Nielsen / Ebiquity merger inquiry

The CMA is investigating the proposed acquisition by Nielsen Holdings PLC of the advertising intelligence division of Ebiquity PLC.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
16 April 2018
Last updated
22 November 2018 — See all updates
Case type:
Mergers
Case state:
Closed
Market sector:
Communications
Outcome:
Mergers - phase 2 clearance
Opened:
16 April 2018
Closed:
22 November 2018

Phase 2

Administrative timetable

Date of referral: 25.6.18

Statutory deadline: 9.12.18

Contact

Email: general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk

Final report

Provisional findings

Evidence

The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.

Response to provisional findings

Responses to the Issues Statement

Response to the phase 1 decision

Issues statement

30 July 2018: The issues statement sets out the scope of the inquiry. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.

Inquiry Group appointed

27 June 2018: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group:

Richard Feasey (Chair), Anne Fletcher, Paul Muysert, Mark Thatcher

Disclosure of interests

Terms of reference

25 June 2018: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Nielsen of the advertising intelligence division of Ebiquity for an in-depth investigation.

Phase 1

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 date Action
13 June 2018 Decision announced
16 April 2018 to 30 April 2018 Invitation to comment
16 April 2018 Launch of merger inquiry

Reference decision

25 June 2018: The CMA has referred the anticipated acquisition by Nielsen of the advertising intelligence division of Ebiquity for an in-depth investigation.

News story: Media intelligence merger for in-depth CMA investigation (25.6.18)

Reference unless undertakings accepted

13 June 2018: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.

News story: Media intelligence merger could raise competition concerns (13.6.18)

Invitation to comment: Now closed

16 April 2018: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party. These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.

Launch of merger inquiry

16 April 2018: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

Published 16 April 2018
Last updated 22 November 2018 + show all updates

  1. Publication of final report.

  2. Response to provisional findings published.

  3. Provisional findings report published.

  4. Summary and notice of provisional findings published.

  5. Response to issues statement and counterfactual summary published.

  6. Parties’ initial submission published.

  7. Issues statement published.

  8. Full text of phase 1 decision published.

  9. Administrative timetable published.

  10. Disclosure of interest published.

  11. Inquiry group appointed.

  12. Reference decision and terms of reference published.

  13. Decision announced: reference unless undertakings accepted.

  14. First published.

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