NEW YORK (December 9, 2011) – Gridley & Company LLC (Gridley & Co.), a New York-based boutique investment bank that specializes in the Information Services industry, announced today that it has served as the exclusive financial advisor to Knowledge Networks, a Palo Alto-based market research firm, on its pending sale to GfK, an international market research firm headquartered in Germany.

Knowledge Networks, founded in 1998 by two prominent university professors seeking to develop advanced research methodologies, is a leading consumer information and research company that delivers consumer insight through a combination of proprietary information platforms, industry expertise, and rigorous analytic processes. The Company’s sophisticated research methodology and advanced analytics provide solutions to complex research problems. Its KnowledgePanel®, for example, is the only online panel built on a representative sample of the full U.S. population and includes essential sub-segments that are commonly underrepresented by competitive online panels. These segments include young-adults, minorities, Spanish-language dominant and bi-lingual households, low-income households, and boomers.  By minimizing the quality problems that plague opt-in online surveys, and by including cell-phone and non-Internet households, KnowledgePanel® provides projectable results and an accurate read of the effects of marketing, public policy, and healthcare programs.

“The Knowledge Networks team is simply delighted to join GfK, the market research company we have always felt closest to in terms of client-focus, innovation and the quality of data, analysis and advice,” said Simon Kooyman, CEO of Knowledge Networks.

“Knowledge Networks is an innovative leader in panel-based market research.  Through this transaction, it has gained access to the GfK platform to further develop its market reach,” said Linda Gridley, President and CEO, Gridley & Co. “We are proud to have a long standing relationship with Knowledge Networks and are pleased to support the company through this important milestone.”  Knowledge Networks has been a presenting company and panelist at Gridley & Company’s annual January conference.  Over 50 percent of the private companies that have presented at Gridley & Co.’s conferences have completed successful sale or fundraising transactions since participation.

“Gridley & Co gave us exactly what we were looking for; solid expertise in the marketing information industry, access to an impressive network of potential buyers and the tenacity of a dedicated and experienced team of professionals,” said Simon Kooyman, CEO of Knowledge Networks.

Gridley & Co. has proprietary insights on the most interesting opportunities in digital marketing, and regularly meets with senior leaders and investors to share perspectives and exchange ideas.  In addition, the Company is a well-known strategic thought leader.  Gridley & Co. frequently presents at industry conferences, publishes strategic industry overviews, and writes a highly-respected quarterly newsletter.  For more information or to arrange a meeting with the Gridley team to discuss opportunities, please contact Linda Gridley at linda.gridley@gridleyco.com / 212-400-9710 or Pratik Patel at pratik.patel@gridleyco.com / 212-400-9712.

To view the deal announcement issued by GfK, please visit: http://www.gfkamerica.com/newsroom/press_releases/single_sites/009125/index.en.html