comScore, Kantar partner as WPP buys in
February 12, 2015
comScore has announced a strategic alliance with WPP’s data investment management division, Kantar. The alliance, which covers territories outside the US, establishes a framework for the parties to bring the best of breed together from the two companies – their products, technology, data assets, research panels and relationships – to provide cross-media audience and campaign measurement capabilities.
The alliance follows the acquisition by WPP of a substantial equity stake in comScore. Under the terms of the agreement, comScore will issue 4.45 per cent in shares in exchange for the benefits of the strategic alliance, and acquisition of certain European Internet audience measurement assets. WPP will also purchase up to 15 per cent shares of comScore through a tender offer with an offering price of $46.13, giving WPP a total ownership stake in comScore of between 15-20 per cent.
comScore will partner with Kantar and its operating businesses on cross-media audience and campaign measurement in non-U.S. markets. comScore will also acquire the assets of Kantar’s Internet audience measurement businesses in certain European markets. In these markets, Kantar and comScore will continue to provide the same level of seamless integration and data services.
“This long-term, strategic alliance will simplify the deployment of global measurement capabilities and accelerate the creation of new services for the industry. The emerging mediascape points to a massive global opportunity waiting to be unlocked by cracking the code on cross-media audience and campaign measurement,” said comScore CEO Serge Matta. “We look forward to working together with Kantar to deliver new measurement products based on our complementary offerings in these markets.”