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SSI and Opinionology Merge
Survey Sampling International (SSI) and US-based data collection specialist Opinionology are to merge to create a new company which will operate under the SSI brand.
 The new firm will boast an 'end-to-end' sampling, data collection and data analytic portfolio.
At the time of DRNO going to press, an SSI spokesperson was unwilling to confirm whether the deal had involved a financial transaction or exchange of shares, adding: 'As private companies, the decision was not to release the specific financial details of the combination agreement.'
Founded in 1977, SSI has 17 offices in 15 countries and offers 28 global panels through which it provides access to more than 6 million respondents in 72 countries.
Opinionology - until recently known as Western Wats - runs panels in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain and also provides online, telephone, and mobile survey research data collection services. The firm operates globally from the US, UK, Canada and the Philippines.
The new combined company will deliver a sampling solution to support every phase of the survey research process, with online, landline telephone, wireless/mobile device and mixed access offerings.
With 1300 employees in 30 offices, the new SSI claims it will be able to provide clients with 24/7 service, as well as local expertise.
'With a 20+ year history of working together, similar cultures and shared legacies of quality, innovation, customer focus and methodological excellence, SSI and Opinionology are ideal partners,' states Kees de Jong (pictured), CEO of SSI, who will continue as CEO of the new company.
Opinionology CEO David Haynes, who will serve as President and COO of SSI, says that the combination will offer 'an even greater resource' to support continued investment in product innovation and technology.
In addition to de Jong and Haynes, the new SSI's leadership will include Charles Gottdiener of SSI's majority shareholder Providence Equity Partners, who will serve as Chairman of the Board. Simon Chadwick, SSI's current Chairman of the Board, will remain on the board and play an active role guiding the new company.
Web sites: www.surveysampling.com and www.opinionology.com .
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