WPP’s data investment management arm Kantar Media has acquired the majority interest and control of Latin American media measurement business IBOPE Media.

IBOPE Media’s senior management and company structure will remain the same. Chief executive Orlando Lopes will continue to run the company, joining the Kantar Media board and reporting to Kantar Media chairman and chief executive Andy Brown.

Brown commented: “Kantar Media and IBOPE Media have worked in partnership for 17 years. Given the opportunities we see in the region, the time was right to increase ownership and to accelerate the sharing of technologies and offers with the Kantar Media business.”

Lopes added: “I am looking forward to the next stage in IBOPE Media’s evolution and excited about the investment that Kantar Media will bring. Our company will not only keep its business strong within the markets in which it operates but it will also benefit from investment and new expertise enabling us to offer fresh and exciting products to our clients”.

The move follows Kantar’s recent investment in US TV and video measurement specialist Rentrak and suggests that WPP wants to become an even bigger player in the global media and marketing research business.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.