Taylor Nelson Sofres plc (TNS) 刚刚正式宣布，将以 1.5 亿美元收购 Compete。Compete 是一家北美的互联网统计公司，提供网站的流量统计等服务，之前提到过，该网站的服务对于北美的网站统计数值相对准确，并且相比 Alxea 具备更为细致的数据，但是对于美国以外地区的网站统计，就不太靠谱了。根据双方的协议，此次首先一次性支付的将是 7500 万美元现金，余下的另一半 7500 万美元将在 2008 年到 2010 年间逐次支付完毕。
TNS 的执行总裁 David Lowden 表示：
"This acquisition is an important move for TNS that builds on our ability to help clients understand consumer behaviour in the new and highly complex digital world. Compete has built a world-class digital intelligence capability that delivers multiple perspectives on how consumers engage with brands online. … In the longer term, we will look at the opportunities to add further value by using our Worldpanel, Retail & Shopper and audience measurement capabilities to integrate data on purchasing and viewing behaviour with internet search and shopping behaviour. We believe this will allow TNS to develop new syndicated and custom products, unique in our industry."
Compete 的总裁兼 CEO Donald McLagan 则表示：
"We welcome this exciting opportunity to join one of the world's most respected market information and insight groups. Whether consumers buy online, or simply research online as they reach a purchasing decision, the marketing platforms they encounter bring major opportunities for brands. Companies need to understand how the internet affects consumer preferences, attitudes, knowledge, understanding and motivation. They also need help in maximising the new online sales and marketing opportunities to target their prospective customers more effectively. For the first time, we have given clients the opportunity to measure their effectiveness across all their marketing programmes. This ability will be greatly enhanced when we are part of TNS."