Kantar Looking to Sell Media Division?

Kantar Media may be up for sale in 2024 for 'as much as £1bn', according to reports on Sky News.

Sky News says sources in the City of London indicated today that Kantar's majority owner Bain Capital is currently appointing investment bankers to oversee a sale process.

Previous majority owner WPP agreed four and a half years ago to sell 60% of Kantar to private equity firm Bain Capital, in a deal valuing the whole of Kantar at around £3.2bn - WPP retains the remaining 40% stake. Since that time Kantar has slimmed down its portfolio with divestments including its Reputation Intelligence business and its Kantar Public unit, now known as Verian.

Kantar Media, which conducts broadcast audience measurement in 62 countries and has provided data for the UK's viewing currency service Barb since 2007, accounts for around 15% of Kantar's total revenue, which in 2022 was $3,062m.

Kantar Media is also home to TGI (Target Group Index), which since 1969 has measured consumer product and brand consumption, attitudes and media usage, giving a detailed picture of consumers' day-to-day behaviour.

Sky News says the move over the last year to make the Media division operationally independent of its parent has led to 'speculation that it might be earmarked for disposal': Kantar Media is now run by former Sky exec Patrick Behar, while the group is led by Chris Jansen.

Web site: www.kantar.com .