Arbitron Debuts 'New Generation' of PPM

Arbitron has announced the PPM 360, which extends the technology of its Portable People Meter onto a wireless platform, heralding 'a new generation of audience measurement'.

Arbitron says the wireless platform improves its ability to follow the media habits of on-the-go consumers, and lays the foundation for more application development in the future, including putting PPM technology on multiple consumer devices, 'reflecting the industry need to follow the consumer' according to Chief Technology Officer Taymoor Arshi.

Smaller than the current PPM, the new device resembles a 'simple' cell phone and eliminates the need for an in-home docking station and a communications hub, the firm says. The meter is ready out-of-the-box, can be charged with a simple USB cord, and includes a text screen on the meter through which Arbitron can communicate with panelists.

President and CEO William Kerr comments: 'This innovative approach further liberates audience measurement from the home and enables media, brands and marketers to follow the mobile consumer more closely - particularly important for brands appealing to younger demographics.'

Web site: www.arbitron.com .