After almost seven and a half years as VP-corporate marketing, research and brand development for Conde Nast’s Golf Digest Publications, current national Marketing Research Association President Jon Last has launched and will serve as president of Sports and Leisure Research Group, a marketing research and strategy consultancy. At Golf Digest Publications, Mr. Last oversaw marketing brand management, database marketing and research for the division’s four publications, and built a full-service marketing research firm, the Research Resource Center, that serviced leading brands in the golf, travel and sports marketing arenas. His new firm will service clients in similar categories and expand upon his previous work. Former national MRA presidents Peter Van Brunt and Michael Mermelstein will join Mr. Last at Sports and Leisure Research Group.