Comscore Releases Statement in Support of Federal Trade Commission’s Consent Decree Regarding Proposed Nielsen-Arbitron Merger
RESTON, VA, September 23, 2013 – Comscore (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, has reviewed the Federal Trade Commission’s recent consent decree regarding the proposed merger of Nielsen and Arbitron, and we are pleased that the FTC has taken steps to preserve fair competition within the media measurement industry. We are in the process of negotiating an agreement with Nielsen to acquire the technology and license the data cited in the decree, to comply with the license and divestiture process set forth by the FTC. We are excited to continue building on previous innovations in multi-platform media measurement and fulfill our ongoing promise to help the industry address critical audience measurement challenges.
Comscore has pioneered industry-leading methods of measuring multi-platform consumer behavior that account for desktop, smartphone and tablet internet usage. We have built upon this capability, in partnership with other data and measurement providers, to deliver multi-platform measurement that also accounts for TV, radio and gaming console audiences for a range of clients, including Sony and others. In collaboration with ESPN and Arbitron, Comscore developed Project Blueprint, the first five-platform research initiative to provide continuous measurement of cross-platform media usage on a national scale.
“The FTC’s decree will help preserve Comscore’s access to the Arbitron measurement data and associated assets, and helps ensure not only that our clients can continue to rely on this data partnership, but also enables the broader industry to benefit from continued innovation and competition in multi-platform measurement,” said Serge Matta, President of Comscore. “We look forward to continuing our work on Project Blueprint and delivering it as a syndicated product available to the entire industry in a relatively short order. We applaud the FTC for their efforts in support of competition, and upholding their mission of protecting America’s consumers.”
About Comscore
Comscore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) is a global leader in digital measurement and analytics, delivering insights on web, mobile and TV consumer behavior that enable clients to maximize the value of their digital investments. For more information, please visit www.comscore.com/companyinfo.
Cautionary Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, Comscore’s expectations as to the financial and operational effects of the FTC’s consent decree regarding the Nielsen-Arbitron merger. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, Comscore’s ability to project the financial impact of the divestiture of ARS assets and Comscore’s ability to achieve its expected financial results.
For a detailed discussion of these and other risk factors, please refer to Comscore’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012 and from time to time other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available on the SEC’s Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made. Comscore does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or new information after the date of this press release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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Bill Daddi
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