Acquisition of app analytics firm intended to boost the company’s advertising revenue from smartphones.

The Research Industry Index has shown its strongest 12 months in the history of the study.

Level of investment in expanding automated research platform has not been disclosed.

Sam Clemens, Gerry Nicolaas and Lucy Joyce have all joined the firm’s Social Research Institute.

The brand engagement measurement company has opened an office in Milan, led by Enrico Ciampini.

Revenue in the first half of 2014 recorded as €756m, with ‘currency effects’ cited as main contribution to fall.