Ipsos strengthens its presence in Asia
Ipsos - to acquire Active Insights in Korea
Paris, March 18, 2004. Didier Truchot and Jean-Marc Lech, Ipsos
co-chairmen, today announced the signature of an agreement for the acquisition
by Ipsos of a 51 % stake in Korean Market Research Company Active Insights
Korea, Inc.
With this acquisition Ipsos will significantly increase its presence in Asia. Korea, the third largest economy in Asia, represents 7% of the regional research expenditure, and has grown by 10 % in 2003.
This expansion of Ipsos' presence shall allow the Group to significantly increase its range of services to key clients across the region. Additionally, Ipsos will now be well placed to offer its range of services to address the research needs of Korea's multinational companies.
Said Richard Mecchi, CEO of Ipsos Asia : "I am very proud to welcome Dr. Yeong Wook Joo and his staff in Ipsos Asia. They have considerable experience of the Korean market and an impressive track record in conducting large international research programmes for Korean and international companies."
About Active Insights
Based in Seoul, Active Insights - formerly known as NFO Korea - was established in 1994 by its President, Dr. Yeong Wook Joo. The company which generated 4.5 million US dollars in revenue during the last fiscal year, ranks 7th in the Korean market.
The company has considerable experience in marketing and advertising research, with both quantitative and qualitative expertise. They also conduct a significant amount of international research for large Korean corporations. Active Insights currently employs 57 full-time staff and has a network of more than 500 interviewers.
Active Insights, soon to be Ipsos Insight Korea, serves major international and Korean clients, such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Korean Tobacco, SK Telecom or Mercedes Benz Korea.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is a worldwide leading survey-based market research group, with revenues of 569.7 million euros in 2003. The Ipsos group has significant positions in China, Taiwan and Australia. Its marketing & modelling division is also well established in Japan and Singapore.
Full Year Results will be published on the evening of March 23, 2004.
An international Conference call is scheduled at 4PM Paris-time on March 24, 2004.