Millward Brown Buys Computerised Media Services
WPP Group PLC
15 December 1999
WPP GROUP PLC ('WPP')
Millward Brown acquires Computerised Media Services
Limited, UK specialists in media analysis
WPP Group announces that its wholly-owned operating
company, Millward Brown, has acquired Computerised Media
Services Limited ('CMS'), London-based specialists in
media analysis.
Founded in 1993, CMS is best known for its Precis
product, a sophisticated media analysis system that
measures a company's media profile across editorial,
advertising, broadcast media, electronic media and the
internet. Clients include Allied Dunbar, Legal &
General, Prudential, SmithKline Beecham, Kellogg, Nestle,
Walt Disney Attractions, Blockbuster Video, DTI and
Health Education Authority.
The company reported revenues of £1.16 million to the
year ended September 30 1998 and net assets of £223,000
at that date.
Commenting on the acquisition, Millward Brown's group
chief executive, Bob Meyers said: Precis is a perfect
fit for us. More and more of our clients want feedback
on their total communications mix, and having Precis as
part of our armoury means that we now have the
opportunity to measure a company's PR effectiveness as
part of its overall marketing communications.'
Fergus Hampton, chief executive of CMS commented: We
have been working with Millward Brown on an ad hoc basis
for some time and have seen the benefits to clients of
incorporating feedback on their PR activities into
tracking study data. So far, we've worked with Millward
Brown in the UK, US and Canada. But now that we're part
of Millward Brown, we have plans to take Precis global in
a relatively short period of time.
This acquisition continues WPP's strategy of
strengthening existing networks worldwide in fast-growing
sectors of marketing communications.
For further information please contact:
Feona McEwan at WPP London Tel: 0171 408 2204
email: fmcewan@wpp.com
www.wpp.com
www. millwardbrown.com
Background:
Millward Brown is one of the world's top 10 market
research organisations. It is an acknowledged leader in
understanding and evaluating brand equity and the
contribution of the total communications mix to that
understanding. Through the use of an integrated suite of
validated research products - both qualitative and
quantitative -- Millward Brown helps clients build
strong brands and services capable of delivering
profitable future revenue stream. The company provides
research-based consultancy on both traditional and e-
brands, and for both local and multi-national clients.
The organisation currently has more than 40 offices in 25
countries, and regularly works in over 60. Millward
Brown is part of The Kantar Group, the information and
consultancy arm of WPP.
Latest directors dealings
- 11 hours ago Johnson Matthey
- 12 hours ago Galliford Try
- 12 hours ago Galliford Try
- 12 hours ago Centrica
- 13 hours ago Smith & Nephew