ACNielsen and VNU Complete Merger
27/2/01



Research giant ACNielsen has now successfully joined the VNU family of companies that includes Nielsen Media Research. By merging with VNU N.V, the ACNielsen Corporation has, in effect, created a new company in marketing and media information.

The US$2.3 billion merger became effective on February 16th. This followed the acceptance of a cash tender offer by a wholly owned subsidiary of VNU, and the gaining of regulatory approvals from the US Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission. Under the terms of the tender offer, shareholders are receiving US$36.75 in cash for each of their ACNielsen shares.

ACNielsen joins a VNU family of research companies that includes Nielsen Media Research. Historically, ACNielsen and Nielsen Media Research were in fact both originally part of the same company founded by Arthur C. Nielsen, but were spun off separately in 1996 following a restructuring of their former parent, Dun & Bradstreet. VNU then acquired Nielsen Media Research in October 1999. VNU, through Nielsen Media Research, also has a majority interest in NetRatings, Inc.