ACNielsen Acquires Full Ownership Of ACNielsen Chile; Purchases 49% Stake Held by Cadem.

NEW YORK -- ACNielsen today announced that it has become the full owner of ACNielsen Chile, purchasing the 49% stake held by Cadem, its business partner in Chile since 1993. The acquisition highlights ACNielsen's commitment to key markets within Latin America and will foster greater development of its information services in the region.

ACNielsen President and CEO Steve Schmidt said, "We are very pleased with this transaction. Full ownership will enable us to build on our momentum in Chile, offering new services to our many clients based there, while giving us greater flexibility to provide the regional insights needed by clients in other parts of Latin America."

ACNielsen Latin America President Arturo Garcia Castro said, "Cadem has been an excellent business partner with whom we have developed a very strong and growing business in Chile. Now, as sole owners of the business, we look forward to further strengthening our Latin American infrastructure and information services."

ACNielsen, through its various retail measurement services, is Chile's leading provider of syndicated sales tracking information for the consumer packaged goods industry. In addition, the ACNielsen Homescan consumer panel provides clients with insights into their consumers - who they are, where they shop, and more - and the company's modeling and analytics group provides guidance on issues such as pricing, assortment and merchandising.

ACNielsen entered the Chile market in June 1993 with its 51% purchase of Cadem, then known as Inversiones Torres del Paine S.A. (ITP). The purchase agreement included an option for ACNielsen to buy the remaining shares, which it has now exercised.

ACNielsen, a VNU business, is the world's leading marketing information provider. Offering services in more than 100 countries, the unit provides measurement and analysis of marketplace dynamics and consumer attitudes and behavior. Clients rely on ACNielsen's market research, proprietary products, analytical tools and professional service to understand competitive performance, to uncover new opportunities and to raise the profitability of their marketing and sales campaigns.

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