An important ingredient in getting the right solution is in having the technical skills to know how to find one.
There are lots of people doing market research and data science, but there are relatively few who have a blend of the necessary social science and business skills to do it well. And “passion,” which seems to be a pre-requisite for most marketing professionals these days, won’t overcome the absence of the right skills.
With Horizon you get people who are not only trained to the pinnacle of their professions in data science, social science, statistics and data analytics and presentation, you have people who also have the best training in business management.
Our team lives and works globally and has experience within a wide range of industries and product categories, from technology to transportation and luxury retail to liquor and financial services.
Dr. Ian Cesa – President
Ph.D. Research Psychology, University of Southern California, USA
Dr. Ian Cesa is one of the world’s leading experts on consumer data science. He is the founder and president of Horizon Consumer Science, where he has developed a strong consumer science practice in the areas of corporate and product positioning, segmentation, brand equity, new product development, customer satisfaction and marketing/advertising effectiveness. For over 25 years, Ian has been leading applied data science in the business sector, and for over 15 years has developed what is now being called applied Artificial Intelliegence in the form of data and human intelligence algorithms. Dr. Cesa previously taught market research in the MBA program at USC. At USC, Ian studied under Rand Wilcox, the guru of Robust Statistics. He speaks globally at many conferences on consumer data science.
Mike Feely – COO
B.A. Behavioural Science, Latrobe University, Australia
M.B.A. Deakin University, Australia
Michael is an expert on consumers and their behavior around the globe, having helped brands and retailers understand their consumers and/or solve their business challenges in more than 30 countries. Michael is Horizon’s Chief Operating Officer, and has been with Horizon for over 20 years, first in Los Angeles, and then London (over 10 years ago) to run Horizon’s joint venture global research program that provided insight to aid brand development, marketing strategies and the performance of a high profile client base (Diageo, Estee Lauder, LVMH, L’Oreal, Nestle, Pernod Ricard, etc). Michael now lives in Melbourne and works in Horizon’s Australian office.
Dr. Jan Muska – Lead Statistician
Ph.D. Quantitative Psychology, University of Southern California, USA
Jan initiated his statistics career at USC, where he worked with his advisor, Rand Wilcox, a well-known statistician and “father” of robust statistics. Jan has been working for Horizon Consumer Science since 1996, first in a capacity of a project director. However, his efficient handling of data eventually landed him in the position of senior statistician whose responsibility was data handling, analysis, and data visualization. He also developed various systems and routines helping Horizon to be more efficient and smarter with using its data, including the use of robust statistics. This way, Jan has his hands in pretty much all the quantitative projects Horizon has handled since 2000.
Jon Ammerman – Lead Software and Data Engineer
B.S. Computer Science, University of Washington, USA
At Horizon Consumer Science, Jon leads data technology, IT, research and development efforts, and software engineering. He directs and implements data acquisition and assessment solutions with a focus on non-linear quantitative studies across multiple platforms. Jon applies data analysis and scientific methodologies in finding creative solutions to complex business questions. He is versed in cloud computing and server technology, several core technology languages, and Python, S-PLUS, RStudio, and Eclipse. Prior to joining Horizon, he developed web training & simulation programs for the US military.
Dr. Morgan Cesa – Lead Data Scientist
Ph.D. Mathematics, University of Utah, USA
Dr. Morgan Cesa is a data scientist and mathematical thinker who uses numbers, statistics, visualization, and advanced analysis techniques to solve problems. In 2016, she completed a Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Utah, where she studied geometric properties of high dimensional linear (matrix) groups, including the complexity of filling in “loops” in those spaces. Her talents for rigorous logical thinking and for communicating precise ideas, cultivated in graduate school, carry over to data science perfectly – both to the analysis behind the results and to the communication of those results. Morgan now lives and works in Seattle, where she is a data scientist for Horizon Consumer Science.
Andy Downer – VP Business Development
E.M.B.A., Pepperdine University, USA
Andy is a native Englishman who has lived and worked in the UK, Spain, South Africa and currently resides in Southern California. He has worked for, advised and consulted with start-ups, SMBs and corporates such as Mercer Consulting and Microsoft Business Solutions. After working on the divestiture of a business division of Microsoft Business Solutions, Andy built an international channel from ground zero in South Africa for Northgate, a UK based company. His successes prompted leadership to send him stateside to become VP and General Manager of the US business with responsibility for all territories outside of Europe. Andy is known for his networking and his ability to look into the future and build longer term strategies for thought leading companies such as Horizon.
Nicole Mo – Leading Consumer Behaviour Specialist
M.B. Master of Business, Monash University, Australia
Nicole is an analyst at Horizon who studied and grew up in China. Since joining Horizon in 2017, she has brought strong cultural understanding of Asian markets and consumers, and has taken on qualitative analysis and quantitative research according to Horizon’s needs. Prior to joining Horizon, Nicole assisted the launch of AU GMB, an overseas tile retailer, in the Australian market. She singlehandedly performed market analysis to find target audiences, adapt the product to Australia, and optimally arrange communication channels with target customers to generate awareness and footfall.
Skye Stamey – VP Client Success
B.S. Psychology, Old Dominion University, USA
Skye re-joined Horizon Consumer Science in 2018, having previously worked for HCS from 2003-2013. Skye designs, manages, conducts and reports a broad array of ad-hoc international quantitative and qualitative research studies. During her sabbatical from HCS Skye worked for a New Zealand-based data visualization and analysis tools company managing their largest engagement with Microsoft. She led a cross-functional team turning around highly visible data deliverables in tight timeframes for Microsoft’s largest worldwide market research study. Prior to joining Horizon Consumer Science Skye worked for Fleishman-Hillard in Washington, D.C. as a Managing Supervisor in their newly formed interactive department from 1999-2003. Her projects were awarded Public Relations Society of America’s Bronze Anvil, The Holmes Report’s Bronze and Silver SABRE and PR Week’s New Media Site of the Year.
Denise Daniels – VP Data Science and AI Consulting
Ph.D. Research Psychology, University of Colorado, USA
Dr. Denise Daniels is a behavioral data scientist who has built and delivered data driven strategies with Silicon Valley start-ups for over 20 years. Denise has spearheaded revenue and customer growth initiatives using data-intelligence with organizations such as Oracle Corporation, Pearson Education, the VA Hospital, Education.com and Palo Alto University. Her passion for all things data is reflected in the results she and her teams have delivered, including quadrupling revenue for an online education program in three years and the growth of a commercial parenting website from 40,000 to seven million visitors per month. Residing in Palo Alto, Denise is now the Vice President of Data Science & AI Consulting for Horizon Consumer Science, a global business that is based in Irvine.