The Audience Research Foundation (ARF) has tapped a media research veteran for the post of EVP Media, ARF has announced.

It’s TVWeek friend David Marans, whose last position was Research Director at A&E Networks.

Marans spent 25 years doing research on the agency side of the business, first at Young & Rubicam and then J Walter Thompson, which, on the media side, eventually evolved into Mindshare.

In 2005 he left the agency side of the business and joined IAG Research, which was eventually sold to Nielsen Media Research.

Bob Barocci, ARF President & CEO, said, in a statement, “This is a significant day for the ARF. As the industry evolves, the need for fact-based advertising thought leadership has grown exponentially, reflected by the fact that the ARF has attracted over 100 new members in the past 18 months. The advertiser and agency industry leaders that dominate the new member community are coming with high expectations regarding the value that the ARF must deliver. World-class executives like David Marans are essential for the ARF to meet these demands, and we are very fortunate to have attracted someone of his stature.”