WPP confirmed on Monday it is in exclusive talks with Bain Capital to sell its majority stake in Kantar to the Boston-based private-equity firm, following "press speculation." The potential deal values the data, insights and consulting giant at $4 billion, according to WPP's statement that confirmed an earlier Bloomberg report. "Bain Capital's proposal is subject to negotiation," the statement read. "There is no certainty that these discussions will result in a transaction involving Kantar. Any further announcement will be made as appropriate." WPP declined to comment further. Kantar and Bain Capital did not immediately return requests for comment. R3 co-founder and principal Greg Paull told Ad Age that the deal would make sense. "This would be a logical move for [Bain Capital] to expand their insights base and connect into some of their other assets," Paull said. "The sector is buoyant right now with Nielsen also looking at strategic options." Media research firm Nielsen began a strategic review of its business last year, employing financial advisors J.P. Morgan Securities and Guggenheim Securities to assess, among other options, a sale of the company. CNBC reported in April that Advent International and Apollo Global Management were among the bidders for Nielsen. Apollo reportedly was also competing against Bain Capital in the final round of the auction for Kantar. CVC Capital Partners and Apax Partners were said to be early bidders for Kantar as well, but... Continue reading at 'Advertising Age'
[ Advertising Age | 2019-07-01 20:08:21 UTC ]
Written By: Charlotte Williams Publication Date: Fri, 10/06/2011 - 10:49 Weidenfeld & Nicolson has triumphed in an auction for the second novel by American author Maria Semple, staking a six-figure sum for the title. Editorial director Arzu Tahsin bought UK and Commonwealth rights to... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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There have been tons of focus groups, studies and market research done on the topic: how do you intersect content and commerce? Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2011-03-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Written By: Lisa Campbell Publication Date: Fri, 04/03/2011 - 10:08 Book Marketing Limited has began new research among publishers to predict what comes next in digital. The provider of market research is working on behalf of Publishing Technology to assess what impact e-publishing is having... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2011-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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