Kantar to Merge TNS 6th Dimension into Lightspeed

WPP's insight division Kantar is to merge Lightspeed Research's online panel business with the TNS 6th Dimension network of online managed access panels.

The 6th Dimension panels can reach one million panellists in the US, 500,000 across Europe and 940,000 across Asia Pacific.

Lightspeed Research operates global online panels, providing access to more than 17 million household members across 34 countries in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.

Kantar CEO Eric Salama comments: 'By merging our existing businesses, we have the opportunity to offer unparalleled global sample reach and scale, best-in-class panel management and sampling expertise and state-of-the-art sample management technology.'

The new business, which will operate under the Lightspeed Research name, will be headed by Global CEO David Day, supported by Chris Urinyi, CEO for The Americas and Terry Wiley, CEO for Asia Pacific.

A new global role of Chief Operating Officer will be filled by Efrain Ribeiro, who joins from Ipsos next week.

Web sites: www.kantargroup.com , www.lightspeedresearch.com and www.tnsglobal.com .