VNU Agrees to Acquire Majority Interest in BuzzMetrics (Jan 17)
Company enhances portfolio of marketing and media information businesses by adding leader in measuring online consumer dialogue
Haarlem,
the Netherlands – VNU NV (ASE: VNU), a leading global information and
media company, today announced it has agreed in principle to acquire a
majority interest in privately held BuzzMetrics Inc. as part of
BuzzMetric’s plan to acquire Intelliseek Inc. The move enhances VNU’s
media measurement capabilities and extends its reach into the
fast-growing sphere of consumer-generated media, such as blogs and
public message boards, which are measured to understand the impact of
word-of-mouth behavior and influence on product sales, entertainment
choices and other consumer-related activities.
Following the
merger of BuzzMetrics and Intelliseek – two leaders in tracking and
analysis of online consumer-generated media – VNU will have a 50.1%
stake in the new company, to be known as BuzzMetrics. Headquartered in
New York, BuzzMetrics will market its services using the Nielsen
BuzzMetrics brand under a special licensing arrangement with VNU. VNU
is the parent of such renowned research names as ACNielsen and Nielsen
Media Research.
The companies said they expect to close the
transaction within 30 days. Financial terms were not disclosed. While
VNU will have a majority interest, BuzzMetrics will be managed by
Jonathan Carson, current CEO of BuzzMetrics, who will retain that title
with the new company, and Michael Nazzaro, Intelliseek’s president and
CEO, who will become president and COO.
The transaction marks the
third in a series of word-of-mouth research investments supported by
VNU. In February 2005, VNU acquired an equity interest in Israel-based
Trendum, a leader in media and linguistic analysis technologies. In
September 2005, Trendum acquired BuzzMetrics, and the new company
adopted the BuzzMetrics name.
BuzzMetrics serves a broad spectrum
of industries including media and entertainment, automotive,
electronic, healthcare and consumer packaged goods. Key clients include
Canon, Comcast, Ford, General Motors, HBO, Kraft, Mazda, Microsoft,
Nokia, Procter & Gamble, Showtime, Sony, Target and Toyota.
About VNU
VNU
is a global information and media company with leading market positions
and recognized brands in marketing information (ACNielsen), media
measurement and information (Nielsen Media Research) and business
information (Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Computing,
Intermediair).
VNU is active in more than 100 countries, with
headquarters in Haarlem, the Netherlands and New York, USA. The company
employs 38,000 people. Total revenues under IFRS amounted to EUR 3.3
billion in 2004. VNU is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam (ASE: VNU)
stock exchange.
For more information, please visit the VNU website at www.vnu.com.
Press contact Will Thoretz New York +1 646 654 8133
Investor Relations Peter Wortel Haarlem +31 23 546 36 00
Arnout Asjes New York +1 646 654 5031