Nielsen Buys Harris Interactive

ROCHESTER: Nielsen Holdings is acquiring the global market research firm Harris Interactive for around $117 million.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Nielsen will tender an offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Harris Interactive's common stock through a wholly owned subsidiary formed for the purpose of making the offer. The Harris Interactive board of directors has already unanimously approved the transaction. Harris Interactive shareholders will receive $2 per share in cash (subject to adjustment as provided in the merger agreement).

Al Angrisani, the president and CEO of Harris Interactive, commented, "This announcement reflects the successful completion of the turnaround strategy that we began in July 2011 and will deliver to Harris Interactive stockholders meaningful value and liquidity immediately upon closing. Harris Interactive's board of directors selected the Nielsen transaction after a thorough review of the company's strategic alternatives that began earlier this year."

Angrisani added, "By combining Nielsen's global capabilities and scale with Harris Interactive's extensive industry and research expertise, we'll be able to drive outcomes and innovate to bring new methods to understanding consumers around the world. We look forward to beginning an exciting new chapter for Harris Interactive, our customers, partners and employees following the transaction."

"For our existing CPG and media clients, our combined capabilities will provide better and more integrated insights to help them drive business outcomes," said John J. Lewis, the president for the Americas at Nielsen. "Harris Interactive's strength with other industry verticals allows us to serve these clients with Nielsen's differentiated solutions in areas such as marketing effectiveness, social and digital to achieve our growth objectives."