PRESS RELEASE
Sunday, 31 July 2005

After several years of annual growth rates of 30-50%, the Nordic based online research institute Zapera still has full steam ahead. The first half of 2005 shows sales up nearly 40% with profits despite massive investments in people and new markets. This remarkable growth has lead to almost a tripling of number of staff during the last couple of years.

”It is difficult not to be satisfied with the growing market demand for and accept of online as a full proven research-method. All major research companies in Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark now offer this solution, although in the past we did see quite some reluctance to the method. Zapera has a unique position in the market since we have the largest experience in the Nordic region with online-research and have more than 40 competent and highly qualified employees at our offices in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Helsinki” says Managing Director Lars Lund-Nielsen.

As the first research institute in the Nordic countries, Zapera conducted opinion polls over the internet in the autumn of 2001. Since then the company, which is solely focusing on online research, has set the standard for internet research in the Nordic region – by, among other things, conducting online exit polls in Sweden and other countries. So far, Zapera has conducted 3,000 online surveys – meaning that more than one survey is being launched every day in their Nordic and Estonian panel of 80,000 members!

”From the very beginning, the focus of Zapera has been that our net based method should provide an attractive alternative to traditional methods such as polls conducted by telephone or mail. Therefore, we put much emphasis on securing the quality and representativity in our research. We are happy to see, that quality conscious clients of research in the Nordic countries have acknowledged this. Among our customers I can mention SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), Nordea (the largest Banking Company in the Nordic Countries), the National Danish Broadcasting Company and Kellogg’s” says Jens N. Laugesen, Zapera´s Research Manager.

In the Nordic countries the total research market is approx. €700 mill. of which online research still accounts for less than 10%. In the years to come the share is expected to grow immensely – primarily at the expense of traditional telephone based research. Zapera is ready and able to take their part of this growth.

”In the US, which is usually 2-3 years ahead of Europe when it comes to research, the online share is now close to 30% of the total market. I have no doubt, that within the next years we will see online research grow even further. It is my ambition and belief, that Zapera will be one of the leading forces in this development. We have the necessary experience, competence, quality and reliability. Our aim is still to be the leading and most innovative provider of online research in the Nordic and Baltic area within the next 3 years”, says Lars Lund-Nielsen.

Further information:

Managing Director Lars Lund-Nielsen, mobile phone (+45) 4080 8040 or e-mail lln@zapera.com

Research Manager Jens N. Laugesen, mobile phone (+45) 2516 1995 or e-mail jnl@zapera.com