Ipsos Buys Research Firms in India and Norway

Global group Ipsos has bought a controlling share of India's Indica Research and acquired advertising, marketing and CRM specialist ResearchPartner in Norway.

Indica was founded in 1994 and now employs more than 150 full-time staff at its offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. The firm ranks among the top five survey-based research companies in India, and last year its turnover reached 146m INR (EUR 2.9m).

Ipsos has acquired 75% of the company with an option to increase its share at a later date. Outlining the reasons behind the investment, Richard Mecchi, CEO of Ipsos in the Asia Pacific region, explained: 'It was important to reinforce our presence in this country where market research market grew by 17% in 2006.'

The company is managed by three MDs - Mr V G Pillai, Mr V Ravi and Mr B Narayanaswamy. Pillai responded by saying that becoming part of the Ipsos' global network, would enable the firm to offer a wider range of solutions to clients in India, as well as providing employees with the opportunity to enhance their professional skills.

In Norway, Ipsos has also acquired 100% of the share capital of Oslo-based ResearchPartner. The company, which was founded in 2003 and last year achieved a turnover of EUR 1.2m, will continue to be managed by two of the original founders, Anne Sörbraten and Morten Störksen.

Lena Gilchrist, Head of Ipsos in Scandinavia said that the firm's presence in Norway will allow it to better serve Scandinavian clients, as well as major international firms which need an in-depth knowledge of business markets in the Nordic countries.

Back in September, Ipsos bought a 70% stake in South African MR firm Markinor (www.mrweb.com/drno/news7334.htm ). A fortnight ago, the firm reported organic growth of 9.2% for the first nine months of the year (www.mrweb.com/drno/news7597.htm ).

Web sites are at www.ipsos.com , www.indicaresearch.com and www.researchpartner.no.

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