• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, August 28, 2012

Manish Bhatia, a long-time media research executive who for years oversaw Nielsen's online and digital strategy, has joined rival Arbitron in the new role of executive vice president-new product innovation.

Bhatia, who reports Arbitron COO Sean Creamer, will oversee "cross-platform initiatives," including teams responsible for developing additional research services outside Arbitron's core radio business.

Since 2010, Bhatia had been President and CEO of Symphony Advanced Media, a Silicon Valley-based startup serving advertisers with cross-media insights.

Before that, he held senior positions at The Nielsen Company focused on advanced TV, online, mobile, and social media measurement.