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TNS Japan Merges with Infoplan
TNS has agreed to merge its Japanese business with Infoplan Inc., a subsidiary of Interpublic agency McCann Erickson. TNS-Infoplan Inc., in which the research giant will have a majority stake, will be headed up by TNS Japan's current MD, Osamu Miyake.
McCann Erickson Japan Inc. will maintain a significant minority position while TNS' current joint venture partner, Nippon Research Center, will retain a smaller one. The firms say the merger will create 'a significantly enhanced market information service for both local and international clients from the merged entity, a strong local Japan presence combined with international reach and highly sophisticated best in class research capability.' TNS-Infoplan will continue its close relationship with the other operating units of McCann Worldgroup in the Japanese market.
The joint statement says TNS will benefit from greater operational scale in Japan, broader local client relationships and a strong local brand, deeper market understanding and experienced professional staff especially for qual. Infoplan will gain access to TNS global clients, network and operational infrastructure, plus its proprietary research tools.
Kevin Ramsey, President & CEO of McCann Erickson Japan, says the merger will create new opportunities for the professional development of Infoplan employees, and adds: 'No reductions in staffing are envisaged as a result of the merger. In fact, we expect that the business momentum generated by the merger will mean that TNS-Infoplan will be actively recruiting additional staff early in 2007.' The merger is expected to complete on 1st January, subject to contract and the statutory 30 day minimum waiting period.
Infoplan, which had gross assets of 685.4m Japanese yen (£3.1m) as of December 31 2005, is on the web at www.infoplan.co.jp while TNS' group home page is at www.tns-global.com .
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