Ipsos Grows Despite Weak 'Connect' Performance

Ipsos has reported a 4.7% rise in fourth quarter revenues to EUR 524m compared with the prior year period, while full year 2015 revenue rose 6.9% to EUR 1.8bn. Revenue in the recently formed Ipsos Connect media measurement business was described as 'weak'.

At constant exchange rates, Q4 revenue was down 1%; slightly better than performance in the third quarter (-2%), and equivalent to the full year performance in 2015 (-1%).

Overall, the firm said that revenue had been 'below expectation', due to the persistent weakness of its business in emerging markets, as well as in its media measurement business Ipsos Connect. By sector, the media and ad research business reported a 6.5% drop in organic growth, the marketing research division saw 0.5% growth, and the opinion and social research arm grew 2%.

Last year was the first in which Ipsos' business in emerging markets declined. While business remained satisfactory across Africa, Mexico, Turkey and Southeast Asia, in Russia, Brazil and some of the Middle Eastern markets, performance was described as 'more challenging'.

Web site: www.ipsos.com .