Bain Capital has announced that it has officially acquired an 87.05% stake in Asatsu-DK (ADK), after a long and protracted battle with ADK’s former holding company, WPP.

The announcement said that Bain and ADK will actively invest in core areas of future business expansion, including digital, data and the content business, which will enable Bain to adapt to the evolving advertising market both in Japan and overseas.

In order to provide its clients with leading solutions, ADK will also adopt an open network model that will allow it to affiliate with the most appropriate partners in each business area.

“Today’s successful tender offer marks an important step in the right direction for ADK as we move closer to privatizing the business in order to better secure its future in a fast-changing market,” said Yuji Sugimoto, managing director of private equity at Bain Capital.

"This is also a very positive outcome for ADK’s shareholders, who have been able to realize attractive value through our fully priced offer. We look forward to working closely with ADK’s management over the coming months to accelerate its transformation efforts while we continue to work towards the end goal of privatising the business, so it can realize its full potential more quickly.”