Research Panel Asia Acquired by MApps

Tokyo-based Research Panel Asia (RPA) has been acquired by panels and analytics specialist Marketing Applications Inc. (MApps), in a deal involving a share swap between MApps and RPA's parent firm Voyage Group. RPA will now trade as a wholly owned business unit of MApps.

RPA, which was previously a fully-owned subsidiary of price comparison / online services company VG, currently offers access to more than four million active panellists. As well as its offices in Tokyo, RPA has bases in Seoul, Singapore, Shanghai, Manila, New York and Los Angeles, and offers proprietary coverage in Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia.

VG has swapped 100% of its shares in RPA for a 35.61% stake in Tokyo-based MApps, which offers a cloud-based analytics tool, an online survey platform, and a consumer panel in Japan and other Asian countries. For the time being, MApps will retain its name in Japan, and RPA and MApps' global assets will be collectively rebranded into a new entity that will be announced shortly.

RPA CEO Masahiro Takanohashi (pictured) comments: 'This business decision lets MApps and RPA leverage each organization's strength and assets, including sales hubs, customer bases, products, technology and panel assets. This will enable us to further grow the business globally and increase client satisfaction'.

Web sites: www.researchpanelasia.com and https://mkt-apps.com .