Marketing News South Africa

KLA seals empowerment deal

South African marketing research and intelligence company Kaufman Levin Association (KLA) recently concluded an empowerment transaction with Women’s Development Bank Investment Holdings (WDB). In terms of the agreement, WDB, whose sole shareholder is the WDB Trust, a not-for-profit association which supports and develops rural women entrepreneurs by giving them access to finance, has acquired a 25.1% shareholding in the KLA business.

Established in 1991 by Joel Kaufman and Robyn Levin, and led by MD Stephanie Matterson, KLA’s acknowledged market positioning is one of strategic, value-added research.

Joel Kaufman, CEO of KLA, says “In WDB we have found a highly respected partner who we believe will add strategic value to our business. By concluding this deal, we believe that KLA is in a position to further improve the value it can provide to its clients and staff, particularly in view of WDB’s strategic and operational depth and networks”.

KLA has a broad profile of blue chip clients, both local and international, many of whom are leaders in their market sector. In addition, the company partners with advertising and marketing companies to deliver integrated market research solutions.

According to WBD CEO Tania Slabbert, KLA’s reputation as a trusted research partner and its industry track record are some of the key considerations that informed the decision to invest in the business.

WDB’s investment executive Nicola Gubb adds, “This investment gives us an opportunity to be part of a highly respected organisation in the market research and intelligence space. As WDB we are proud of our strategic business approach and ability to leverage our network of existing investment partnerships and relationships in order to facilitate business development and transformation”.

Nthabi Sibanda, WDB’s transformation strategist, will represent WDB on the KLA board of directors.

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