Class Action Targets Arbitron / Nielsen Robocalls

A suit filed in the U.S. District Court of Northern California claims that Arbitron - now Nielsen Audio - made calls and left messages for consumers, contrary to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Nielsen completed its takeover of Arbitron exactly one year ago, after a long wait for FTC approval. Inevitably perhaps given the size of the two operations, the TV ratings and consumer data giant has inherited a number of legal positions from the longtime radio ratings leader, including cases against stations accused of using its ratings info without paying.

The latest suit, filed in the name of Alfredo Leon Orea by attorney Todd M. Friedman, says Orea was called a number of times, and was left 'scripted messages' in automated / 'robotic' voices inviting him to participate in TV and radio ratings research.

Orea's land line residential phone is on the Do Not Call list, and the suit also refers to calls on his cell phone. The plaintiff seeks damages and injunctive relief.

Just two weeks ago, Nielsen hired former Accenture exec Benjamin Hayes as Chief Privacy Officer, overseeing its global privacy program.

Web site: www.nielsen.com .