Moves to Hasten Arrival of Electronic Measurement

Nielsen Media Research is stepping up its evaluation of the use of Portable People Meters (PPMs) for TV audience measurement - a joint venture with Arbitron. Meanwhile, Arbitron has been meeting with radio industry executives to discuss electronic audience measurement, and has appointed a technology expert to its Board.

Nielsen Evaluates Portable People Meters
Arbitron - which developed the PPM system - has asked Nielsen for a decision about the future of the TV PPM project by the first quarter of next year. In response, Nielsen has expanded its internal due diligence team to conduct the necessary extra analysis and evaluation.

The team now includes additional experts in engineering, methodology, statistics, operations, IT and reporting. Under the leadership of Jack Oken, Nielsen's General Manager of Local Business, the team is analysing data from the Houston PPM trial and assessing the feasibility of PPMs based on technical, research, operational and cost implications.

Susan Whiting, Nielsen's President and CEO, says the company has invested 'tens of millions of dollars and thousands of executive hours in testing, researching and evaluating this technology'. She states that the company is committed to 'moving with all deliberate speed, while ensuring that this important decision is based on careful analysis and extensive research'.

The company is online at www.nielsenmedia.com

First Session for Advertiser/Agency Council
The first meeting of Arbitron's Advertiser/Agency Advisory Council, held in Washington DC last week, focused on the adoption of electronic measurement for radio audiences. Executives from Clear Channel Radio, Infinity Broadcasting, ABC Radio, Bonneville Radio, Emmis Communications, Interep, Katz Media Group, Greater Media, Entercom and the Radio Advertising Bureau all took part in the discussions.

Owen Charlebois, the company's US Media Services President, says the company plans to 'use this forum as a resource for making a smooth transition to electronic measurement for buyers and sellers'.

Kathy Crawford, President of Local Broadcast at media agency Mindshare said: 'The one message that we all wanted to send Arbitron is this: bring electronic measurement to radio, and do so more quickly and more broadly than you are proposing.' She added that 'advertisers are demanding greater accountability from all ad-supported media'.

The next meeting of the Council is planned for early 2006.

New Board Appointment for Arbitron
Arbitron has appointed Shellye Archambeau, CEO of software firm MetricStream, as a Director of the Board. Archambeau brings nearly 20 years' experience of creating sales growth in software and technology firms.

MetricStream provides software to help manage quality processes, compliance activities and corporate governance initiatives. Previously, Archambeau has worked as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive VP of sales for Loudcloud, Chief Marketing Officer for NorthPoint Communications, and President of Blockbuster's e-commerce division. She also spent 15 years at IBM in various domestic and international executive positions.

Archambeau is a member of the Information Technology Senior Management Forum, the Forum of Women Entrepreneurs, and has been inducted into the National Hall of Fame of the Negro Business and Professional Women's Club.

Speaking of the appointment, Steve Morris, Arbitron's President and CEO, said: 'As Arbitron deploys a growing number of high-tech solutions, Ms Archambeau's insight and experience will be a great benefit as we invest in the initiatives that will help drive the company's future growth.'

In addition to Archambeau and Morris, the company's Board of Directors consists of:Lawrence Perlman, Non-Executive Chairman, formerly Chairman and CEO of Ceridian Corporation