In a message dated 99-01-12 17:14:10 EST, Theresa writes:

<< I've pretty much concluded this is a formula company and not some true
 "research institute", maybe I'm just jaded.  Does anyone have any
 insight as to who this might be and what would be the best (or at
 least most FUN) way to respond?  >>

When we hear "research institute" we tend to think, "scientific research" --
but the world is also full of *market* research institutes -- also known as
direct marketing consultants.   They conduct surveys, focus groups, etc etc,
either for a specific client or just to make themselves experts in some
particular field of commerce, then they sell that info or that expertise to
some company.

So I'd betcha that this is not actually being run by a formula company, but
probably being run *on behalf of* one (or more).

Elisheva Urbas in New York City
who has got three brothers in the marketing business