The Guardian
trending topics
Close Box

Our news

Yes, it’s true: We are joining GigaOM...


WPP Expected To Bid Higher For TNS; Sorrell: Rejection Was ‘Cavalier’; TNS: Offer Was ‘Derisory’

  • Comments Comments (View)
  • Text Size: A A

Although WPP Group’s £1 billion ($1.9 billion) offer to acquire audience researcher Taylor Nelson Sofres was rejected over the the weekend, the UK ad holding firm is still pressing the TNS’ board for more talks, according to the Guardian. Sir Martin Sorrell, WPP’s CEO, made the bid for TNS shortly after the researcher announce plans to merge with German audience measurement company GfK. The deal with GfK is valued at £78.7 million (€100 million) and would create the second-largest audience measurement firm behind Nielsen.

SEE ALSO: Audience Measurement Firm TNS Rejects WPP’s £1 Billion Offer

TNS said it rejected WPP’s offer because it believed it was “not in shareholders’ interests” and undervalued the company. WPP has not said whether it will come back with a higher offer but a WPP spokesman said that the company has asked the board to provide more specifics on its decision, which Sorrell has characterized as “cavalier.” In turn, TNS shot back, through a spokesman: “It doesn’t take long to reject a derisory offer.”

Reuters: Analysts seem to agree that WPP’s move is merely “opportunistic,” contending that the ad holding company was spurred to disrupt TNS’ merger with GfK, as a larger company with a blocking shareholder would ultimately make it more difficult to buy. They expect a higher bid.

May 6, 2008 7:42 AM ET

Posted In: Advertising, Marketing, Money, M&A & Venture Capital, Mergers & Acquisitions, Companies, WPP, Countries, Europe, Germany

(Page 1 of 1)


The Bestsellers

From iTunes and YouTube to Facebook and Kindle, the most popular content on the web, free and paid.

YouTube Videos YouTube Videos
See The Other Bestsellers »

Jobs RSS Job Listings

Social Standing

Which media brands are getting a lift from Tweeters and bloggers right now -- and which are getting panned?

"Sentiment" Scores for All the Companies »

Sponsors

Staff