Aegis Buy Boosts iProspect Social Media Offer

Hot on the heels of the news that Aegis is in talks with Ipsos about the sale of its market research arm Synovate, the group's digital arm iProspect has acquired social media intelligence specialist ICUC Moderation Services (ICUC) in Canada. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Aegis confirmed the Ipsos talks in a statement to the London Stock Exchange on Monday - no further announcement has yet been made. Aegis CEO Jerry Buhlmann says the acquisition of ICUC will add expertise in media intelligence and moderation services to iProspect's offering.

ICUC employs multi-lingual content community specialists who manage, moderate and monitor social media conversations, other user-generated content and live events. Last year, the firm had gross assets of $1.4m.

iProspect provides insight and analysis across a number of digital performance disciplines such as search engine marketing programs, social media strategies and mobile marketing initiatives. The firm will use ICUC's community management platform and social media expertise to continue enhancing its own social media offerings.

Robert Murray, iProspect Global CEO, says there is an 'ideal match' between ICUC's real-time social media services and iProspect's clients' growing needs across the social media landscape.

ICUC President and CEO Keith Bilous adds: 'The social media world is evolving and changing daily, and as one organization, we will be well-positioned to bring even greater understanding to iProspect's clients by offering the most current, vital and strategic social media solutions.'

Web sites: www.aegisplc.com , www.iprospect.com and www.icucmoderation.com .