Definition of ACNielsen Company

one of the largest marketing research firms in the world, with worldwide headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, and regional headquarters in Belgium (serving Europe, the Middle East, and Africa), Illinois (serving the Americas), and Hong Kong (serving Asia Pacific). ACNielsen offers services in over 90 countries and is considered a global leader in delivering market research, information, and analysis to the consumer products and service industries. Available on a subscription basis, services include retail measurement, consumer panels, media measurement, customized research, information delivery, and merchandising, all using a wide range of databases, decision support software, and advanced analytic models for the benefit of consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, and brokers. The scanning-based databases provide detailed product sales and pricing patterns, whereas the business applications and analytic tools are designed to help clients develop effective sales, marketing, promotion, category management, and advertising programs. Founded in 1923 by a 26-year-old engineer, Arthur C. Nielsen, the company was most noted for its television rating services. However, in 1996, as part of a strategic restructuring, the ratings division split apart from ACNielsen to become the Nielsen Media Research Company.