Travel analyst Henry Harteveldt says he's leaving Forrester Research Sept. 1 to form an "industry-focused research company" with travel and airlines, along with healthcare, as the initial focus.
Harteveldt says he, Jeffrey Breen and Rich Ridolfo, with the latter two having +worked at Forrester several years ago, will be the cofounders of the
new company, Atmosphere Research. The new company will perform industry and consumer research and provide consulting services.
Harteveldt, who has been at Forrester for more than 11 years, says he decided to leave the company because Forrester's publications were largely geared toward certain job titles -- such as chief marketing officer or various ecommerce roles -- and Forrester "wasn't able to figure out a way" to enable him to do more comprehensive research.
Harteveldt will remain in his post as chairman of ATME (Association of Travel Marketing Executives).