Simpson Thacher is representing VNU N.V. in connection with the proposed acquisition of VNU by a consortium of private equity investors consisting of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., The Blackstone Group L.P., The Carlyle Group, Hellman & Friedman LLC, Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. and AlpInvest Partners N.V. Pursuant to a merger protocol signed by VNU on March 8, 2006, an acquisition company formed by the consortium will make a firm public offer to acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares of the Company for €28.75 per share in cash and assume or refinance all of VNU’s existing debt, representing a transaction value of approximately €8.6 billion (US$10.3 billion).
The Company is a global information and media company with leading market positions and recognized brands in marketing information (ACNielsen), media measurement and information (Nielsen Media Research) and business information (Adweek, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Computing, Intermediair).
The Simpson Thacher team includes John Finley, Peter Malloy, Justin DeSpirito, Catherine Kidd and Stuart Orsak (M&A), Jay Ptashek (Credit), John Creed and Nancy Mehlman (Tax), Ken Edgar (Employee Benefits), Bill Dougherty and Mark Brod (Securities), and Ken Logan, Olivier Antoine and Paul Sirkis (Antitrust). Valuable help was provided by paralegals Lydia Potter and Ipek Seniz Yakut.