Scarborough Research reports that its former President, Bob Cohen, has lost his battle with cancer. He was 58.
Cohen had taken a leave of absence for medical reasons in November 2009. Scarborough announced in October 2010 that he would not be returning to the company. Prior to that medical leave he had spent 16 years with the research company and was its president from 1993 to 2009.
Dr. Cohen was known in the industry for transforming Scarborough into a multifaceted research company that captures consumer behavior information and media usage data on the local market level. Under his leadership, Scarborough became a successful joint partnership between The Nielsen Company and Arbitron and expanded its client base to include local media companies, advertising/media agencies and sports teams and leagues, Scarborough said of its former leader. The company noted that it also achieved Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation for its signature services, and expanded the measured local markets to more than 100 during his tenure at Scarborough.
Cohen served as president of the Market Research Consortium, chair of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO), and was a member of the board of directors of Marketing Research Institute International. Prior to Scarborough, Dr. Cohen held leadership positions at Yankelovich Partners and The Los Angeles Times among other companies.
“Bob was a dynamic leader, respected CEO, passionate academic and a cherished friend,” said Gregg Lindner, executive vice president service innovation and chief research officer at Arbitron, who headed Scarborough for about a year after Cohen began his medical leave. “He will be missed by all of us who had the honor of working with him and of knowing him personally,” added Linder, who worked with Cohen for 16 years.
Scarborough is in the process of establishing a memorial fund for a yearly internship in Dr. Cohen’s honor.
