A pack of buyout firms is reportedly exploring a bid to buy Nielsen as the measurement giant continues a strategic review of its options, which could involve a sale of all or parts of the company.
According to InsideRadio, among the interested suitors is Chicago-based private equity group Madison Dearborn, which last year hired former Nielsen global president John Lewis as an executive partner “to secure compelling investment opportunities” in the information services landscape.
 |
| John Lewis |
Nielsen has been under activist shareholder pressure to sell. In August, Hedge fund Elliott Management said it bought stocks and options totaling 8.4% of the measurement provider. Run by billionaire Paul Singer, the activist investor said in a regulatory filing it will “encourage the issuer to undertake a full strategic review of, and initiate a process to explore the sale.”
In September, Nielsen said it was expanding a strategic review of the company to include a possible outright sale of the entire operation or a spin-off of parts of its business. Other options being considered include continuing to operate as a public company or a spin of either its Buy or Watch segments. Nielsen has hired J.P. Morgan Securities and Guggenheim Securities as financial advisors, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz as legal counsel to assist in the review.
Madison Dearborn isn’t the only private equity group kicking the tires at Nielsen. At least half a dozen buyout firms have hired advisers for potential bids, according to the Financial Times. Among those reportedly studying a possible offer are a group led by Blackstone and Hellman & Friedman, along with Washington-based Carlyle and Singapore’s GIC and Canada’s CPPIB.
No comments:
Post a Comment