• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, March 13, 2008

The walls separating Nielsen's media and marketing research operations with those of the trade publications that also happen to cover its core businesses may not be as thick as the company suggests they are. At least that's what the spec sheet being circulated by an executive recruiter hired to find a new editor of Nielsen's Adweek magazine would suggest.

"The new Adweek provides the most comprehensive source of news, ideas, information, trends, forecasts and analysis in the advertising industry coupled with Nielsen exclusive data," the spec sheet states, acknowledging what Nielsen's communications department, and Adweek's editorial department have been loath to: That the publication is an exclusive outlet for Nielsen's research.

Aside from raising issues with other trade publications Nielsen must deal with, the disclosure raises questions about Adweek's editorial autonomy.

The revelation comes as Adweek has redesigned its look, its focus, its distribution strategy, and its publishing frequency from a weekly news magazine to an every-other-weekly supplemented by special reports.

It also comes as the publication is searching for a new editor to oversee its newly retooled operations.

"The ideal candidate will play an important role working with the senior management team, including [former Adweek Editor] Alison Fahey, who has moved into a general management role," reads the job posting being circulated by executive recruiting firm The Cheyenne Group.