Media Research Guru McDonough To Leave Nielsen At Year-End, No Succession Announced

Pat McDonough, a long-time Nielsen executive who was key to the development and oversight of many of the company’s most important media research services, will retire at the end of the 2014, Nielsen U.S. Media President Lynda Clarizio announced in a memo to clients this morning.

McDonough, who currently serves as senior vice president, planning policy and analysis, has worked for Nielsen for 44 years, and was one of its most visible and articulate spokespersons on key media research initiatives and policies, both to clients and the industry-at-large.

She is regarded as one of Nielsen’s top experts on the television landscape, and how Nielsen has evolved the way it measures it, and has been a key player driving Nielsen’s measurement strategy for digital, mobile, radio and cross-platform.

Describing McDonough as “one of the industry’s best thinkers,” Clarizio did not describe her succession scenario in detail, but said: “You can rest assured that Nielsen has a broad bench of thought leaders who have worked closely with Pat and are well-positioned to continue to deliver insights about your audience, anticipate media trends, and respond to your measurement concerns.”
5 comments about "Media Research Guru McDonough To Leave Nielsen At Year-End, No Succession Announced".
Check to receive email when comments are posted.
  1. Jack Wakshlag from Media Strategy, Research & Analytics, September 17, 2014 at 3:22 p.m.

    A most respected and expert colleague and mentor to many. What Pat says has always mattered. I wish her well. She has served the media business exceptionally well for decades.

  2. Nicholas Schiavone from Nicholas P. Schiavone, LLC, September 17, 2014 at 3:56 p.m.

    Realistically, there can be no Nielsen succession plan where Pat McDonough is concerned. Pat is uniquely knowledgeable and wise regarding Nielsen methodology, uniquely effective and efficient in producing reliable, relevant media research and uniquely sensitive and generously personable to every client. Unlike The Nielsen Company today, Pat is trusted consistently by all. And she is loved by many for her beautiful character and outstanding professionalism. Her departure creates a real, serious gap for Nielsen. The "broad bench of thought leaders" is a wish and positioning statement, not a reality. The focus is on margins and not measurement. Nielsen still has its gems and its jewels. However, Pat is living history and a unique source of practical wisdom and working knowledge for The Nielsen Company and the Media & Marketing Industry. I know of no one who has performed better for her Clients and her Company. Thank you, Pat. You're the best!

  3. John Grono from GAP Research, September 17, 2014 at 7:49 p.m.

    Congratulations Pat on your upcoming retirement and a great career. You leave the industry much better than you found it.

  4. Suzanne Sell from Independent, September 18, 2014 at 12:05 p.m.

    Pat has been both a rock and a rock star. We'll miss you, Pat!

  5. Nicholas Schiavone from Nicholas P. Schiavone, LLC, September 27, 2014 at 8:01 p.m.

    #JohnGronoIsObsessedWithNicholasSchiavone'sWriting

Next story loading loading..