EU Awards TNS its Qualitative Eurobarometer Studies Contract

London - TNS has retained the prestigious Eurobarometer Qualitative studies contract from the European Commission and the European Parliament for another four years. This framework contract represents what is believed to be the world’s largest qualitative research programme, valued at nearly €18 million. TNS beat IPSOS, GfK and Gallup to win this competitive tender.

The Eurobarometer Qualitative studies will be managed by TNS’s Political & Social practice. The EU uses its Eurobarometer Qualitative studies to examine reactions to different public policies or actions undertaken in connection with them, to evaluate communication material and key messages, and to gain a deeper understanding of quantitative results and the formation of public opinion over time. The studies involve focus group discussions, in-depth interviews with the general public, and specific target groups, and additional consultancy services. The Eurobarometer Qualitative studies will cover no less than 35 countries/territories, including all EU member states but also non-EU countries such as the USA.

Leendert de Voogd, Global Head of TNS Political & Social, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this major assignment from the European Institutions for another four years. This is a great testimony to the quality of TNS’s work, and our strong track record in conducting sophisticated qualitative market research on a global scale. We look forward to continuing to build on our strong partnership with the European Commission and the European Parliament and help them understand the ”whys“ behind the data.”

Judith Passingham, CEO of TNS Northern Europe, said: “The award of this contract reflects the investment TNS has been making in the evolution and development of its Global Qualitative practice under the leadership of Rebecca Wynberg. We are very excited to be working in an area where the application of qualitative research has the potential to drive a substantially improved understanding of key issues and potential actions within Europe.”

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Notes to editors

About TNS Political & Social Global practice
TNS’ Political & Social Global practice is the leading provider of political and social research in more than 40 countries. It covers elections and delivers insight into public opinion on a wide range of issues, including public policy, behaviour change, programme evaluation and political polling. Clients include public sector and government bodies, political parties, media, non-government organizations, and major international and national institutions including universities and scientific research centres.

About TNS
TNS advises clients on specific growth strategies around new market entry, innovation, brand switching and stakeholder management, based on long-established expertise and market-leading solutions. With a presence in over 80 countries, TNS has more conversations with the world’s consumers than anyone else and understands individual human behaviours and attitudes across every cultural, economic and political region of the world.

TNS is part of Kantar, one of the world’s largest insight, information and consultancy groups. Please visit www.tnsglobal.com for more information.

About Kantar
Kantar is one of the world’s largest insight, information and consultancy groups and part of WPP. By uniting the diverse talents of its 13 specialist companies, the group aims to become the pre-eminent provider of compelling and inspirational insights for the global business community. Its 28,500 employees work across 100 countries and across the whole spectrum of research and consultancy disciplines, enabling the group to offer clients business insights at each and every point of the consumer cycle. The group’s services are employed by over half of the Fortune Top 500 companies.

For further information, please visit us at www.aboutkantar.com.