At the beginning of 2003, the businesses which comprise the Aegis Research network have been rebranded as Synovate. At that time, and as said Adrian Chedore, worldwide CEO, this was the final stage in a process which started two years before and now incorporates 77 offices in 46 countries, creating a company that is one of the largest and most important custom market research agencies in the world. Companies which became Synovate on January 6th were Market Facts and its subsidiaries in the Americas, Asia Market Intelligence and Research Fact in Asia Pacific and Market&More, Pegram Walters, Démoscopie, The Sample Surveys Research Group, INNER Strategic Research and MEMRB Custom Research Worldwide in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The name Synovate combines the two key themes of business strategy : Synergy and Innovation. By leveraging synergy across business units, Synovate can offer powerful new services hand-in-hand with increased competitive advantage. At the same time, the company aims for continuous innovation in marketing solutions, client service deliverables and internal processes. The Synovate brand mark depicts two interwoven rings representing interaction and dynamism.

Synovate generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions. The network provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive suite of leading research solutions.

Synovate is developing itself in the following markets :

• The Custom Research market, implying both its qualitative and quantitative segments,
• The B to C and B to B segments,
• The main following sectors : Automobile, Financial Services, FMCG, Luxury Goods, Healthcare, Industry, IT, Media, Retail, Tourism/Leisure, Transportation, Utilities.

Synovate is positioning itself by developing long term and fruitful partnerships with clients through to continuous Synergy and Innovation.

On one hand, the Synergy with the client is obtained thanks to :

• Synovate’s ability to deliver full Market Research Services from preliminary consulting to operational recommendation (thanks to sector expertise)
• Its Market Research Offer that covers with modularity and flexibility : the whole Marketing Added Value Chain and the whole Product/Service Life Cycle
• Synovate ability to service the client worldwide

On the other hand, current examples of Synovate continuous Innovation attitude are :

• Innovative research branded solutions (TME, Viewscast,…)
• Innovative data collection means (Viewscast, ION,…)
• Innovative services (Training, Consulting, Real Time Market Research,…)
• Ability to integrate Market Research Services to Communication and Consulting Ones thanks to strong partnerships

So hopefully, Synergy and Innovation are much more than just strategic concepts. This is due in particular to the fact that Synovate is not a centralised corporation born out of one location. Instead, Synovate’s global network was crafted by bringing together the best “think-alike” local companies, with the best minds available anywhere, into one truly borderless operation. And as expected, smart people enjoy being brought together with other smart people. As a result, you’ll quickly notice that unlike any other global research company, there are more empowered, curious people available on the ground to care for clients around the globe. With passion, precision and entrepreneurial flair.

In 2002, Synovate estimated revenues exceeded 300 M Euros generated, growing more than 10 % from 2001 and thanks to more than 3000 employees working around the world.

More information on Synovate is available on www.synovate.com

About Aegis Group plc

Aegis Group plc is the holding company for Carat, its media strategy, planning and buying business and Synovate. These two operating groups provide clients with a range of services across media communications, marketing consultancy and market research. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Aegis is capitalised at around £1.04 billion and operates in 60 countries. More information is available at www.aegisplc.com.

Tel : 33 (0)1 40 45 46 47
Fax : 33 (0)1 48 28 94 06

26 rue de Chambéry
75015 PARIS - FRANCE

http://www.synovate.com