'Job Done' for NielsenConnect as Mandel Leaves

In New York, media's 'most quoted man' Jon Mandel has left his role as President of NielsenConnect, which is closing after two years in operation.

NielsenConnect was set up in 2006 to connect the Nielsen services that collect, analyse and report on consumer patterns and usage around the world. This portfolio included consumer purchase information, store data, modeling assets, geo-demographic data, TV and outdoor ratings, as well as movie, book, video and radio data. Once the unit has closed, its services will be integrated into several other Nielsen divisions.

A Nielsen spokesman confirmed that NielsenConnect is being phased out as the divisions and services it initiated have now become integrated into other parts of the group. 'The plan was to operate an internal incubator for cross-company ideas until Nielsen's broader initiatives took hold,' the spokesman explained. 'We fully expected NielsenConnect would have hits and misses, and as the hits matured, they would be transitioned into broader business units. NielsenConnect has run its course - and the hits are being transitioned into businesses. The principles upon which it was founded are now a part of our entire company and we're focused on them every day.'

Mandel described his departure as 'amicable' and said that he is considering several potential opportunities. The Nielsen spokesman confirmed that Mandel had agreed to lead the division for a two year period, and added: 'we appreciate his leadership... you'll be hearing from him soon regarding his next venture.'

Before joining in 2006, Mandel was regarded as one of the highest profile media buyers in the US. He was previously Chief of Strategic Solutions Group M, as well as Chairman of its subsidiary, MediaCom. Before this, he had worked at Grey Advertising since the early 1970s, after a spell at General Foods and Procter & Gamble.

Mandel is the second former high-profile Madison Avenue executive to leave Nielsen in less than a month. He follows David Marans who left Nielsen IAG in January to join A&E Television Networks (AETN) as VP of Research and Insights.

Web site: www.nielsen.com .