Last week, WPP revealed it was to acquire French creative agency Les Ouvriers du Paradis as part of an effort to strengthen its growing fourth advertising network Red Cell, which has been strongly tipped in recent weeks to acquire HHCL & Partners in London.
Market Focus Research is 80% owned by MFR Partners, which WPP is acquiring outright for an undisclosed sum. Market Focus Research will join WPP's Millward Brown market research operation.
Based in Paris, MFR employs 20 people and had revenues of €4.3m (£2.7m) and net assets of €2.5m for the year ended March 31 2002.
The acquisition of MFR continues WPP's strategy of strengthening its networks in important growth sectors and markets.
Earlier this year, WPP acquired the majority of Irish market research firm Irish Marketing Surveys Group and Greenfield Consulting Group in the US, both of which joined WPP's brands and communications research company Millward Brown.
WPP has made a string of acquisitions this year around the world. Earlier this year, it bought Manchester media-buying company Purely Media; a stake in Japanese PR firm PRAP Japan; German internet agency Concept; and Norwegian PR firm Gambit.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .