IRI strategic options

Executive Summary

Chicago-based market researcher has retained William Blair & Co. investment banking firm "to assist the company in its exploration of strategic options," IRI says. Firm's strategic alternatives could include "sale of all or parts of the company, joint ventures, restructuring and capital infusions in order to enhance stockholder value and to better serve our customers," Feb. 26 release states. IRI has been reeling since P&G announced plans to sever its relationship with the share-data provider in July. Chap-Cap Partners investment group, a 5.5% IRI shareholder, sent recent letter demanding IRI Chairman, President and CEO Joseph Durrett step down or sell the firm (1"The Tan Sheet" Feb. 17, 2002 , In Brief)...