'Decent Earnings' and Bold Plans for Nielsen

Nielsen CEO David Calhoun says the firm plans to push for dominance in the 'three screen audience measurement' market, and can continue to grow despite world economic problems. The firm reported revenue of $1,260m in the third quarter, up 3% after excluding currency fluctuations.

Revenue of $3,429m for the first nine months of the year was up 6% on the same basis. Reported figures, before taking currencies into account, were up 6% for the quarter and 10% for the nine month period.

Operating income for Q3 was $124m, compared with $77m last year. These results were negatively impacted by $46m and $81m for charges relating to restructuring costs, deal related costs and compensation agreements. Adjusting for these items, operating income, on a constant currency basis, increased 4%.

For the first nine months, operating income was $408m compared to $233m for the same period in 2007. These results were negatively impacted by $62m and $156m for the same charges, and adjusting for these items, operating income, on a constant currency basis, increased 16%.

During a conference call earlier, CEO David Calhoun outlined the firm's plans to push for dominance in the 'three screen audience measurement' market of mobile, TV and web, having acquired WPP's half of AGBNielsen Media Research earlier in the week. The result of the deal is that Nielsen is now the sole provider of television ratings in more than 30 countries, representing around three quarters of the world's TV advertising spend.

Despite the problems in the world economy, Calhoun said he believes the firm can continue to grow in a slower market, and that forecasts for 2008 have been based on 'making decent earnings in a slower growth business'.

Web site: www.nielsen.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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