The company’s performance has been taken as confirmation of the group’s success as a worldwide player in the market research industry. Its business growth in 2000 in fact exceeded that of the worldwide research market, estimated as around 9% for the period. Over the 4th quarter 2000, Ipsos activity as compared to that of last year, increased by 40% out of which 11.4% came from organic growth.

The strong 2000 financial year accounts for the Group’s most recent acquisitions. This includes Médiangles (France), Bimsa (Mexico), Tandemar (Canada), Link (China), and during the second half, Angus Reid (Canada), Research in Focus (UK) and Ipsos-Stat (Lebanon, Syria, UAE). As far as the other acquisitions are concerned, it is believed that NPD Marketing Research Division in North America, along with Mora y Araujo, Search Marketing and Marplan in Latin America will form part of the group’s consolidation starting from January 1, 2001.

Looking forward, Ipsos co-Chairmen Jean-Marc Lech and Didier Truchot have reaffirmed the company’s objective to maintain a high level of organic growth, ie exceeding 10%. 2001 revenues of about € 500 million are forecast, instead of the € 450 million previously announced. Furthermore, it is expected that North American operations will account for 40% of the Group’s overall activity.