WPP Scangroup yesterday announced it has reached an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Research and Marketing Group Investment Limited which runs Kantar TNS.
Currently, WPP Scangroup offers market research services via Kantar Millward Brown. The proposed acquisition of Kantar TNS will allow WPP Scangroup to align the two market research businesses thereby increasing efficiency and improving the services offered to clients.
Kantar TNS is a top marketing research agency operating in several African countries. Additionally, Kantar Millward and Kantar TNS are part of the Kantar Group, WPP PLC’s data management division. Kantar TNS has operations in Kenya, Nigeria Senegal, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Cameroun.
The acquisition is subject to approval by Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority and WPP Scangroup’s shareholders. Once approved, WPP Scangroup will acquire 70 percent stake in Research and Marketing Group Investment Limited held by Russell Square Holdings BV (a subsidiary of WPP Plc) and 10 percent of the remaining 30 percent stake will be held by International Research and Marketing Group Holdings Limited.
“The proposed acquisition of Kantar TNS presents a tremendous opportunity for business growth and investment. […] The focus on research and data-driven operations perfectly fits our goal of providing horizontal, integrated communications services and products across the Sub-Saharan region,” WPP Scangroup’s CEO Bharat Thakrar said.
The proposed acquisition will boost WPP Scangroup’s presence and capability in the region and allow it to create a leading position in the market research business.
