TGI was first started in the UK in 1969 to provide the marketing, advertising and media industries with a tool to measure target groups who use a broad spectrum of consumer goods and services. Since the first Target Group Index was conducted in 1969, TGI has consolidated its position as the global standard for single-source surveys, available in over 60 countries. This has been due to a schedule of innovation and progression, which has consistently added value to the end product, while retaining the vital function of producing meaningful trend data over the years. TGI's emphasis on excellent client service has put it at the forefront of the latest research solutions.

TGI SA is owned by one of South Africa’s leading market research companies – Ask Afrika. TGI SA specialises in the management and provision of ‘syndicated continuous research’– providing brand owners, advertisers, agencies and the media with industry standard databases for strategic marketing, brand, product, advertising and media planning.

TGI was launched in South Africa during 2003 by Barbara Cooke and Tim Bester, due to the market need for a syndicated brand and product survey. Since then over 85 000 interviews have been completed with 11 biannual data release that have been used by over 1000 market researchers, brand managers, product mangers, media planners and strategists.

Target Group Index is marketed and sold in South Africa by TGI SA (Pty) Ltd under license from BMRB in London.