YouGov signs Media Contracts

YouGov PLC 25 May 2005 25 May 2005 YouGov establishes presence in the Middle East - signs exclusive media contracts YouGov plc (the Group), one of the UK's leading market research and opinion polling companies, announced today that it has established a joint venture company, YouGov M.E FZ-LLC (YouGov ME) in the Middle East, and signed contracts with two of the leading media owners in the region. YouGov ME, as indicated in the Group's admission document has been in development since before the Group's recent listing on Aim, will now conduct market research and polling across the Middle East as well as providing its media partners with detailed monthly surveys. The new company will be based in Dubai, the commercial hub of the region. YouGov plc will own 52% of YouGov ME, with the remaining equity owned by local investors who have committed to invest up to US$1 million by the end of December 2005. The funding will be used to build a regional panel, YouGov plc will provide its proprietary technology and market research know how. YouGov ME will undertake monthly custom research projects for Al Nisr Publishing, publisher of Gulf News, the leading English Language newspaper in the GCC region. It will also build a consumer panel and conduct monthly surveys for ITP, the largest business and consumer magazine publisher in the Middle East. The Group has considerable experience in the Middle East having built a panel of business men and women for HSBC Bank Middle East. This panel is surveyed three times a year for the HSBC Middle East Business Confidence Index, which is published in the Middle East Economic Digest Magazine. Opening an office in the Middle East is consistent with the Group's strategy of growing its business through selective acquisitions and organically, by applying its knowledge of online polling and market research to new commercial and geographical markets. Commenting on these developments Nadhim Zahawi, Joint Chief Executive Officer of YouGov, said: 'Extending our operations in the Middle East will provide considerable scope for growth in this dynamic region and is entirely consistent with the strategy for growth that we outlined at the time of our recent IPO. This joint venture approach also demonstrates the strength of the YouGov business and the scalability of our technology. 'Our experience in the UK has demonstrated the importance of strong media partners and by signing deals with Al Nisr and ITP we are now placed to grow the YouGov brand in this market. 'The internet has lead to fundamental changes in the way that market research is conducted at the same time that understanding people's behaviour, choices and attitudes is more important and valuable to marketers than ever before. These trends, coupled with the accuracy and efficiency of our research tools, will support further growth from what is already a well-established base.' ENDS Enquiries: Nadhim Zahawi, Joint Chief Executive 020 7618 3010 YouGov Charles Palmer/Caroline Long 020 7831 3113 Financial Dynamics This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange