• by John Gaffney , May 9, 2002

Say goodbye to AC. VNU has announced it will expand the Nielsen brand name to all international markets and also linking the world-famous name to the company's global entertainment information businesses.

According to Michael P. Connors, chairman and CEO of VNU's Media Measurement and Information Group, Nielsen Media Research in the U.S. will be united with ACNielsen Media International in 40 countries under the brand name Nielsen Media Research. The "Nielsen" name will also be co-branded with VNU's entertainment information businesses under the Nielsen Entertainment umbrella, including ACNielsen EDI (to become Nielsen EDI), The National Research Group (Nielsen NRG), VideoScan (Nielsen VideoScan), SoundScan (Nielsen SoundScan), BookScan (Nielsen BookScan), Broadcast Data Systems (Nielsen EDS), Entertainment Marketing Solutions (Nielsen EMS), and ACNielsen ReelResearch (Nielsen ReelResearch).

A new Nielsen visual identity / signature will be introduced over the next few months as part of the re-branding initiative.

“By re-uniting the two Nielsen companies," said Connors, "we are creating single worldwide media measurement brand. This represents a first step in the process of leveraging our technology, software and production systems on a global basis, thus assuring a global standard of quality measurement and services of superior value to clients."

Nielsen Media International operates in 40 countries with a mix of media research services, including television and radio audience measurement and advertising intelligence services. The business is essentially based in Europe and Asia Pacific. The company has a minority equity in IBOPE, the leading media research company in Latin America.

Extending the Nielsen brand to the entertainment information businesses in the VNU MMI Group, said Connors, "reflects not only the inherent strength of the Nielsen name, but is an important step in the company's new strategic direction to synergize its entertainment business and assets under the Nielsen Entertainment umbrella. Our goals are to assist our clients in growing their markets, better meeting client needs across multiple media platforms, and providing a more comprehensive understanding of leisure and entertainment behavior. Under a common brand name, our media and entertainment information businesses will be able to work more closely together to integrate data and information, develop new services and provide our clients with greater insight."

The new branding initiative will have no impact on the organization structures of the individual business units.