Ipsos Expands in Asia

Global agency Ipsos is to expand its presence in Asia having this week announced the acquisition of a significant equity in Japanese market research company, Lyncs Incorporated, and Chinese market research company, Feng & Associates Marketing Services.

Firstly, Ipsos will acquire 60 per cent of Lyncs Incorporated's holdings. Established in 1991 by its President Mr. Nobuyuki Sato, the company generated 5 million euros in revenues during the last fiscal year. With offices in Tokyo and Sapporo, Lyncs serves major international and Japanese clients, and conducts surveys both within Japan and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The company has considerable experience in advertising research, which is one of the main Ipsos specializations. Lyncs currently employs 20 full-time staff and more than 850 interviewers. It offers both CATI (telephone) and CAPI (face-to-face) interviewing capabilities, as well as specialized teams for qualitative research with dedicated facilities in Central Tokyo. This acquisition will enable the Ipsos group -- present in the country since the July 2001 acquisition of the Novaction Group (now Ipsos-Novaction) -- to double the size of its operations in Japan.

Meanwhile in China, Ipsos will acquire 40 per cent of Feng & Associates Marketing Services. Established in 1997 by Mr. Lifeng Liu, President, the company is expected to generate more than 3.5 million euros in revenues during the current fiscal year. With offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, FAMS has extensive experience in marketing research, brand strategy and product development. The company, which currently employs 90 full-time staff and more than 600 interviewers, has long-term contracts with more than 30 field suppliers throughout China, including Hong Kong. With this acquisition, the Ipsos group strengthens its position in the Chinese market, where it is already represented by Ipsos-Link, based in Beijing and Shanghai. Ipsos plans to merge the two companies to create Ipsos China in which Ipsos will hold a majority stake to be managed by Mr. Lifeng Liu. The formation of Ipsos China will make Ipsos the second largest survey-based research group in China, with revenues of approximately 6 million euros.

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.