DMCs & PCOs

VNU Board Agrees to Buyout Offer
15/03/2006
The board of VNU NV, one of the world's largest trade show producers, today announced it has agreed to an $8.9-billion buyout offer from a group of private equity firms.
VNU produces about 150 trade shows and 140 print publications around the world. In the United States, VNU Business Media USA produces more than 50 trade shows and 45 publications, including MeetingNews and Successful Meetings. Electronic products include MiMegasite.com.
The world's largest market research company, VNU also owns ACNielsen and Nielsen Media Research. The company employs nearly 41,000 people in about 100 countries.
"Based on a long and careful analysis of various alternatives, including remaining a stand-alone company and breaking up the company, we concluded that this transaction best serves the interests of VNU's shareholders, clients and employees," said Aad Jacobs, chairman of VNU's Supervisory Board.
The six equity firms are AlpInvest Partners, The Blackstone Group, The Carlyle Group, Hellman & Friedman, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., and Thomas H. Lee Partners.
In a statement, the equity firms said they intend to keep VNU "substantially together as an integrated company."
The sale is subject to VNU shareholder approval. It is expected to be completed by the end of May.