Toluna acquires Greenfield Online's internet survey business from Microsoft
26 June 2009: Toluna, the online research panel, has today acquired the majority of the assets of Greenfield Online from Microsoft. Greenfield Online, owner of Ciao Surveys, was acquired by Microsoft in 2008.
The $40million acquisition will make Toluna the largest global supplier of online market research data, with a global market share of over 11%. The company will offer 24/7 local and offshore project delivery groups and process automation tools.
Frédéric-Charles Petit, Founder and Chief Executive of Toluna, commented:
“This is a great step for Toluna both from a strategic and corporate standpoint as we expand our reach and our shareholder base. We are delighted to have agreed this strategic acquisition, which will form the largest global online panel, communities and technology group servicing the market research industry with a strong market position and prospects for growth in the years ahead. It enables
Toluna to fundamentally improve the stability of supply of online samples to the market research industry. We are also pleased to be expanding our shareholder base and welcoming Verlinvest as a long term strategic shareholder which brings its expertise and network to the Group. The appointment of Frédéric de Mevius as a director will significantly reinforce our corporate structure and the board will propose to appoint and re-elect him for a new term at the next AGM.
We look forward to welcoming the ISS team and beginning the work of integration. We are confident that this will be an excellent deal for all our shareholders, employees and clients.”
The SPA for the deal was signed on June 26th with the closing scheduled for execution on July 13th. Integration of the two companies begins immediately.
About Toluna
Toluna is the world's largest online research panel and survey technology provider. It provides sample and custom panel building expertise to over 1,500 of the world’s leading market research agencies from offices across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
Toluna has built and manages a panel community of over 4,3 million active members across 33 European and international countries. This has been extensively profiled into 16 specialist panels, reaching niche segments to provide premium quality survey research data.
Toluna enables organisations to generate valuable customer insight by creating, hosting and managing their own online communities using PanelPortal – its online community management technology. In addition, Toluna has also recently launched Toluna QuickSurveys an online, self-service tool that enables you to create a nationally representative survey of up to 5 questions, pay for it online using a credit card and receive reliable results within 24 hours.
Editorial Contacts
Eleanor Orebigann, Hotwire PR,
020 7608 4679
