GfK Builds Presence in Egypt and Japan

GfK has acquired the remaining 26% stake in GfK Egypt; and has strengthened its presence in Japan, buying out one of the partners in its joint venture and acquiring a mystery shopping business.

GfK bought a 74% stake in Market Insight (now GfK Egypt) in 2008. The operation is led by founder Dr Mansour El-Ganady, who will remain in post as MD of GfK Egypt until January, when he will be succeeded by Head of the Research Department, Ahmed Abdelgalil. From next year, El-Ganady will continue to work for the firm as a Consultant, supporting its CEEMEA regional management team.

Separately, GfK has increased its share in the joint venture GfK Custom Research Japan, upping ownership from 66 to 86% and in the process taking over the entire custom research business of one of the partners, NTT DATA SMIS - including its 'sMoni' online consumer panel of more than 200,000 panel members. The latter's parent company, NTT DATA Corporation, retains its 14% share.

GfK Custom Research Japan, which is led by MD Junichi Segawa, also recently acquired the mystery shopping business assets of Nippon Media, which provides services for clients in the telecoms and energy sectors.

Web site: www.gfk.com .