Below are examples of recent advisory assignments.

China market entry strategy
Context
Regional leader in local newspapers and radio. Core markets in structural decline
Keen to explore targeted growth opportunities in emerging markets. Will consider both acquisitions and organic investment

Approach
Identified classified advertising as most suitable opportunity
Analysed key segments of the classified advertising market (property, travel, real estate, automotive) in Beijing and Shanghai – through field research and expert interviews
Reviewed regulatory restrictions on foreign investment
Recommended an entry strategy


3G telecoms opportunities in Bangladesh
Context
Leading international telecoms operator.
Keen to quantify market opportunity in the emerging 3G segment of the Bangladesh telecoms market and to understand key regulatory and political considerations. 

Approach 
'On the ground' research in capital and a number of regional cities
Interviews with key business, regulatory and political organisations
Made recommendations on attractiveness of market


India market entry strategy
Context
Leading UK group with strong presence in publishing and broadcasting
Considering expansion into various English language media markets, including India.
Preferred strategy is to find a local partner in each market

Approach
Analysed the English language publishing market in India (size, structure, degree of competition)
Profiled potential partners and scored their partner potential (based on agreed criteria)
Facilitated discussions with selected potential partners


Product, pricing and sales strategy benchmarking
Context
Leading print and online publisher with a large domestic market share is facing challenging economic conditions and structural decline in its core markets
As part of its planned restructuring, it is keen to benchmark the performance of its commercial operations against peer companies in Europe and North America

Approach
Identified relevant peer companies in USA, Canada and Europe
Undertook research through expert interviews and mystery shopping
Provided client with a series of recommendations on product, pricing and sales team structure


Commercial due diligence on potential acquisitions
Context
UK publishing group considering a number of potential acquisitions in the UK and mainland Europe
Wished to undertake initial commercial due diligence on specified targets . Targets were mid-sized, privately owned companies
Approach
Undertook analysis on each potential target
Assignment included financial analysis, assessment of strategy and analysis of competitive position on each target


Acquisition search in UK radio
Context
US radio broadcaster with a strong presence in Hispanic language broadcasting considering international growth
The company was interested in the acquisition of radio stations in the UK primarily focused on ethnic language content

Approach
Analysed the UK radio market, identifying suitable acquisition opportunities
Approached potential acquisition targets and initiated preliminary discussions


Potential opportunities for mobile handset recycling
Context
Leading Japanese telecoms operator keen to explore the commercial potential to launch a mobile handset recycling business
The company wanted to analyse the handset market in a number of countries including UK, USA, South Korea and India

Approach
Market structure and attractiveness assessed through a series of expert interviews and market research
Researched the regulatory situation in each market, including incentives for recycling and waste legislation
Identified opportunities for the client to meet significant demand from various emerging markets



Telecom Operator - Publisher agreements in the Yellow Pages market
Context
Leading yellow pages publisher owned by an incumbent telecoms operator 
As part of a potential restructuring, it is keen to understand the commercial and legal arrangements between incumbent telecoms operators and yellow pages operations that they have divested. 

Approach
Identified relevant peer companies in North America and Europe
Undertook research through interviews with companies and other industry professionals
Provided client with a detailed understanding of key commercial and legal arrangements and the broader regaultory environment for the directories sector


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