Chris Wilson

Focus
Chris is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading and most credible public opinion research and research-based strategic consultants.  He has conducted thousands of public opinion surveys for hundreds of candidates, companies and political organizations. 

Chris specializes in opinion research geared toward winning campaigns, be they political or corporate, product challenges, public issue contests or legislative battles. He understands that to win, messages and issues must burn through the clutter and reach their target audience.  Chris is able to identify and overcome obstacles through targeted communication based on strategically researched solutions.  Furthermore, he understands that research is an evolving science and he utilizes cutting edge techniques in order to stay well ahead of his competitors.

Pertinent Background & Relationships

• Former Global Director of Research for Weber Shandwick International, the largest PR firm in the world at the time.
• Involved in conducting research for dozens of associations.  His work runs the gamut from membership studies to massive public communication efforts.
• Pioneered the use of research in helping those involved in short-term, crisis management problems.
• Considered one of the country’s foremost experts on employee and membership communications, having designed and conducted the pioneering studies in this area.
• Extensive background in campaign strategy, political media and message development.  He has been particularly involved in many successful political campaigns in the Southern and Midwestern regions.  In 1999, Wilson was named a “Mover and Shaker” in American politics by Campaigns & Elections magazine – a campaign industry publication.
• Past association clients include more than half of those on the Fortune most powerful list.

Credentials

• A frequent lecturer on research, strategy and national trends, Wilson is regularly quoted in such national publications as the Washington Post, the Washington Times, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. 
• Regular pundit on MSNBC, Fox News, CNN and C-SPAN.
• Instructor on public policy research at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
• Lecturer on the science of measuring corporate reputation at the Stern School of Business at New York University and the Price School of Business at the University of Oklahoma.
• Published over 50 articles and columns in industry trade publications and newspapers.
• Spoken on research and political trends at more than two dozen conventions, trade shows and conferences over the past two years.
• Designed and trademarked several research methodologies, including Message Mapping and Donor Enhancement Research.
• Earned the Expert level Professional Researcher Certification by the Market Research Association of America.
• Graduate of the University of Oklahoma and Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Chris now lives in Oklahoma City, commuting to Washington most weeks, with his wife Kathryn and their two sons, Denver (6) and Carson (4).

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