In Kantar Media Acquisition On Ipsos Deal With Talks

Ipsos in talks with Kantar Media on acquisition deal — Buy Stock Preparing Group Vesalainen Photo Picture: Stock Business Tv From Research Tero Market A Is / Offer Data Ratings Binding Kantar The Alamy To Ipsos

Mon, 02 Dec, 2024 - 16:24

French market research firm Ipsos said it was in talks with Kantar Media over a potential acquisition of the London-based group.

“There can be no certainty that any offer will be made, nor as to the terms on which any such offer might be made,” Ipsos said in a released statement.

Ipsos is preparing a binding offer to buy the TV ratings data business from market research group Kantar, two people with knowledge of the matter told reporters.

Any deal involving Kantar could be worth more than €1bn, one of the sources indicated.

Kantar’s largest shareholders are US private equity firm Bain Capital and advertising giant WPP, with respective stakes of 60% and 40%.

“From WPP’s perspective, Kantar does not contribute to its earnings, as it is effectively held as an ‘investment’ rather than an associate,” Citi analysts said in a note, adding there would be questions over shareholders’ returns if a deal is reached.

Shares in Ipsos, listed and headquartered in Paris, fell more than 2% in trading on Monday touching their lowest price in more than a year.

The French group, which provides consumer market research services and has become a household name globally for its opinion and election polls, has a market value of €1.9bn.