Bryan, Garnier & Co advises Press Index’s founders and main shareholders in the sale of their majority stake to WPP
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Paris, July 18, 2012 – Bryan, Garnier & Co, the independent pan-European Investment Bank focusing on growth companies, announces the completion of the disposal of the 87.76% stake in Press Index, one of the leading Search & Media Intelligence company in Europe, by the founders, Butler Capital Partners and other main shareholders to Kantar SAS, a 100% WPP plc. held company.
The combination of Press Index with Kantar will result in the creation of a European leader in the Search and Media Intelligence Market. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Boulogne-Billancourt, Press Index is a Search and Media Intelligence agency which has pioneered the press electronic monitoring business. The agency employs around 210 people across offices in France, UK, Spain and Italy.
The transaction was executed for a consideration of Euro 6.81 per share, representing a premium of 57% on the average of the three months preceding the announcement of the operation.
Kantar will launch a simplified cash public tender offer to purchase the remaining outstanding shares of Press Index. If, at the end of the public tender offer, the non tendered shares represent less than 5% of the share capital of Press Index, Kantar intends to implement a squeeze out procedure.
Virginie Lazès, Managing Partner, Head of Corporate Finance, said: “This new transaction by Bryan, Garnier & Co confirms, in a more complex economic environment, our leadership in small and midcap TMT and tender offer transactions in France”.
For more information, please contact:
- Virginie Lazès / Managing Partner – Head of Corporate Finance / +33 1 56 68 75 85 / vlazes@bryangarnier.com
- Philippe Micouleau / Senior Advisor – Corporate Finance / +33 1 56 68 75 61 / pmicouleau@bryangarnier.com
- Alexandre Boukhari / Vice-President – Corporate Finance / +33 1 56 68 75 39 / aboukhari@bryangarnier.com
- Jonathan Foiret-Hurbin / Associate – Corporate Finance / +33 1 56 68 75 52 / jfoirethurbin@bryangarnier.com
About Press Index
In ten years, Press Index has become one of the major players in the world of Media Monitoring and Business Intelligence in Europe. Listed on Alternext, and considered as an Innovative Company by Oseo, the Group is active on four main markets: France, UK, Spain and Italy. With more than 5,000 clients, companies and press relations agencies, and its new search engine PICKANEWS, Press Index is progressively becoming an essential partner for the public and for companies of all kinds. ISIN Code: FR0010314963 – Mnemo: ALPRI.
About WPP plc.
WPP is the world leader in marketing communications services. The Group is made up of leading companies in: Advertising, Media Investment Management, Consumer Insight, Public Relations & Public Affairs, Branding & Identity, Healthcare Communications, Direct, Digital, Promotion & Relationship Marketing, and Specialist Communications. The group is composed of 141,000 employees working in 2,400 offices located in 107 countries.
About Kantar
Kantar is one of the world’s largest insight, information and consultancy networks. With a global network composed of 20 leading brands, a presence in 80 countries and 26,500 employees, KANTAR offers its customers an original range of expertise.