Kantar enters into alliance with comScore

The alliance is designed to deliver world class cross-media audience and campaign measurement capabilities

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | February 13, 2015

WPP has announced that Kantar, its wholly-owned data investment management arm, has entered into a strategic global alliance with comScore Inc, the US-based internet audience measurement company. The alliance, which covers territories outside the US, is designed to deliver world class cross-media audience and campaign measurement capabilities by bringing together products, technology, data assets, research panels and relationships from both companies.

These agreements continue WPP's strategy of developing its services in important markets and sectors and strengthening its capabilities in digital and data investment management businesses. WPP's digital revenues (including associates) were well over $6 billion in 2013, amounting to approximately 35% of the Group's total revenues of $17.3 billion. WPP has set a target of 40-45% of revenue to be derived from digital in the next five years.

The partnership will also strengthen the capabilities of Kantar, which is one of the world's largest insight, information and consultancy groups. By connecting the diverse talents of its 12 specialist companies, Kantar is the pre-eminent provider of compelling and inspirational insights for the global business community. The group's services are employed by over half of the Fortune Top 500 companies. Worldwide, WPP's data investment management companies (including associates) collectively generate revenues of about $5 billion and employ over 34,000 people.

The alliance includes an acquisition by WPP of a significant equity stake in comScore. WPP will offer to purchase up to 15.45% of comScore through a tender offer with an offering price of $46.13 per share, and comScore will issue new shares representing 4.45% of comScore in consideration for certain Kantar European internet audience measurement assets, plus potentially additional new shares, depending on the result of the tender offer. Through a combination of new shares primary issuance by comScore and the tender offer, WPP will own a total stake in comScore of 15-19.9%.

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