US-based B2B and B2C data specialist Info USA is set to be the latest new entrant to the business data market, announcing its intention to compile a database of up to three million business records.
The new dataset will be complied using publicly-available data together with specially commissioned telephone research. Info USA declined to comment to provide further information, who will be managing it within the UK or when the file will be ready for the market. However, it did state that the project would be handled from Manchester and data would be resold in a variety of formats, including via customised list products, online access, subscription services and license agreements to value added resellers.
Info USA is understood to rival D&B as one of the largest providers of business data for marketing purposes in the United States, managing data on over 14 million businesses and 210 million consumers.
The proposed new entrant arrives at a time of consternation for existing UK business data providers, with concerns that pressure on price may be driving down quality of records and undermining the effectiveness of campaigns.
Vic Godding (pictured), MD of developing data and chair of the DMA B2B Committee, says, âInfo USA joins a market that has seen a downward trend in volumes for four years so it is a brave move to build another UK database offering volume and little else.
âThe B2B environment is an important part of the UK’s marketing economy, any prospect of added importance and recognition of the value of B2B is good news, but I do caution Info USA that big is not beautiful in this market.â
