We are pleased to announce the launch of our Breakthrough Research division. The division will be led by Karen D. Cyphers, Ph.D., who will serve as the firm’s new vice president of research and policy.

Breakthrough Research specializes in quantitative and qualitative analysis for public policy, comparative state and public opinion research, data collection and message testing. The division also will serve the firm’s integrated marketing and public affairs clients with its concept testing and consumer research-driven capabilities to help measure campaigns and create effective, relevant content.
“The most successful campaigns to promote ideas, issues, products, candidates and services are guided by smart front-end research analysis,” said Ron Sachs, president and CEO of Sachs Media Group. “‘Big Data’ is generating big buzz, and we’ve established Breakthrough Research to help our clients identify actionable intel to improve their relationships and engagement with customers and constituents.”

The division will provide a strategic advantage to the firm’s clients, projects and collaborators by offering original data collection and analysis, surveys, focus groups, data visualization, market analysis, online monitoring, policy papers with original insights, needs assessments, funding proposals, economic forecasting projects and opposition research.

“Organizations are often left to rely on outdated or barely applicable data to advocate for their issues or to guide strategy – and that compromises success,” Cyphers said. “We collect fresh, relevant and targeted data, and offer comprehensive, original analyses – all aimed at winning campaigns, customers and public support.”

Cyphers served as director of health care policy for the Florida Medical Association from 2008 to 2012, and directed policy for two gubernatorial campaigns. She holds a doctoral degree in political science from Florida State University, where she is also an adjunct instructor. Her academic research focuses on experimental design, political behavior and health care policy.

“Karen’s academic background and public policy awareness offer the perfect skillset to tackle problems and provide data-driven strategies,” said Timothy J. Stapleton, executive vice president of the Florida Medical Association. “Her expertise and genuine interest in experimental design and statistical analyses have been huge assets to our organization and legislative priorities.”