Nielsen Company "The TV Ratings Company" CEO Mitch Barns Confirms His Retirement

Mitch Barns, 55, was appointed CEO of the Nielsen Company, popularly nicknamed as “The TV Ratings Company,” in January 2014 and has led the company to greatness beyond measures. Nielsen is a measuring and analytics company that provides insight and data for various industries surrounding digital, entertainment, innovation, media, and more. Nielsen Music provides Billboard ample sums of data for their charts.

Barns will continue to manage operations and key initiatives such as Total Audience, the Connected System and efforts to systematize and modernize operations for the remainder of the year.

In his 21 years with the company, Barns has held many leadership roles across all major parts of Nielsen’s business -- working in the U.S., Europe and Asia, as well as Media and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors. He steered the company through the revolution of its Watch segment (which includes TV and radio measurement) during a time of instantaneous change in how media is consumed all led by Nielsen’s Total Audience Measurement strategy. Under his watch, Nielsen acquired Gracenote (entertainment data and technology company) and vBrand (artificial intelligence marketing platform for sports sponsorship exposure).

James Attwood, a Managing Director at The Carlyle Group and Chairman of the Board at Nielsen, has been announced the Executive Chairman. Until new leadership has been acquired for the Nielsen Company, Attwood will play an active role.

“Mitch has left an indelible mark on Nielsen—his commitment to integrity, openness, values and engagement will continue to be the heart of this company for years to come,” commented Attwood. “I, along with the rest of the Board of Directors, thank him for his service.”

The Nielsen Company Board of Directors will be on an all-inclusive search for an exceptional new CEO.