Nielsen Announces Expiration of Go-Shop Period
Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) announced the expiration of a 45-day "go-shop" period regarding its acquisition by a private investment consortium led by Evergreen Coast Capital and Brookfield Business Partners. After contacting over 30 parties, no alternative acquisition proposals were received. The transaction is expected to provide shareholders with a cash purchase at a substantial premium. Nielsen plans to file its preliminary proxy statement for shareholder approval around May 19, 2022, with the transaction anticipated to close in the second half of 2022.
- No alternative acquisition proposals were submitted during the 'go-shop' period, confirming the exclusivity of the Consortium's offer.
- The transaction is expected to provide shareholders with a cash purchase at a substantial premium.
- The absence of alternative proposals may signal a lack of competition for the acquisition.
- Shareholder approval is still required, potentially introducing uncertainty.
After Thorough Outreach, No Alternative Proposals Received
NEW YORK, May 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) ("Nielsen") today announced the expiration of the 45-day "go-shop" period under its previously announced definitive agreement (the "Transaction Agreement") to be acquired by a consortium (the "Consortium") of private investment funds led by Evergreen Coast Capital Corporation, an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management L.P., and Brookfield Business Partners L.P., together with institutional partners. Under the terms of the agreement, Nielsen and its representatives were permitted to solicit and consider alternative acquisition proposals from third parties until May 12, 2022.
During the "go-shop" period, Nielsen and its advisors actively solicited alternative acquisition proposals from third parties. Nielsen representatives ultimately contacted over 30 parties, representing a mix of financial and strategic parties. Of such contacted parties, only one private equity firm executed a non-disclosure agreement with Nielsen. As of expiration of the "go-shop" period, no alternative proposals were submitted.
Consistent with the Transaction Agreement, Nielsen expects to file its preliminary proxy statement in connection with the related shareholder vote to approve the transaction on or around May 19, 2022.
"After a thorough effort aimed at exploring whether a higher and better offer for Nielsen could be obtained, the Board has confirmed its view that the transaction with the Consortium represents an attractive outcome for our shareholders by providing a cash purchase at a substantial premium, while supporting Nielsen's commitment to our clients, employees and stakeholders," said James A. Attwood, Chairperson of Nielsen's Board of Directors.
The transaction remains subject to approval by Nielsen shareholders, regulatory approvals, consultation with the works council, and other customary closing conditions. If the closing conditions are met, the transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
About Nielsen
Nielsen shapes the world's media and content as a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics. Through our understanding of people and their behaviors across all channels and platforms, we empower our clients with independent and actionable intelligence so they can connect and engage with their audiences—now and into the future.
An S&P 500 company, Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN) operates around the world in more than 55 countries. Learn more at www.nielsen.com or www.nielsen.com/investors and connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes information that could constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include those set forth above relating to the proposed transaction as well as those that may be identified by words such as "will," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "could" and similar expressions. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results and events could differ materially from what presently is expected, including regarding the proposed transaction and Nielsen ONE. Factors leading thereto may include, without limitation, the risks related to Ukraine conflict or the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and financial markets, the uncertainties relating to the impact of the Ukraine conflict or the COVID-19 pandemic on Nielsen's business, the failure of Nielsen's new business strategy in accomplishing Nielsen's objectives, economic or other conditions in the markets Nielsen is engaged in, impacts of actions and behaviors of customers, suppliers and competitors, technological developments, as well as legal and regulatory rules and processes affecting Nielsen's business, the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the proposed transaction that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the proposed transaction, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the transaction agreement entered into pursuant to the proposed transaction (the "Agreement"), the possibility that Nielsen shareholders may not approve the proposed transaction, the risk that the parties to the Agreement may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all, risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction, the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Nielsen's ordinary shares, the risk of any unexpected costs or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction, the risk of any litigation relating to the proposed transaction, the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of Nielsen to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders and other business relationships and on its operating results and business generally, the risk the pending proposed transaction could distract management of Nielsen, and other specific risk factors that are outlined in Nielsen's disclosure filings and materials, which you can find on http://www.nielsen.com/investors, such as its 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K reports that have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Please consult these documents for a more complete understanding of these risks and uncertainties. This list of factors is not intended to be exhaustive. Such forward-looking statements only speak as of the date of these materials, and Nielsen assumes no obligation to update any written or oral forward-looking statement made by Nielsen or on its behalf as a result of new information, future events or other factors, except as required by law.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication relates to the proposed transaction involving Nielsen. In connection with the proposed transaction, Nielsen will file relevant materials with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including Nielsen's proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the "Proxy Statement"). This communication is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or for any other document that Nielsen may file with the SEC and send to its shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. The proposed transaction will be submitted to Nielsen's shareholders for their consideration. Before making any voting decision, Nielsen's shareholders are urged to read all relevant documents filed or to be filed with the SEC, including the Proxy Statement, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, when they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction.
Nielsen's shareholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the Proxy Statement, as well as other filings containing information about Nielsen, without charge, at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). Copies of the Proxy Statement and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Nielsen Holdings plc, 675 6th Avenue New York, NY 10010, Attention: Investor Relations; telephone (410) 717-7134, or from Nielsen's website www.nielsen.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
Nielsen and certain of its directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Nielsen's directors and executive officers is available in Nielsen's definitive proxy statement for its 2022 Annual General Meeting, which was filed with the SEC on April 5, 2022. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Proxy Statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction when they become available. Free copies of the Proxy Statement and such other materials may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.
Investor Relations: Sara Gubins, +1 646 283 7571; sara.gubins@nielsen.com
Media Relations: Connie Kim, +1 240 274 9999; connie.kim@nielsen.com
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SOURCE Nielsen Holdings plc
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