H.I.G. Capital

Kantar Media Sold for $1 Billion to H.I.G. Capital

Kantar Group has agreed to sell its media measurement unit, Kantar Media, to private equity firm H.I.G. Capital for approximately $1 billion. The deal is expected to propel Kantar Media into a new growth and innovation phase as part of Kantar Group’s strategic realignment that began in 2023 to separate the unit. Kantar Media operates in more than 60 countries, offering audience measurement, data analytics, media planning and validation, and it ties TV viewing to consumer behavior and brand perception. Patrick Béhar will continue as CEO of Kantar Media. The sale aligns with Kantar’s aim to emphasize AI and data-driven solutions, per Kantar CEO Chris Jansen. Ipsos had initially pursued the unit but withdrew from the bidding in December 2024. The transaction involves cash payments and reinvestments and awaits legal and regulatory approvals. The group’s ownership sits at Bain Capital 60% and WPP Group 40%.

Kantar Media Sells to H.I.G. Capital for $1B

Market research group Kantar Group has agreed to sell its measurement arm, Kantar Media, to private equity firm H.I.G. Capital for approximately $1 billion, largely in cash. The deal, announced over the weekend, would position Kantar Media as an independent measurement specialist at a time when demand for cross-media measurement is rising. WPP owns 40% of Kantar Group and stands to benefit from the payout. Ipsos had considered acquiring Kantar Media but decided against it in December. Kantar Media operates in more than 60 markets with over 4,500 employees and plays a core role in TV measurement in Europe, including running the UK national TV panel used for Barb ratings and contributing data to ISBA’s Origin cross-media project. CEO Patrick Béhar says the investment from H.I.G. will provide resources to accelerate growth and strengthen market position. The deal underscores ongoing consolidation in the ad/market research tech space and the growing appetite for data-driven cross-platform measurement.

Trump Delays TikTok Ban, Repeals AI Safety Order

A concise brief reports multiple regulatory and corporate developments affecting digital platforms. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order granting TikTok a 75-day extension to comply with a sale/divestment requirement from ByteDance to remain in the United States, with hints of potential tariffs on China if no deal is reached. The order also repealed Biden-era AI safety measures directing NIST to issue guidance and require safety test results from AI developers. Separately, Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, and TikTok signed a European Union Code of Conduct under the Digital Services Act to curb hate speech, including automatic detection tools and transparency about recommender systems, with NGO monitoring and rapid review of notices. Finally, Kantar Media will be sold to H.I.G Capital for about USD 1 billion, with closing expected later this year; H.I.G operates in over 60 markets and manages roughly USD 67 billion in capital.