Baker McKenzie has advised Kantar Group, a leading global market research company based in London and portfolio company of Bain Capital, on the proposed sale of Kantar Media to H.I.G. Capital, a leading global alternative investment firm.

The contemplated deal will mark a new chapter for Kantar Media as it embarks on an exciting phase of growth and innovation, with a renewed focus on delivering cutting-edge insights to clients across the content and advertising landscapes.

The proposed acquisition by H.I.G. Capital comes at a pivotal moment for Kantar Media. The company, which operates in over 60 markets, is uniquely positioned to shape the measurement ecosystem with a broad portfolio of solutions that spans audience measurement and data analytics as well as media planning and validation.

The transaction’s purchase price of approximately $1 billion is anticipated to be paid in a combination of cash, certain non-cash consideration, including separation-related investments by H.I.G. Capital, and an earn-out.

Led by London Private Equity Partner, Justin Hutchinson, with support from Private Equity Associates, Georgiana Andrews, Lucy Wallace and Emma Burton, the Baker McKenzie team included:

• Corporate M&A: Jannan Crozier (Partner) and Anthony Pisarski (Senior Associate), Michael Doumet (Partner, Paris)
• Antitrust: Luis Gomez (Partner)
• Employment: Danielle Klinger (Of Counsel) and Bobby Sarkodee-Adoo (Senior Associate)
• Tax: Natalie Dunne (Partner) and Philip Thomas (Senior Associate)
• IP & Tech: Natalie Ellerby (Partner) and Steve Holmes (Partner)

Simpson Thacher acted for H.I.G. Capital.