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.
Want to see what 24 hours of creative awesomeness look like? Click here.
This news message is supported by The Creative Finder, an online platform for photographers, illustrators, designers, and art directors to promote their portfolios towards new clients and collaborators. Creatives who wish to sign up for an account can save 10% off annual fees with promo code 'designtaxi'.
