GfK Buys in Netherlands and France

The Gfk Group has acquired ad campaign research firm Daphne Communication Management in the Netherlands and mystery shopping specialist SATISTEME in France.

Dutch GfK subsidiary Intomart bought Daphne in a move which the Group says reinforces its commitment in the custom research arena. Since its formation in Amstelveen near
Amsterdam in 2001, Daphne has specialised in reach monitoring and ad campaign evaluation.

The firm, which will be known as GfK Daphne, is headed by MD Dr Arie den Boon, and its team of 26 generated c.EUR 2.5 million in 2006. Existing software solutions - such as its web platform Daphne Dashboard - and future software developments will be utilised by Intomart GfK.

French firm SATISTEME will enhance GfK's global mystery shopping presence, and will now be part of the GfK subsidiary Institut de Sondages Lavialle (ISL), which it has worked with since it was established in 1994. Managing Director Alain Dubreuil oversees a staff of 11, and in 2006 sales reached EUR 3.6 million.

GfK reported robust but - by its own recent high standards - moderate organic growth of 4.9% in July (www.mrweb.com/drno/news7175.htm ). Web sites are at www.gfk.com , www.daphnecm.com and www.satisteme.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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