TNS AND RMS COMBINE
RMS cemented as Africa’s leading research provider
24 March 2010 — The managements of Research & Marketing Services (RMS) Nigeria Limited and TNS Global have said that more employment opportunities will surface from their new partnership.
The two companies, at a press conference on Tuesday, announced their partnership to provide customised research offer in West Africa.
Speaking at the event, Kareem Tejumola, the executive chairman of RMS, said the partnership means that "the large number of freshly trained graduate in Nigeria will be absorbed into the industry." He said, "We have provided professional industry for them. We'll train them up and take a lot of them. The youth will become more professional because everybody will be adequately trained and will be proud to be part of a multinational." The chairman added that this will also enable the research company to adequately compete with the banks and the oil companies.”.
Reinforcing leadership
“In his own view, Adeola Tejumola, chief executive officer of RMS, said that the new relationship will reinforce RMS position on the continent.”
Mr. Tejumola said, "We are proud to be associated with TNS, the world's largest custom research agency, and excited at the opportunities it will provide our existing and the global clients of TNS.”
“"This partnership goes to reinforce our position and leadership in West and Central Africa market. RMS has been in business for 30 years and it's been progressively growing," he said.”
"It is also bringing good things to the economy in terms of foreign direct investment, and this is remarkable as we come out of recession weakening the economy." Asked if the partnership is a strategic move to cushion the current financial downturn facing many companies, Mr. Tejumola said, "Yes, you could link it to that, but even before the recession, what has been going on economically is what I referred to as globalisation. More and more companies are conducting and instituting businesses regionally and globally, and we think that to be the move. We've studied the trend, and our clients are doing that more. It was only a matter of time before we did that. If didn't, someone else will be there before us." He also said that RMS will be rebranding, but not immediately.
Stephen Hillebrand, regional finance director, TNS Middle East and Africa, said the partnership is an "exciting move" by TNS. "We are focused in making sure that we have a great presence across Africa. We've already got strong presence in East Africa, and so to join with RMS, we are ready to provide unparallel professionalism in Central Africa."
Mr. Hillebrand said that TNS also went into partnership with RMS because the two companies "want to do the same research in the same way it is done globally.
"Another reason is because of the clients. They are hugely interested in this marriage because they will be getting local and global expertise." He, however, added that RMS will get revenue through benefit from the global account relationship with TNS.
More consolidation
Meanwhile, Bismac Rewane, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, recently said that rounds of consolidation are expected in more companies to cushion the current global downturn.
He said, "Success of the Bharti-Zain deal will force other telecom majors to seek similar acquisitions. Dangote and Benue Cement Company are also on track for consolidation," he said.
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ABOUT RMS
RMS is a member of Gallup International Association in Nigeria since 1984. It periodically conducts independent opinion polls in Nigeria and other parts of West, Central and East Africa. RMS applied all standard requirements of opinion polling from ESOMAR and its other body Gallup International Association. RMS’s knowledge of the African market is un-paralled. Please visit www.rms-africa.com for more information.
About TNS
TNS is the world’s largest custom research agency delivering actionable insights and research-based business advice to its clients so they can make more effective business decisions. TNS offers comprehensive industry knowledge within the Consumer, Technology, Finance, Automotive and Political & Social sectors, supported by a unique product offering that stretches across the entire range of marketing and business issues, specialising in product development and innovation, brand and communication, stakeholder management, retail and shopper, and qualitative research. Delivering best-in-class service across more than 70 countries, TNS is part of Kantar, the world’s largest research, insight and consultancy network. Please visit www.tnsglobal.com for more information. |
