• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, November 16, 2007

At a time when U.S. ad spending is growing marginally, the primary source of its deal-making currencies - the Nielsen Co. - reported third quarter revenues of $1.188 billion, an increase of 11% over the third quarter of 2006.

Revenues for the nine months of the year were $3.429 billion, which also represents an increase of 11% over the pro forma revenues for the same period in 2006.

Operating income declined to $77 million in the third quarter of 2007, down from pro forma operating income of $90 million a year earlier, due to the impact of $79 million in restructuring costs related to the consolidation of operations and part of its 10% workforce reduction. The company said those costs include $43 million in compensation agreements and recruiting expenses for certain corporate executives, as well as $11 million from a deferred revenue adjustment.

The Nielsen Co. includes Nielsen Media Research, ACNielsen, and various business and trade magazines.