Global audience insights company Nielsen is being acquired by a private equity consortium led by Evergreen Coast Capital Corporation and Brookfield Business Partners.
The all-cash transaction is valued at US$16 billion, including the assumption of debt. The deal offers US$28 per Nielsen share.
The Nielsen board of directors voted unanimously to support the acquisition proposal, which represents a 10% premium over the consortium's previous proposal and a 60% premium over Nielsen's unaffected stock price as of March 11, the last trading day before market speculation regarding a potential transaction.
"After a thorough assessment, the Board determined that this transaction represents an attractive outcome for our shareholders by providing a cash takeout at a substantial premium, while supporting Nielsen's commitment to our clients, employees and stakeholders,” says Nielsen’s board of directors chair James Attwood.
“The Consortium sees the full potential of Nielsen's leadership position in the media industry and the unique value we deliver for our clients worldwide.”
The transaction is subject to approval by Nielsen shareholders, as well as regulatory approvals, ande is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
"Nielsen is deeply embedded in the media ecosystem and a trusted service provider to its customers,” says Brookfield Business Partners managing partner Dave Gregory.
“As a private company, Nielsen will be even better positioned to deliver the best measures of consumers' rapidly changing behaviors across all channels and platforms.
"We are pleased to invest in this iconic company and help lead the industry into the next generation of audience measurement."
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