Management Changes at Nielsen Entertainment

Management Changes at Nielsen Entertainment

NEW YORK, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- VNU, a leading global information and media company, today announced that Andrew L. Wing, President and CEO of Nielsen Entertainment, has decided to leave VNU to pursue investment opportunities in media and entertainment. At the same time, the company announced a new management structure for Nielsen Entertainment. Nielsen Entertainment comprises a portfolio of four major businesses spanning the entertainment industry, including Film, Home Entertainment, Music and Book.

Wing will remain with VNU through March 31, 2006 to assist in the management transition.

In making the announcement today, Michael Marchesano, President and CEO of VNU Business Media and Nielsen Entertainment, said: "While I regret Andy's decision to leave, I respect his decision to step down at this time. During his tenure, Andy has played a key role in reshaping and growing VNU's entertainment businesses."

After the acquisition of ACNielsen by VNU in 2001, Wing was named President and CEO of Nielsen Entertainment. He joined ACNielsen in 1997 from American Express.

Wing added: "The decision to step down from my position as President and CEO of Nielsen Entertainment was not reached lightly. While there is no perfect time to leave, with eight plus years in the organization and an outstanding 2005 performance, the Nielsen Entertainment businesses will continue to grow and prosper. The media and entertainment landscape is at an especially unique inflection point, with the influx of new technologies and evolving consumer preferences. Working closely with investment firms as well as other public and private organizations, I look forward to leveraging my experience and expertise in the media and entertainment field."

Marchesano also announced several management changes within Nielsen Entertainment.

Effective immediately, Howard Ballon is promoted to President of Nielsen Film and Home Entertainment. These businesses include Nielsen NRG (film research and tracking), Nielsen EDI (box office tracking), Nielsen ReelResearch (TV research), Nielsen Videoscan (video and DVD tracking) and Nielsen Interactive (video game research and tracking). Since 2002, he has been co-Chief Operating Officer of Nielsen NRG. His career with NRG has spanned the past 15 years. Ballon continues to be based in Los Angeles.

Kevin Yoder, also in Los Angeles, becomes Chief Operating Officer of Nielsen NRG, reporting to Ballon. For the past three years, he has been co- COO with Ballon. Yoder joined NRG in 1992, was promoted to head of international operations in 1993 and to Executive Vice President and Chief Analyst in 1995. Before joining NRG, Yoder was a corporate law associate with Reavis & McGrath in Los Angeles, and then with Coudert Brothers in New York.

Rob Sisco remains President of Nielsen Music (SoundScan, Music Control, Broadcast Data Systems and Nielsen Mobile) and also has responsibility for Nielsen Book (BookScan and Book Data). He continues to be based in New York. Both Ballon and Sisco will now report to Marchesano.

Added Marchesano: "The long-time Nielsen Entertainment experience of both Howard Ballon and Rob Sisco will continue to serve the organization well as we move forth with expanding client relationships and developing services across Nielsen Entertainment. With Kevin Yoder now assuming complete oversight of NRG, I am extremely confident in his ability to continue to meet the changing needs of our clients and further grow the business as we move forth."

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 stock exchange. For more information, please visit the VNU website at http://www.vnu.com/.

Source: Nielsen Entertainment

CONTACT: Jack Loftus of Nielsen Entertainment, +1-646-654-8360

Web site: http://www.vnu.com/

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