Bollore Buys 40% of French Agency

Bollore Investissement, a company controlled by French financier and Havas chairman Vincent Bollore, this week acquired a 40 per cent stake in the holding company of French opinion polling and market research group CSA-TMO, with the option to increase to a majority holding by 2008-9.

The Group said the move forms part of its development strategy in the communications sector. 'The field of market research and opinion polling has seen strong growth and can provide businesses and stakeholders with a better understanding of the behaviour of consumers and the public towards the products and services they offer.'

Financial details were not disclosed. Talks between CSA-TMO and Bollore were announced in April after 24% shareholder the Siparex investment fund said it wanted to sell up.

Bollore is the largest shareholder in the UK's Aegis Group, which owns research company Synovate. Aegis rejected two of Bollore's nominations for its board in May (DRNO www.mrweb.com/drno/news5522.htm ) citing a conflict of interest.

CSA-TMO is on the web at www.csa-tmo.fr .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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