MetrixLab is New Home for MarketTools

Rotterdam, Netherlands-based online researcher MetrixLab has announced the acquisition of San Francisco-based MR software and services firm MarketTools Research Solutions Inc., from current owner TPG Growth, for an undisclosed sum.

TPG only acquired MarketTools last December, in a deal with DIY software firm SurveyMonkey - it transferred MarketTools' Zoomerang, ZoomPanel and TrueSample businesses to SurveyMonkey and in return took a minority stake in the latter, which the deal effectively valued at $1bn. At the time, TPG said it would separate and expand MarketTools' remaining Research Solutions and CustomerSat operations.

The new deal brings MetrixLab's staff to more than 400, spread over thirteen offices in the US, Europe and Asia. Revenue in 2011 was around $80 million. MarketTools will continue under its own name and will be led by its new CEO Simon Kooyman. Kooyman is also CEO of MetrixLab USA.

MetrixLab CEO Han de Groot comments: 'We can now provide our industry leading clients such as Microsoft and General Mills with truly global servicing, access to a global consumer community and advanced new research technologies in social and mobile.' Kooyman says MarketTools 'will now be able to extend its offering with MetrixLab's digital and cross media marketing research solutions and advance its offering in enterprise feedback management.'

offices in New York, Seattle, London, Hamburg, Paris and Madrid, MetrixLab conducts online research in more than 50 countries worldwide.

The companies are on the web at www.metrixlab.com and www.markettools.com .