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In the US, shopper targeting firm Valassis has acquired hyper-local digital ad targeting specialist MaxPoint for around $95m. More
Asia Pacific-based data intelligence and technology company Potentiate has expanded to the US through the acquisition of full-service marketing insights specialist NetReflector. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, media intelligence specialist Meltwater has acquired real-time data analytics app Algo for an undisclosed sum. More
WPP-owned ideas and innovation company AKQA has acquired Denmark-based digital strategy, creativity and technology specialist DIS/PLAY for an undisclosed sum. More
Vancouver-based sales and marketing intelligence platform DiscoverOrg has acquired US-based tech sales intelligence and targeting platform RainKing for an undisclosed sum. More
Business software developer Freshworks has acquired US and India-based marketing software startup Zarget, which provides tools to help marketers understand how users interact with their web sites. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Kantar Media's purchase of Irish company Newsaccess has been cleared by the country's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), following an extensive investigation and with Kantar required to make divestments and contract changes. More
Recently-formed research software firm QuenchTec says it has finished integrating the platforms of MARSC and MI-Pro, from whose merger it was born ten months ago; and launched Q_Suite, an end-to-end research platform. More
Targeting technology firm Semcasting has acquired Orlando-based Transparency AI (TAI), an automotive marketing attribution company, for an undisclosed sum. More
In New York, private equity firm Providence Equity Partners has acquired a majority stake in digital media measurement software and analytics specialist DoubleVerify (DV). Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Communications group Havas has acquired a majority stake in Israel-based social media marketing agency Blink, which specializes in managing conversations between consumers and brands. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
WPP has acquired London-based brand strategy and design agency Design Bridge for an undisclosed sum. More
Venture capital fund Meritus Ventures has sold failing print and imaging industry research and consulting firm Photizo Group to newly-formed Virtulytix, a predictive analytics company set up by Photizo founder Ed Crowley and several of his former colleagues. More
Q Research Solutions (QRS) and Tragon Corporation have merged, to create what they describe as one of the largest sensory and consumer research suppliers in the US. The combined firms will initially trade as QRS-Tragon. Precise terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the UK, qual and quant agency Critical Research has acquired B2B research specialist Saville Rossiter-Base (SR-B) for an undisclosed sum. More
In Los Angeles, entertainment research firm MarketCast has acquired social media insights and analytics firm Fizziology, which also works with clients in the media and entertainment sectors. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
WPP ad agency Grey has acquired a majority stake in Dubai-based hug digital, whose list of services includes digital and social media marketing, web site development, research and insights, and content and influencer marketing. Terms were not disclosed. More
CEO Jamin Brazil and Chief Product Officer Jayme Plunkett, the co-founders of MR tech firm Decipher, have left research technology and services group FocusVision, according to industry sources. More
In New York, personalized marketing and shopper analytics platform AppCard has acquired loyalty marketing specialist ProLogic Retail Services. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Self-service ticketing specialist TicketWeb has acquired marketing platform Strobe Labs, which is used by venues and promoters to uncover information about their fans and target them more effectively. More
Accenture Interactive, the management consultancy's customer experience arm, has acquired US marketing agency Wire Stone, adding data-driven customer insight and personalized services to its digital marketing capabilities. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
US research and advisory company Gartner has reported a 34% rise in second quarter Research division revenue (33% at constant currencies), to $613.7m. The result follows the acquisition of talent management insights firm CEB. More
Video ad effectiveness specialist Tremor Video has agreed to sell its core video DSP business to Israel-based digital ad platform Taptica, for an effective price of $50m. More
Strategy and consulting firm Accenture has acquired marketing and sales capability consultancy Brand Learning, for an undisclosed sum. More
US-based CEM specialist Market Force Information has been acquired by its management, in partnership with investment firm Main Street Capital. More
Nielsen has acquired Israel-based vBrand, which has developed a machine learning-enabled platform for real-time sports sponsorship measurement, planning and data analytics. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the UK, management consultancy PwC has acquired Leeds and London-based boutique agency Optimisa Research for an undisclosed sum. More
Data-based marketing agency Merkle has expanded to India, through the acquisition of big data marketing and analytics specialist Sokrati. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Nielsen has reported a 3.0% increase in second quarter revenue to $1.644bn, equivalent to a 4.1% rise on a constant currency basis. In organic terms - excluding the acquisition of Gracenote - the quarter was almost flat. More
The management of UK-based telecoms and IT sector market research agency Rhetorik have bought the firm in a deal supported by a team of UK and North American data tech-focused investors. Terms were not disclosed. More
US-based social media intelligence platform Synthesio has acquired Brussels, Belgium-based Social Karma, for an undisclosed sum. More
UK-based, kids-focused digital media platform SuperAwesome has received new growth capital - reportedly around £20m - from Mayfair Equity Partners. More
Mumbai-listed MRSS India has acquired 100 percent of Market Probe Asia Pacific Pte Ltd from its US parent Market Probe Inc., in an all-cash deal. More
US-based mobile campaign analyst Kochava has acquired mobile app personalization platform MobileRQ, for an undisclosed sum. More
WPP communications agency Grey has acquired Paris-based full service creative, technology, data and media agency Extrême-Sensio (Sensio) for an undisclosed sum. More
In the US, data activation platform Sizmek is to acquire predictive marketing software company Rocket Fuel for approximately $145m. More
In New York, data-driven marketing technology provider Zeta Global has acquired machine learning specialist Boomtrain for an undisclosed sum. More
Global MR groups The Research Club, Women In Research (WIRe) and MrWeb have teamed up to put the world's biggest listing of research job opportunities in front of a hugely expanded audience of potential candidates. The search is also in a new more mobile-friendly format. More
Healthcare and consumer marketing business Cello Group has acquired US-based biopharma analysis and insights business Advantage Healthcare. Cello will pay an initial $1.5m in cash and a deferred consideration of up to $3m, dependent on financial performance to June 2021. More
Israel-based digital ad platform Taptica has acquired a 57 percent share of Japanese mobile ad tech firm Adinnovation Inc. (ADI), for up to $5.7m. More
Global management consultancy Accenture has acquired Clearhead, a provider of data-driven user experience design, product development, analytics and strategic consulting solutions. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
US-based mobile insights and ad platform UberMedia has acquired location intelligence and analytics company Cintric, which provides a picture of consumer behavior including dwell time in stores down to the minute. Terms were not disclosed. More
In the UK, digital communications group Next15 has made its second purchase of the week - this time acquiring B2B MR consultancy Circle Research through its data and insights subsidiary, MIG Global Limited (MIG). The initial consideration is £5.21m. More
In the UK, digital marcoms group Next 15 has acquired data-driven B2B content marketing strategy firm Velocity Partners for an initial consideration of c.£5.9m. More
MARU Group has acquired customer experience tech firm SynGro for an undisclosed sum. The company will become Maru/SynGro but retain its current management team which will oversee its development and integration into the MARU technology platform. More
UK-based publishing group Centaur Media Plc is set to dispose of its Home Interest business for £32m, and to acquire business telemarketing agency MarketMakers for an initial £13.4m, thus sharpening its focus on b2b information, insights and events. More
WPP has merged its digital ad agency POSSIBLE with the older and larger Wunderman. POSSIBLE, formed only in 2011, will continue to operate as a standalone brand within its new home. More
Data-driven CRM and performance marketing agency Merkle has acquired UK-based big data analytics firm Aquilla Insight. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
UK metals and minerals research specialist The Roskill Group has acquired Xanten, Germany-based Heinz H. Pariser | Alloy Metals and Steel Market Research, and renamed the combined firm 'Roskill Pariser'. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, pricing intelligence specialist Market Track has acquired shopper purchase behavior and attitude data provider InfoScout, for an undisclosed amount of cash and stock. More
Apple has acquired German eye tracking company SensoMotoric Instruments (SMI) for an undisclosed sum. More
Sales and marketing outsourcing provider Advantage Smollan has acquired Netherlands and Belgium-based Hamilton Bright Group, a specialist in shopper purchasing behaviour and marketing. Terms were not disclosed. More
Location data marketing platform NinthDecimal has acquired mobile audience platform MoLOGIQ, giving it 'the largest mobile device reach of any location intelligence company in the US'. The buyer firm has also launched a 'Labs' team to focus on developing new solutions. More
Companies' intangible assets - including the value of their brands, reputation and employee skills - should be included on balance sheets in financial reporting, according to a growing lobby of experts from both multinationals and consultancies. More
Social media ad targeting firm RadiumOne has been acquired by San Francisco ad tech firm RhythmOne, for a reported $22m of which three quarters will be paid in shares at a future date. RhythmOne has also announced a change of CEO. More
Environics Analytics (EA) has acquired the business and assets of Research Solutions Inc. (RSI), also based in the city - both are based in Toronto, Canada. More
Health data giant QuintilesIMS may be looking to divest its contract sales business for as much as $1 billion, according to a report from Reuters. More
In the Republic of Ireland, PR industry body the PRII has asked competition regulators to intervene in Kantar Media's acquisition of family-owned Newsaccess, and compel the WPP firm to divest part of its Irish business. More
Content and revenue protection firm Verimatrix has acquired the MiriMON real-time insight technology and development team from UK-based GfK company Genius Digital, with whom it will remain partners. More
US-based data collection group Schlesinger Associates has acquired Spanish full-service fieldwork agency BDI Research. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
London-based mobile marketing company Verve has acquired German proximity-based push marketing specialist matchinguu for an undisclosed sum. More
UK-based marcoms business Next15 is merging its two research brands, Morar Consulting and HPI. The new Morar HPI will employ around 60 people and will be headed up by Julian Dailly as Managing Director. More
Brentwood, Tennessee-based marketing agency 5by5 has acquired MR company Sightline Research + Strategies, its long-time partner. More
The US research industry maintained a strong annual growth rate in 2016, despite 'tepid' overall economic growth, according to this year's AMA Gold Top 50 Report. Total revenue generated for the 202 companies surveyed was $11.584bn, up 5.7%. More
US investment advisory company The Stagwell Group has acquired Nielsen's Mobile Insights Survey and Total Communications Survey, which will relaunch under the name HarrisX. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Professional services firm KPMG Australia has launched a specialist Customer, Brand & Marketing advisory business, which has already acquired Sydney-based market research firm Acuity Research and Insights. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
France-based market intelligence solutions provider Ubiquick Group has acquired Australian telecoms industry research firm Paul Budde Communications (BuddeComm), for an undisclosed sum. More
In the US, social media management and online community solutions provider Lithium Technologies has agreed to be acquired by Vista Equity Partners for an undisclosed sum. More
Snap Inc., the parent company of photo and video-sharing app Snapchat, has acquired location-based ad targeting firm Placed in a deal reported to be worth more than $200m. More
Paris-based mass media conglomerate Vivendi has entered into an official agreement to buy Bolloré Group's c.60% majority stake in multinational marcoms group Havas, at a price of EUR 9.25 per share. More
US marketing services agency Periscope has acquired data-driven business Anthem Marketing Solutions for an undisclosed sum. More
British-based benchmarking firm Towards Maturity, which operates in the professional learning and development market, has been acquired by Emerald Group for an undisclosed sum. More
WPP agency Wunderman has acquired digital transformation consultancy The Cocktail, based in Spain. More
Ad group Dentsu Aegis Network has acquired Stockholm, Sweden-based digital analytics and conversion company Outfox. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Berlin, Germany-based insights-driven marketing software business Market Logic has raised EUR 45m in a round of funding, which it will use to accelerate company growth. More
In the US, machine learning specialist DataRobot has acquired data science software company Nutonian, which specializes in 'time series' analytical modeling. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Eye-tracking tech firm Tobii has acquired Sticky, which uses webcam-based eye tracking technology to measure ad effectiveness. The deal will be financed with an undisclosed amount of cash, with an option to provide part of the consideration in Tobii shares. More
In Australia, artificial intelligence specialist Jemsoft is being sued by former JV partner Karen Nelson-Feld, who reportedly received no warning of its recent acquisition by Internet of Things firm Xped. More
US data firm Verisk Analytics has acquired Danish wind and solar power market intelligence and advisory business MAKE. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
American survey analysis and data visualisation software provider mTAB has acquired its European partner Gamma Associates for an undisclosed sum. The firm has also opened an office in Japan, and partnered with MR training firm Analytic Edge in China. More
Former shareholders of Rentrak could receive around $19m to settle claims relating to the effect on share price of comScore's accounting investigation last year. The proposed settlement is currently seeking preliminary approval from a judge in Oregon. More
US-based MR and insights, tech publishing and events group IDG (International Data Group) has made an undisclosed number of staff redundant following its majority acquisition by investment company China Oceanwide Holdings. More
Consumer intelligence specialist NGDATA has acquired New York-based business data management and analytics consultancy Eccella for an undisclosed sum. More
In Austria, marcoms giant Dentsu Aegis Network has acquired full-service media agency media.at, which provides consulting, research and data analysis relating to comms strategy, ad planning and buying, and ad verification. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Paris-based mass media conglomerate Vivendi has made an offer to buy a EUR 2.36 billion stake in ad group Havas from Chairman Vincent Bolloré, valuing Havas at EUR 9.25 per share. More
Chicago-based private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP) has hired former Nielsen Holdings Global President John Lewis as an Executive Partner, to help it identify investment opportunities across the data and business analytics sectors. More
WPP-owned digital agency POSSIBLE has acquired data-driven eCommerce agency Marketplace Ignition, which uses research and impact analysis to advise clients on how to grow their business on Amazon and other online marketplaces. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
UK-based consumer insight agency Join the Dots has been acquired by its senior management team from founders and previous majority shareholders Pete and Trish Comley. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Singapore-based private equity firm Tan Capital Partners has spent an undisclosed sum to acquire the mobile survey technology of Los Angeles-based Osurv. Tan will use the software for CX purposes within its chain of 800 Asian hotels. More
In the US, digital media analytics specialist Quotient Technology is to acquire Crisp Mobile, which offers time-specific targeting of shoppers with personalised creative. The deal is valued at approximately $33.0m. More
In the US, accountancy and consulting firm Deloitte has acquired omni-channel personalized data analytics and data-driven campaign management company Web Decisions for an undisclosed sum. More
Creston's Unlimited Group has combined its customer journey specialist EMO and customer relationship marketing agency The Real Adventure, to form a new Bristol-based business called Prophecy Unlimited. More
Ken and Trish Parker, the founders of qual specialist the Discovery Group, have retired after selling the business to four company directors. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In Australia, Dentsu Aegis Network has acquired data-driven customer experience and personalisation agency Accordant. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
WPP Digital has acquired Pittsburgh, PA-based Deeplocal, an in-house innovation studio focused on product development, design and engineering. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, software giant Oracle has acquired digital ad analytics and viewability measurement specialist Moat. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
In the US, advertising, brand and pricing intelligence specialist Market Track has been sold to private equity firm Vista Equity Partners by its former owner Aurora Capital Group. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In India, marcoms network Dentsu Aegis has acquired digital agency SVG Media, whose brands include audience measurement specialist Komli, digital platform DGM, and data targeting business Seventynine. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Pricing intelligence specialist Market Track has acquired Ottawa-based competitor 360pi for an undisclosed sum. More
GfK has appointed three new members to its Supervisory Board: Thomas Ebeling, Johannes P. Huth and Philipp Freise, following its agreement with investment group KKR which is now its partner in running the global group. They replace Peter Goldschmidt, Aliza Knox and Bruno Piace. More
Data-driven CRM and performance marketing agency Merkle has expanded its European operations and data offerings through the acquisition of Spanish digital intelligence consultancy DIVISADERO. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In the US, digital analytics specialist Webtrends has sold its Infinity big data platform to software giant Oracle for an undisclosed sum. As part of the deal, just under half of Webtrends' employees will move to Oracle during the next few months. More
Local crowdsourced review site Yelp has acquired Turnstyle Analytics, which helps local businesses use Wi-Fi to connect with their customers. Yelp purchased all Turnstyle's outstanding capital stock for around $20m in cash. More
Marcoms network Dentsu Aegis has acquired digital agency Leapfrog Online, which offers a range of data integration, performance media, conversion optimization and predictive analytics solutions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In an interim report, Sweden-based Voice of the Customer specialist Nepa AB has announced a 'fantastic year', including net sales growth of 25.3% in Q4. Full year 2016 net sales increased 19.4% SEK 184.4m ($US 20.6m). The firm has also recently acquired the outstanding 20% of shares in its sales subsidiary Nepa India. More
Digital MR services firm Bilendi Group has paid an undisclosed cash sum to acquire Leuven, Belgium-based panel specialist iVOX. More
In the US, communications and analytics software specialist Cision has acquired briefings provider Bulletin Intelligence for an undisclosed sum. More
B2B information and events business Incisive Media has sold its insight division, 'The Insight Group', to French B2B publisher Infopro Digital. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Ipsos has promoted industry veteran Dean Luker to the role of Corporate Development Director, responsible for its acquisition programme in support of the company's overall strategy. He replaces Deputy CEO Carlos Harding, who passed away in December. More
Ad group Havas has acquired shopper behavioural marketing specialist BD Australia for an undisclosed sum. More
Marketing resource management (MRM) platform Aprimo, formerly owned by Teradata, has acquired Ghent, Belgium-based digital asset management firm ADAM Software. Terms were not disclosed. More
Digital agency group Mirum, part of WPP's J. Walter Thompson network, has agreed to acquire Chinese company 3Ti Solutions Inc. More
Analytics firm Bisnode is to acquire German marketing solutions provider Global Group Dialog Solutions AG. More
In the US, e-mail marketing and automation software specialist Campaign Monitor has acquired customer data platform Tagga. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In Springtown, Texas, patient satisfaction study specialist SurveyVitals has acquired Novaetus, which administers 'Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems' (CAHPS) surveys. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Real-time performance tracking platform Tickr has acquired competitive data visualization specialist Market.Space. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Spanish multinational broadband and telecoms provider Telefonica is to acquire UK-based geolocation footfall data specialist Statiq. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but sources value it at £3.5m. More
Ad targeting firm AcuityAds Holdings Inc. has agreed to acquire Boston-based analytics specialist Visible Measures Corporation for around $10m. More
Ad agency iris has announced the acquisition of pricing strategy firm Pricing Solutions, extending the capabilities of its management consultancy iris Concise, and giving it a first office in Canada. More
London-based online panel and community specialist Beehive Research is merging analysis company Open House Research into its business. More
In Wisconsin, US, full service agency The Dieringer Research Group (DRG) has acquired Milwaukee-based Probe Research Services from owners Eric Olsen and Liz Germanotta, as they prepare for retirement. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
In London, marcoms network Four Communications Group has acquired social media marketing and insights agency Legend Engage, for an undisclosed sum. More
Tech consulting group Gartner has agreed to acquire digital performance benchmarking firm L2, for an undisclosed sum. More
Vancouver, Canada-based research community and survey technology specialist Vision Critical has sold a 'significant portion' of its shares to private equity firm W Capital Partners and existing shareholder Georgian Partners, for $76m. Reports say Angus Reid's share of the sale was $44m. More
In New York, entertainment, telecoms and media business Altice USA has acquired Audience Partners, which provides data-driven, audience-based digital ad solutions worldwide. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Polish market research company IQS has acquired MRevolution, a specialist insight community provider. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Realface, a start-up developing facial recognition technology, has become Apple's fourth buy in the country, for a price reported as 'a couple of million dollars'. More
Social media relationship platform Hootsuite has acquired analytics company LiftMetrix, for an undisclosed sum. More
In the US, cognitive clinical science specialist Jvion has acquired the Healthcare IT practice of predictive analytics software firm Predixion. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
Professional services company Accenture has agreed to buy a majority stake in digital agency SinnerSchrader, which focuses on the development of digital products and services, analysis of online user behaviour, and software and web site design. More
WPP company Ogilvy & Mather has acquired an undisclosed stake in its Irish digital partner Eightytwenty Customer Experience, which includes customer journey and ideation specialist Black and Lime. More
Ad agency network M&C Saatchi has acquired Australian insight-based marcoms group Bohemia, which uses real-time location and other customer data to drive its media planning and buying services. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More
GfK shareholders have accepted an offer from US-based private equity firm KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) for 18.54 percent of the business. The buy is part of an agreement with majority shareholder GfK Verein to support the group's long-term growth strategy. More
In the US, media company Condé Nast has acquired social media data and marketing platform CitizenNet for an undisclosed sum. More
Analytics firm Management Science Associates, Inc. (MSA) has announced a broad-ranging strategic alliance with business intelligence provider InRhythm, including the acquisition of its CPG services and customer contracts. Both companies are based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. More
In the US, advertising, brand and pricing intelligence specialist Market Track has acquired native ad competitive intelligence specialist Brandtale for an undisclosed sum. More
Digital marketing services provider Be Heard Group is to acquire a 75 percent stake in marketing analytics and innovation consultancy Freemavens for around £1.7m. More
Shareholders in UK-based insight and big data business Beyond Analysis have bought back Visa Europe's stake in the business for an undisclosed sum. The firm says the move will allow it to generate insight from across the financial services industry. More
Healthcare and consumer marketing business Cello Group has acquired US-based biotech asset development strategy consultancy Defined Health. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. More
Kantar Media has acquired Dublin-based media monitoring specialist Newsaccess, for an undisclosed sum. More
In the UK, insight firm MARU Group has acquired survey technology platform Usurv for an undisclosed sum. The latter will now be known as Maru/Usurv, and founders Martin Bysh and Guy Potter will continue to oversee its development. More
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