Nielsen Media and AGB finalise TV ratings joint venture deal

by Sam Matthews, Brand Republic 07-Mar-05

LONDON - VNU's Nielsen Media Research has completed its joint venture deal with the WPP-owned AGB Group and will now offer television ratings in over 30 countries under the new AGB Nielsen Research brand name.

The 50/50 joint venture was announced by VNU in August 2004, but was only successfully completed last week.

AGB Nielsen Media Research offers TV ratings in more than 30 countries with operations including Australia, China, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand and the UK.

The TV ratings service offered by Nielsen Media Research in the US is not part of the deal.

AGB Nielsen Media Research will employ more than 1,700 people and operate as a separate independent company to VNU and WPP-owned research group Kantar.

It will focus exclusively on TV ratings research for media planners and advertisers based on an independent television audience measurement system.

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