ACNielsen Acquires Entertainment Data, Inc.; Preeminent Source Of Motion Picture Box Office Information Joins World's Leading Market Research Firm

Business Wire, Dec 18, 1997

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 1997--In a move to further expand its global market research services into new industries, ACNielsen Corporation (NYSE: ART) today announced that it has acquired Entertainment Data, Inc. (EDI), the preeminent source of box office information for the motion picture industry.

Based in Beverly Hills, California, EDI provides overnight information on box office receipts to studios and exhibitors in the U.S. motion picture industry. EDI also has operations in the U.K., Germany, Spain and France. The information provided by EDI helps determine where and how long a movie plays, as well as how advertising and promotional dollars are spent, and is widely quoted in the entertainment media.

Nicholas L. Trivisonno, chairman and chief executive officer of ACNielsen, said, "ACNielsen is committed to a presence in the entertainment industry beyond our current business tracking videocassette sales and providing customized research. We believe our participation in this industry provides favorable growth opportunities to enhance and expand our market measurement services beyond the consumer goods industry."

"The world's preeminent source of motion picture box office information is joining the world's leading market research firm," said Michael P. Connors, vice chairman of ACNielsen. "When you combine ACNielsen's global expertise in understanding competitive marketplace dynamics; measuring consumer attitudes and behavior; and ability to provide analytical insights with EDI's uniquely valuable movie market information, you have a significantly enhanced product for the motion picture industry. The combination also will accelerate EDI's expansion into international markets."

Marcy Polier, founder of EDI, said, "Today, more films are being produced, worldwide theater construction is on the rise, and the international market for motion pictures is expanding. As part of the world's leading market research company, we look forward to continued growth in both our box office receipt tracking business, particularly internationally, and in the demand for related information services." Ms. Polier will serve as president of the company, which will be known as ACNielsen EDI.

EDI was started in 1976 by Ms. Polier, who recognized the need for a central tracking system of box office receipts that could provide timely and accurate data to the studios and exhibitors. Over the years EDI has developed a reputation as the authoritative source of box office information. Today EDI's overnight tracking service provides dollar-receipt information on over 25,000 U.S. and Canadian movie screens, representing almost 85% of the box office gross. EDI also covers 8,200 screens in Europe.

EDI's other services include The Release Schedule that provides competitive information on release dates, a Theater Atlas that presents theater locations on city maps and performance data for the top 100 markets, and a School Holiday Calendar that helps studios target release dates. In addition, EDI annually hosts the EDI Reel Awards for movies that generate $100 million in domestic box office receipts and publishes the popular and often quoted Academy Award(R) Handicap.

ACNielsen, offering services in over 90 countries and with 1996 revenues of $1.4 billion, is the global leader in delivering market research, information and analysis to the consumer products and service industries. -0- Note To Editors: ACNielsen is not related to Cognizant Corp.'s Nielsen Media Research, which is known for its television ratings services in the U.S. Look for this press release and other news on the Internet at http://www.acnielsen.com and http://www.entdata.com

CONTACT: Media Contacts: Investor Contact:

Barry Holt Darial Sneed

(203) 961-3340 (203) 961-3345

or

Scott Regberg

Regberg & Associates, Inc.

(310) 475-5735