View full media release here.

These results are part of the CRA Halifax Urban Report, an independent survey of Halifax Regional Municipality residents. The overall results are based on a sample of 400 adult residents, conducted from February 6 to February 16, 2012, with results accurate to within +4.9 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.

For more information, please contact: Don Mills, President and CEO at (902) 493-3838.

View full media release here.