{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"158148","rtpr_id":"nBw8BqQ7La-20261001","ticker":"CRAI","exchange":"NASDAQ","all_tickers":["CRAI"],"title":"Charles River Associates (CRA) Adds Harvard Business School Professor as Academic Affiliate to Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice","author":"Business Wire","published_at":"2026-10-01T12:30:00.245Z","article_body":"Charles River Associates (CRA) Adds Harvard Business School Professor as\nAcademic Affiliate to Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice\n\nCharles River Associates\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Charles+River+Associates&index=1&md5=ea2dde4208b4bcf1287f088de7de7b88)\n(NASDAQ: CRAI), a worldwide leader in providing economic, financial, and\nmanagement consulting services\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=economic%2C+financial%2C+and+management+consulting+services&index=2&md5=b919aa30bf9968d650113fedad5fae9d)\n, today announced the addition of Professor Feng Zhu\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Four-people%2Ffeng-zhu%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Feng+Zhu&index=3&md5=62f8e96426013f19d987c54879b29a55)\nas an Academic Affiliate in the firm’s Antitrust & Competition Economics\nPractice\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Fservices%2Fantitrust-and-competition%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Antitrust+%26amp%3B+Competition+Economics+Practice&index=4&md5=3778801437f94fbef5d173e92604e926)\n.\n\n“I am pleased to welcome Feng to CRA,” said Paul Maleh\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Four-people%2Fpaul-maleh%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Paul+Maleh&index=5&md5=7bdffaf4394a30c8ad61ff95e1163f07)\n, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charles River Associates. “He is\na recognized expert on digital transformation, competitive strategy, and\nbusiness model innovation. His research examines how technology-driven firms\ncompete, evolve, and respond to regulatory dynamics.”\n\n“Feng’s recent work has focused on the strategic behavior of large\ntechnology companies and the broader economic and competitive implications of\ndigital markets, which is of particular interest for many of our clients,”\nsaid Margaret Sanderson\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Four-people%2Fmargaret-sanderson%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Margaret+Sanderson&index=6&md5=9e540ca4dc33c8860e88ec8f7ed54d52)\n, Vice President and Global Practice Leader of the Antitrust & Competition\nEconomics Practice at CRA. “As a sought-after advisor to global business\nleaders at tech firms such as Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Uber, Feng’s\nexpertise combines rigorous academic research with tech business know-how. He\nalso has experience in antitrust and competition matters in China, which\nreinforces the strength of our China Competition Practice\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Fservices%2Fantitrust-and-competition%2Fchina%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=China+Competition+Practice&index=7&md5=615ccafc5396f4e8972134afe5d00d92)\n. We are delighted to welcome Feng to CRA and look forward to working with him\nto help clients navigate these complex issues.”\n\nProfessor Zhu is the Harry E. Figgie, Jr. Professor of Business Administration\nat Harvard Business School, where he leads the Platform Lab within the AI\nInstitute and co-chairs the Analytics Program. He has written more than 80\narticles, cases, and research notes published in leading practitioner and\nacademic platforms, and his work has been widely cited in major media outlets.\n\nProfessor Zhu has a PhD in Science, Technology, and Management and a MA in\nComputer Science from Harvard University. He also holds a BA in Computer\nScience, Economics, and Mathematics from Williams College.\n\nAbout CRA’s Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice\n\nCRA’s competition economists\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Fservices%2Fantitrust-and-competition%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=CRA%26%238217%3Bs+competition+economists&index=8&md5=f9d1fbe797c6937919ba0d4d2b755852)\nprovide economic analysis and testimony in competition matters around the\nworld. Many have served in government antitrust agencies and are members of\npremier academic, economic, and law faculties. Their experience extends to\nmany industries, including healthcare, energy, computer hardware/software,\nretailing, telecommunications, aerospace and defense, entertainment,\ntransportation, natural resources, sports, chemicals, pharmaceuticals,\nfinancial services, and consumer products.\n\nAbout Charles River Associates (CRA)\n\nCharles River Associates(®) is a leading global consulting firm specializing\nin economic, financial, and management consulting services\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=in+economic%2C+financial%2C+and+management+consulting+services&index=9&md5=a2949cf2abc5b3482583c3e63cf99f9e)\n. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to\nlitigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through\ncritical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients\nhave engaged CRA for its unique combination of functional expertise and\nindustry knowledge, and for its objective solutions to complex problems.\nHeadquartered in Boston, CRA has offices throughout the world. Detailed\ninformation about Charles River Associates, a registered trade name of CRA\nInternational, Inc., is available at www.crai.com\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=www.crai.com&index=10&md5=d73a542eb2922ee46e3c4fa83cdb9ee6)\n. Follow us on LinkedIn\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fcharles-river-associates%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=LinkedIn&index=11&md5=c35523db827b46ac9634424dfc0d3852)\n, Instagram\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fcharlesriverassociates%2F%3Fhl%3Den&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Instagram&index=12&md5=55d31aa6e0202e7568e9278369c278cd)\n, and Facebook\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCharlesRiverAssociates&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Facebook&index=13&md5=0b0e2a8958d6b6ebac04250aacb47050)\n.\n\nSAFE HARBOR STATEMENT\n\nStatements in this press release concerning the addition of Professor Feng Zhu\nand the expansion of CRA’s Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice,\nand any future business Professor Zhu may generate for CRA, are\n“forward-looking” statements as defined in the Private Securities\nLitigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon management’s\ncurrent expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties.\nInformation contained in these forward-looking statements is inherently\nuncertain, and actual performance and results may differ materially due to\nmany important factors. Such factors that could cause actual performance or\nresults to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made by CRA\ninclude, among others: the failure to generate engagements for us; the\npotential loss of clients; the demand environment; global economic conditions;\nforeign exchange rate fluctuations; and intense competition. Additional\npotential factors that could affect our financial results are included in our\nperiodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those\nunder the heading “Risk Factors.” We cannot guarantee any future results,\nlevels of activity, performance, or achievement. We undertake no obligation to\nupdate any forward-looking statements after the date of this press release,\nand we do not intend to do so.\n\n\n\nView source version on businesswire.com:\nhttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261001016096/en/\n(https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261001016096/en/)\n\nMedia Relations\n\nCRA International\n\nmedia@crai.com \n(mailto:media@crai.com) \n416-825-1595\n\n\n\nNicholas Manganaro\n\nSharon Merrill Advisors\n\ncrai@investorrelations.com \n(mailto:crai@investorrelations.com) \n617-542-5300\n\n\nCopyright Business Wire 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nBw8BqQ7La-20261001","title":"Charles River Associates (CRA) Adds Harvard Business School Professor as Academic Affiliate to Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice","author":"Business Wire","ticker":"CRAI","created":"2026-10-01T12:30:00.245Z","tickers":["CRAI"],"exchange":"NASDAQ","article_body":"Charles River Associates (CRA) Adds Harvard Business School Professor as\nAcademic Affiliate to Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice\n\nCharles River Associates\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Charles+River+Associates&index=1&md5=ea2dde4208b4bcf1287f088de7de7b88)\n(NASDAQ: CRAI), a worldwide leader in providing economic, financial, and\nmanagement consulting services\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=economic%2C+financial%2C+and+management+consulting+services&index=2&md5=b919aa30bf9968d650113fedad5fae9d)\n, today announced the addition of Professor Feng Zhu\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Four-people%2Ffeng-zhu%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Feng+Zhu&index=3&md5=62f8e96426013f19d987c54879b29a55)\nas an Academic Affiliate in the firm’s Antitrust & Competition Economics\nPractice\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Fservices%2Fantitrust-and-competition%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Antitrust+%26amp%3B+Competition+Economics+Practice&index=4&md5=3778801437f94fbef5d173e92604e926)\n.\n\n“I am pleased to welcome Feng to CRA,” said Paul Maleh\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Four-people%2Fpaul-maleh%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Paul+Maleh&index=5&md5=7bdffaf4394a30c8ad61ff95e1163f07)\n, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charles River Associates. “He is\na recognized expert on digital transformation, competitive strategy, and\nbusiness model innovation. His research examines how technology-driven firms\ncompete, evolve, and respond to regulatory dynamics.”\n\n“Feng’s recent work has focused on the strategic behavior of large\ntechnology companies and the broader economic and competitive implications of\ndigital markets, which is of particular interest for many of our clients,”\nsaid Margaret Sanderson\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Four-people%2Fmargaret-sanderson%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Margaret+Sanderson&index=6&md5=9e540ca4dc33c8860e88ec8f7ed54d52)\n, Vice President and Global Practice Leader of the Antitrust & Competition\nEconomics Practice at CRA. “As a sought-after advisor to global business\nleaders at tech firms such as Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Uber, Feng’s\nexpertise combines rigorous academic research with tech business know-how. He\nalso has experience in antitrust and competition matters in China, which\nreinforces the strength of our China Competition Practice\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Fservices%2Fantitrust-and-competition%2Fchina%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=China+Competition+Practice&index=7&md5=615ccafc5396f4e8972134afe5d00d92)\n. We are delighted to welcome Feng to CRA and look forward to working with him\nto help clients navigate these complex issues.”\n\nProfessor Zhu is the Harry E. Figgie, Jr. Professor of Business Administration\nat Harvard Business School, where he leads the Platform Lab within the AI\nInstitute and co-chairs the Analytics Program. He has written more than 80\narticles, cases, and research notes published in leading practitioner and\nacademic platforms, and his work has been widely cited in major media outlets.\n\nProfessor Zhu has a PhD in Science, Technology, and Management and a MA in\nComputer Science from Harvard University. He also holds a BA in Computer\nScience, Economics, and Mathematics from Williams College.\n\nAbout CRA’s Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice\n\nCRA’s competition economists\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2Fservices%2Fantitrust-and-competition%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=CRA%26%238217%3Bs+competition+economists&index=8&md5=f9d1fbe797c6937919ba0d4d2b755852)\nprovide economic analysis and testimony in competition matters around the\nworld. Many have served in government antitrust agencies and are members of\npremier academic, economic, and law faculties. Their experience extends to\nmany industries, including healthcare, energy, computer hardware/software,\nretailing, telecommunications, aerospace and defense, entertainment,\ntransportation, natural resources, sports, chemicals, pharmaceuticals,\nfinancial services, and consumer products.\n\nAbout Charles River Associates (CRA)\n\nCharles River Associates(®) is a leading global consulting firm specializing\nin economic, financial, and management consulting services\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=in+economic%2C+financial%2C+and+management+consulting+services&index=9&md5=a2949cf2abc5b3482583c3e63cf99f9e)\n. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to\nlitigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through\ncritical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients\nhave engaged CRA for its unique combination of functional expertise and\nindustry knowledge, and for its objective solutions to complex problems.\nHeadquartered in Boston, CRA has offices throughout the world. Detailed\ninformation about Charles River Associates, a registered trade name of CRA\nInternational, Inc., is available at www.crai.com\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crai.com%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=www.crai.com&index=10&md5=d73a542eb2922ee46e3c4fa83cdb9ee6)\n. Follow us on LinkedIn\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fcharles-river-associates%2F&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=LinkedIn&index=11&md5=c35523db827b46ac9634424dfc0d3852)\n, Instagram\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fcharlesriverassociates%2F%3Fhl%3Den&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Instagram&index=12&md5=55d31aa6e0202e7568e9278369c278cd)\n, and Facebook\n(https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCharlesRiverAssociates&esheet=54613675&newsitemid=20261001016096&lan=en-US&anchor=Facebook&index=13&md5=0b0e2a8958d6b6ebac04250aacb47050)\n.\n\nSAFE HARBOR STATEMENT\n\nStatements in this press release concerning the addition of Professor Feng Zhu\nand the expansion of CRA’s Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice,\nand any future business Professor Zhu may generate for CRA, are\n“forward-looking” statements as defined in the Private Securities\nLitigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon management’s\ncurrent expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties.\nInformation contained in these forward-looking statements is inherently\nuncertain, and actual performance and results may differ materially due to\nmany important factors. Such factors that could cause actual performance or\nresults to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made by CRA\ninclude, among others: the failure to generate engagements for us; the\npotential loss of clients; the demand environment; global economic conditions;\nforeign exchange rate fluctuations; and intense competition. Additional\npotential factors that could affect our financial results are included in our\nperiodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those\nunder the heading “Risk Factors.” We cannot guarantee any future results,\nlevels of activity, performance, or achievement. We undertake no obligation to\nupdate any forward-looking statements after the date of this press release,\nand we do not intend to do so.\n\n\n\nView source version on businesswire.com:\nhttps://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261001016096/en/\n(https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261001016096/en/)\n\nMedia Relations\n\nCRA International\n\nmedia@crai.com \n(mailto:media@crai.com) \n416-825-1595\n\n\n\nNicholas Manganaro\n\nSharon Merrill Advisors\n\ncrai@investorrelations.com \n(mailto:crai@investorrelations.com) \n617-542-5300\n\n\nCopyright Business Wire 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-10-01T12:30:00.318304693Z","server_sent_at_ms":1790857800318},"received_at":"2026-10-01T12:30:00.386Z","source_url":"https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261001016096/en/"},"analysis":{"id":"146791","press_release_id":"158148","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Professional Services","sector":"Industrials"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"other","narrative":"Charles River Associates added Harvard Business School Professor Feng Zhu as an Academic Affiliate in its Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice.\n\nZhu specializes in digital transformation and competitive strategy, has advised tech firms including Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Uber, and brings China antitrust experience that strengthens CRA's China Competition Practice.\n\nThe hire bolsters CRA's capabilities in digital-markets competition matters, a growing client demand area, though near-term financial impact is not quantified.","sentiment":"neutral","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Routine academic-affiliate hire strengthening CRA's tech antitrust practice -- no financial impact stated."},"keyFigures":{},"quotedText":"As a sought-after advisor to global business leaders at tech firms such as Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Uber, Feng’s expertise combines rigorous academic research with tech business know-how.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Feng Zhu","role":"Academic Affiliate, Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice; Harvard Business School professor"},{"name":"Paul Maleh","role":"President and CEO of Charles River Associates"},{"name":"Margaret Sanderson","role":"Vice President and Global Practice Leader, Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice"}],"products":["China Competition Practice","Platform Lab"],"companies":[{"name":"Charles River Associates","ticker":"CRAI","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Harvard Business School","relationship":"academic affiliation of new hire"},{"name":"Alphabet","relationship":"client referenced in hire background"},{"name":"Meta","relationship":"client referenced in hire background"},{"name":"Microsoft","relationship":"client referenced in hire background"},{"name":"Uber","relationship":"client referenced in hire background"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":1,"reasoning":"Addition of an academic affiliate to a consulting practice is routine business-development news with no financial figures, guidance, or structural change disclosed. Any revenue impact is speculative and forward-looking."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"CRAI"},"globalImportance":8,"audienceRelevance":6,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"small-cap","eventGravity":"routine-hire","issuerAuthored":true}},"event_type":"other","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"neutral","material_impact_score":1,"narrative":"Charles River Associates added Harvard Business School Professor Feng Zhu as an Academic Affiliate in its Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice.\n\nZhu specializes in digital transformation and competitive strategy, has advised tech firms including Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Uber, and brings China antitrust experience that strengthens CRA's China Competition Practice.\n\nThe hire bolsters CRA's capabilities in digital-markets competition matters, a growing client demand area, though near-term financial impact is not quantified.","key_figures":{},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Feng Zhu","role":"Academic Affiliate, Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice; Harvard Business School professor"},{"name":"Paul Maleh","role":"President and CEO of Charles River Associates"},{"name":"Margaret Sanderson","role":"Vice President and Global Practice Leader, Antitrust & Competition Economics Practice"}],"products":["China Competition Practice","Platform Lab"],"companies":[{"name":"Charles River Associates","ticker":"CRAI","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Harvard Business School","relationship":"academic affiliation of new hire"},{"name":"Alphabet","relationship":"client referenced in hire background"},{"name":"Meta","relationship":"client referenced in hire background"},{"name":"Microsoft","relationship":"client referenced in hire background"},{"name":"Uber","relationship":"client referenced in hire background"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flashx","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-10-01T12:30:06.137Z","global_importance":8,"audience_relevance":6,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"small-cap","eventGravity":"routine-hire","issuerAuthored":true}},"durationMs":5724,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flashx"}}