Arbitron Names New Operations Leader

In the US, ratings giant Arbitron has appointed Steven Smith as EVP of Survey Operations, responsible for both its Portable People Meter (PPM) and diary-based radio ratings services and overseeing more than 800 employees.

Most recently, Smith was COO of pet products firm Flexi-Mat Corporation. Before this, he worked for global market research agency Information Resources Inc (IRI) as EVP of North American Operations, where he directed teams that gathered and analyzed point-of-sale data from more than 35,000 retailers. Smith has an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and a BSc in General Engineering and International Affairs from the US Air Force Academy.

In his new role, Smith will direct the Arbitron teams that recruit consumers to participate in surveys, deliver PPMs and diaries to survey respondents, and tabulate the media and marketing information provided by 1.5 million plus survey participants annually.

He will also be charged with the development of new operating processes and systems to deliver more precise representation of the key demographics in PPM and diary samples, and for completing the roll out of the PPM to the top 50 markets.

In addition, Smith is tasked with enhancing the company's ability to measure small markets, niche media audiences and new audio sources, including the Internet and satellite. He reports to Chairman, President and CEO Steve Morris and will be based in the company's Research and Technology Center in Columbia.

Smith replaces Claire Kummer, who is taking on the new position of EVP and Chief Quality Officer.

Web site: www.arbitron.com .

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

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