Mitch Barns appointed Chairman and CEO, Americas at Ipsos

Mitch Barns takes leadership of Ipsos across the Americas

Ipsos has appointed Mitch Barns as Chairman and CEO, Americas, effective November 2, 2026, bringing an experienced insights and analytics executive into a key regional leadership role.

Reporting to Ipsos CEO Kelly Beaver, Mitch will lead the company's business in the United States and oversee its activities across Canada and Latin America. He will also join the company's Executive Management Committee, contributing to its broader strategic direction.

The appointment comes as Ipsos continues to focus on growth across a region central to its global business. Mitch's experience leading large international organisations, alongside his background in data, technology and analytics, is expected to support the company's priorities across the Americas.

From Nielsen Global CEO to regional leadership at Ipsos

Mitch brings extensive experience in the insights and analytics industry, most notably from his tenure as Global CEO of Nielsen from 2014 to 2018.

During his time at Nielsen, he led a business operating across more than 100 countries, with over 40,000 employees and annual revenue exceeding $6 billion. His leadership included significant strategic reshaping, mergers and acquisitions, and investments aimed at attracting digital and technology talent and positioning the company for future growth.

Before becoming Global CEO, Mitch held several senior leadership positions at Nielsen. These included President of its U.S. Media business, leadership of its Greater China operations, and roles overseeing global businesses focused on advanced analytics and new product innovation.

His experience across different markets and business functions gave him a broad perspective on how data, technology and research capabilities can support business decisions and commercial performance.

Experience across business transformation and analytics

Following his departure from Nielsen, Mitch served as CEO of The Opus Group from 2021 to 2024, guiding the business through its post-pandemic expansion.

He has also served on the boards of several insights and analytics companies and advised private equity investors operating in the data, analytics and technology sectors. These roles have kept him connected to emerging business models and innovation across the wider industry.

Mitch began his career at Procter & Gamble, where he spent 12 years in marketing research and brand management roles. This early experience provided a foundation in consumer understanding and market intelligence before he moved into senior leadership positions in the research and analytics sector.

He is a graduate of Miami University in Ohio and completed the Stanford Executive Program at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Driving Ipsos' growth strategy across the Americas

Mitch's appointment places him at the head of Ipsos' operations across three major markets: the United States, Canada and Latin America.

The remit combines regional business leadership with responsibility for supporting the company's wider growth ambitions. His background in research, analytics, innovation and technology-led transformation aligns with an industry increasingly focused on helping clients interpret consumer behaviour and make informed decisions in changing markets.

Kelly Beaver, CEO of Ipsos, said Mitch's leadership track record and experience with innovative data and technology businesses make him well suited to executing the company's growth strategy.

Mitch said the insights industry is entering a period of reinvention and pointed to Ipsos' talent, capabilities and global reach as important strengths. He also highlighted his intention to work with Kelly and teams across North and Latin America in serving clients.

Mitch succeeds Mary Ann Packo in the regional leadership structure. Mary Ann is expected to leave Ipsos at the end of November, working alongside Mitch during the transition to support a smooth handover.

Leadership at the intersection of insights and technology

As organisations increasingly rely on data to understand customers, markets and business performance, insights companies face growing expectations to combine research expertise with technological innovation.

Mitch's career spans consumer research, media measurement, advanced analytics and executive leadership, providing experience across several parts of this evolving landscape.

His appointment gives Ipsos an Americas leader with a background in managing complex international businesses and investing in capabilities designed to support future growth. His next chapter will focus on bringing that experience to Ipsos' operations across the United States, Canada and Latin America.

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About Ipsos

Ipsos is a global market research and public opinion company founded in France in 1975. Operating across 90 markets, the company provides research, analytics and insights to help organisations understand consumers, citizens, customers and employees. Its services draw on surveys, social media monitoring, qualitative research and observational techniques.

Source: Ipsos announcement of Mitch Barns appointment as Chairman and CEO, Americas