GfK CEO confirms co may team up with Guenter Herz in Taylor Nelson bid

FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - GfK AG. may strike a deal with German billionaire Guenter Herz as a partner in its planned bid for Taylor Nelson Sofres Plc., Chief Executive Klaus Wuebbenhorst told Financial Times Deutschland, confirming reports. Manager Magazin yesterday reported Herz plans to join the bid, and Boersen-Zeitung said Mayfair, the investment vehicle of Guenter Herz and his sister Daniela, is backing GfK's takeover approach. 'GfK wants to have a long-term investor,' Wuebbenhorst told FT Deutschland. 'The name Guenter Herz did come up,' he said, but added that Herz is not the only candidate for the deal. Talks are at an early stage, and the company is in talks with 'investors who have the necessary money and will make sure that GfK's corporate culture is preserved.' GfK said on Wednesday it agreed with TNS to... [read full story]