The text of the Dentsu Inc. news release distributed on October 11 is as follows.
October 11, 2018
― Agreement Reached to Acquire 100% of Shares in Leading UK Market Research Firm "B2B" ―
Dentsu Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Toshihiro Yamamoto; Capital: ¥74,609.81 million) has reached an agreement with the shareholders of B2B International Limited (Headquarters: Manchester; Chairman/Founder: Nick Hague; Group CEO: Matthew Harrison; hereinafter "B2B") to acquire 100% of its shares through its overseas headquarters, Dentsu Aegis Network (*). Matthew Harrison, Group CEO; hereinafter "B2B") based in Manchester, UK.
Founded in 1996, B2B has grown as the UK's specialist B2B market research company. It currently employs 175 people and provides specialized services ranging from insight discovery to strategic consulting in major markets including Europe, the US, and China, as well as outside the UK.
The purpose of this acquisition is to expand the business scale and strengthen the service capabilities of "gyro" (headquartered in New York City, USA), one of the specialist/multi-market brands within our group and a B2B-specialized advertising agency. Going forward, we will rename B2B to "B2B International, a gyro Company" and accelerate our growth strategy by providing more competitive services in the B2B sector.
The impact of this transaction on the Company's consolidated results for the fiscal year ending December 2018 is expected to be minimal.
*Dentsu Inc. Aegis Network (Headquarters: London, UK), which oversees Dentsu Inc.'s overseas operations, conducts business globally centered on 10 global network brands. These 10 brands are: Carat, Dentsu (Dentsu Brand Agencies), dentsu X, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, Merkle, MKTG, Posterscope, and Vizeum.
【B2B Company Overview】
Company Name: B2B International Limited (B2B)
Headquarters: Manchester, UK (with operational bases in London, UK; New York City, USA; Düsseldorf, Germany; and Beijing, China)
Established: July 1996
Shareholder Structure: 100% owned by Dentsu Inc. Aegis Network following share acquisition
Revenue: £7.62 million (approx. ¥1.13 billion) (fiscal year ending December 2017)
Representatives: Nick Hague (Chairman/Founder), Matthew Harrison (Group CEO)
Number of Employees: 175
Business Description: Provides specialized market research services in the B2B sector
End
Dentsu Inc. News Release
http://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2018/1011-009622.html
