Latin American PPM Tests

Arbitron and IBOPE Media have announced an agreement to test Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM) technology in four Latin American countries.

The Portable People Meter, designed to track audiences for terrestrial, satellite and Internet radio, stations as well as broadcast, cable and satellite television, is currently undergoing a U.S. market trial in Philadelphia and is being evaluated in a number of countries around the world.

It is a pager-sized device that is carried by consumers and automatically detects inaudible codes that are embedded in the audio portion of any broadcast programming by specially designed Arbitron encoders. At the end of each day, the survey participants place the PPMs into base stations that recharge the devices and send the collected codes to Arbitron for tabulation. The meters are equipped with a motion sensor that allows Arbitron to monitor the compliance of survey participants daily.

The exclusive agreement will give IBOPE access to operational data from Arbitron's U.S. market trial. IBOPE and Arbitron will work jointly with radio and television broadcasters, advertisers and advertising agencies to help them evaluate the PPM technology. The two companies will also co-operate in an effort to introduce the PPM into a number of Latin American countries.

'As the leading provider of media audience measurement in Latin America, IBOPE is a perfect company for Arbitron to work with in our efforts to expand internationally,' said Steve Morris, president and chief executive officer, Arbitron Inc. 'We respect their media research expertise in this important region. We look forward to working with them to establish the Portable People Meter as the audience measurement methodology of choice for the vibrant and diverse Latin American media marketplace.'

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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