Discover how the world’s leading brands are engaging customers online by using everything from interactive surveys to branded VIP communities to virtual shopping exercises in 3D environments.  Companies can now react quicker to changing environments, identify trends faster and develop a deeper understanding of their consumers by creating an on-going dialogue with them.  The insights gained are being used to develop more successful ads, better products and more robust services.  The technology driving this change is coming from a Vancouver based company called Vision Critical who is considered the world leader of interactive research and branded customer advisory communities.

We are pleased to have Scott Switzer, Retail Practice Director, within Vision Critical’s Sales & Marketing division share his story and knowledge during the evening. Over the last 3 years Scott has been instrumental in working with some of our largest retail & CPG clients including Kodak, American Eagle, Office Max, Ann Taylor and DSW shoes.  He oversees all aspects of building client relationships with leading retailers throughout North America, showing them how branded online communities and interactive research brings the voice of their customer into their organization.  Prior to joining Vision Critical, Scott worked in a variety of sales capacities within the worlds of both technology and publishing.  Before entering the "real" business forum, Scott was a professional musician signed to the EMI/Capitol Records Label, and in 2001 was nominated for a Juno Award in the "Best New Group" category.  Scott has a degree in Audio Engineering & Production from Columbia, and is planning for his MBA.  Scott was born and raised (and lives still) on Vancouver's North Shore.