Final Clearance for AdIntel Sale to Nielsen

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has unconditionally cleared Ebiquity's proposed sale of its Advertising Intelligence business to Nielsen, confirming that the transaction does not raise competition concerns. The deal has been valued at £26m.

The media and marketing analytics firm first announced the sale in February, saying it wanted to focus on its faster growing, higher margin and tech-enabled consultancy practices, Media Value Measurement and Marketing Performance Optimization. Last month, the CMA provisionally approved the deal.

Michael Karg (pictured), CEO of Ebiquity commented: 'We are delighted to receive the CMA's final clearance decision and confirmation that their investigation has found our planned disposal does not raise competition concerns. We continue to work closely with Nielsen in the final stage of the process as we target formal completion of this transaction as soon as possible'.

In a trading update, Ebiquity said the group's net debt position will be materially improved following the receipt of sale proceeds - now anticipated to be around the end of the year.

Web sites: www.ebiquity.com and www.nielsen.com .