Former Kantar Media Leader Andy Brown Dies

Andy Brown, who as Chairman and CEO of Kantar Media oversaw the expansion of its international ratings and TGI services, has died aged 63.

Brown joined BMRB (British Market Research Bureau) in 1989 - the firm was then owned by ad group JWT. A dozen years later he had risen to serve as CEO of the newly formed Kantar Media Research Group (KMR). In this role he led the expansion of TGI across 70 countries, including a US partnership with Simmons, and the growth of proprietary products including Intelliquest CIMS and MARS Health. His team also represented Kantar's joint ventures and equity stakes in TV ratings in Europe and Asia (AGB Nielsen), Latin America (Ibope) and India.

In 2008, TNS was acquired by WPP, and Brown assumed the position of Chairman of Kantar Media, which combined the media assets of the old KMR with those of BMRB, TNS, CMAG and SRDS. He added the title of CEO in 2013, and helmed the company through an ambitious period of growth and expansion, including the development of cross-media capabilities. At its height the business numbered 6,500 employees in 60 countries, delivering audience measurement, advertising intelligence, TGI and reputation intelligence services.

By 2020 Brown had left to form his own consultancy practice, advising major research and analytics companies in the media measurement field. Since that time he has also served as CEO of The Attention Council, which was acquired by CIMM in 2024 - following which he was Chair of CIMM's Attention Working Group.

Brown, an immensely popular man judging by a mass of tributes online (https://andy-brown-media.muchloved.com ), passed away a week ago, May 21st, at home in England and surrounded by his family.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.