Athena is headed up by Sarah Jane Johnson and  Jeff Hecker.

In our careers we've held senior roles, client-side, with research companies and at some of the world's top ad agencies.

We work with a team of other senior experts we can draw on depending on what your project requires.

Athena is headed up by Sarah Jane Johnson and  Jeff Hecker.

In our careers we've held senior roles, client-side, with research companies and at some of the world's top ad agencies.

We work with a team of other senior experts we can draw on depending on what your project requires.

Sarah Jane Johnson

Principal

In a past life, Sarah worked as an Account Planner at agencies in New York, London, and Toronto which has given her a deep knowledge of best practice in brand communications, as well as a rich understanding of the cultural nuances in all three markets.

In her life as a researcher, Sarah has worked in almost every category and with every customer target; from confectionery to cars, from technology to toys, from packaged goods to pharmaceuticals, from financial services to food, and from women and children to boomers and business decision-makers.  She is experienced in all qualitative approaches with a particular expertise in Semiotic Analysis.

Sarah studied Anthropology, Philosophy and English at McGill University and went on to pursue further studies in English at Cambridge. She is a Riva-trained moderator, and has also been trained in Creative Problem Solving (CPSI). She has presented papers at a range of conferences, including Quirk's, QRCA, QRCA Global, and Semiofest.

Jeff Hecker

Principal

Jeff is a seasoned marketing researcher and strategist. Jeff’s 15 years of experience includes work at advertising agencies like MacLaren McCann, JWT, and Bensimon Byrne, work in the marketing groups of companies like Rogers, Yellow Pages, and Xplornet, and supplier-side research experience with companies like Fresh Squeezed Ideas and Athena Brand Wisdom, where he is currently a Principal.

Jeff has substantial experience with brand and communications strategy, development, and research, and with user research of all kinds, including prototype research and website usability research.

Jeff is a RIVA-trained moderator and a member in good standing of the Qualitative Research Consultant’s Association (QRCA), and also serves as the Associate Editor at Vue, the magazine of Canada’s Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA).  Jeff has an MBA in Marketing from the Schulich School of Business at York University, and a degree in English Literature and Semiotics from the University of Toronto.

Our Global Partners

Why deal with junior researchers at big global agencies when you can have the experience and service orientation of an independent consultant in every market?

We are a member of Think Global Qualitative, an international network of senior Qualitative Consultants, providing local expertise in markets that matter.

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