London, UK. 12 June 2012 -- UK customer insight group Beyond Analysis is extending its operations to the USA, having secured its first North American customer. Data analytics expert Hunter Albright has been appointed Chief Executive Officer for North America and Global Head of Consulting.

The move to the US comes at a time when many companies in North America are struggling to understand and strengthen their relationships with customers. Studies suggest that traditional customer loyalty programmes are failing[i], with just one in six (17 per cent) US consumers saying their purchasing decisions are influenced by loyalty programmes[ii].

Beyond Analysis will focus on using its expertise in Big Data analytics and insight. It will help clients in the US to develop targeted loyalty programs that deliver incremental revenue by driving deeper customer engagement.

USA expansion will be driven by Hunter Albright, a US national who brings more than two decades of value-driven analytics expertise to his role as Chief Executive Officer, North America and Global Head of Consulting. Hunter’s technical background combined with leading commercial roles at Knowledge Network International (KNI), which he co-founded, HBOS Cards Services and Barclaycard in the UK, and Partners First (formerly Wachovia Bank) and Providian in the US, give him an understanding of the North American commercial landscape.

Announcing Beyond Analysis’ expansion to the US, Hunter Albright said: "The US is the natural next step for Beyond Analysis, building on success to date in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Consumer-facing organisations the world over are facing very similar challenges: how to effectively engage customers at a time of rapidly evolving consumer behaviour and unprecedented growth in the volume, variety and velocity of customer data.

"We are committed to using our unique blend of highly sophisticated analytics technology and commercial understanding to help companies in the US discover and make use of the patterns and opportunities locked inside their raw data. We are extremely excited to be entering this thriving, competitive and stimulating market."

Paul Alexander, Group CEO and Co-Founder of Beyond Analysis said: "After launching in 2007 and expanding our business during some of the worst economic times in recent history, I am incredibly proud that Beyond Analysis has embarked upon an ambitious global growth strategy. Late last year, we opened our new office in Singapore and today I am delighted to announce our expansion into the US and welcome Hunter Albright to the team. He is an industry veteran with a wealth of expertise in helping businesses to turn their data into profitable customer relationships and he will remain central to our company’s success over the coming years."