Research Now and SSI Announce Merger Agreement

PLANO, Texas and SHELTON, Conn., Oct. 12, 2017 /CNW/ -- Research Now and Survey Sampling International (SSI), global leaders in market research data, data solutions, and technology, announce that they have signed a merger agreement.  The combined company will be privately held, with Court Square Capital Partners and HGGC, the current majority owners of Research Now and SSI, respectively, remaining as majority owners of the combined business.  The close of the merger transaction is expected by the end of the year, after the standard regulatory review process.

Because of accelerated adoption of automation and digital and social technology by both brands and consumers, considerable opportunities exist for delivering solutions for data-driven consumer engagement.  The combined assets of the two companies – in first-party data, technology platforms, and partnerships with major brands, publishers, and ad tech providers – will position the integrated organization to enhance its product offerings to include new services such as audience activation and engagement, paths to purchase, measurement and AI-based insights.

Together, the companies will be able to serve customers better and faster, while developing innovative marketing solutions based on technology and data. The companies' complementary capabilities – in data integration methodology, automated and DIY research, cross-channel ad and audience solutions, panel recruitment/management technology, mobile market research and geo-location solutions, multi-mode data collection and operational platforms – will provide the foundation for leveraging first-party data beyond traditional market research as well as accelerate development of innovative client solutions based on data, technology, and real-time consumer sentiment. In addition, the new entity will have expanded global reach, allowing worldwide delivery of existing and new solutions.

Chris Fanning, president and CEO of SSI, says, "Combining our capabilities and talents creates accelerated synergies across products, services, and operations.  The combination will also enable accelerated investments in the development of new markets and data solutions that will ultimately help our customers grow their businesses more successfully."

Gary S. Laben, CEO of Research Now, says, "Together, we can advance the state-of-the-art in automated research, delivery and solutions as well as in research-enriched data integration to give our customers increased competitive advantage. We will be better able to serve existing and new customers with a range of solutions for data-driven marketing and decision-making informed by research-based direct consumer engagement."

Financial terms of the deal are not being publicly released.

About Research Now

Research Now Group, Inc., is a global leader in digital research data for better insights and business decisions. Founded in 1999, the company was a pioneer in originating online data sampling and created the first B2B panel. The company provides world-class research data solutions that enable better decisions and better results for its 3,000 market research, consulting, media, and corporate clients through access to over 11 million deeply-profiled business professionals and consumers in more than 40 countries. Research Now operates globally with locations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, and is recognized as the quality, scale, and customer satisfaction leader in the market research industry. For more information, please go to www.researchnow.com.

About SSI

Celebrating 40 years in business, SSI is a premier global provider of data solutions and technology for consumer and business-to-business survey research.  SSI reaches participants in 90+ sample countries via internet, telephone, mobile/wireless and mixed-access offerings.  SSI staff operates from 40 offices and remote staff in more than 20 countries, offering sample, data collection, CATI, questionnaire design consultation, programming and hosting, online custom reporting and data processing.  SSI's employees serve more than 3,500 customers worldwide.  Visit SSI at www.surveysampling.com.

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SOURCE Research Now