Skip to content
Brief
F

Forrester Research

Forrester provides independent, data-driven research and strategic advisory that helps marketing and technology leaders make confident decisions on vendor selection, strategy, and investment in a rapidly evolving AdTech landscape.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United StatesFounded 1983

Last updated Jun 2, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment · Connections updated Jun 8, 2026

Industry
Market Research & Advisory
Business Model
Subscription Research & Advisory
Target Market
Enterprise
Employee Count
1001-5000
Revenue Range
$400M-$550M
Stock Symbol
FORR
API Available
Limited
Market Position

One of the top two global independent research and advisory firms for technology and marketing leaders, alongside Gartner

Overview

Forrester Research is one of the most influential independent research and advisory firms in the world, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company serves business and technology leaders across industries with rigorous research, market analysis, and strategic advisory services. In the AdTech and marketing technology space, Forrester is particularly well known for its Forrester Wave reports, which evaluate and rank vendors across key technology categories including marketing automation, data management platforms, customer data platforms, and programmatic advertising platforms. Forrester's research methodology combines analyst expertise, primary consumer and business surveys, and proprietary frameworks such as the Customer Experience Index (CX Index) and Total Economic Impact (TEI) studies. These outputs are widely used by enterprise marketers, CMOs, and technology buyers to guide vendor selection, budget allocation, and strategic planning. The firm's analyst community covers topics ranging from digital advertising and media buying to privacy regulation, identity resolution, and AI-driven marketing. In the broader AdTech ecosystem, Forrester plays a critical role as a trusted third-party evaluator and thought leader. Its research influences purchasing decisions at major brands, agencies, and technology vendors alike. Forrester also acquired SiriusDecisions in 2019, significantly expanding its B2B marketing and sales research capabilities. The company is publicly traded on Nasdaq and competes primarily with Gartner, IDC, and eMarketer for research mindshare among marketing and technology decision-makers.

Products & Features

Forrester Wave

Quarterly vendor evaluation reports ranking technology providers across key categories including AdTech, MarTech, and data platforms

Forrester Research Portal

Subscription-based online platform providing access to thousands of research reports, data, and analyst insights

Total Economic Impact (TEI)

Custom commissioned studies quantifying the ROI and business value of specific technology investments

Customer Experience Index (CX Index)

Annual benchmark measuring the quality of customer experience delivered by major brands across industries

SiriusDecisions Research

B2B marketing, sales, and product research and advisory services acquired from SiriusDecisions in 2019

Forrester Decisions

Modernized research subscription service offering curated research, tools, and analyst access tailored to specific roles

Advisory Services

One-on-one analyst inquiry and advisory sessions for enterprise clients seeking strategic guidance

Forrester Data

Proprietary consumer and business survey data, market sizing, and forecasts covering digital advertising and technology markets

Key Features
Independent vendor evaluations via Forrester Wave methodologyProprietary consumer and B2B survey data and forecastingRole-based research subscriptions tailored to CMOs, CIOs, and technology buyersAnalyst inquiry and advisory access for enterprise subscribersTotal Economic Impact (TEI) commissioned researchB2B marketing and sales frameworks via SiriusDecisionsCustomer experience benchmarking and measurementEvents and peer community forums for senior executives
Use Cases
Vendor selection and evaluation for AdTech and MarTech platformsMarketing technology budget planning and investment justificationCompetitive benchmarking against industry peers on CX and digital maturityDeveloping go-to-market strategy using B2B frameworksUnderstanding consumer digital behavior and media consumption trendsPrivacy and data regulation compliance strategyMeasuring ROI of technology investments via TEI studiesAnalyst briefings for technology vendors seeking market positioning insights
Customer Segments
Enterprise CMOs and marketing leadersChief Information Officers and technology buyersAdTech and MarTech vendors seeking market validationManagement consultants and strategy teamsB2B marketing and sales organizationsDigital agencies and media companiesPrivate equity and investment firms evaluating technology marketsGovernment and public sector technology leaders
Corporate history
  • 1983Founded

Explore further

2 views