The Nielsen Company, a leading global information and media company, and BuzzMetrics, the global leader in tracking and analysis of online consumer-generated media, today announced that Nielsen and the other stockholders of BuzzMetrics have agreed in principle to a transaction under which Nielsen, which already owns approximately 58 percent of BuzzMetrics, would acquire the remaining BuzzMetrics shares it does not currently own.
Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of May 2007. Nielsen has been involved with BuzzMetrics since January 2005, and took a majority position in February 2006.
Earlier this year, Nielsen announced it had entered into a merger agreement with NetRatings, Inc. (Nasdaq: NTRT) under which Nielsen, which already owns approximately 60 percent of NetRatings, would acquire the NetRatings shares it does not currently own. That transaction, subject to NetRatings stockholder approval, is expected to be completed in the second or third quarter of this year.
Upon completion of the BuzzMetrics and NetRatings transactions, Nielsen's premiere Internet information services -- which are marketed as Nielsen//NetRatings and Nielsen BuzzMetrics -- will be consolidated into a single service unit. The new service will be led by Itzhak Fisher, Executive Chairman of BuzzMetrics. As Executive Chairman of the new service, Mr. Fisher will continue to report to David Calhoun, Chairman and CEO of The Nielsen Company.
"NetRatings and BuzzMetrics are recognized as the two leading providers of insight about consumer behavior online," said David Calhoun, Chairman and CEO of The Nielsen Company.
This news message is supported by The Bazaar, a marketplace to buy and sell creative objects. Earn more revenue by selling your prints, downloadable images, or custom products. Set up your store today and stand a chance to have your products featured on DesignTAXI, towards millions of lovers of creative content!
