Kantar Announces the Acquisition of Benenson Strategy Group

LONDON – Kantar, the data investment management division of WPP, announced that it has acquired global strategic research and consulting firm, Benenson Strategy Group. The acquisition adds Benenson Strategy Group’s unique strengths to Kantar’s line up of companies and reflects the growing demand among opinion leaders for deep, consumer-based insights, rooted in behavior change.

“We are delighted to welcome to Kantar a company as highly regarded as Benenson Strategy Group”

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in New York, Benenson Strategy Group ran the award-winning research and polling programs for President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns and has advised 11 Prime Ministers and Presidents worldwide. Benenson Strategy Group also has an extensive private sector and advocacy practice, including clients such as Pfizer, AARP, Campbell’s Soup Company and the NFL. In addition to New York, the firm has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Denver.

“We are delighted to welcome to Kantar a company as highly regarded as Benenson Strategy Group,” said Kantar CEO Eric Salama. “Joel and his team bring a unique dimension to Kantar’s global offer through their advanced research, deep insights and unique approach to the understanding of consumer attitudes. These characteristics will enable us to open new doors and embrace new techniques for the clients we serve through Kantar’s operating companies, while expanding Benenson Strategy Group’s expertise across sectors and geographies.”

Joel Benenson, CEO of Benenson Strategy Group said, “Benenson Strategy Group helps leaders in politics, business and public affairs connect with their target audiences by understanding the complex attitudes that drive choice and change. We are very excited to join Kantar, a global leader, and look forward to working in partnership as we continue to conduct high-impact strategic work for our clients and expand our global reach.”

Benenson Strategy Group will continue to be run by co-founders Joel Benenson, CEO, and Carl Rossow, COO, along with its senior leadership team of Peter Brodnitz, Daniel Franklin, Mitch Markel, and Amy Levin, all Principals at the firm.

For further information please contact Lindsay McMurdo at Kantar on +44 7768 591977, [email protected], or Kathryn Fitz-Gerald of Benenson Strategy Group at +1 303 928 8416, [email protected].

About Kantar

Kantar is the data investment management division of WPP and one of the world’s largest insight, information and consultancy groups. By connecting the diverse talents of its 13 specialist companies, the group aims to become the pre-eminent provider of compelling and inspirational insights for the global business community. Its 28,500 employees work across 100 countries and across the whole spectrum of research and consultancy disciplines, enabling the group to offer clients business insights at every point of the consumer cycle. The group’s services are employed by over half of the Fortune Top 500 companies.

For further information, please visit us at www.kantar.com.

About Benenson Strategy Group

Benenson Strategy Group is a global strategic research and consulting firm that delivers breakthrough communication and messaging strategies. Through advanced research and a deep understanding of the complex consumer attitudes that motivate decision-making and drive change, Benenson Strategy Group helps its corporate, political and institutional clients overcome significant communications challenges and gain a competitive edge in the markets they serve. The firm has offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Denver. For more information, please visit www.bsgco.com.