Ipsos Group Enters Scandinavian Market with IMRI

French agency Ipsos is growing once more through the acquisition of a 40% stake in the Swedish company, IMRI. In addition, the Ipsos group will hold 51% of a new company to be set up in partnership with IMRI. Known as Ipsos-Imri, this new company will be entirely dedicated to marketing and communication research.

Founded in 1992 by Andrei Postoaca, IMRI - International Market Research Institute - rapidly became a major provider for data collection and data processing on the Swedish market. IMRI also specialises in media research as well as Internet research through its subsidiary, Cactus.

The company expects revenues of Euros 2.5 million in 2001, with 20 full-time staff and 500 to 600 interviewers. IMRI also has a completely computerised telephone centre (CATI) including 100 stations in Sundbyberg.

According to Carlos Harding, Ipsos CEO in charge of the Group's corporate development, "We are very happy to conclude this agreement; this operation will enable us to expand our European activities to Scandinavia, a 25 million inhabitant market, particularly well-equipped in the field of new technologies and internet."

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.