NFO Worldwide, Inc. and IPSOS, S.A. Agree To Pursue Independent European Access Panel Strategies

Business Wire, June 16, 1999

GREENWICH, Conn. and PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 1999--

NFO Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:NFO) and IPSOS, S.A. jointly announced today that they will pursue independent strategies for access panel activities within Europe. As part of the agreement, the companies agreed to terminate their almost 4-year joint venture relationship, and IPSOS agreed to purchase NFO's entire joint venture interest. The purchase price was not disclosed; however, NFO indicated that the transaction would not have a material effect on its financial statements.

NFO's recently acquired European subsidiary, Infratest Burke, currently owns and operates two access panel companies - tpi in Germany and Infratest Burke at Target-On-Line in France. In addition, Infratest Burke continues to be part of the Target Access Panel Consortium in Europe, which provides access panel services in 5 European countries. NFO and IPSOS will continue to cooperate on client projects currently in progress, as well as in areas of activity other than access panels.

NFO Worldwide, Inc. is a leading provider of research-based, marketing information and counsel to the worldwide business community. With almost 13,000 full and part-time employees operating in 32 countries; in-depth expertise in all research methodologies; and in-field marketing experiences across multiple market sectors, NFO provides clients with trusted insight into the behaviors, attitudes and opinions of customers around the globe. Key services include comprehensive counsel on market evaluation, product development, brand management, customer satisfaction, pricing, distribution, and advertising effectiveness. The Company delivers custom and syndicated marketing information and counsel to over 3,000 clients in key market sectors such as packaged goods and foods, healthcare, financial services, high-tech/telecommunications, automotive, travel & leisure and business to business. NFO is the largest custom marketing research firm in North America, and is among the top three in the world. Visit NFO Worldwide on the Web http://www.nfow.com.

IPSOS, founded in France in 1975, has grown into the ninth largest research group in the world, incorporating leading research companies in Europe, Latin America, the United States of America, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Today member companies which specialise in market research and communications research for products and brands, customer satisfaction research, media research, and public opinion, serve the biggest international clients as well as their national customers in their in-home markets. Currently, IPSOS is preparing its introduction on the Noveau Marche of the Paris Bourse, on July 1st 1999. Visit IPSOS on the Web at http://www.ipsos.com.