TNS Wins EUR 65m Eurobarometer Contract

TNS has beaten IPSOS, Gallup and Synovate in a pitch to win what it describes as 'one of the largest market research contracts ever commissioned' - a four year EUR 65m EU project to provide a measure of public opinion in Europe.

TNS has worked for the European Institutions since 1974 when it first won the contract for the quantitative standard Eurobarometer studies. Four months ago, it was awarded the Eurobarometer qualitative studies worth EUR 15m over four years.

This latest Eurobarometer project covers a number of issues facing the EU including globalisation, unemployment, protection of the environment, immigration, poverty and international affairs, many of which will be tracked over several years.

It will be co-ordinated within TNS' Political & Social sector by TNS Opinion, which will interview approximately 200,000 citizens every year in more than 34 countries across Europe. All interviews will be conducted face-to-face, in 44 different languages, by 9,200 dedicated TNS interviewers.

'TNS is extremely proud to have been chosen to run what is known as the biggest political and social research contract ever commissioned,' commented Leendert de Voogd, Global Head of TNS Political & Social sector.

'The combination of both qualitative and quantitative Eurobarometer contracts will enable us to provide European elites with the most exhaustive sources of information and help them in their decision-making process and the drafting of European-wide public policies,' he added.

Brussels-based TNS Opinion specialises in coordinating multinational opinion surveys using tools and procedures specifically adapted for international projects. As a division of TNS, it is part of the WPP-owned Kantar insight and consultancy network.

Web sites: www.tns-opinion.com , www.tnsglobal.com and www.kantargrouptns.com .