[April 21, 2015] |
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IRI Acquires Leading Chinese Market Research Organization, Datasea, and Accelerates Presence in World's Largest Market
Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), the global leader in innovative
solutions and services for consumer, retail and over-the-counter
healthcare companies, announced today the acquisition of Datasea, one of
China's leading analytic services and market research companies, which
has deep knowledge and expertise in the retail and CPG industries.
"We are building a Chinese company powered by the latest global
insights, analytics and technology and bringing the latest tools and
technology to this market," said Andrew Appel, president and chief
executive officer, IRI. "The agreement represents the most recent
execution of IRI's strategic commitment to dramatically increase our
geographic footprint to meet the global market research needs of our
clients.
"It also complements other facets of IRI's strategic direction,
including expanding our data assets and leveraging this data with
advanced analytics, plus consumer and shopper marketing services that
enable our clients to achieve sustained levels of more rapid growth. We
look forward to integrating IRI and Datasea's strengths to bring
enhanced offerings to our clients."
This purchase is the latest step in IRI's growth strategy. In 2013, IRI
completed the acquisition of Aztec, a leading provider of market
measurement and related services in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New
Zealand, South Africa, Sweden and the U.K. It also acquired FreshLook
Marketing, which offers data and consulting services to the fresh food
industry, in 2013.
Datasea is a leader in providing analytic services and market research
in China. Its services center on six areas: customer research, brand
research, satisfaction and loyalty programs, new product testing,
advertising impact evaluation, and distribution strategy. Its concept of
market research includes three elements: an unbiased and proven research
methodology, experience in understanding the story behind the data, and
a focus on driving actionable and pragmatic recommendations. Clients
include CPG manufacturers and retailers, as well as companies in related
industries, such as quick service restaurants (QSRs) and cosmetics. It
maintains offices in Beijing Shanghai, Guangzhou and Jinan, supported
by a nationwide service network.
IRI and Datasea clients will gain significant benefits as a result of
this partnership. The combined entities will build unique and powerful
solutions for manufacturers and retailers based on five key areas: deep
big data expertise, best-in-class technology, shopper targeting and
activation, supplier collaboration and joint business planning, and
commercialization of solutions. The complementary strengths of the two
entities will ensure all clients receive higher-quality data and
services.
Immediate plans include integrating IRI and Datasea's existing
consulting and analytics services and initiating a series of retail
gateway programs designed to support retailers' performance, basket
analytics, pricing and promotion, assortment strategy, and shopper
targeting. In the near term, this will expand to include market
measurement, e-commerce/digital/social/mobile marketing, and media
targeting and activation.
"It has been a dream of mine to bring advanced analytics and related
services to the Chinese market. We are eager to bring to our clients the
analytics, products and solutions IRI offers worldwide, as well as share
our expertise on the rapidly growing Chinese market," said Mr. Lyu
Liangming, founder and chairman, Datasea. "We share the common goal of
working with clients to help them better understand the markets they
serve and convert that understanding into long-term, sustained levels of
growth. Understanding today's markets is increasingly complex, with
shoppers more demanding of their manufacturers and retailers, and this
acquisition will help these organizations meet these expanded needs."
About Datasea
Datasea was founded in 1996 and offers strong local competence and a
nationwide network in China. Datasea services include analytics that
help clients develop enhanced pricing strategies, efficient promotions,
improved effectiveness in-store, forecasting, next-generation marketing
mix modeling and assortment optimization. Its concept of market research
includes three elements: an unbiased and proven research methodology,
experience in understanding the story behind the data, and a focus on
driving actionable and pragmatic recommendations. Datasea maintains
offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Jinan, supported by a
nationwide service network. The company has received multiple honors
from the Chinese government and other organizations.
About the IRI Partner Ecosystem
IRI fundamentally believes that delivering differentiated growth for
clients requires deep, highly integrated partnering with a variety of
best-of-breed companies. As such, IRI works closely with a broad range
of industry leaders to create innovative joint solutions, services and
access to capabilities to help its clients more effectively compete in
their various markets and exceed their growth objectives. IRI is
committed to its partnership philosophy and continues to actively
enhance its ecosystem of partners through alliances, joint ventures,
acquisitions and affiliations. The IRI Partner Ecosystem includes such
companies as The Boston Consulting Group, comScore, Datalogix (an
Oracle (News - Alert) company), Experian, GfK, Intage, Ipsos,
Kantar, MasterCard Advisors, MaxPoint, Millward
Brown Digital, Oracle Data Cloud, Rentrak (News - Alert), SPINS,
Univision and others.
About IRI
IRI is a leader in delivering powerful market, consumer and media
exposure information, predictive analytics and the foresight that leads
to action. We go beyond the data to ignite extraordinary growth for our
clients in the CPG, retail and over-the-counter health care industries
by pinpointing what matters and illuminating how it can impact their
businesses. Move your business forward at www.iriworldwide.com.
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