MSQ Says No Formal Talks, No Interest in S4 Merger

Marcoms group MSQ has responded to recent reports that it is in early-stage merger talks with Sir Martin Sorrell's S4 Capital. The firm says that neither its own Board nor its majority shareholder One Equity Partners (OEP) intends to pursue discussions regarding the rumoured transaction.

Reports from Sky News last weekend and elsewhere earlier this week suggested that the two companies had been involved in preliminary talks, and S4 appeared to confirm that a possible acquisition of MSQ was on the table, albeit at a very early stage.

A statement from MSQ on Thursday however said its Board had not been involved in discussions regarding, or considered a proposal for, a merger, and that the firm remains focused on organic growth. For clarity, MSQ said that 'speculative and informal conversations' are a part of the 'investor community' and 'may have taken place' between representatives of OEP and S4, but that neither it nor its owner intended to pursue the matter.

S4 has not commented further.

MSQ is online at www.msqpartners.com .