Music Research is recognized as the first full-service marketing research organization devoted exclusively to the study of popular music and consumers. From 1974 through 2004, Music Research has continuously conducted consumer-based Record Test^SM surveys from its home base in the cultural "melting pot" of Southern California.

Founded by music industry veteran Larry Heller, in association with ASI Market Research, the system was born as an auditorium-based listening/viewing experience, where weekly sessions were conducted with hundreds of "wired" respondents, turning interest-tracking dials and wearing galvanic skin sensors (!) at the experimental Preview House in Los Angeles. In 1980, the auditorium-based methodology evolved into the country's first music consumer panel, which has mushroomed into today's national and international MusicLovers^® panel. Since those early days, millions of listeners have participated in Record Test sessions and given their opinions to songs from emerging and superstar artists from all the major Recording companies, comprising a virtual who's-who of the music industry over the past three decades.

MRC's online MusicLovers^® and Record Test Online ("RTO") surveys were introduced in 2004. The entry-level MusicLovers^® Surveys provide exposure and instant access to responses from the national and international MusicLovers^® Panel at extremely affordable prices. The comprehensive RTO survey combines all the features of the legendary Record Test survey with the ease, speed and economy of online fulfillment.

Consumers' responses to each tested song are collected, tabulated and statistically compared to those for thousands of tested songs that have been released in the marketplace, and ultimately either climbed or fallen off the Billboard charts according to their consumer acceptance and response. These historical projections of potential for listener acceptance and consumer response are at the very heart of MRC's work. Thus, MRC has provided "The Measure of Success" to the music industry since 1974.

Our Client Roster

Over the past three decades, our clientele has included virtually all of the major and independent labels distributed by the big 4 (Sony/BMG, EMI, Warner, and Universal), as well as major entertainment companies, including:

Music Research surveys include hundreds of artists over three decades, including those listed below: