Daily Research News Online no. 7800 - TNS Buys in Ireland, Anticipates Growth

TNS Buys in Ireland, Anticipates Growth

January 11 2008

TNS says it expects revenue growth of more than 5% for 2007, based on strong performance in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions. Also this week, TNS Media Intelligence has acquired Irish media analysis firm MediaMarket for an undisclosed sum.

Finance Director Andy Boland says that he is confident about the group's prospects for the year ahead, despite the uncertain economic outlook for 2008. Continued healthy growth is expected in syndicated services, while in custom research expansion is predicted in Europe and North America, with ALM (Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa) expected to be particularly strong.

The company is assuming 2007 restructuring costs to be around £7m, which is £3m higher than previously projected. The additional costs relate to last September's reorganisation of TNS Media Intelligence and TNS iTRAM into a combined business unit (www.mrweb.com/drno/news7372.htm ).

TNS says it has benefited recently from clients wanting more analysis of data and help in understanding new types of media. Right on cue therefore, the firm has acquired MediaMarket, which provides media monitoring, measurement and analysis services, and has developed a system which provides clients with delivery of media coverage in digital format. Founder Michael Farrelly will remain as MD of the company.

Farrelly commented: 'Being a part of TNS will strengthen our leading position and offer us new development prospects. TNS' international network and expertise will enable us to offer new and added-value solutions to our clients.' Jean-Michel Portail, MD of TNS Media Intelligence Europe added that MediaMarket's 'outstanding positioning' in the Irish market would reinforce his firm's strong position in Europe.

Established in 2002 and headquartered in Dublin with an office in Belfast, MediaMarket's monitoring services allow companies to track press, radio, TV and Internet coverage based on keywords supplied within a client brief. The firm employs 56 people and is online at www.mediamarket.ie.

Last year TNS Media Intelligence acquired rival agency PressWatch Media, to boost its UK market position (www.mrweb.com/drno/news6310.htm ). The firm's English language home page is at www.tnsmediaintelligence.fr/version%5Fen.