Kantar Media Back on the Block?

Reports of private equity firms in the bidding to buy Kantar Media have resurfaced over the weekend, ten months on from original rumours that majority Kantar owner Bain Capital had appointed bankers to consider a possible sale.

This weekend The Sunday Times newspaper said equity firms Cinven and Triton Partners were among those with their hats in the ring. Like the sources quoted in Sky News in January, the latest reports tout a figure of 'around £1 billion', with added speculation that a sale of the whole of Kantar - of which Bain Capital owns 60% and WPP 40% - may follow. In 2019 Kantar was valued at around £3.2bn, although it has since made divestments including its Reputation Intelligence business, and Kantar Public, which is now known as Verian.

Kantar Media conducts broadcast audience measurement in 62 countries and has provided data for the UK's viewing currency service Barb since 2007. It accounts for around 15% of Kantar's total revenue (2022: $3,062m) and a very similar proportion of headcount (4,000 of a total 25,000). The division is also home to TGI (Target Group Index), which since 1969 has measured consumer product and brand consumption, attitudes and media usage, giving a detailed picture of consumers' day-to-day behaviour in many countries. The division is run by former Sky exec Patrick Behar (pictured), and the group by Chris Jansen.

Web site: www.kantar.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.