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Aegis Media set to offload Synovate to Ipsos for £525m

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

July 27, 2011 | 3 min read

Aegis Media is set to offload market research company Synovate to Ipsos in a deal worth around £525m.

The sale, which will not include scan data services business Aztec, is part of the Aegis strategy to focus in order to accelerate delivery of sustainable and profitable growth.

£200m of the proceeds of the sale will be shared amongst shareholders, while the balance will be used to increase financial flexibility within the group to allow investment in future acquisitions.

Jerry Buhlmann, chief executive officer of Aegis Group, said: "The announcement today of the proposed sale of Synovate to Ipsos represents the largest structural change in the history of Aegis Group plc. For Aegis shareholders, the offer from Ipsos provides value and certainty and enables the Group to increase its focus on delivering communications services based on media, digital and content creation.

"Aegis Media's strategy is based on capturing organic growth from the rapidly changing media market. The outcome of this transaction will enable us to accelerate the delivery of that strategy and focus our resources on value-enhancing acquisitions to support us in driving sustainable profitable growth."

Didier Truchot, chairman and chief executive officer of Ipsos, added:"We are delighted to be buying Synovate, a business operating in exciting growth markets with a strong management and committed professionals. This deal has been driven by our relentless focus on providing the best possible service to our clients and our ambition to become the leader in each of our areas of expertise.

"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. I look forward to welcoming the Synovate team to Ipsos and together creating a leading player in market research, with the best talent in the industry."

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