Claritas Acquires Operations of National Research Bureau; Shopping Center Industry's Foremost Information Source Becomes Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of San Diego-Based Market Research Leader.

Business Editors

SAN DIEGO,--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 2002

Marking its first major acquisition since re-locating here from Arlington, Va. in 1999, Claritas Inc. announced today it has taken over the operating rights of the National Research Bureau (NRB), the nation's leading authority of shopping center data -- a move that firmly positions Claritas as the definitive source of retail real estate information.

Commenting on the acquisition, Claritas president and CEO Robert Nascenzi said, "NRB has consistently earned its stripes over a distinguished 46-year history by providing thousands of shopping center owners and developers, real estate brokers and leasing agents, financial institutions and shopping center professionals the tools they need to succeed in a dynamic multi-billion dollar industry."

Nascenzi said the agreement calls for NRB, renowned as custodian of The Shopping Center Database, to continue operating under its name, and that company President Nancy Veatch retains her position.

Veatch said Chicago-based NRB has worked closely with Claritas for nine years to deliver NRB shopping center data to Claritas clients through its information products in the retail and real estate industry. "So, it's a logical next step for NRB to become a more integral part of the Claritas organization. I look forward to the resource advantages Claritas offers in the areas of product development and marketing. It looks to be a win-win situation for us all."

Like Claritas, NRB represents major clients based in San Diego, including PETCO, Mailbox Etc. and Union Tribune Publishing. Notable real estate industry clients with regional offices in San Diego include CB Richard Ellis, Trizec Properties Inc., (formerly TrizecHahn Corp.) and Pan Pacific Retail Properties.

As for data on San Diego shopping centers, The Shopping Center Database, for example, shows that there are 565 centers with a total gross leasable area (GLA) of 60.4 million square feet. The database ranks Fashion Valley as the largest center in San Diego at 1.7 million square feet.

The Shopping Center Database contains data on more than 39,000 shopping centers, 70,000 contacts and 500,000 tenants within shopping centers. This information is updated on an annual, year-round basis by a team of 15 researchers and data specialists who obtain information directly from the owners, developers and management/leasing personnel for the centers as well as individual retailers. These researchers also monitor Web sources, newswires, trade publications and newspapers across the country to keep current with the volatile nature of this information.

About Claritas

Claritas is regarded as the leading, worldwide provider of precision marketing solutions, developed, in part, through intricate customer segmentation systems and other such marketing tools. Claritas is a division of theVNU Marketing Information Group (MIG), an established leader in providing a wide variety of industries with innovative precision-marketing solutions including geo-demographic information and qualitative audience research. VNU MIG is a part of VNU Inc., the U.S. arm of VNU, which also includes Nielsen Media Research, VNU Business Publications, Spectra Marketing Systems, Scarborough Research, VNU eMedia, and VNU Expositions. To learn more about Claritas' products and services visit its Web site at www.claritas.com.