IMPACT has one of the longest and most distinguished track records of any media analysis service in the world. It has a strong reputation across the international PR spectrum from science and technology and consumer PR to corporate affairs and crisis communications.
In 1988, at the request of a client, a PR firm called Infopress developed an innovative media analysis system that made it possible to track client messages in editorial copy and broadcast coverage using independent, externally located analysts.
The system - named IMPACT - was an instant success with Infopress clients and it wasn't long before there was demand for the IMPACT service from other organisations. By 1990, companies outside the client base were beginning to use the service and in 1994 it was decided to launch the media analysis operation as a separate subsidiary.
Now, IMPACT is a completely independent company, headquartered in Southampton. Its clients include large well-known companies (and some not so large), Government agencies and other public sector bodies and PR consultancies.
Since the early days, IMPACT has undergone a continuous programme of development, evolution and improvement with many recent developments coming from clients, business partners and IMPACT's team of analysts. Recent years have seen IMPACT forming strong international links. One important development has been the addition of a number of Internet related services.
Dermot McKeone BSc FIPR
Dermot McKeone has over 20 years PR experience and has spent over 13 years in media analysis and evaluation. Author of "Small Computers for Business and Industry" and "Measuring your Media Profile" (both Gower Press), he has been a key figure in the application of media analysis, evaluation techniques and information technology to the PR industry. Since going into PR consultancy in 1973, Dermot McKeone has headed various PR teams. He was also the founding Chairman of the PRCA's Industry and Technology Group, has served on the PRCA's Board of Management and Chaired the PRCA's Education and Training Committee for two years. He was treasurer of the Association of Media Evaluation Companies in its first year. He is a Fellow of the IPR. In his early career, he spent three years as a journalist and a year in engineering research.
Robert Walker BSc PhD MRSC CChem MISTC
Joined Infopress in 1983 from ICI Petrochemicals and Plastics Division where he started as a Research Chemist. He then moved to the Technical Intelligence Department. Worked as an account director on various clients at Infopress Limited before moving full time into systems management and development of IMPACT. Rob has a degree in Physical Chemistry and a PhD in mathematical modeling. He is responsible for the development of the IMPACT consolidation and validation software and is currently working on future development phases.
The IMPACT team comprises a small headquarters staff and accounts department, based in Southampton, and our analysts and report writers based in various places throughout the UK and overseas. All our analysts have media and communications backgrounds and undergo regular training to ensure consistency of interpretation.