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Our Story


Advantage Market Intelligence Ltd. was founded in 2014, after working almost twenty years in agency and client side roles.  My background includes media, local government, education and more generalist agencies. I also spent six years in EMEA and global roles, managing research and market intelligence for a Fortune 500, translating insight into action.

One benefit of this diverse background is a first-hand appreciation of business challenges such as market entry, working with channel partners and staying current with shifting customer needs and competitor activity.  
 
In 2019, we opened our second office in Lima, Peru. I am often asked 'why Peru?' and the simple answer is... my wife. We met in the UK when she was completing her PhD and we now spend time in both countries.  

We actually do more work in other parts of Latin America, than we do in Peru.  This has included political research in Puerto Rico, store audits in Bolivia, concept testing in Guatemala, 'market orientation' focus groups with simultaneous translation for clients visiting Colombia as well as multiple projects in the main markets of Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile. We regularly work with a network of local partners and interviewers across all of Latin America and the Caribbean. This approach allows us to rapidly scale capabilities, exactly when and where needed and include local understanding.  
 
Advantage continues to grow in both continents, but we retain our focus on delighting our clients. Projects are managed with consistency and rigour by our team.  A fusion of Latin energy and creativity with European standards.

We are on a fantastic journey and it is a privilege to share it with a great team.

 

 

Kevin Simmonds     

Samantha
May
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Marketing Executive

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Meet the Team

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Kevin Simmonds

A career researcher with over twenty-five years' experience including both agency and international client-side market research roles.  

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Hector Alfaro 

Hector has a diverse business background spanning over forty years. He manages our operations in Peru. 

Maria Jesus Alfaro PhD

Maria Jesus Alfaro PhD

Maria Jesus (MaJe) is a bi-lingual researcher with over ten years' experience in urban, social and commercial topics.  MaJe manages projects across Latin America. 

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Stephanie Hawkins

Stephanie is an international business graduate with a specialism in market intelligence. Her commercial background includes international trade and retail. 

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Marisol Tang

Marisol has a degree in Business Administration and is an experienced Project Manager. She manages our fieldwork teams in Peru and across Latin America. 

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Claudia Vega

Claudia has a degree in tourism administration and specialism in the public sector.  Her experience includes public management, volunteering and development of social and research programmes. 

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Claudia has also manged her own business prior to joining Advantage.   

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Four core values guide our operations in the UK, in Peru and with our local country partners. 

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We recently had feedback that the website gave a 'no nonsense' view and that is probably a good reflection of how we work with our clients:

  • We will not promise what we can't deliver. 

  • We have regular meetings to update on progress and share early findings.  

  • We will tell you if a project is not going to plan and the required corrective actions.

  • We creatively find solutions to meet your needs. 

  • We invest in information sources such as IbisWorld and Statista. 

  • We operate in full compliance with industry codes of conduct and legal requirements, without exception. 

  • Our local partners are selected based on trust and fit with the project needs, not on commission.

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