Ipsos buys Aegis’ Synovate

Aegis Group has sold international research operation Synovate to Ipsos for £525 million – a deal that makes Ipsos the third largest market research company in the world.

The deal follows exclusive discussions between the two companies, which started in June. Ipsos described the deal as transformational, allowing the company to benefit from global negotiations with suppliers, pooling of production centres, consolidation of online panels, communication and IT.

“This deal will meet our goals to make Ipsos brand a worldwide brand, synonymous with excellence in each of its fields of specialisation and better able to attract and keep clients,” said Didier Truchot, co-president of Ipsos.

The deal will be funded through a new debt financing of €250 million, a rights offering of approximately €200 million to Ipsos’ shareholders and existing facilities and available cash.