Ipsos Buys B&A to Form New Irish 'Leader'

Ipsos has acquired Ireland's Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A), which provides opinion and social research studies, as well as market studies - and will combine it with its own operations in the country to become 'the market research leader in Ireland'. The firm will be known as Ipsos B&A.

B&A was established in 1985 and provides quant and qual research for clients in both the public and private sectors. The firm also has significant operations in data production and analysis, including consumer panels.

Damian Loscher, previously Managing Director of Ipsos in Ireland, becomes President of Ipsos B&A, while B&A MD Luke Reaper will serve as the new firm's CEO, responsible for its day-to-day operations.

Reaper (pictured) joined the company in 2008 and has been MD for seven and a half years, growing the company after a management buyout. Earlier he was Deputy MD of TNS. Loscher has led a number of integrations, including that of Ipsos and MRBI in 2009. A well-known methodologist and pollster in the Irish market, with thirty years' MR experience, he writes regularly on polling and politics for The Irish Times.

Ipsos Global CEO Ben Page says the buy contributes to the group's 2025 growth plan by strengthening its leading position, notably in Public Affairs. He adds: 'I am delighted to bring these two powerhouses of research in the Irish market together. Ipsos has been operating in Ireland for nearly twenty years and this acquisition demonstrates the attractiveness of the Irish market and its growth potential'.

Reaper describes the deal as 'a very exciting evolution', and says clients will benefit from expanded operational resources and infrastructure, as well as leading analysis capabilities. Loscher welcomes 'The combination of highly skilled researchers who share common values, B&A's extensive consumer panel and Ipsos' range of digital techniques', adding: 'There are clear synergies in public and healthcare research, as well as in areas such as brand positioning and customer experience'.

Web sites are at www.ipsos.com and www.banda.ie .