Acquisitions/transactions
Predictive advertising company Cadent has acquired VuePlanner to expand its capabilities, giving advertisers access to video inventory to attract audiences across any format.
Accenture has made a strategic investment in customer research platform WEVO. The investment, led by Accenture Ventures, will incorporate WEVO’s capabilities within Accenture Song’s GrowthOS platform.
In a deal valued at more than $2 billion, Meta Platforms is acquiring Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup that develops general-purpose AI agents.
Data analytics firm Verisk has ended the planned $2.35 billion acquisition of roofing software maker AccuLynx that it had announced last July, blaming the termination on a regulatory review delay. The deal was expected to close by the third quarter of 2025 and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission had in October sought more details from Verisk and AccuLynx about the proposed transaction, signifying an extended review and delaying the closing of the deal. The FTC notified Verisk that it had not completed its review by the Dec. 26 termination date. AccuLynx has notified Verisk that it believes the deal termination is "invalid." Verisk said it "strongly disagrees" with the assertion and plans to "vigorously defend" its position.
Alliances/strategic partnerships
Acxiom and ReachTV have partnered to leverage data, tech and content to deliver omnichannel advertising solutions tailored to travelers across the U.S.
Cinema advertising platform National CineMedia (NCM) is partnering with information and insights company TransUnion to integrate NCM’s theatrical exposure data into TransUnion’s cross-platform attribution.
Association/organization news
The Association for Survey Computing has launched the Research Technologist Hall of Fame. The initiative will recognize, celebrate and honor individuals whose contributions as technologists in the research and insight sector have helped shape the industry.
Awards/rankings
Significant Insights has released the 5th Annual Global 30 Under 30 List, recognizing exceptional young professionals shaping the future of the research, data, analytics and insights industry. To view the full list visit www.significantinsightsmedia.com/30-under-30/2025/.
NIQ has earned a partner badge in TikTok’s Media Mix Modeling program, a focus area within its Marketing Partners Program. As a badge partner, NIQ can help advertisers measure the full funnel impact of marketing campaigns on TikTok and TikTok Shop.
DVJ Insights has won the MRS Award for best media research, recognizing its retail media study conducted in partnership with Cyreen and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Research Strategy Group has received the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, the standard for information security management systems.
The Market Research Institute International (MRII) announced the winners of the 2025 MRII Data Analysis Award, sponsored by Infotools Harmoni. The award honors outstanding analytical ability and clear, actionable storytelling based on market research data. First-place winner Sarim Khan(Pakistan) received the $2,500 grand prize. Linh Pham (Vietnam) earned second place and a $500 prize. Catherine Novita Kusumaningrum (Indonesia) was awarded third place and received a free online Principles Express course from MRII and the University of Georgia.
OpinionRoute has achieved ISO/IEC 27001 certification and SOC 2 Type II attestation, two validations of the company’s information security management system and operational effectiveness.
New companies/new divisions/relocations/expansions
Customer experience management platform Sprinklr has expanded its global strategic partnership with SAMY to help brands create meaningful customer experiences across channels and drive measurable business results.
HFS Research has opened an office in Dubai and has appointed Sia Rostami Ravari, chief growth officer and head of HFS Middle East, to lead it.
Insight and customer analytics group STRAT7 has launched STRAT7 Health, a specialist arm dedicated to the life sciences industry. It will be led by Lizzie Eckardt, with Hannah Potter and Matt Nulty in global leadership roles.
Alchemer has expanded Alchemer Pulse's AI capabilities to turn customer feedback into actionable intelligence.
Rep Data has expanded the fraud protection capabilities within Research Desk, its centralized DIY sampling platform, adding enhanced safeguards designed to detect and block LLM agents, automated trackers and other forms of scripted survey automation that threaten data quality.
Food and ingredients firm Kerry has opened a co-creation center in Taguig City, Philippines, that will use customer feedback to drive food innovation work in Southeast Asia.
Research company earnings/financial news
AI-moderated research platform Outset has raised $30 million in its Series B round of funding, led by Radical Ventures. The funds will be invested into its research platform and used to accelerate the launch of its AI-native customer experience management platform.
Bolt Insight has raised £7 million in a funding round to accelerate its global growth and to deepen its presence in the U.S. insights and marketing landscape. The investment round was led by Pembroke VCT.
The Insights Career Network is filing this week as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and launching ICN 2.0 to help researchers navigate a changing professional landscape.
Research firm Zappi has renewed its B Corp certification for the first time since its initial certification in 2022. A Certified B Corporation (B Corp) is a designation for for-profit companies, awarded by non-profit B Lab, that meet standards ensuring they balance purpose with profit.
Bolt Insight has raised a £7 million funding round led by Pembroke VCT. Pembroke invested £3.5 million, with additional participation from 212, Active Partners, Velocity and TIBAS Venture.