HONG KONG: Global market research company Synovate has announced its full acquisition of Blackstone Market Facts in India. Mumbai headquartered Blackstone Market Facts is one of the largest full-service research agencies in India, with twelve offices around the sub-continent, says a company release.

According to Synovate Global chief executive officer Adrian Chedore, Blackstone Market Facts becomes Synovate's first fully-owned Indian operation. "Synovate already had partial ownership - 25 per cent - of the company, but we felt the Indian market had so much potential that we wanted to ensure our full involvement in and commitment to what we see as a stellar future," says Chedore.

Synovate, which generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive suite of leading research solutions. Companies which became Synovate on 6 January 2003 were Market Facts and its subsidiaries in the Americas; Asia Market Intelligence and Research Fact in Asia Pacific; and Market&More, Pegram Walters, Demoscopie, The Sample Surveys Research Group, INNER Strategic Research and MEMRB Custom Research Worldwide in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Says Blackstone managing director Alok Shanker, "The deal would give the company the scale, scope and reach it needs to take full advantage of opportunities in the Indian marketplace."

Synovate will integrate Blackstone Market Facts into the group, giving existing clients in India immediate access to all Synovate research solutions and the global network of more than 80 offices in 47 countries, says the release.