Re: Taylor Nelson Sofres

RNS Number : 3164W

WPP Group PLC

09 June 2008

 



For Immediate Release

9 June 2008

WPP GROUP PLC ("WPP")

Re: Taylor Nelson Sofres

This morning Taylor Nelson Sofres plc ("TNS") issued an announcement. This resulted in press comment that TNS is proposing to provide WPP Group plc ("WPP") with the information which it has disclosed to GfK AG ("GfK") in the context of its proposed merger with GfK.  

This is not, in fact, the case. TNS has stated that it will be providing WPP with certain information that was provided to GfK-Nurnberg e.V. ("GfK Verein"), GfK's controlling shareholder. This is on the basis that GfK Verein is treated as a potential offeror for TNS because it could end up in control of TNS (for the purposes of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers) following completion of its proposed merger with GfK. 

TNS has not stated that it will provide WPP with the same information that it has provided to GfK. WPP understands this is on the basis that, notwithstanding  it is expressly stated in the announcement by TNS on 3 June 2008 that GfK is free to work on a possible offer in respect of TNS and is entitled to use the information provided to it by TNS for this purpose, GfK is not in fact a potential offeror for TNS.

GfK and GfK Verein are chaired by the same person and GfK Verein will remain the dominant shareholder in the enlarged GfK-TNS group assuming the merger becomes effective. In addition, given that TNS shareholders and GfK shareholders will each hold approximately 50 per cent. of the share capital of TNS following completion of the proposed merger, and that WPP is a bona fide potential offeror for TNS, WPP continues to believe that it is in the interests of TNS shareholders for the TNS Board to accept that all the information already provided by TNS to GfK  should be given equally and promptly to WPP.

Enquires:

Buchanan Communications Richard Oldworth	[phone]
Merrill Lynch International Richard Taylor Mark Astaire (Corporate Broking)	[phone]
Perella Weinberg Philip Yates Graham Davidson	[phone]
Goldman Sachs Simon Dingemans James Del Favero	[phone] [phone]

 

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