Claritas Launches Advanced Analytical Services Division; Integras Becomes Leading Market Research Firm's Second Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

Business Editors

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 2003

Will Be Supported By Vast Data Resources of Claritas

Parent Company, VNU

Claritas Inc., the premier provider of intelligent marketing information and target marketing services, announced today the formation of a new advanced analytical services division called Integras, specializing in high-end location research and customer analysis for marketing.

"Business is entering a new era where customer and market data must be combined, analyzed and distributed rapidly across real estate, marketing and merchandising functions," said Claritas President and CEO Robert Nascenzi.

"And, by combining the acclaimed expertise of Claritas' industry specialists with its world-class data resources, Integras is better positioned to assist customers in both designing and executing a better business strategy," he added.

Nascenzi said Integras, the second subsidiary to operate under the Claritas name, represents a "significant investment" by Claritas to innovate and expand the way its marketing tools and data are used. Claritas acquired the operating rights to the National Research Bureau (NRB), the nation's leading authority of shopping center data, last June.

Integras President Keith Peterson said the new subsidiary is reflective of the role analytical consulting must play in shifting toward an integrated model where business knowledge, data and technology and analytical modeling are available from a single source -- a source that also has access to the vast data resources of Claritas' parent company, VNU, whose other marketing information holdings include ACNielsen, Nielsen Media Research and Spectra Marketing Systems.

"This model provides customers access to unmatched business intelligence depth and expertise. For example, retail customers will be able to integrate powerful media data into their location strategy analysis and financial services customers will be able to include sophisticated net worth and investable asset models into branch planning projects," commented Peterson.

Peterson said Integras will initially focus on four key areas:

-- Location Research -- involves consulting, primary research, trade area analysis and advanced modeling to make site decisions.

-- Marketing Analytics -- moves companies toward an integrated strategy for customer value analysis and away from just amassing volumes of data.

-- Market Information Integration -- allows customers to tap into ever increasing volumes of market data that's presented in a coherent and planned manner.

-- Exploratory Insight -- aligns business strategy with market data investments by creating analyses that interpret market data.

About Claritas

Based in San Diego, Claritas Inc. is regarded as the premier worldwide provider of precision marketing solutions, developed, in part, through intricate customer segmentation systems and other such marketing tools. Claritas is a division of VNU Marketing Information (MI), an established leader in providing a wide variety of industries with innovative precision-marketing solutions including geo-demographic information and qualitative audience research. VNU MI is a part of VNU, which also includes ACNielsen, Nielsen Media Research, Spectra Marketing Systems, Scarborough Research, VNU Business Publications USA, VNU eMedia, and VNU Expositions. To learn more about Integras, Claritas and VNU products and services visit their Web sites at www.integrasconsulting.com, www.claritas.com and www.VNU.com.