a logo for performance research building impact for experiential marketing

We research experiences!

As the world’s first research firm focused on experiential marketing and fan engagement, we believe the key to maximizing impact is to dig deep, go beyond a dashboard of big data and artificial intelligence, and "humanize" the connections you are making.


Let us help you explore the deepest layers of audience passion points, pain points, and emotional triggers, and build stronger, more meaningful, and lasting connections.

4 decades of global experiential research with over 100

leading brands, rights holders, NGBs, and non-profits.

These are our lanes-


Brand Partnerships

Performance Research is a sponsorship research pioneer. We literally wrote the book on sponsorship impact and brand loyalty, moving the industry to prove its value with rigorous research and measurement. With four decades of experience, we help brands find the sweet spot where a partnership and activation align, making experiential marketing more meaningful and memorable. Whether pre-testing partnerships or tracking success, our  framework is holistic - we don't just measure ROI, but ROI and ROR: Return on Relationship.



Sports Properties

Sports properties have two parallel goals: create the most compelling experience for fans and transfer that feeling into lasting relationships. We have worked with the world's leading properties to create actionable intelligence around those dual goals. Our property work includes naming rights research, sponsorship retention insights, fan engagement and "lost fan" re-engagement intelligence, ticketing strategies and more. We help leading properties step up their audience and partnership strategies so they can exceed their goals.

While the sports world and the arts & entertainment world have some marketing goals in common, the challenges can be steeper with entertainment and live events; entertainment options have never been more saturated, and winning consumer attention is no easy task. From film festivals to concert tours, theme parks to art museums, we research what makes or breaks the single day experiences from the human perspective, and help clients strategically build partnerships that will enhance attendee experiences in the future.


Festivals & Arts

Youth Sports

Youth sports are significant life experiences, building  camaraderie, confidence, and community. While kids are the centerpiece, parents steer the decisions, making marketing a complex task. From youth soccer to girls tackle football, our research has created roadmaps for our clients to optimize connections with their stakeholders: athletes, parents, partners and funders, coaches and the community. We have helped youth sports programs across the country maximize engagement and positive experiences in the future.



NGBs

NGBs often have similar goals: to build their respective sport, drive competitive excellence, and set high ethical standards. But with diverse stakeholders, multiple programs, and finite resources, the hurdles can be high. Solid research gives NGBs the data and insights they need to set priorities, enhance program effectiveness, optimize member engagement, boost revenue, and ultimately expand reach and impact.

Private Clubs and Associations

Shifting demographics, membership retention and growth, resolving conflicts and setting priorities-  clubs and associations are facing mounting challenges. We can design objective research programs that support strategic planning, stimulate program development, drive revenue, and bring our experience of working with some of the most storied clubs and  associations in the U.S.

You know that "doing good" is your mission, but do you know how to harness and amplify that good? We work with leading non-profits, universities, health organizations, public broadcasting, and social advocacy groups to understand brand image, communication platforms, and action plans, all to maximize public support and mission impact.


NPO's / Education


Pro-Social Impact

What is your Return on Purpose? Our breakthrough measurement framework, Pro-Social Valuation, uses rigorous research and economic algorithms to identify outcomes of social good programs and the dollar value they return to society. Visit our sister company PSV to learn more about this new approach for quantifying social impact.

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Things we love to do- 







Partnership Impact

& Tracking


We go far beyond the basic statistics, media metrics and mere social media impressions.  We dive deep into the human connections that matter, assessing not just the reach but the real return on relationship.







 Fan Feedback Reports


Properties work to build the best experience. But is it ideal for fans?  Post-event feedback gives fans a voice that helps shape events for an optimal experience and added revenue.




Economic

Impact Analysis


Understanding the economic impact of events is vital for demonstrating value to stakeholders and securing funding. We provide transparent EI reports covering all forms of spending.







Re-engaging Lost

and Lapsed Fans


Research can uncover reasons behind fan withdrawal, and find strategies to re-engage fans. Reverse trends, and transform indifferent audiences into enthusiastic advocates, adding re-found life into your fan base.





Tailoring to

Niche Markets


Experiential marketing has the ability to reach unique markets in a common language on their own turf.  Research helps find these audiences and tailor programs and communications to ensure  authenticity and lasting  bonds.





Fan

Segmentation


Fan Segmentation is key to unlocking the full potential of experiential marketing. Dividing audiences by characteristics, preferences, and behavior, research can raise engagement, loyalty, and long-term success. 





Ticket Price Optimization


Setting the right ticket price is a delicate balance between maximizing attendance and achieving financial goals. Our research analyzes demand patterns, price sensitivity, and the cost/value perspective of fans.







Venue Naming Rights




Venue sponsorships provide tremendous visibility outside, but do they convey the brand's values and commitment to fans? Research helps ensure fan appreciation, far beyond what title sponsorship  alone can achieve.

Simple & Powerful Experiential Marketing Research Tools

We go deep and wide in research methods to reveal the whole "human" story: 

Signposts of success, opportunities for growth, and always the pure truth.


On-Site Research

Get real-time insights with our dedicated on-site research team , capturing in-the-moment reactions and interactions to deliver authentic data on the ground. Our team loves challenges, knows how to engage fans,  and always delivers. 


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Online Research

Simple online research can be quick and actionable, but top-level experiential marketing programs rely on our seasoned research experts to ensure valid data and insights.

 

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Qualitative Discussion Groups

We dive deep into consumer mindsets with qualitative focus groups, fostering rich discussions that reveal the emotions, motivations, and concerns that drive your audience.


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On-Site Mini Groups

On-site min-group blend the immediacy of on-site feedback with the depth of qualitative engagement. This approach taps into experiences when passion is highest, and implementation can be made "on-the-fly".


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Observational Research

Uncover the unspoken truths of consumer behavior with observational research, providing a lens into the natural interactions and decisions of your audience.


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Secondary  Research

Leverage existing knowledge with our secondary research, synthesizing data from multiple sources to build a comprehensive understanding of your target market and strategies.


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Non-Event Experiential Marketing

Not all experiential marketing involves events. It can be anywhere, any time, any place, in big crowds or at home.  All it needs are shared values, feelings and expressions that can be aligned with marketing philosophies and goals. 


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Expert Witness / Legal Consulting

As industry experts grounded by research and bound by honesty, we can be relied upon to separate fact from fiction in legal decisions in sports and entertainment circles.

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Strategic Consulting

All of our primary research is embedded with expert consulting, but often our years of expertise alone is tapped to solve problems and unleash opportunities

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We would love to hear from you-


phone:   +1 401-848-0111

email:    hello@performanceresearch.com

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We are here to help

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