Indiantelevision.com Team

(10 December 2007 3:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Taylor Nelson Sofres plc (TNS) which works in the area of market information and insight has reached agreement to increase its ownership of LatinPanel Holdings from 33.3 per cent to 100 per cent.

TNS was formerly a joint venture partner with The NPD Group, Inc. and The IBOPE Group in this continuous consumer panel business serving Latin America. Completion is expected in January 2008.

LatinPanel operates in 15 countries in Latin America. It provides local and international clients with access to a household research panel across the packaged groceries, toiletries and cosmetics, fresh foods and textile retail markets.

The full incorporation of LatinPanel into the TNS Worldpanel network underlines the strong commitment TNS has shown to Latin American markets since it established its first continuous panel operation in Argentina in 1997. The increased focus on this growth region will be of benefit to clients.

The acquisition strengthens TNS’ Worldpanel business, which covers more than 50 countries worldwide with services based on continuously monitored purchasing and usage activity. It also supports TNS’ strategic objectives of increasing its exposure to the faster-growing Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa (ALM) region and of increasing the proportion of business derived from syndicated research.

TNS CEO David Lowden says, “For some years, TNS Worldpanel has operated across Latin America via a joint venture arrangement. We are now taking overall control of this sound and growing business, which will facilitate faster development of TNS Worldpanel’s activities in this expanding market. Our clients are carrying out their marketing in more countries than ever before, taking a global perspective. Having full ownership of LatinPanel, together with our strong custom network across the region, reinforces our ability to provide insights to clients in key emerging markets and globally.”

TNS Worldpanel sector head and LatinPanel chairman Josep Montserrat says, “Strong growth in many of the Latin American economies is driving demand for a variety of consumer products. Our continuous consumer panel business ensures global and local brands gain the insights they require to plan for the future and build on their success. By integrating LatinPanel into TNS Worldpanel, we are creating the right platform to support our clients over the long term.”