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Aegis in exclusive talks with Ipsos over Synovate sale
Marketing company Aegis said that talks with French group Ipsos about the sale of its market research unit Synovate had moved to an exclusive basis.
Aegis, which also has a media buying arm, revealed it was in discussions with Ipsos about the sale of the unit, which analysts value at about £500m, earlier this month. Sources familiar with the matter said Ipsos made the initial approach.
A sale of the unit will focus attention on the rest of Aegis, which has long been seen as a merger target for French group Havas, with financier Vincent Bollore the major shareholder in both companies.