Sir Martin Sorrell, the chief executive of WPP, the advertising group, today hinted that Synovate, the market research wing of UK media buying firm Aegis Group, remains an acquisition target.

Sir Martin said in a television interview in Davos this morning that he was still “interested” in acquiring Synovate, the market research wing of UK media buying firm Aegis Group.

A joint takeover approach with US private equity house Hellman & Friedman foundered late last year. Under London stock market rules, WPP cannot make another move for Aegis until May.

Sir Martin also sais at Davos that he still expects the 2006 global advertising market to be better than 2005, but added that conditions will be tough despite a boost from events such as the football World Cup and the US congressional elections.

He told AFP: “I think 2006 as a year should be better than 2005.”

But he added that conditions will remain “tough”, despite the Winter Olympics in Turin next month, the football World Cup in Germany in June and July, and the US congressional elections in November - which will see advertising spending of some $1.5 billion (£838 million).

To read Sir Martin writing on Davos in The Times today. Click here.

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