ACNielsen Acquires The BASES Group; ACNielsen Strengthens Ability to Provide Market Insights With Addition of World Leader in Simulated Test Marketing

Business Wire, June 30, 1998

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 30, 1998--ACNielsen Corporation (NYSE: ART) announced today it has acquired The BASES Group, including BASES Worldwide, the global leader in simulated test marketing.

A privately held firm with annual revenues of $65 million and headquarters in Covington, Kentucky, BASES provides the world's leading consumer packaged goods companies with the ability to predict the likely sales and success of new products before they are launched. Its products in simulated test marketing are used to estimate consumer purchases at early stages of development, thus preventing costly development expenditures on low probability initiatives or encouraging expenditures on high-probability opportunities.

"Today, we have taken another step to strengthen our position as the world's leading market research company," said Nicholas L. Trivisonno, chairman and chief executive officer of ACNielsen. "With BASES, we have added a company that has a blue-chip client roster, a portfolio of premier proprietary products and a wealth of intellectual capital. We are very pleased that BASES decided to join ACNielsen."

BASES proprietary products are the industry standard for new product development accepted by fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) marketers. BASES assignments receive wide visibility and acceptance with the ranks of senior management by providing actionable insights and recommendations to strengthen business and marketing plans.

"BASES has evaluated more than 17,000 product ideas in more than 50 countries. Our experience and databases have allowed us to build the models that make our forecasting record the most accurate and comprehensive in the industry," said Jack E. Brown, chairman of The BASES Group. "By joining with ACNielsen, we will now have much better access to marketplace information and technology that will enhance our offerings to clients. Further, this new relationship affords our people enhanced opportunities for professional growth and development. We're pleased to be a part of ACNielsen." The BASES Group will now be known as ACNielsen BASES. Mr. Brown will serve as its chairman and will be a member of the ACNielsen Policy and Planning Committee.

In addition to its core business of simulated test market models for the consumer products industry marketed by BASES Worldwide, The BASES Group also provides similar services to non-FMCG companies through its Vantis International division, market research training for marketing and sales professionals through its Burke Institute unit, and multi-country research through BASES International Research.

ACNielsen, offering services in over 90 countries and with 1997 revenues of $1.4 billion, is the global leader in delivering market research, information and analysis to the consumer products and service industries.

Note to Editors: Look for this press release and other ACNielsen news on the Internet at http://acnielsen.com.

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