Earth Day 2008 marks the first anniversary of the Take a Survey – Plant a Tree program. In just one year, the members of Hotspex's online panel have been responsible for planting 269,060 trees by simply taking surveys on www.hotspex.com. The program was launched by Hotspex last year in partnership with the Rainforest Conservation Fund (RCF). “With support from Hotspex, RCF is actively conserving natural resources in the Amazon,” said Jim Penn, acting President of RCF. “We have made tremendous strides this year in providing the means for local villages in the Area de Conseracion Regional Comunal Tamshiyacu Tahuayo in Peru to practice sustainable agriculture and agroforestry by planting, organizing and protecting palm trees on previously degraded land.”

Hotspex’s Take a Survey - Plant a Tree program has already received raving reviews from Hotspex panel members. We have noticed an increase in panel membership and many respondents are impressed by Hotspex's commitment to preserving the environment.“Green power! I’m even more impressed by this site knowing that it is working to plant trees and save the Peruvian rain-forest”, said Kaiken, a Hotspex Innovator.

Traditionally, marketing researchers and pollsters have asked people for their time and information, and in return they merely gave their respondents a polite “thanks”. Some current online panels are starting to “pay” their respondents. Hotspex, however, goes a step further; restoring the equilibrium by appreciating consumers and giving back, the Take a Survey – Plant a Tree program being just one example. In addition to material incentives such as prizes, charity donations and music downloads, Hotspex provides opportunities for panelists to learn about themselves and to have their voices heard. “We strive to address individual reasons and motivations for participating in research,” says Shane Skillen, Founder and President of Hotspex. “We build relationships with our respondents and we reward them for giving us their best and being honest in our surveys. As a result Hotspex has an unparalleled depth of insight into the homes, hearts and heads of consumers.”

To become a Hotspex Innovator and join the Take a Survey – Plant a Tree program, simply go to www.hotspex.com.

For additional information on Hotspex is Growing Green, contact Gera Nevolovich at Hotspex, +1.416.487.5439 ext.227

About Rainforest Conservation Fund (RCF)
RCF is a non-profit all-volunteer organization that supports ongoing projects in rainforest protection, sustainable development and environmental education. For more information, please visit: www.rainforestconservation.org

About Hotspex Inc.
Hotspex delivers provocative marketing research insights that allow our clients – some of the world’s leading brands – to develop better strategies, innovations and executions. We are constantly pushing the boundaries of what research can do and how it can be done, by engaging consumers and clients to uncover the emotional and rational drivers of customer behavior. For more information, please visit: www.hotspex.biz