Ovum, Informa Telecoms and Media to Merge

By Kimberly Koerth

**Editor’s Note: Please click here for a recap of the biggest communications mergers in Q4 2013.**

Industry consolidation isn’t limited to companies that are delivering communications products and services. The market researchers are getting in on the act as well.

Ovum and Informa Telecoms and Media Research, both divisions of Informa plc, will combine under the Ovum brand to offer customers analysis across the converging IT, media and telecoms industries.

The divisions’ complementary product portfolios are merging to deliver what the researcher says are 23 new or improved services across IT, media and telecoms. IT and media research will also be increased through the introduction of new channels covering telco IT, customer engagement, enterprise mobility, telco enterprise services, digital media and music.

The merged business, which will be fully integrated by the end of May, will be led by Steve Hotham, current MD of Ovum, who will become its CEO. Spread across 23 offices on six continents, Ovum will employ 275 staff, including 180 analysts providing a combination of global and local insight.

“We are experiencing a time of tremendous change in the telecoms, IT and media sectors, with convergence reshaping markets and creating major new business opportunities and challenges,” Hotham said. “Our customers need a research firm with deep insight into each of these markets that can provide a singular, interconnected view on industry transformation, future trends and the impact on their businesses. By combining Ovum and ITM Research, we are assembling a unique team of readily accessible analysts, offering a comprehensive portfolio of research, data products and consulting services across telecoms, media and IT.”