Kantar Announces Increased Stake in IBOPE, Leading LatAm Media Measurement and Research Firm

LONDON, December 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

• Latest deal cements Kantar Media's position as market leader in Television Audience Measurement in 48 countries

Kantar, the data investment management arm of WPP and one of the world's largest insight, information and consultancy groups, has acquired the majority interest and control of Latin America's leading media measurement business, IBOPE Media. The acquisition further strengthens Kantar Media's significant global footprint and expertise in all aspects of media measurement and evaluation and will enable Kantar to better link media and purchase data throughout the region.

The deal marks a new era for both companies and reflects Kantar's belief that the Latin American market presents major growth opportunities.

IBOPE Media's senior management and company structure will remain unchanged. CEO Orlando Lopes will continue to run the company, joining the Kantar Media board and reporting to Kantar Media Chairman and CEO Andy Brown.

Andy Brown commented: "Kantar Media and IBOPE Media have worked in partnership for 17 years. Given the opportunities we see in the region, the time was right to increase ownership and to accelerate the sharing of technologies and offers with the Kantar Media business. We're excited to welcome Orlando and the exceptional team at IBOPE Media to Kantar Media and look forward to driving continued innovation and growth as we develop our combined offer."

Orlando Lopes added: "I am looking forward to the next stage in IBOPE Media's evolution and excited about the investment that Kantar Media will bring. Our company will not only keep its business strong within the markets in which it operates but it will also benefit from investment and new expertise enabling us to offer fresh and exciting products to our clients".

In the past 18 months, Kantar Media has added expertise, extended global reach and new measurement capabilities through the acquisition of companies including Data Republic, Precise, the audio watermarking unit of Civolution as well as its recently-announced asset swap and investment in US TV and video measurement specialist Rentrak.

NOTES TO EDITORS: 

About Kantar 

Kantar is the data investment management arm of WPP and one of the world's largest insight, information and consultancy groups. By uniting the diverse talents of its 12 specialist companies, the group is the pre-eminent provider of compelling data and inspirational insights for the global business community.

About Kantar Media 

Kantar Media, part of the Kantar group, provides critical information to help clients make better decisions about communications. We enable the world's leading brands, publishers, agencies and industry bodies to navigate and succeed in a rapidly evolving media industry. Our services and data include analysis of paid media opportunities; counsel on brand reputation, corporate management and consumer engagement through owned media; and evaluating consumers' reactions in earned media.  As the global house of expertise in media and marketing information, Kantar Media provides clients with a broad range of insights, from audience research, competitive intelligence, vital consumer behaviour and digital insights, marketing and advertising effectiveness to social media monitoring. Our experts currently work with 22,000 companies tracking over 4 million brands in 50 countries.

http://www.kantarmedia.com

http://www.twitter.com/kantar_media  

http://www.facebook.com/KantarMediaGlobal  

http://www.linkedin.com/company/kantar-media

About IBOPE Media 

The largest media research company in Latin America, IBOPE Media offers solutions in audience, advertising investment and campaign planning. For 72 years, the company been providing key information in order to make decisions in media business and renovates itself continuously to follow the evolution of media consumption on the different platforms.

IBOPE Media employs approximately 3,500 employees and has operation in 16 countries in Latin America and an office in Miami (USA). Access http://www.ibopemedia.com for further information.

Press Contacts

UK & ROW
Teresa Horscroft / Kate Alexander
presscontact@kantarmedia.com
+44-(0)1420-564346
+44-(0)7990-520390 / +44-(0)7788-584413

France
Sandrine Flores Garcia - Lucas
Sandrine.Flores-Garcia@bm.com
+33-1-56-03-12-58 / +33-6-30-09-79-36

US
Bill Daddi
Bill@DaddiBrand.com
+1-646-370-1341 / +1-917-620-3717

Brazil
Catherine Iwata
catherine.iwata@fsb.com.br,
+55-(11)-3165-9702

Maria Cláudia Almeida
maria.almeida@fsb.com.br,
+55-(11)-3165-9648

Latam (Spanish)

Maria Cláudia Almeida
maria.almeida@fsb.com.br
+55-(11)-3165-9648

Paula Barcellos
paula.barcellos@fsb.com.br
+55-(11)-3165-9589