TNS Retains $85m Standard Eurobarometer Study

TNS has been retained for The European Commission's $85m framework contract to deliver the Standard Eurobarometer studies for the next four years, seeing off competition from Ipsos, Gallup and GfK.

The Eurobarometer measures public opinion in Europe and covers a number of issues facing the EU, including the economic situation, globalisation, the protection of the environment, immigration, poverty and international affairs. The EC's Standard Eurobarometer contract, which is said to be one of the largest research contracts ever commissioned, will be led by TNS's Opinions team, who interview approximately 1,000,000 citizens face-to-face every year in more than 35 countries across Europe, and in more than 40 different languages.

TNS has worked for the European Institutions since 1974 when it first won the contract for the quant Standard Eurobarometer studies. Earlier this year, the agency was awarded the Eurobarometer Qualitative Studies, worth $25m over four years. The new contract means TNS will continue to deliver both elements of the programme, with a combined value of $110m over four years.

Leendert de Voogd, Global Head of Political & Social at TNS, comments: 'We are extremely proud to have been chosen to deliver the biggest political and social research contract ever commissioned. The combination of both qualitative and quantitative Eurobarometer contracts will enable us to provide policymakers with comprehensive information to help them in their decision-making processes and the drafting of European-wide public policies.'

Web site: www.tnsglobal.com .