CommPRO Editorial Staff

Cision (NYSE: CISN) announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PRIME Research ("PRIME"), a leading global provider of media measurement and analysis services. By adding PRIME to its portfolio, Cision will expand its comprehensive data-driven offerings that help communications professionals identify influencers, craft meaningful campaigns, and attribute business value to those efforts.

"Earned media often receives less budget than paid and owned media due to the inability to quantify the value of communications and PR programs," said Kevin Akeroyd, Cision CEO. "Adding PRIME's leading media monitoring and analysis capabilities to Cision's portfolio will improve the communicator's ability to measure earned media ROI and better align their campaigns with paid and owned channels."

PRIME provides real-time monitoring and analysis across digital, print, television, radio, and online channels. Its monitoring also includes major social channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Serving global brands, PRIME brings deep expertise and IP across a number of key vertical markets, including automotive, retail, pharma, financial services, and tech.

"With the breadth of its software, services, and distribution network, Cision provides one of the most comprehensive portfolios in the world to people who work in communications," said Dr. Rainer Mathes, Ph.D., founder and president of PRIME Research. "Joining Cision will deliver even more value to our customers as we seek to provide them with the industry's strongest solutions for communication measurement and insights."

The transaction is expected to close in January of 2018.  The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.