The acquisitions will beef up IPT's market research division IMRS, which according to IPT operates the largest online consumer panel. IPT said it paid an initial cash amount for the businesses of £470,000 and had agreed further payments based on future profitability. It was unwilling to disclose the amounts it paid for each business.
Direct Excellence monitors customers' experience of communication from companies via direct channels including telephone, mail, email and face-to-face. It was bought by Moonriver in April 2004.
MPCI provides mystery shopping and benchmarking services allowing its insurance and financial services clients to see how they are performing compared with competitors.
It also advises clients on compliance with Financial Services Authority rules on insurance selling, which is a growth area according to director Martin Pitt.
Pitt founded MPCI in 1999 and was the majority shareholder of the company. IPT has acquired its entire issued voting share capital.
IPT said the acquisitions would not affect its 2006 earnings.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .