VNU buys AC Nielsen in £2.3bn deal

Brand Republic 18-Dec-00

Dutch publisher and internet company VNU has agreed to buy US market research company AC Nielsen in a $2.3bn cash deal which is expected to close by the first quarter of 2001.

LONDON (Brand Republic) – Dutch publisher and internet company VNU has agreed to buy US market research company AC Nielsen in a $2.3bn cash deal which is expected to close by the first quarter of 2001.

VNU bought Net Ratings, an internet ratings firm, from AC Nielsen in November 1999, according to a report in FT.com. The new deal will bring the remainder of the company under VNU’s brand.