New York, NY, November 10, 2008:  The Nielsen Company today announced that Executive Vice President Susan D. Whiting has been promoted to the Company’s Vice Chairperson.  In her expanded role, Whiting will join Chairman and CEO David Calhoun in the newly created Office of the CEO, providing oversight and direction to the Company’s initiatives and operations.  She is expected to work closely with Nielsen’s clients and other important stakeholders around the world.

 “Susan will focus on our most critical relationships with clients at a time when they are looking for the unique insight into consumer behavior that only Nielsen can provide,” Calhoun said.  “She will also manage a broad array of issues that affect all our stakeholders.”

“New technology and evolving patterns of consumer behavior have created enormous challenges for our clients,” Whiting said.  “As the old ways of doing business fade away, I look forward to working even more closely with major marketers and media companies to help them take advantage of Nielsen’s wide range of research capabilities.” 

Calhoun added: “This appointment is part of our plan to integrate Nielsen’s resources in a way that delivers even more value for our clients.  Nielsen is singularly positioned to provide a complete understanding of consumer activity, media consumption and the relationship between the two. Susan will work directly with our key clients to develop the integrated suite of Nielsen products they need to grow their businesses.”

Whiting joined Nielsen Media Research in 1978 and since then has worked in every aspect of the business.  In 2007, she was appointed Chairman of Nielsen Media Research and Nielsen Company Executive Vice President with marketing and product leadership responsibilities for all Nielsen business units.

Whiting is a member of the Board of Directors for Wilmington Trust Corporation, YMCA of Greater New York, The Ad Council, The Center for Communication and the International Radio & Television Society Foundation, Inc.  She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Chicago’s Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and a trustee of Denison University.  She is also past president of the Connecticut Women’s Forum.