iSuppli to Acquire Media Researcher Screen Digest

US electronics and media market intelligence specialist iSuppli is to acquire UK-based Screen Digest, which conducts market research into the film TV, broadband and mobile media, cinema, home entertainment and video games sectors. Terms were not disclosed.

Screen Digest has been tracking global media markets for almost 40 years. Headquartered in London, the company employs a team of more than 45 analysts led by Ben Keen, Chief Analyst and Executive Director.

The planned acquisition would include AMR (Adams Media Research), a US source of market data and financial analysis on the film, TV, video game and digital media markets.

'The addition of Screen Digest's vast range of Intelligence services would enable iSuppli to offer its clients the most complete understanding of the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) value chain in the market research business today,' said iSuppli's President and CEO, Derek Lidow. 'With this acquisition, iSuppli plans to marry its in-depth technology research to Screen Digest's detailed analysis of media content, distribution and enabling platform trends for traditional and new media.'

Lidow, who says no redundancies are expected as a result of the acquisition, adds that Screen Digest's London base would become iSuppli's European hub, and serve as a 'launching pad' for the combined companies' services.

'With developments in the media industry increasingly tied to the proliferation of new technology platforms and services, iSuppli and Screen Digest will be uniquely positioned to help clients throughout the TMT supply chain understand and capitalize on the forces reshaping the global entertainment and electronics businesses,' stated Screen Digest MD, Allan Hardy.

The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Web sites: www.isuppli.com and www.screendigest.com .