[ press Release ]
It is with great sadness that we share with you word of the passing of Dr. Maura Clancey, award-winning media researcher and irreplaceable member of the Knowledge Networks family.
All who knew her were impressed and inspired by Maura's passion for research – for helping clients find just the right solution to their media questions and challenges. Her devotion to her family – especially her sons, Alex and Greg, and her husband, John – was immeasurable.
Maura obtained all three of her degrees at the University of Maryland – a B.A. in Government and Politics; an M.A. in Speech Communication; and a Ph.D. in Public Communication. Early in her career, she became Research Director at the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network (C-SPAN) in Washington, D.C.
Maura joined the gold-standard research firm Statistical Research, Inc.(SRI), in 1989 and there broke new ground in studying media; she developed or advanced invaluable ideas about understanding engagement with media, including the concepts of "eyes-on" and "ears-on minutes" and "in the room" in relation to the measurement of TV use. She also originated the How People Use® media methodology.
Maura played a crucial role in the S*M*A*R*T TV ratings laboratory of the 1990s, which was created by SRI and funded by the industry to develop innovative approaches to TV measurement in the digital age. Maura was also instrumental in creating MultiMedia Mentor®, a high-accuracy approach to measuring digital and traditional media use and allocating advertising spend; Mentor led to ESPN's "All Day Every Day" cross-media program and to KN's Total Touch.
When Knowledge Networks acquired SRI in 2001, Maura became the lynchpin of our Media practice, winning the loyalty and respect of the most influential clients. She continued to be directly involved in key media projects for KN until only a few days ago.
It is impossible to sum up the loss of Maura's enthusiasm, wisdom, and creativity at KN. We honor her achievements and marvel at her passion for life, which never waned. Finally, we send our condolences and support to her family in this time of great loss.
Simon Kooyman
CEO
Donations in Memory of Maura Clancey
Per her family, in lieu of flowers, donations in her name would be appreciated to either the American Cancer Society or the Jefferson Foundation (supporting Thomas Jefferson University Hospital), 925 Chestnut St., Suite 110, Philadelphia, PA 19107
