M&A

10 November, 2009

Infogroup attracts private equity, other bidders -- sources

NEW YORK, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Info Group (IUSA.O) Inc. (IUSA.O), a business-to-business marketing firm, has attracted first round bids from information companies including Dun & Bradstreet (DNB.N), Acxiom Corp (ACXM.O), and private equity firm Carlyle [CYL.UL], two sources familiar with the matter said.

Info Group said in December 2008 it retained Evercore (EVR.N) to help evaluate its options. That was prompted by its former CEO and chairman, Vinod Gupta, requesting the company explore its strategic alternatives, including a sale of the company.

Preliminary bids were put in last week, several sources familiar with the situation said. Interest came from both private equity firms and rival companies to Info Group, the sources said.

D&B and Carlyle declined comment; Acxiom and Info Group did not return calls made Monday for comment. (Reporting by Megan Davies and Jui Chakravorty Das; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)

Source: http://www.reuters.com