Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                    to                 

Commission file number 333-142546-29

 

 

The Nielsen Company B.V.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

The Netherlands   98-0366864
(State of incorporation)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

770 Broadway

New York, New York 10003

(646) 654-5000

 

Ceylonpoort 5

2037 AA Haarlem

The Netherlands

+31 23-546 3463

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one:)

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨   Accelerated filer   ¨   Non-accelerated filer   x   Smaller reporting company   ¨
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

There were 258,463,857 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of October 31, 2008

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Contents

 

          PAGE

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

   3

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   25

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   44

Item 4T.

  

Controls and Procedures

   45

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   46

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   46

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   46

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   46

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   46

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   46

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   46
  

Signatures

   47

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

The Nielsen Company B.V.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)

   September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
     (Unaudited)        

Assets:

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 325     $ 399  

Trade and other receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns of $22 and $27 as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

     923       912  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     180       182  
                

Total current assets

     1,428       1,493  

Non-current assets

    

Property, plant and equipment, net

     561       559  

Goodwill

     7,777       7,786  

Other intangible assets, net

     5,248       5,343  

Deferred tax assets

     319       235  

Other non-current assets

     792       838  
                

Total assets

   $ 16,125     $ 16,254  
                

Liabilities, minority interests and shareholders’ equity:

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

   $ 928     $ 1,135  

Deferred revenues

     442       502  

Income tax liabilities

     129       100  

Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings

     320       213  
                

Total current liabilities

     1,819       1,950  

Non-current liabilities

    

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     8,147       8,037  

Deferred tax liabilities

     1,758       1,716  

Other non-current liabilities

     540       590  
                

Total liabilities

     12,264       12,293  
                

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

    

Minority interests

     4       4  

Shareholders’ equity:

    

7% preferred stock, €8.00 par value, 150,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding

     1       1  

Common stock, €0.20 par value, 550,000,000 shares authorized and 258,463,857 shares issued at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007

     58       58  

Additional paid-in capital

     4,346       4,180  

Accumulated deficit

     (618 )     (593 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes

     70       311  
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     3,857       3,957  
                

Total liabilities, minority interests and shareholders’ equity

   $ 16,125     $ 16,254  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 

(IN MILLIONS)

   2008     2007     2008     2007  

Revenues

   $ 1,260     $ 1,188     $ 3,778     $ 3,429  
                                

Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     548       536       1,671       1,558  

Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     414       385       1,267       1,170  

Depreciation and amortization

     128       111       370       334  

Restructuring costs

     46       79       62       134  
                                

Operating income

     124       77       408       233  
                                

Interest income

     4       7       14       23  

Interest expense

     (163 )     (164 )     (485 )     (477 )

(Loss)/gain on derivative instruments

     (38 )     19       (5 )     32  

Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net

     124       (47 )     43       (81 )

Other income/(expense), net

     1       —         (2 )     (2 )
                                

Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates

     52       (108 )     (27 )     (272 )
                                

(Provision)/benefit for income taxes

     (10 )     12       5       32  

Minority interests

     1       —         —         2  

Equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates

     (1 )     (5 )     —         1  
                                

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

     42       (101 )     (22 )     (237 )
                                

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         1       (3 )     2  
                                

Net income/(loss)

   $ 42     $ (100 )   $ (25 )   $ (235 )
                                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(IN MILLIONS)

       2008             2007      

Operating Activities

    

Net loss

   $ (25 )   $ (235 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Share-based payments expense

     20       39  

Loss/(gain) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

     3       (18 )

Currency exchange rate differences on financial transactions and other losses

     (41 )     83  

Loss/(gain) on derivative instruments

     5       (32 )

Equity in net loss from affiliates, net of dividends received

     9       6  

Minority interest in net loss of consolidated subsidiaries

     —         (2 )

Gain on sale of fixed assets, subsidiaries and affiliates

     —         (1 )

Depreciation and amortization

     370       334  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of businesses acquired and divested:

    

Trade and other receivables, net

     (25 )     (29 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2       1  

Accounts payable and other current liabilities and deferred revenues

     (199 )     (53 )

Other non-current liabilities

     3       (8 )

Interest receivable

     3       —    

Interest payable

     88       63  

Income taxes

     (73 )     (101 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     140       47  
                

Investing Activities

    

Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired

     (258 )     (836 )

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries and affiliates, net

     20       389  

Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets

     (149 )     (108 )

Additions to intangible assets

     (104 )     (77 )

Purchases of marketable securities

     —         (31 )

Sale and maturities of marketable securities

     —         166  

Other investing activities

     3       3  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (488 )     (494 )
                

Financing Activities

    

Net borrowings from revolving credit facility

     185       125  

Proceeds from issuances of other debt, net of issuance costs

     217       445  

Repayments of other debt

     (173 )     (370 )

Decrease in other short-term borrowings

     (11 )     (71 )

Valcon capital contribution

     79       —    

Activity under stock plans

     —         (3 )

Settlement of derivatives and other financing activities

     (8 )     3  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     289       129  
                

Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (15 )     27  
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (74 )     (291 )
                

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     399       631  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 325     $ 340  
                

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 68     $ 69  

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized

   $ 397     $ 414  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

1. Background and Basis of Presentation

Background

The Nielsen Company B.V. (the “Company” or “Nielsen”) is a global information and media company with leading market positions and recognized brands. Nielsen is organized into three segments: Consumer Services (e.g., ACNielsen), Media (e.g., Nielsen Media Research) and Business Media (e.g., Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter ). Nielsen is active in more than 100 countries, with its headquarters located in Haarlem, the Netherlands and New York, USA.

On May 24, 2006, Nielsen was acquired through a tender offer to shareholders by Valcon Acquisition B.V. (“Valcon”), an entity formed by investment funds associated with AlpInvest Partners, The Blackstone Group, The Carlyle Group, Hellman & Friedman, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., and Thomas H. Lee Partners (collectively, the “Sponsors”) and held 99.4% of Nielsen’s outstanding common shares as of December 31, 2007. In May 2008, Valcon acquired the remaining Nielsen common shares through a statutory squeeze-out procedure, pursuant to Dutch legal and regulatory requirements and therefore held 100% of the Company’s outstanding common shares as of September 30, 2008. Valcon also acquired 100% of the Company’s preferred B shares in the period from May 24, 2006 to December 31, 2006 which were subsequently canceled. The common and preferred shares were delisted from the Euronext Amsterdam on July 11, 2006. Nielsen became a subsidiary of Valcon upon the consummation of the acquisition by Valcon (the “Valcon Acquisition”).

Basis of Presentation

Prior to January 1, 2008, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries outside the United States and Canada were included in the consolidated financial statements on the basis of fiscal years ending November 30th in order to facilitate a timely consolidation. This one-month reporting lag was eliminated during the first quarter of 2008 as it was no longer required to achieve a timely consolidation. In accordance with EITF No. 06-9, “Reporting a Change in (or the Elimination of) a Previously Existing Difference between the Fiscal Year-End of a Parent Company and That of a Consolidated Entity or between the Reporting Period of an Investor and That of an Equity Method Investee”, the elimination of this previously existing reporting lag is considered a change in accounting principle in accordance with FASB Statement No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections”. The Company has not retrospectively applied the change in accounting since its impact to the consolidated balance sheets and related statements of operations and cash flows was immaterial for all periods.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, contain all the adjustments (consisting of those of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) applicable to interim periods. All amounts are presented in U.S. Dollars (“$”), except for share data or where expressly stated as being in other currencies, e.g., Euros (“€”). The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Nielsen and all subsidiaries and other controlled entities. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation.

Fair Value Measurement

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and establishes a hierarchy that categorizes and prioritizes the sources to be used to estimate fair value. SFAS 157 also expands financial statement disclosures about fair value measurements. On February 12, 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”), which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for one year, for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). SFAS 157 and FSP 157-2 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 beginning January 1, 2008 for all financial assets and financial liabilities that are recognized at fair value. Additionally, for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are recognized at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis, the Company has adopted the provisions of FSP 157-2 and delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 until January 1, 2009. The impact of partially adopting SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008 was not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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SFAS 157 requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 

Level 1:

   Quoted market prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

Level 2:

   Pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.

Level 3:

   Pricing inputs that are generally unobservable and may not be corroborated by market data.

Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s material financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2008:

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   September 30,
2008
   (Level 1)    (Level 2)    (Level 3)

Assets:

           

Investments in mutual funds (1)

   $ 2    $ 2    $ —      $ —  

Plan assets for deferred compensation (2)

     14      14      —        —  

Investments in equity securities (3)

     17      17      —        —  

Currency swap arrangements (4)

     25      —        25      —  
                           

Total

   $ 58    $ 33    $ 25    $ —  
                           

Liabilities:

           

Interest rate swap arrangements (4)

   $ 86      —      $ 86    $ —  

Currency swap arrangements (4)

     74      —        74      —  

Deferred compensation liabilities (5)

     14      14      —        —  
                           

Total

   $ 174    $ 14    $ 160    $ —  
                           

 

(1)

Investments in mutual funds are money-market accounts held with the intention of funding certain specific retirement plans.

 

(2)

Plan assets are comprised of investments in mutual funds, which are intended to fund liabilities arising from deferred compensation plans. These investments are carried at fair value, which is based on quoted market prices at period end in active markets. These investments are classified as trading securities with any gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value recorded in other expense.

 

(3)

Investments in equity securities are carried at fair value, which is based on either quoted market prices at period end in active markets. These investments are classified as available-for-sale with any unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value recorded net of tax as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until realized.

 

(4)

Derivative financial instruments include foreign currency and interest rate swap arrangements accounted for as fair value and cash flow hedges and recorded at fair value based on externally-developed valuation models that use readily observable market parameters.

 

(5)

The Company offers certain employees the opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation plan. A participant’s deferrals are invested in a variety of participant directed stock and bond mutual funds and are classified as trading securities. Changes in the fair value of these securities are measured using quoted prices in active markets based on the market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held exclusive of any transaction costs. A corresponding adjustment for changes in fair value of the trading securities is also reflected in the changes in fair value of the deferred compensation liabilities.

2. Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”), which permits but does not require the Company to measure financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. As the Company did not elect to fair value any of its financial instruments under the provisions of SFAS 159, the adoption of this statement effective January 1, 2008 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 enhances required disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities, including enhanced disclosures regarding how: (a) an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities;” and (c) derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008 and therefore the Company will be required to provide such disclosures beginning with the interim period ended March 31, 2009.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS No. 142-3 (FSP FAS 142-3) “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets.” FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” to include an entity’s historical experience in renewing or extending similar arrangements, adjusted for entity-specific factors, even when there is likely to be “substantial cost or material modifications.” FSP FAS 142-3 states that in the absence of historical experience an entity should use assumptions that market participants would make regarding renewals or extensions, adjusted for entity-specific factors. The aforementioned guidance for determining the useful life of intangible assets will be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date of January 1, 2009. Nielsen does not expect FSP FAS 142-3 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

3. Acquisitions and Investments in Affiliates

On May 15, 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of IAG Research, Inc, subsequently rebranded as Nielsen IAG (“IAG”), for $222 million (including non-cash consideration of $1 million), which was net of $12 million of cash acquired. The acquisition will expand the Company’s television and internet analytics services through IAG’s measurement of consumer engagement with television programs, national commercials and product placements. The Company’s initial allocation of the total purchase price resulted in an increase to goodwill of $220 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, Nielsen paid an additional $1 million in costs associated with the acquisition and also performed a preliminary valuation of the purchase price, which resulted in an allocation to intangible assets and a reduction of goodwill of $50 million, net of tax. Nielsen does not expect that any change in allocation of purchase price resulting from the final valuation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Nielsen paid cash consideration of $36 million associated with other acquisitions and investments in affiliates, net of cash acquired. In conjunction with these acquisitions and as of September 30, 2008, Nielsen has recorded deferred consideration of $12 million, which is payable through January 2009. Had the IAG acquisition and other acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2008, the impact on Nielsen’s consolidated results of operations would have been immaterial.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, Nielsen completed several acquisitions with an aggregate consideration, net of cash acquired, of $837 million and deferred consideration up to a maximum of $1 million, contingent on future performance. The most significant acquisitions were the purchase of the remaining minority interest of Nielsen BuzzMetrics ($47 million), on June 4, 2007, the purchase of the remaining minority interest of Nielsen//NetRatings ($328 million, including $33 million to settle all outstanding share-based awards), on June 22, 2007 and the acquisition of Telephia, Inc. (“Telephia”), on August 9, 2007, for approximately $453 million (including non-cash consideration of $6 million). The Company’s preliminary allocation of the total purchase price for these acquisitions resulted in an increase to goodwill of $594 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company finalized its valuation of these acquisitions resulting in a net allocation to intangible assets and a net reduction of goodwill of $11 million, net of tax. Had these acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2007, the impact on Nielsen’s consolidated results of operations would have been immaterial. Prior to these acquisitions both Nielsen//NetRatings and Nielsen BuzzMetrics were consolidated subsidiaries of Nielsen up to the ownership interest.

4. Business Divestitures

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company received $20 million in net proceeds primarily associated with two divestitures within its Business Media segment and the final settlement of the sale of its Directories segment to World Directories. The impact of these transactions on our consolidated statement of operations was immaterial for all periods presented.

 

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Business Media Europe

On February 8, 2007, Nielsen completed the sale of a significant portion of its Business Media Europe (“BME”) unit for $414 million in cash. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Nielsen recorded a charge of $3 million relating to the settlement of outstanding litigation associated with the disposed of unit.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, Nielsen recorded a gain on sale of discontinued operations of $17 million primarily related to BME’s previously recognized currency translation adjustments from the date of the Valcon Acquisition to the date of sale and a pension curtailment. No other material gain was recognized on the sale because the sales price approximated the carrying value.

Summarized results of operations for discontinued operations are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(IN MILLIONS)

   2008    2007    2008     2007  

Revenues

   $ —      $ —      $ —       $ 18  

Operating loss

     —        —        —         (18 )

Loss before income taxes

     —        —        —         (20 )

Income tax benefit

     —        —        —         4  
                              

Net loss

     —        —        —         (16 )

Gain/(loss) on sale, net of tax (1)

     —        1      (3 )     18  
                              

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations

   $ —      $ 1    $ (3 )   $ 2  
                              

 

(1)

Gain on sale, net of tax, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 includes $1 million relating to divestitures other than the sale of a significant portion of BME.

5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The table below summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Consumer
Services
    Media     Business
Media
    Total  

Balance, December 31, 2007

   $ 2,919     $ 3,894     $ 973     $ 7,786  

Valcon acquisition adjustments (1)

     (13 )     (15 )     (4 )     (32 )

Other acquisitions and purchase price adjustments

     —         160       (1 )     159  

Effect of foreign currency translation

     (136 )     —         —         (136 )
                                

Balance, September 30, 2008

   $ 2,770     $ 4,039     $ 968     $ 7,777  
                                

 

(1)

Valcon acquisition adjustments are comprised of reductions to previously established liabilities associated with various income tax contingencies, primarily in the Netherlands.

 

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At September 30, 2008, $394 million of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Other Intangible Assets

 

     Gross Amounts    Accumulated Amortization  

(IN MILLIONS)

   September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007
   September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 

Indefinite-lived intangibles :

          

Trade names and trademarks

   $ 1,952    $ 2,011    $ —       $ —    

Amortized intangibles :

          

Trade names and trademarks

     162      155      (14 )     (9 )

Customer-related intangibles

     3,027      3,008      (357 )     (252 )

Covenants-not-to-compete

     34      28      (25 )     (22 )

Computer software

     688      566      (255 )     (162 )

Patents and other

     46      25      (10 )     (5 )
                              

Total

   $ 5,909    $ 5,793    $ (661 )   $ (450 )
                              

Amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $78 million and $69 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $226 million and $205 million, respectively.

The trade names associated with Nielsen Media Research and ACNielsen are deemed indefinite-lived intangible assets, as their associated brand awareness and recognition has existed for over 50 years and Nielsen intends to continue to utilize these trade names. There are also no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that may limit their estimated useful lives. Nielsen reconsiders the remaining estimated useful life of indefinite-lived intangible assets each reporting period.

6. Restructuring Activities

During 2008 and prior periods, Nielsen initiated restructuring plans that primarily resulted in the involuntary termination of certain employees. A summary of the changes in the liabilities for restructuring activities and a discussion of each of Nielsen’s restructuring plans is provided below:

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Transformation
Initiative
    Other     Total  

Balance at December 31, 2007

   $ 95     $ 4     $ 99  

Net charges

     62       —         62  

Payments

     (74 )     (1 )     (75 )

Other non-cash charges

     (7 )     —         (7 )

Effect of foreign currency translation

     (1 )     (1 )     (2 )
                        

Balance at September 30, 2008

   $ 75     $ 2     $ 77  
                        

In December 2006, Nielsen announced its intention to expand current cost-saving programs to all areas of Nielsen’s operations worldwide. The Company further announced strategic changes as part of a major corporate transformation (“Transformation Initiative”). The Transformation Initiative is designed to make the Company a more successful and efficient enterprise. As such, the Company is in the process of reducing costs by streamlining corporate functions, centralizing certain operational and information technology functions, leveraging global procurement, consolidating real estate, and expanding outsourcing or offshoring of certain other operational and production processes. Implementation of these initiatives will continue through the first six months of 2009.

Nielsen recorded $46 million in net restructuring charges for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The net charges included severance costs associated with employee terminations as well as $18 million of contractual termination costs and asset write-offs. Nielsen recorded $71 million in severance costs and $5 million in asset write-offs for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Nielsen also recorded $3 million in consulting fees and other costs related to the review of corporate functions and outsourcing opportunities for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Consulting fees and related costs have been or will be recorded at the time the obligation is incurred. All severance and consulting fees have been or will be settled in cash.

Nielsen recorded $62 million in net restructuring charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The net charges included severance costs and other non-cash charges relating to employee terminations as well as $19 million of contractual termination costs and asset write-offs. Nielsen recorded $101 million in severance costs, $28 million in consulting fees and other related costs and $5 million in asset write-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

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7. Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits

The following table provides the Company’s expense associated with pension benefits.

 

     Net Periodic Pension Cost/(Benefit)  

(IN MILLIONS)

   The
Netherlands
    United
States
    Other     Total  

Three months ended September 30, 2008

        

Service cost

   $ 1     $ —       $ 3     $ 4  

Interest cost

     8       4       6       18  

Expected return on plan assets

     (10 )     (4 )     (6 )     (20 )
                                

Net periodic pension (benefit)/cost

   $ (1 )   $ —       $ 3     $ 2  
                                

Nine months ended September 30, 2008

        

Service cost

   $ 3     $ —       $ 9     $ 12  

Interest cost

     26       12       20       58  

Expected return on plan assets

     (33 )     (12 )     (20 )     (65 )

Amortization of gain

     —         —         (1 )     (1 )

Curtailment loss

     —         1       —         1  
                                

Net periodic pension (benefit)/cost

   $ (4 )   $ 1     $ 8     $ 5  
                                

Three months ended September 30, 2007

        

Service cost

   $ —       $ —       $ 4     $ 4  

Interest cost

     6       4       7       17  

Expected return on plan assets

     (9 )     (4 )     (7 )     (20 )
                                

Net periodic pension (benefit)/cost

   $ (3 )   $ —       $ 4     $ 1  
                                

Nine months ended September 30, 2007

        

Service cost

   $ 3     $ —       $ 12     $ 15  

Interest cost

     19       11       19       49  

Expected return on plan assets

     (26 )     (11 )     (19 )     (56 )
                                

Net periodic pension (benefit)/cost

   $ (4 )   $ —       $ 12     $ 8  
                                

The net periodic benefit cost for other post-retirement benefits was insignificant for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

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8. Long-term Debt and Other Financing Arrangements

Unless otherwise stated, interest rates are as of September 30, 2008.

 

     September 30, 2008    December 31, 2007

(IN MILLIONS)

   Weighted
Interest
Rate
    Carrying
Amount
   Weighted
Interest
Rate
    Carrying
Amount

$4,525 million senior secured term loan (LIBOR based variable rate of 4.80%) due 2013

     $ 4,437      $ 4,471

EUR 546 million senior secured term loan (EURIBOR based variable rate of 6.51%) due 2013

       768        797

$688 million senior secured revolving credit facility (EURIBOR or LIBOR based variable rate of 4.67%) due 2012

       195        10
                         

Total senior secured credit facilities (with weighted average interest rate)

   5.22 %     5,400    7.44 %     5,278

$1,070 million 12.50% senior subordinated discount debenture loan due 2016

       761        695

$870 million 10.00% senior debenture loan due 2014

       869        650

EUR 343 million 11.125% senior discount debenture loan due 2016

       356        340

EUR 150 million 9.00% senior debenture loan due 2014

       211        219

GBP 250 million 5.625% debenture loan (EMTN) due 2010 or 2017 (effective rate 5.76%)

       446        497

EUR 50 million private placement debenture loan (EMTN) (3-month EURIBOR based variable rate of 6.36%) due 2010

       71        73

EUR 50 million private placement debenture loan (EMTN) (3-month EURIBOR based variable rate of 6.36%) due 2012

       71        73

EUR 30 million 6.75% private placement debenture loan (EMTN) due 2012

       44        46

JPY 4,000 million 2.50% private placement debenture loan (EMTN) due 2011 (effective rate 2.68%)

       39        37
                         

Total debenture loans (with weighted average interest rate)

   10.55 %     2,868    10.31 %     2,630
                         

Other loans

   6.26 %     7    4.37 %     59
                 

Total long-term debt

       8,275        7,967

Capital lease obligations

       125        130

Short-term debt

       3        78

Bank overdrafts

       64        75
                 

Total debt and other financing arrangements

       8,467        8,250

Less: Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and other short-term borrowings

       320        213
                 

Non-current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     $ 8,147      $ 8,037
                 

Annual maturities of Nielsen’s long-term debt are as follows:

 

(IN MILLIONS)

    

For October 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008

   $ 11

2009

     247

2010

     562

2011

     84

2012

     160

2013

     5,013

Thereafter

     2,198
      
   $ 8,275
      

On April 16, 2008, Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co., the Company’s subsidiaries, consummated a private offering of $220 million aggregate principal amount of their 10% Senior Notes due 2014 (“the Notes”). The net proceeds of the private offering were used to finance the Company’s acquisition of IAG and to pay related fees and expenses. The Notes were subsequently registered in July 2008.

 

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9. Comprehensive (Loss)/Income

The following table sets forth the components of comprehensive (loss)/income, net of income tax:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(IN MILLIONS)

       2008             2007             2008             2007      

Net income/(loss)

   $ 42     $ (100 )   $ (25 )   $ (235 )

Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax

        

Unrealized (losses)/gains on:

        

Currency translation adjustments

     (254 )     5       (233 )     130  

Available-for-sale securities

     (6 )     (1 )     (3 )     —    

Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges

     (8 )     (32 )     (5 )     (20 )

Pension liability

     —         1       —         3  
                                

Total other comprehensive (loss)/income

     (268 )     (27 )     (241 )     113  
                                

Total comprehensive loss

   $ (226 )   $ (127 )   $ (266 )   $ (122 )
                                

10. Share-Based Compensation

Under the Company’s Equity Participation Plan, Valcon Acquisition Holding B.V. (“Dutch Holdco”), the direct parent of Valcon, granted 32,727 performance and 32,727 time-based awards and 581,250 performance and 581,250 time-based awards to certain key employees of the Company during the three months ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, Dutch Holdco granted 1,322,052 performance and 1,322,052 time-based awards and 7,830,100 performance and 7,830,100 time-based awards, respectively.

As of September 30, 2008 the total number of shares authorized for award of options or other equity-based awards was 35,030,000. The 2008 time-based awards become exercisable over a vesting period tied to the executives’ continuing employment as follows: 25% on December 31, 2008 and 25% on the last day of each of the next three calendar years. The 2008 performance options are tied to the executives’ continued employment and become vested and exercisable based on the achievement of certain annual Earnings Before Interest, Taxes and Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) targets over a four-year vesting period. If the annual EBITDA targets are achieved on a cumulative basis for any current year and prior years, the options become vested as to a pro-rata portion for any prior year’s installments which were not vested because of failure to achieve the applicable annual EBITDA target. Both option tranches expire ten years from date of grant. Upon a change in control, any then-unvested time-based options will fully vest and any then-unvested performance options can vest, subject to certain conditions.

The options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2008 have exercise prices of $11.00 and $22.00 per share and weighted average grant date fair values of $3.21 and $0.94, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the options granted have weighted average grant date fair values of $3.32 and $1.10, respectively.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, Nielsen recognized $7 million and $20 million of compensation expense, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, Nielsen recognized $11 million and $29 million of compensation expense, respectively.

In 2007, certain subsidiaries of the Company maintained share-based award plans. For its subsidiary Nielsen//NetRatings, Nielsen recognized no share-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and $6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, mainly due to acceleration of expense related to the unvested portion of these awards. Nielsen also recognized no share-based compensation charge for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, for its subsidiary Nielsen BuzzMetrics. There are no subsidiary stock based compensation plans in place during 2008.

Acquisition of IAG

On May 15, 2008, Nielsen completed the acquisition of Nielsen IAG and concurrently provided 382,216 replacement awards under Nielsen’s existing Equity Participation Plan. The replacement awards granted on May 15, 2008, have exercise prices of $2.75 and a weighted average grant date fair value of $8.25. All replacement awards are vested under the identical terms applicable to Nielsen IAG options for which they were exchanged and the fair values of such awards which were vested were allocated as part of the preliminary purchase price allocation.

 

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11. Income Taxes

Nielsen operates in more than 100 countries around the world and its earnings are taxed at the applicable income tax rate in each of these countries.

The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were 19% expense and 11% (benefit) respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was lower than the Dutch statutory rate primarily due to favorable audit settlements in foreign jurisdictions that occurred in the quarter.

The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were 19% (benefit) and 12% (benefit) respectively. The effective tax benefit rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was lower than the Dutch statutory rate primarily due to interest on the tax accruals, state and foreign withholding taxes and certain non-deductible charges which are partially offset by favorable audit settlements and the impact of the tax rate differences in other jurisdictions where the Company files tax returns.

The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 were lower than the Dutch statutory rate primarily as a result of establishing a valuation allowance on foreign tax credits.

Liabilities for unrecognized income tax benefits totaled $166 million and $195 million as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

The Company files numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and in many state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for 2003 and prior periods. In addition, the Company has subsidiaries in various states, provinces and countries that are currently under audit for years ranging from 1997 through 2006. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced examinations of certain of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns for 2004 in the third quarter of 2006. The Company is under corporate examination in the Netherlands for the years 2002 through 2004. The Company is also under Canadian audit for the years 2002 through 2006. It is anticipated that these examinations will be completed within the next twelve months. To date, the Company is not aware of any material adjustments not already accrued related to any of the current federal, state or foreign audits under examination.

12. Related Party Transactions

The Company recorded $2 million and $8 million in selling, general and administrative expenses related to Sponsor management fees, travel and consulting for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively.

During the second quarter of 2008, Nielsen repaid all previously outstanding loans with both Valcon and Dutch Holdco. A portion of the repayments was used by Valcon to acquire the remaining outstanding Nielsen common shares through a statutory squeeze-out procedure, pursuant to Dutch legal and regulatory requirements.

At September 30, 2008, short-term debt included $3 million payable to Dutch Holdco. The Company recorded $2 million and $3 million in interest expense from loans with related parties for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively.

13. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings and Contingencies

Nielsen is subject to litigation and other claims in the ordinary course of business; however, except as described below, there are no other pending actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting Nielsen which, if determined adversely to Nielsen, would in its view, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on Nielsen’s business, consolidated financial position or results of operations.

D&B Legacy Tax Matters

In November 1996, D&B, then known as The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (“Old D&B”) separated into three public companies by spinning off the A.C. Nielsen Company (“ACNielsen”) and Cognizant Corporation (“Cognizant”) (the “1996 Spin-Off”).

In June 1998, Old D&B changed its name to R.H. Donnelley Corporation (“Donnelley”) and spun-off The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (“New D&B”) (the “D&B Spin”), and Cognizant changed its name to Nielsen Media Research, Inc. (“NMR”), now part of Valcon, and spun-off IMS Health (the “Cognizant Spin”). In September 2000, New D&B changed its name to Moody’s Corporation (“Moody’s”) and spun-off a company now called The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (“Current D&B”) (the “Moody’s spin”). In November 1999, Nielsen acquired NMR and in 2001 Nielsen acquired ACNielsen.

 

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Pursuant to the agreements affecting the 1996 Spin-Off, among other things, certain liabilities, including certain contingent liabilities and tax liabilities arising out of certain prior business transactions (the “D&B Legacy Tax Matters”), were allocated among Old D&B, ACNielsen and Cognizant. The agreements provide that any disputes regarding these matters are subject to resolution by arbitration.

In connection with the acquisition of NMR, Nielsen recorded in 1999, a liability for NMR’s aggregate liability for payments related to the D&B Legacy Tax Matters. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, Nielsen paid $6 million to settle its portion of one of the outstanding tax matters previously in arbitration, including $1 million in interest. As of September 30, 2008, Nielsen has $10 million of remaining accruals, which are considered to be adequate to cover any liabilities associated with the remaining matters.

Contractual Commitments

Outsourced Services Agreement

On February 19, 2008, AC Nielsen (US), Inc., a subsidiary of Nielsen, amended and restated its Master Services Agreement dated June 16, 2004 (“MSA”), with Tata America International Corporation and Tata Consultancy Services Limited (jointly “TCS”). The term of the amended and restated MSA is for ten years, effective October 1, 2007; with a one year renewal option granted to Nielsen, during which ten year period (or if Nielsen exercises its renewal option, eleven year period) Nielsen has committed to purchase at least $1 billion in services from TCS. Unless mutually agreed, the payment rates for services under the amended and restated MSA are not subject to adjustment due to inflation or changes in foreign currency exchange rates. TCS will provide Nielsen with Information Technology, Applications Development and Maintenance and Business Process Outsourcing services globally. The amount of the purchase commitment may be reduced upon the occurrence of certain events, some of which also provide Nielsen with the right to terminate the agreement.

Information Technology Infrastructure Outsourcing Agreement

During the first quarter of 2008, the Company entered into an agreement with TCS to outsource its global IT Infrastructure services. The agreement has an initial term of seven years, and provides for TCS to manage Nielsen’s infrastructure costs at an agreed upon level and to provide Nielsen infrastructure services globally for an annual service charge of $39 million per year. The agreement is subject to earlier termination under certain limited conditions.

14. Segments

Nielsen classifies its business interests into three reportable segments: Consumer Services, consisting principally of market research and analysis and marketing and sales advisory services; Media, consisting principally of television ratings, television, radio and internet audience and advertising measurement and research and analysis in various facets of the entertainment and media sectors, and Business Media, consisting principally of business publications, both in print and online, trade shows, events and conferences and information databases and websites. Corporate consists principally of unallocated corporate items and intersegment eliminations.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, to conform to a change in presentation reflected in management reporting, Nielsen reclassified its Claritas business from Consumer Services to the Media segment. The business segment results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 have been reclassified for comparison purposes.

 

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Information with respect to the operations of each Nielsen business segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, as well as total assets for each business segment as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, are set forth below based on the nature of the products and services offered and geographic areas of operations.

Three months ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007  

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Consumer
Services
   Media    Business
Media
   Corporate     Total

2008

             

Revenues

   $ 714    $ 435    $ 113    $ (2 )   $ 1,260

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 44    $ 65    $ 9    $ 10     $ 128

Restructuring costs

   $ 37    $ 2    $ 1    $ 6     $ 46

Share-Based Compensation

   $ 1    $ 3    $ —      $ 3     $ 7

Operating income

   $ 49    $ 84    $ 28    $ (37 )   $ 124

Total assets as of September 30, 2008

   $ 6,241    $ 7,798    $ 1,535    $ 551     $ 16,125

2007

             

Revenues

   $ 667    $ 395    $ 128    $ (2 )   $ 1,188

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 42    $ 55    $ 11    $ 3     $ 111

Restructuring costs

   $ 59    $ 6    $ 2    $ 12     $ 79

Share-Based Compensation

   $ 2    $ 4    $ 1    $ 4     $ 11

Operating income

   $ 19    $ 62    $ 27    $ (31 )   $ 77

Total assets as of December 31, 2007

   $ 6,536    $ 7,676    $ 1,602    $ 440     $ 16,254

Nine months ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Consumer
Services
   Media    Business
Media
   Corporate     Total

2008

             

Revenues

   $ 2,140    $ 1,275    $ 366    $ (3 )   $ 3,778

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 129    $ 188    $ 29    $ 24     $ 370

Restructuring costs

   $ 46    $ 5    $ 2    $ 9     $ 62

Share-Based Compensation

   $ 4    $ 7    $ 1    $ 8     $ 20

Operating income

   $ 176    $ 228    $ 88    $ (84 )   $ 408

2007

             

Revenues

   $ 1,908    $ 1,135    $ 389    $ (3 )   $ 3,429

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 125    $ 166    $ 35    $ 8     $ 334

Restructuring costs

   $ 86    $ 11    $ 5    $ 32     $ 134

Share-Based Compensation

   $ 5    $ 19    $ 3    $ 12     $ 39

Operating income

   $ 94    $ 153    $ 77    $ (91 )   $ 233

15. Guarantor Financial Information

The following supplemental financial information sets forth for the Company, its subsidiaries that have issued certain debt securities (the “Issuers”) and its guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries, all as defined in the credit agreements, the consolidating balance sheet as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and consolidating statements of operations and cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. The Senior Notes and the Senior Subordinated Discount Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed on an unconditional basis by Nielsen and, each of the direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Nielsen, including VNU Intermediate Holding B.V., Nielsen Holding and Finance B.V., VNU Holdings B.V., VNU International B.V., VNU Services B.V., ACN Holdings, Inc., The Nielsen Company (US) Inc. and the wholly-owned subsidiaries thereof, including the wholly owned U.S. subsidiaries of ACN Holdings, Inc. and Nielsen, Inc., in each case to the extent that such entities provide a guarantee under the senior secured credit facilities. The issuers are The Nielsen Company B.V. and the subsidiary issuers, Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co., both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company.

Nielsen is a holding company and does not have any material assets or operations other than ownership of the capital stock of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. All of Nielsen’s operations are conducted through its subsidiaries, and, therefore, Nielsen is expected to continue to be dependent upon the cash flows of its subsidiaries to meet its obligations.

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)

September 30, 2008

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Parent    Issuers     Guarantor    Non-Guarantor    Elimination     Consolidated

Assets:

               

Current assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1    $ —       $ 54    $ 270    $ —       $ 325

Trade and other receivables, net

     —        —         393      530      —         923

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     7      17       89      67      —         180

Intercompany receivables

     346      62       373      405      (1,186 )     —  
                                           

Total current assets

     354      79       909      1,272      (1,186 )     1,428
                                           

Non-current assets

               

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —        —         361      200      —         561

Goodwill

     —        —         5,799      1,978      —         7,777

Other intangible assets, net

     —        —         3,933      1,315      —         5,248

Deferred tax assets

     3      26       210      80      —         319

Other non-current assets

     17      114       498      163      —         792

Equity investment in subsidiaries

     3,838      —         4,022      —        (7,860 )     —  

Intercompany loans

     711      6,941       964      1,504      (10,120 )     —  
                                           

Total assets

   $ 4,923    $ 7,160     $ 16,696    $ 6,512    $ (19,166 )   $ 16,125
                                           

Liabilities, minority interests and shareholders’ equity:

               

Current liabilities

               

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

   $ 13    $ 61     $ 323    $ 531    $ —       $ 928

Deferred revenues

     —        —         274      168      —         442

Income tax liabilities

     —        —         95      34      —         129

Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings

     —        45       265      10      —         320

Intercompany payables

     —        166       778      242      (1,186 )     —  
                                           

Total current liabilities

     13      272       1,735      985      (1,186 )     1,819
                                           

Non-current liabilities

               

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     1,027      7,001       99      20      —         8,147

Deferred tax liabilities

     —        —         1,604      154      —         1,758

Intercompany loans

     —        —         9,166      954      (10,120 )     —  

Other non-current liabilities

     26      78       254      182      —         540
                                           

Total liabilities

     1,066      7,351       12,858      2,295      (11,306 )     12,264
                                           

Minority interests

     —        —         —        4      —         4
                                           

Total shareholders’ equity

     3,857      (191 )     3,838      4,213      (7,860 )     3,857
                                           

Total liabilities, minority interests and shareholders’ equity

   $ 4,923    $ 7,160     $ 16,696    $ 6,512    $ (19,166 )   $ 16,125
                                           

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

December 31, 2007

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Parent    Issuers     Guarantor    Non-Guarantor    Elimination     Consolidated

Assets:

               

Current assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1    $ —       $ 65    $ 333    $ —       $ 399

Trade and other receivables, net

     —        —         441      471      —         912

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     32      15       75      60      —         182

Intercompany receivables

     430      109       338      315      (1,192 )     —  
                                           

Total current assets

     463      124       919      1,179      (1,192 )     1,493
                                           

Non-current assets

               

Property, plant and equipment, net

     —        —         332      227      —         559

Goodwill

     —        —         5,650      2,136      —         7,786

Other intangible assets, net

     —        —         3,908      1,435      —         5,343

Deferred tax assets

     3      33       116      83      —         235

Other non-current assets

     20      130       515      173      —         838

Equity investment in subsidiaries

     3,982      —         4,069      —        (8,051 )     —  

Intercompany loans

     722      6,669       992      1,958      (10,341 )     —  
                                           

Total assets

   $ 5,190    $ 6,956     $ 16,501    $ 7,191    $ (19,584 )   $ 16,254
                                           

Liabilities, minority interests and shareholders’ equity:

               

Current liabilities

               

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

   $ 83    $ 77     $ 416    $ 559    $ —       $ 1,135

Deferred revenues

     —        —         322      180      —         502

Income tax liabilities

     —        —         62      38      —         100

Current portion of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and short-term borrowings

     6      45       132      30      —         213

Intercompany payables

     41      150       841      160      (1,192 )     —  
                                           

Total current liabilities

     130      272       1,773      967      (1,192 )     1,950
                                           

Non-current liabilities

               

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     1,066      6,787       155      29      —         8,037

Deferred tax liabilities

     —        —         1,530      186      —         1,716

Intercompany loans

     —        —         8,810      1,531      (10,341 )     —  

Other non-current liabilities

     37      82       251      220      —         590
                                           

Total liabilities

     1,233      7,141       12,519      2,933      (11,533 )     12,293
                                           

Minority interests

     —        —         —        4      —         4
                                           

Total shareholders’ equity

     3,957      (185 )     3,982      4,254      (8,051 )     3,957
                                           

Total liabilities, minority interests and shareholders’ equity

   $ 5,190    $ 6,956     $ 16,501    $ 7,191    $ (19,584 )   $ 16,254
                                           

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

For the three months ended September 30, 2008

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Parent     Issuers     Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Elimination     Consolidated  

Revenues

   $ —       $ —       $ 667     $ 595     $ (2 )   $ 1,260  
                                                

Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     —         —         286       264       (2 )     548  

Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     —         —         201       213       —         414  

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         98       30       —         128  

Restructuring costs

     —         —         20       26       —         46  
                                                

Operating income

     —         —         62       62       —         124  
                                                

Interest income

     12       114       18       22       (162 )     4  

Interest expense

     (21 )     (136 )     (148 )     (20 )     162       (163 )

Loss on derivative instruments

     —         (33 )     (5 )     —         —         (38 )

Foreign currency exchange transaction gains, net

     —         117       4       3       —         124  

Equity in net income/(loss) of subsidiaries

     43       —         83       —         (126 )     —    

Other income/(expense), net

     —         —         5       (4 )     —         1  
                                                

Income/(loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and equity in net loss of affiliates

     34       62       19       63       (126 )     52  

Benefit/(provision) for income taxes

     8       (21 )     25       (22 )     —         (10 )

Minority interests

     —         —         —         1       —         1  

Equity in net loss of affiliates

     —         —         (1 )     —         —         (1 )
                                                

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

     42       41       43       42       (126 )     42  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         —         —         —         —    
                                                

Net income/(loss)

   $ 42     $ 41     $ 43     $ 42     $ (126 )   $ 42  
                                                

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

For the three months ended September 30, 2007

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Parent     Issuers     Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Elimination     Consolidated  

Revenues

   $ —       $ —       $ 644     $ 547     $ (3 )   $ 1,188  
                                                

Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     —         —         290       249       (3 )     536  

Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     1       —         194       190       —         385  

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         79       32       —         111  

Restructuring costs

     —         —         30       49       —         79  
                                                

Operating (loss)/income

     (1 )     —         51       27       —         77  
                                                

Interest income

     10       134       21       27       (185 )     7  

Interest expense

     (19 )     (137 )     (170 )     (23 )     185       (164 )

Gain on derivative instruments

     —         16       3       —         —         19  

Foreign currency exchange transaction (losses), net

     (1 )     (54 )     2       6       —         (47 )

Equity in net (loss)/income of subsidiaries

     (91 )     —         (9 )     —         100       —    

Other (expense)/income, net

     (1 )     —         (2 )     3       —         —    
                                                

(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates

     (103 )     (41 )     (104 )     40       100       (108 )

Benefit/(provision) for income taxes

     3       15       21       (27 )     —         12  

Minority interests

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates

     —         —         (8 )     3       —         (5 )
                                                

(Loss)/income from continuing operations

     (100 )     (26 )     (91 )     16       100       (101 )
                                                

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         —         1       —         1  
                                                

Net (loss)/income

   $ (100 )   $ (26 )   $ (91 )   $ 17     $ 100     $ (100 )
                                                

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Parent     Issuers     Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Elimination     Consolidated  

Revenues

   $ —       $ —       $ 1,997     $ 1,788     $ (7 )   $ 3,778  
                                                

Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     —         —         841       837       (7 )     1,671  

Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     —         —         654       613       —         1,267  

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         281       89       —         370  

Restructuring costs

     —         —         23       39       —         62  
                                                

Operating income

     —         —         198       210       —         408  
                                                

Interest income

     34       349       55       70       (494 )     14  

Interest expense

     (61 )     (405 )     (456 )     (57 )     494       (485 )

(Loss)/gain on derivative instruments

     —         (10 )     5       —         —         (5 )

Foreign currency exchange transaction gains, net

     —         37       —         6       —         43  

Equity in net (loss)/income of subsidiaries

     (11 )     —         117       —         (106 )     —    

Other income/(expense), net

     1       —         16       (19 )     —         (2 )
                                                

(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates

     (37 )     (29 )     (65 )     210       (106 )     (27 )

Benefit/(provision) for income taxes

     12       10       58       (75 )     —         5  

Minority interests

     —         —         —         —         —         —    

Equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates

     —         —         (4 )     4       —         —    
                                                

(Loss)/income from continuing operations

     (25 )     (19 )     (11 )     139       (106 )     (22 )

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         —         (3 )     —         (3 )
                                                

Net (loss)/income

   $ (25 )   $ (19 )   $ (11 )   $ 136     $ (106 )   $ (25 )
                                                

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Unaudited)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Parent     Issuers     Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Elimination     Consolidated  

Revenues

   $ —       $ —       $ 1,898     $ 1,539     $ (8 )   $ 3,429  
                                                

Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     —         —         827       739       (8 )     1,558  

Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     1       —         621       548       —         1,170  

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         252       82       —         334  

Restructuring costs

     —         —         64       70       —         134  
                                                

Operating (loss)/ income

     (1 )     —         134       100       —         233  
                                                

Interest income

     33       394       41       70       (515 )     23  

Interest expense

     (55 )     (406 )     (488 )     (43 )     515       (477 )

Gain on derivative instruments

     —         26       6       —         —         32  

Foreign currency exchange transaction losses, net

     (4 )     (66 )     (10 )     (1 )     —         (81 )

Equity in net (loss)/income of subsidiaries

     (211 )     —         27       —         184       —    

Other (expense)/income, net

     (5 )     (3 )     19       (13 )     —         (2 )
                                                

(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and equity in net (loss)/income of affiliates

     (243 )     (55 )     (271 )     113       184       (272 )

Benefit/(provision) for income taxes

     8       19       67       (62 )     —         32  

Minority interests

     —         —         —         2       —         2  

Equity in net (loss)/ income of affiliates

     —         —         (7 )     8       —         1  
                                                

(Loss)/income from continuing operations

     (235 )     (36 )     (211 )     61       184       (237 )
                                                

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         —         2       —         2  
                                                

Net (loss)/income

   $ (235 )   $ (36 )   $ (211 )   $ 63     $ 184     $ (235 )
                                                

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Parent     Issuers     Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Consolidated  

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

   $ 40     $ 56     $ (80 )   $ 124     $ 140  
                                        

Investing activities:

          

Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired

     —         —         (258 )     —         (258 )

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries and affiliates, net

     —         —         14       6       20  

Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets

     —         —         (123 )     (26 )     (149 )

Additions to intangible assets

     —         —         (94 )     (10 )     (104 )

Other investing activities

     —         —         (1 )     4       3  
                                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     —         —         (462 )     (26 )     (488 )
                                        

Financing activities:

          

Net borrowings from revolving credit facility

     —         —         185       —         185  

Proceeds from issuances of other debt, net of issuance costs

     —         213       3       1       217  

Repayments of other debt

     —         (34 )     (139 )     —         (173 )

(Decrease)/increase in other short-term borrowings

     (6 )     —         15       (20 )     (11 )

Valcon capital contribution

     79       —         —         —         79  

Settlement of derivatives, intercompany and other financing activities

     (113 )     (235 )     467       (127 )     (8 )
                                        

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

     (40 )     (56 )     531       (146 )     289  
                                        

Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —         —         —         (15 )     (15 )
                                        

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     —         —         (11 )     (63 )     (74 )
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1       —         65       333       399  
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 1     $ —       $ 54     $ 270     $ 325  
                                        

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007

 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Parent     Issuers     Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Consolidated  

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

   $ (20 )   $ 74     $ (144 )   $ 137     $ 47  
                                        

Investing activities:

          

Acquisition of subsidiaries and affiliates, net of cash acquired

     —         —         (782 )     (54 )     (836 )

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries and affiliates, net

     —         —         —         389       389  

Additions to property, plant and equipment and other assets

     —         —         (66 )     (42 )     (108 )

Additions to intangible assets

     —         —         (63 )     (14 )     (77 )

Purchases of marketable securities

     —         —         (31 )     —         (31 )

Sale and maturities of marketable securities

     —         —         166       —         166  

Other investing activities

     —         —         —         3       3  
                                        

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

     —         —         (776 )     282       (494 )
                                        

Financing activities:

          

Net borrowings from revolving credit facility

     —         —         125       —         125  

Proceeds from issuances of other debt, net of issuance costs

     —         347       98       —         445  

Repayments of other debt

     —         (361 )     (8 )     (1 )     (370 )

Increase/(decrease) in other short-term borrowings

     6       —         (7 )     (70 )     (71 )

Activity under stock plans

     —         —         —         (3 )     (3 )

Settlement of derivatives, intercompany and other financing activities

     13       (60 )     531       (481 )     3  
                                        

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

     19       (74 )     739       (555 )     129  
                                        

Effect of exchange-rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     —         —         10       17       27  
                                        

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (1 )     —         (171 )     (119 )     (291 )
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     4       —         211       416       631  
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 3     $ —       $ 40     $ 297     $ 340  
                                        

 

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The Nielsen Company B.V.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis supplements management’s discussion and analysis of The Nielsen Company B.V. (“the Company” or “Nielsen”) for the year ended December 31, 2007 as contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2008, and presumes that readers have read or have access to such discussion and analysis. The following discussion and analysis should also be read together with the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto. Further, this report may contain material that includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect, when made, Nielsen’s current views with respect to current events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Statements, other than those based on historical facts, which address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to Nielsen’s operations and business environment that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, express or implied, by such forward-looking statements. Unless required by context, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to Nielsen and each of its consolidated subsidiaries.

Overview

We are a leading global information and media company providing essential integrated marketing and media measurement information, analytics and industry expertise to clients across the world. In addition, our trade shows, online media assets and publications occupy leading positions in a number of their targeted end markets. Through our broad portfolio of products and services, we track sales of consumer products, report on television viewing habits in countries representing more than 60% of the world’s population, measure internet audiences and produce trade shows and print publications. We operate in three segments: Consumer Services, Media and Business Media.

Our Business Segments

Our Consumer Services segment provides critical consumer behavior information and analysis primarily to businesses in the consumer packaged goods industry. We are a global leader in retail measurement services and consumer household panel data. Our extensive database of retail and consumer information, combined with analytical capabilities, yields valuable strategic insights and information that influence our client’s critical business decisions such as enhancing brand management strategies, developing and launching new products, identifying new marketing opportunities and improving marketing return on investment.

Our Media segment provides measurement information for multiple media platforms, including broadcast and cable television, motion pictures, music, print, the internet and mobile telephones. We are the industry leader in U.S. television measurement, and our measurement data is widely accepted as the “currency” in determining the value of programming and advertising opportunities on U.S. television. During 2007, to conform to a change in presentation reflected in management reporting, we reclassified our Claritas business from Consumer Services to the Media segment.

Our Business Media segment is a market-focused provider of integrated information and sales and marketing solutions. Through a multi-channel approach consisting of trade shows, online media assets and publications, Business Media offers attendees, exhibitors, readers and advertisers the insights and connections that assist them in gaining a competitive edge in their respective markets.

Our business generates a stable and predictable revenue stream and is characterized by long-term client relationships, multi-year contracts and high contract renewal rates related to marketing and media measurement services. We serve a global client base across multiple end markets including consumer packaged goods, retail, broadcast and cable television, telecommunications, music and online media.

Our revenue is highly diversified by business segment, geography, and client. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, 56% of our revenues were generated from our Consumer Services segment, 34% from our Media segment and the remaining 10% from our Business Media segment. We conduct our business activities in more than 100 countries. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, 53% of our revenues were generated in the U.S., 10% in the Americas excluding the U.S., 27% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the remaining 10% in the Asia Pacific.

Valcon Acquisition

On May 24, 2006, Nielsen was acquired through a tender offer to shareholders by Valcon Acquisition B.V. (“Valcon”), an entity formed by investment funds associated with AlpInvest Partners, The Blackstone Group, The Carlyle Group, Hellman & Friedman, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., and Thomas H. Lee Partners (collectively, the “Sponsors”), which held 99.4% of Nielsen’s outstanding common shares as of December 31, 2007. In May 2008, Valcon acquired the remaining

 

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Nielsen common shares through a statutory squeeze-out procedure, pursuant to Dutch legal and regulatory requirements and therefore held 100% of Nielsen’s outstanding common shares as of September 30, 2008. Valcon also acquired 100% of the Company’s preferred B shares in the period from May 24, 2006 to December 31, 2006 which were subsequently canceled. The common and preferred shares were delisted from the Euronext Amsterdam on July 11, 2006. Nielsen became a subsidiary of Valcon upon the consummation of the acquisition by Valcon (“Valcon Acquisition”).

Factors Affecting Our Financial Results

Foreign Currency

Our financial results are reported in U.S. Dollars and are therefore subject to the impact of movements in exchange rates on the translation of the financial information of individual businesses whose functional currencies are other than U.S. Dollars. Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar have a significant effect on our operating results. Nearly half of our total revenue is generated by international operations with the Euro being the largest individual foreign currency denomination. Approximately 15% and 14% of our revenue was denominated in Euro for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively, with an average U.S. Dollar to Euro exchange rate of $1.53 to €1.00 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and $1.34 to €1.00 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Constant currency growth rates used in the following discussion of results of operations eliminate the impact of year-over-year foreign currency fluctuations.

Acquisitions and Investments in Affiliates

On May 15, 2008, we completed our acquisition of IAG Research, Inc, subsequently rebranded as Nielsen IAG (“IAG”), for $222 million (including non-cash consideration of $1 million), which was net of $12 million of cash acquired. The acquisition will expand our television and internet analytics services through IAG’s measurement of consumer engagement with television programs, national commercials and product placements. Our initial allocation of the total purchase price resulted in an increase to goodwill of $220 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, we paid an additional $1 million in costs associated with the acquisition and also performed a preliminary valuation, which resulted in an allocation to intangible assets and a reduction of goodwill of $50 million, net of tax. We do not expect that any change in allocation of purchase price resulting from the final valuation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we paid cash consideration of $36 million associated with other acquisitions and investments in affiliates, net of cash acquired. In conjunction with these acquisitions and as of September 30, 2008, we have recorded deferred consideration of $12 million, which is payable through January 2009. Had the IAG acquisition and other acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2008, the impact on our consolidated results of operations would have been immaterial.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we completed several acquisitions with an aggregate consideration, net of cash acquired, of $837 million and deferred consideration up to a maximum of $1 million, contingent on future performance. The most significant acquisitions were the purchase of the remaining minority interest of Nielsen BuzzMetrics ($47 million), on June 4, 2007, the purchase of the remaining minority interest of Nielsen//NetRatings ($328 million, including $33 million to settle all outstanding share-based awards), on June 22, 2007, and the acquisition of Telephia, Inc. (“Telephia”), on August 9, 2007, for approximately $453 million (including non-cash consideration of $6 million). Our preliminary allocation of the total purchase price for these acquisitions resulted in an increase to goodwill of $594 million and, in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we finalized our valuation of these acquisitions resulting in a net allocation to intangible assets and a net reduction of goodwill of $11 million, net of tax. Had these acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2007, the impact on our consolidated results of operations would have been immaterial. Prior to these acquisitions both Nielsen//NetRatings and Nielsen BuzzMetrics were our consolidated subsidiaries up to the ownership interest.

Divestitures

During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company received $20 million in net proceeds associated with two divestitures within its Business Media segment and the final settlement of the sale of its Directories segment to World Directories. The impact of these transactions on our consolidated statement of operations was immaterial for all periods presented.

 

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On February 8, 2007, Nielsen completed the sale of a significant portion of its Business Media Europe (“BME”) unit for $414 million in cash. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Nielsen recorded a charge of $3 million relating to the settlement of outstanding litigation associated with the disposed of unit.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, Nielsen recorded a gain on sale of discontinued operations of $18 million, of which $17 million primarily related to BME’s previously recognized currency translation adjustments from the date of the Valcon Acquisition to the date of sale and a pension curtailment and $1 million related to divestitures other than the sale of a significant portion of BME. No other material gain was recognized on the sale of a significant portion of BME because the sales price approximated the carrying value.

Elimination of International Reporting Lag

Prior to January 1, 2008, certain of our subsidiaries outside the United States and Canada were included in the consolidated financial statements on the basis of fiscal years ending November 30th in order to facilitate a timely consolidation. This one-month reporting lag was eliminated during the first quarter of 2008 as it was no longer required to achieve a timely consolidation. In accordance with EITF No. 06-9, “Reporting a Change in (or the Elimination of) a Previously Existing Difference between the Fiscal Year-End of a Parent Company and That of a Consolidated Entity or between the Reporting Period of an Investor and That of an Equity Method Investee,” the elimination of this previously existing reporting lag is considered a change in accounting principle in accordance with FASB Statement No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.” We have not retrospectively applied the change in accounting since its impact to the consolidated balance sheets and related statements of operations and cash flows was immaterial for all periods.

Results of Operations—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the amounts included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(unaudited)
 

(IN MILLIONS)

       2008             2007      

Revenues

   $ 3,778     $ 3,429  
                

Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     1,671       1,558  

Selling, general and administrative expenses exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     1,267       1,170  

Depreciation and amortization

     370       334  

Restructuring costs

     62       134  
                

Operating income

     408       233  
                

Interest income

     14       23  

Interest expense

     (485 )     (477 )

(Loss)/gain on derivative instruments

     (5 )     32  

Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net

     43       (81 )

Other expense, net

     (2 )     (2 )
                

Loss from continuing operations, before income taxes, minority interests and equity in net income of affiliates

     (27 )     (272 )
                

Benefit for income taxes

     5       32  

Minority interests

     —         2  

Equity in net income of affiliates

     —         1  
                

Loss from continuing operations

   $ (22 )   $ (237 )
                

 

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The following table sets forth certain supplemental revenue growth data for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007, both on an as reported and constant currency basis. Our discussion of constant currency percentage changes removes both the positive and negative impacts of foreign exchange on our operating results:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(unaudited)
    % Variance
2008 vs. 2007
 

(IN MILLIONS)

   2008     2007     Reported     Constant
Currency
 

Revenues by segment

        

Consumer Services

   $ 2,140     $ 1,908     12.2 %   4.9 %

Media

     1,275       1,135     12.3 %   11.4 %

Business Media

     366       389     (5.9 )%   (6.4 )%

Corporate and eliminations

     (3 )     (3 )   NM     NM  
                    

Total

   $ 3,778     $ 3,429     10.2 %   5.8 %
                    

Consumer Services revenues by service

        

Retail Measurement Services

   $ 1,467     $ 1,296     13.2 %   5.0 %

Consumer Panel Services

     222       207     6.9 %   2.7 %

Customized Research Services

     223       197     13.6 %   7.2 %

Other Services

     228       208     9.6 %   4.9 %
                    

Total

   $ 2,140     $ 1,908     12.2 %   4.9 %
                    

Media revenues by division

        

Media Measurement

   $ 1,060     $ 931     13.7 %   12.8 %

Entertainment

     115       120     (4.2 )%   (5.2 )%

Online

     100       84     19.6 %   19.6 %
                    

Total

   $ 1,275     $ 1,135     12.3 %   11.4 %
                    

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period amounts to conform to the September 30, 2008 presentation. We have reclassified the Claritas business from Consumer Services to Media, moved Spectra revenues from Other Services to Consumer Panel, and reclassified BuzzMetrics from Media Measurement to Online.

 

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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain supplemental revenue data, calculated as percentages of our total revenue on an as reported basis:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(Unaudited)
 

(% of Revenue)

   2008     2007  

Revenues by segment

    

Consumer Services

   56 %   56 %

Media

   34 %   33 %

Business Media

   10 %   11 %
            

Total Nielsen

   100 %   100 %
            

Revenues by geography

    

United States

   53 %   57 %

Other Americas

   10 %   9 %

The Netherlands

   1 %   1 %

Other Europe, Middle East & Africa

   26 %   24 %

Asia Pacific

   10 %   9 %
            

Total Nielsen

   100 %   100 %
            

Consumer Services revenues by service

    

Retail Measurement Services

   38 %   38 %

Consumer Panel Services

   6 %   6 %

Customized Research Services

   6 %   6 %

Other Services

   6 %   6 %
            

Total Consumer Services

   56 %   56 %
            

Media revenues by division

    

Media Measurement

   28 %   28 %

Entertainment

   3 %   3 %

Online

   3 %   2 %
            

Total Media

   34 %   33 %
            

Business Media

   10 %   11 %
            

When comparing our results for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 with results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the following should be noted:

Items affecting Operating Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008

 

   

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations increased revenue growth by 4.4% and increased operating income growth by 9.9%.

 

   

We incurred $62 million of restructuring expense.

Items affecting Operating Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007

 

   

We incurred $134 million of restructuring expense.

 

   

We incurred approximately $22 million in incremental expenses associated with deal related expenses, compensation agreements and recruiting costs for certain corporate executives.

 

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Revenues

Nielsen Consolidated . Our revenues increased 10.2% to $3,778 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus $3,429 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Constant currency revenues increased 5.8% driven by a 4.9% increase in Consumer Services and 11.4% increase in Media, partly offset by a 6.4% decline in Business Media.

Consumer Services. Revenues increased 12.2% to $2,140 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus $1,908 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Constant currency revenue growth of 4.9% was driven by 5.0% growth in Retail Measurement Services, 2.7% growth in Consumer Panel revenues, 7.2% growth in Customized Research revenues and 4.9% growth in Other Services. Overall, there was continued double digit growth in Emerging Markets and Latin America fueled by growth of Retail Measurement and Customized Research revenues. Europe’s revenues continued to grow in the mid single digit range while Asia Pacific grew by low single digits. In North America, continued price compression in the U.S. resulted in flat growth, largely offsetting growth in Canada.

Media. Revenues for Media increased 12.3% to $1,275 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus $1,135 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Constant currency revenue growth of 11.4% was largely due to a 7.6% increase in Nielsen Media Research (“NMR”) North America, 12.4% growth in NMR International, a 19.6% increase in Online revenues with growth in both the U.S. and international markets, and $58 million in incremental revenues resulting from the Telephia and IAG acquisitions, partly offset by a 5.2% decrease in Entertainment revenues, driven by lower studio testing revenues, and a 2.8% decline in Media Solutions revenues partly due to lower custom research and advertising related revenues. NMR North America’s growth continues as a result of increased demand for television audience measurement services, new business, price increases, and the Local People Meter (“LPM”) expansion.

Business Media. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were $366 million, a decline of 5.9% versus $389 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. On a constant currency basis, revenues decreased by 6.4% due to lower Publication advertising revenues caused by industry softness, and a slight decrease in Exposition revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2008 which was partly driven by the absence of a biennial show that occurred in 2007. This decrease in revenues on a constant currency basis was partially offset by continued eMedia revenue growth.

Cost of Revenues, Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization

Cost of revenues increased 7.0% to $1,671 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus $1,558 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. On a constant currency basis, cost of revenues increased by 2.3% driven primarily by revenue growth at Consumer and Media, and the impact of the Telephia and IAG acquisitions, partly offset by productivity savings following actions implemented under the Transformation Initiative in the past year, lower volume related savings at Entertainment, Media Solutions, and lower Publication costs at Business Media.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 8.7% to $1,267 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus $1,170 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. On a constant currency basis, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 4.5%, primarily attributable to continued investment in developing markets within Consumer Services, higher costs at Media related to the impact of the Telephia and IAG acquisitions and spending on product initiatives to support Media’s overall growth strategy. These increases were partly offset by headcount related savings at Business Media, lower share based compensation expense, and lower payments in connection with compensation agreements and recruiting expenses for certain corporate executives.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization increased 10.6% to $370 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus $334 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. On a constant currency basis, depreciation and amortization expense increased 8.2% driven by increased depreciation related to capital investment in hardware and software and increased amortization due to the impact of the Telephia and IAG acquisitions, partly offset by lower amortization on previously acquired intangible assets at Business Media.

 

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Restructuring Costs

Transformation Initiative

In December 2006, we announced our intention to expand current cost-saving programs to all areas of our operations worldwide. We further announced strategic changes as part of a major corporate transformation (“Transformation Initiative”). The Transformation Initiative is designed to make us a more successful and efficient enterprise. As such, we are in the process of reducing costs by streamlining corporate functions, centralizing certain operational and information technology functions, leveraging global procurement, consolidating real estate, and expanding outsourcing or offshoring of certain other operational and production processes. Implementation of these initiatives will continue through the first six months of 2009.

We incurred $62 million in severance costs and other non-cash charges relating to employee terminations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and $101 million in severance costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. We also incurred $28 million in consulting fees and other related costs and $5 million in asset write-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Consulting fees and related costs have been or will be recorded at the time the obligation is incurred. All severance and consulting fees have been or will be settled in cash.

Operating Income

Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $408 million, versus $233 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, an increase of 75.5%. Excluding the above listed items affecting operating income from our respective 2008 and 2007 operating results, 2008 constant currency operating income increased 15.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Excluding the items affecting operating income listed above, constant currency operating income increased 14.3% at Consumer Services and 34.2% at Media reflecting solid top-line growth and benefits realized from our Transformation Initiative, and 10.3% at Business Media as cost savings and lower amortization expense offset the impact of lower revenues.

Interest Income and Expense

Interest income was $14 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus $23 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Interest expense was $485 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus $477 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, an increase of 0.2% on a constant currency basis. This reflects the increased borrowing following our 2007 and 2008 acquisitions, partially offset by a decline in the weighted average interest rates of our senior secured credit facility.

(Loss)/Gain on Derivative Instruments

The loss on derivative instruments was $5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus a gain of $32 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The change resulted primarily from movements in the Euro relative to the U.S. Dollar in the current period as compared to the prior period, resulting from a foreign currency derivative instrument entered into during 2007.

Foreign Currency Exchange Transaction Gains/(Losses), Net

Foreign currency exchange transaction gains or losses, net, represent the net gain or loss on revaluation of external debt and intercompany loans. Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar have a significant effect on our operating results, particularly the Euro. The average U.S. Dollar to Euro exchange rate was $1.53 to €1.00 and $1.34 to €1.00 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and the nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

Foreign currency exchange resulted in a $43 million gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus an $81 million loss recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as a result of the appreciation of the U.S. Dollar against the Euro and other currencies.

Loss from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Minority Interests and Equity in Net Income of Affiliates

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, there was a $27 million loss from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and equity in net income of affiliates versus a $272 million loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The current period compared with the prior period results primarily reflect improved operating performance as discussed above, lower restructuring expenses related to the Transformation Initiative, lower payments in connection with compensation agreements and recruiting expenses for certain corporate executives, and foreign currency exchange gains that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

 

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Benefit for Income Taxes

We operate in more than 100 countries around the world and its earnings are taxed at the applicable income tax rate in each of these countries.

The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were 19% (benefit) and 12% (benefit) respectively. The effective tax benefit rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was lower than the Dutch statutory rate primarily due to interest on the tax accruals, state and foreign withholding taxes and certain non-deductible charges which are partially offset by favorable audit settlements and the impact of the tax rate differences in other jurisdictions where we file tax returns. The effective benefit tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was lower than the Dutch statutory rate primarily as a result of establishing a valuation allowance on foreign tax credits.

Liabilities for unrecognized income tax benefits totaled $ 166 million and $195 million as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

We file numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and in many state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for 2003 and prior periods. In addition, we have subsidiaries in various states, provinces and countries that are currently under audit for years ranging from 1997 through 2006. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced examinations of certain of our U.S. federal income tax returns for 2004 in the third quarter of 2006. We are under corporate examination in the Netherlands for the years 2002 through 2004 and we are under Canadian audit for the years 2002 through 2006. It is anticipated that these examinations will be completed within the next twelve months. To date, we are not aware of any material adjustments not already accrued related to any of the current federal, state or foreign audits under examination.

Results of Operations—Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2007

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the amounts included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
(unaudited)
 

(IN MILLIONS)

   2008     2007  

Revenues

   $ 1,260     $ 1,188  
                

Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     548       536  

Selling, general and administrative expenses exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below

     414       385  

Depreciation and amortization

     128       111  

Restructuring costs

     46       79  
                

Operating income

     124       77  
                

Interest income

     4       7  

Interest expense

     (163 )     (164 )

(Loss)/gain on derivative instruments

     (38 )     19  

Foreign currency exchange transaction gains/(losses), net

     124       (47 )

Other income, net

     1       —    
                

Income/(loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes, minority interests and equity in net loss of affiliates

     52       (108 )
                

(Provision)/benefit for income taxes

     (10 )     12  

Minority interests

     1       —    

Equity in net loss of affiliates

     (1 )     (5 )
                

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

   $ 42     $ (101 )
                

 

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The following table sets forth certain supplemental revenue growth data for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007, both on an as reported and constant currency basis. Our discussion of constant currency percentage changes removes both the positive and negative impacts of foreign exchange on our operating results:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
(unaudited)
    % Variance
2008 vs. 2007
 

(IN MILLIONS)

   2008     2007     Reported     Constant
Currency
 

Revenues by segment

        

Consumer Services

   $ 714     $ 667     7.1 %   2.3 %

Media

     435       395     9.9 %   9.5 %

Business Media

     113       128     (11.7 )%   (12.3 )%

Corporate and eliminations

     (2 )     (2 )   NM     NM  
                    

Total

   $ 1,260     $ 1,188     6.1 %   3.2 %
                    

Consumer Services revenues by service

        

Retail Measurement Services

   $ 485     $ 447     8.6 %   2.9 %

Consumer Panel Services

     72       68     5.0 %   2.2 %

Customized Research Services

     77       72     7.1 %   4.4 %

Other Services

     80       80     0.3 %   (3.0 )%
                    

Total

   $ 714     $ 667     7.1 %   2.3 %
                    

Media revenues by division

        

Media Measurement

   $ 362     $ 324     11.0 %   10.7 %

Entertainment

     39       40     (3.2 )%   (3.5 )%

Online

     34       31     11.5 %   11.5 %
                    

Total

   $ 435     $ 395     9.9 %   9.5 %
                    

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period amounts to conform to the September 30, 2008 presentation. We reclassified the Claritas business from Consumer Services to Media, moved Spectra revenues from Other Services to Consumer Panel, and reclassified BuzzMetrics from Media Measurement to Online.

 

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The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain supplemental revenue data, calculated as percentages of our total revenue on an as reported basis:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
(Unaudited)
 

(% of Revenue)

   2008     2007  

Revenues by segment

    

Consumer Services

   57 %   56 %

Media

   34 %   33 %

Business Media

   9 %   11 %
            

Total Nielsen

   100 %   100 %
            

Revenues by geography

    

United States

   52 %   55 %

Other Americas

   10 %   10 %

The Netherlands

   1 %   1 %

Other Europe, Middle East & Africa

   27 %   24 %

Asia Pacific

   10 %   10 %
            

Total Nielsen

   100 %   100 %
            

Consumer Services revenues by service

    

Retail Measurement Services

   39 %   38 %

Consumer Panel Services

   6 %   6 %

Customized Research Services

   6 %   6 %

Other Services

   6 %   6 %
            

Total Consumer Services

   57 %   56 %
            

Media revenues by division

    

Media Measurement

   28 %   27 %

Entertainment

   3 %   3 %

Online

   3 %   3 %
            

Total Media

   34 %   33 %
            

Business Media

   9 %   11 %
            

When comparing our results for the three months ended September 30, 2008 with results for the three months ended September 30, 2007, the following should be noted:

Items affecting Operating Income for the three months ended September 30, 2008

 

   

For the three months ended September 30, 2008, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations increased revenue growth by 2.9% and increased operating income growth by 9.4%.

 

   

We incurred $46 million of restructuring expense.

Items affecting Operating Income for the three months ended September 30, 2007

 

   

We incurred $79 million of restructuring expense.

 

   

We incurred approximately $2 million in deal related costs and incremental expenses associated with compensation agreements and recruiting costs for certain corporate executives.

 

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Revenues

Nielsen Consolidated . Our revenues increased 6.1% to $1,260 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 versus $1,188 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Constant currency revenues increased 3.2% driven by a 2.3% increase at Consumer Services and a 9.5% increase at Media, partly offset by a 12.3% decline in Business Media revenues.

Consumer Services. Revenues increased 7.1% to $714 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 versus $667 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Constant currency revenue growth of 2.3% was largely due to a 2.9% growth in Retail Measurement Services, 4.4% growth in Customized Research revenues, and 2.2% growth in Consumer Panel, while Other Services revenues declined by 3.0% as a result of lower BASES revenues in the U.S. and Europe. Emerging Markets and Latin America continued to grow in the double digit range driven by Retail Measurement and Customized Research growth. Both Europe and North America experienced low single digit growth as both regions were impacted by a decline in BASES revenue and the U.S. was impacted by continuing price compression. Asia Pacific declined by 2.1% primarily as a result of a Customized Research revenue shortfall.

Media. Revenues for Media increased 9.9% to $435 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 versus $395 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Constant currency revenue growth of 9.5% is largely due to a 5.5% increase in NMR North America, 10.4% growth in NMR International, 11.5% increase in Online revenues, and $22 million in incremental revenues as a result of the Telephia and IAG acquisitions, partly offset by a 5.5% decline in Media Solutions revenues due in part to lower custom research and advertising related revenues, and a 3.5% decrease in Entertainment revenues due partly to lower studio testing revenues. NMR North America’s growth was due to increased demand for television audience measurement services, new business, price increases, and the LPM expansion.

Business Media. Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2008 were $113 million versus $128 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Constant currency revenues declined by 12.3% due to lower Publication advertising revenues caused by industry softness, and a decline in Exposition revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2008 which was partly driven by the absence of a biennial show that occurred in 2007. This decrease in revenues on a constant currency basis was partially offset by continued eMedia revenue growth.

Cost of Revenues, Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization

Cost of revenues increased 1.7% to $548 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 versus $536 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. On a constant currency basis, cost of revenues decreased by 1.2% due primarily to lower Publication costs at Business Media, Consumer U.S. savings that offset volume related increases across the other Consumer regions, productivity savings at NMR North America, and lower volume related savings at Entertainment and Media Solutions, partly offset by the impact of the Telephia and IAG acquisitions.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 8.1% to $414 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 versus $385 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, an increase of 5.4% in constant currency. The increase in constant currency selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to continued investment for top-line growth in developing markets within Consumer Services, higher costs at Media related to the impact of the Telephia and IAG acquisitions and spending on product initiatives to support Media’s overall growth strategy. These increases were partly offset by savings from headcount relations at Business Media, lower share based compensation expense, and lower payments in connection with compensation agreements and recruiting expenses for certain corporate executives.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization increased 15.2% to $128 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 versus $111 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. On a constant currency basis, depreciation and amortization expense increased 13.6% driven by increased depreciation related to capital investment in hardware and software and increased amortization due to the impact of the Telephia and IAG acquisitions.

Restructuring Costs

We incurred $46 million in severance costs and other non-cash charges relating to employee terminations for the three months ended September 30, 2008. We incurred $71 million in severance costs and $8 million in consulting fees and other costs for the three months ended September 30, 2007.

 

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Operating Income

Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was $124 million, versus $77 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, an increase of 61.7%. Excluding the above listed items affecting operating income from the our respective 2008 and 2007 operating results, our 2008 constant currency operating income increased 3.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2008 versus the three months ended September 30, 2007. Excluding the items affecting operating income listed above, constant currency operating income increased 4.1% at Consumer Services, 23.7% at Media as a result of solid top line growth and benefits realized from our Transformation Initiative, and 1.8% at Business Media as headcount related cost savings and lower amortization offset the impact of lower revenues.

Interest Income and Expense

Interest income was $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 versus $7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Interest expense was $163 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 versus $164 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of 2.9% excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange. This reflects a slight decline in the weighted average interest rates of our senior secured credit facility.

(Loss)/Gain on Derivative Instruments

The loss on derivative instruments was $38 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 versus a gain of $19 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The change resulted primarily from movements in the Euro relative to the U.S. Dollar in the current period as compared to the prior period, which resulted from a foreign currency derivative instrument entered into during 2007.

Foreign Currency Exchange Transaction Gains/(Losses), Net

Foreign currency exchange transaction gains or losses, net, represent the net gain or loss on revaluation of external debt and intercompany loans. Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar have a significant effect on our operating results, particularly the Euro. The average U.S. Dollar to Euro exchange rate was $1.51 to €1.00 and $1.37 to €1.00 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and the three months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

Foreign currency exchange resulted in a $124 million gain for the three months ended September 30, 2008 versus a $47 million loss recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2007 as a result of the appreciation of the U.S. Dollar against the Euro and other currencies.

Income/(Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Minority Interests and Equity in Net Loss of Affiliates

For the three months ended September 30, 2008, there was a $52 million income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and equity in net loss of affiliates versus a $108 million loss for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The current period compared with the prior period results primarily reflect improved operating performance as discussed above, lower restructuring expenses related to the Transformation Initiative, lower payments in connection with compensation agreements and recruiting expenses for certain corporate executives, and a foreign currency exchange gain in the three months ended September 30, 2008.

(Provision)/Benefit for Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were 19% expense and 11% (benefit) respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to favorable audit settlements in foreign jurisdictions that occurred in the quarter. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2007 was lower than the Dutch statutory rate primarily as a result of a valuation allowance on foreign tax credits.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Since the Valcon Acquisition and related financing, our contractual obligations, commitments and debt service requirements over the next several years are significant and are substantially higher than historical amounts. Our primary source of liquidity will continue to be cash generated from operations as well as existing cash.

We believe we will have available resources to meet both our short-term and long-term liquidity requirements, senior secured including debt service. We expect the cash flow from our operations, combined with existing cash and amounts available under the revolving credit facility, will provide sufficient liquidity to fund our current obligations, projected working capital requirements, restructuring obligations, and capital spending over the next year. In addition we may, from time to time, purchase, repay, redeem or retire any of our outstanding debt or equity securities (including any publicly issued debt securities) in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise. Although we have not accessed the capital markets subsequent to September 30, 2008, it is possible that changes to global economic conditions could adversely affect our cash flows through increased interest costs or our ability to obtain external financing or to refinance existing indebtedness.

Use of Proceeds of Transactions and other Financing Transactions

 

   

In February 2008, we entered into a 2-year interest rate swap agreement which fixed the LIBOR-related portion of the interest rates for $500 million of our variable rate debt.

 

   

Effective April 2, 2008, we obtained a 25 basis point reduction of the applicable margin on its U.S. Dollar and Euro senior secured term loan facilities as a result of achieving a secured leverage ratio below 4.25 as of December 31, 2007. In addition, we obtained a 25 basis point reduction of the applicable margin on our senior secured revolving credit facility as a result of achieving a total leverage ratio below 6.0 as of December 31, 2007.

 

   

On April 16, 2008, Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co., the Company’s subsidiaries, consummated a private offering of $220 million aggregate principal amount of their 10% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “Notes”). The net proceeds of the private offering were used to finance our acquisition of IAG and to pay related fees and expenses and the Notes were subsequently registered in July 2008.

Cash Flows

At September 30, 2008, cash and cash equivalents were $325 million and our total indebtedness was $8,467 million. In addition, we also had $493 million available for borrowing under our senior secured revolving credit facility at September 30, 2008.

Operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $140 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $47 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The primary drivers for the increase in cash flows from operating activities were the growth in business operating income as well as lower interest payments, offset by the timing of client receipts, vendor payments and increased bonus, pension and one-time payments in 2008.

Investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $488 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $494 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease in net cash used was primarily due to a $578 million reduction of acquisition related expenditures offset by the impact of the 2007 sale of marketable securities, lower proceeds from sale of subsidiaries of $369 million and increased capital expenditures. Capital expenditures for property, plant, equipment, software and other assets totaled $253 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus $185 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The primary reason for the increase in capital expenditures is continued LPM expansion by NMR and investments in computer hardware and software.

Financing activities . Net cash provided by financing activities was $289 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $129 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The higher source of cash was mainly driven by higher net borrowings on the senior secured revolving credit facility, lower repayments of other debt and 2008 capital contributions from Valcon offset by lower proceeds from issuances of other debt.

 

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Covenant EBITDA

Our senior secured credit facility contains a covenant that requires our wholly-owned subsidiary Nielsen Holding and Finance B.V. and its restricted subsidiaries to maintain a maximum ratio of consolidated total net debt, excluding Nielsen net debt, to Covenant EBITDA of 10.0 to 1.0, calculated for the trailing four quarters (as determined under our senior secured credit facility), commencing with the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007. For test periods commencing:

 

  (1) between October 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007, the maximum ratio is 10.0 to 1.0;

 

  (2) between January 1, 2008 and September 30, 2008, the maximum ratio is 9.5 to 1.0;

 

  (3) between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009, the maximum ratio is 8.75 to 1.0;

 

  (4) between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010, the maximum ratio is 8.0 to 1.0;

 

  (5) between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011, the maximum ratio is 7.5 to 1.0;

 

  (6) between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012, the maximum ratio is 7.0 to 1.0; and,

 

  (7) after October 1, 2012, the maximum ratio is 6.25 to 1.0.

In addition, our senior secured credit facility contains a covenant that requires Nielsen Holding and Finance B.V. and its restricted subsidiaries to maintain a minimum ratio of Covenant EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense of 1.25 to 1.0, including Nielsen interest expense, calculated for the trailing four quarters (as determined under our senior secured credit facility), commencing with the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007. For test periods commencing between January 1, 2008 and September 30, 2008, the minimum ratio is 1.35 to 1.0. This covenant “steps up” over time to a minimum ratio of Covenant EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense of 1.75 to 1.0, including Nielsen interest expense, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011. For test periods commencing:

 

  (1) between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012, the minimum ratio is 1.60 to 1.0; and,

 

  (2) after October 1, 2012, the minimum ratio is 1.50 to 1.0.

Failure to comply with either of these covenants would result in an event of default under our senior secured credit facility unless waived by our senior credit lenders. An event of default under our senior credit facility can result in the acceleration of our indebtedness under the facility, which in turn would result in an event of default and possible acceleration of indebtedness under the agreements governing our debt securities as well. As our failure to comply with the covenants described above can cause us to go into default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, management believes that our senior secured credit facility and these covenants are material to us. As of September 30, 2008, we were in compliance with the covenants described above.

We also measure the ratio of secured net debt to Covenant EBITDA because our senior secured credit facility contains a provision which will result in a decrease of the applicable interest rate by 0.25% if the ratio is lower than 4.25. Effective April 2, 2008, we obtained a 25 basis point reduction of the applicable margin on our U.S. Dollar and Euro senior secured term loan facilities as a result of achieving a secured leverage ratio below 4.25 as of December 31, 2007.

Covenant earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Covenant EBITDA”) is a non-generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) measure used to determine our compliance with certain covenants contained in our senior secured credit facilities. Covenant EBITDA is defined in our senior secured credit facilities as net income (loss) from continuing operations, as adjusted for the items summarized in the table below. Covenant EBITDA is not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP, and our use of the term Covenant EBITDA varies from others in our industry due to the potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation and differences due to items subject to interpretation. Covenant EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings (loss), operating income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance or cash flows as measures of liquidity. Covenant EBITDA has important limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

For example, Covenant EBITDA:

 

   

excludes income tax payments;

 

   

does not reflect any cash capital expenditure requirements;

 

   

does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

   

does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt;

 

   

includes estimated cost savings and operating synergies;

 

   

does not include one-time transition expenditures that we anticipate we will need to incur to realize cost savings;

 

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does not reflect management fees payable to the Sponsors;

 

   

does not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters that we and the lenders under our new senior secured credit facility may consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations.

In particular, our definition of Covenant EBITDA allows us to add back certain non-cash and non-recurring charges that are deducted in determining net income. However, these are expenses that may recur, vary greatly, and are difficult to predict. They can represent the effect of long-term strategies as opposed to short-term results. In addition, certain of these expenses can represent the reduction of cash that could be used for other corporate purposes.

Because of these limitations we rely primarily on our GAAP results. However, we believe that the inclusion of supplementary adjustments to EBITDA applied in presenting Covenant EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information to investors to demonstrate compliance with our future financing covenants.

The following is a reconciliation of our loss from continuing operations, for the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2008, to Covenant EBITDA as defined above under our senior secured credit facilities:

 

     Covenant EBITDA
(unaudited)
 

(IN MILLIONS)

   Three months
ended
September 30,
2008
    Twelve months
ended
September 30,

2008
 

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

   $ 42     $ (67 )

Interest expense, net

     158       635  

Provision for income taxes

     10       45  

Depreciation and amortization

     128       493  
                

EBITDA

     338       1,106  

Non-cash charges (1)

     8       33  

Unusual or non-recurring items (2)

     (73 )     45  

Restructuring charges and business optimization costs (3)

     49       77  

Cost savings (4)

     n/a       75  

Sponsor monitoring fees (5)

     3       11  

Other (6)

     13       9  
                

Covenant EBITDA

   $ 338     $ 1,356  
                

   Credit Statistics:

     

   Current portion of long term debt, capital lease obligation and other short-term borrowings

      $ 320  

   Long term debt and capital lease obligations

        8,147  
           

   Total debt

        8,467  
           

   Cash and cash equivalents

        325  

   Less: Cash of unrestricted subsidiaries

        (8 )

   Less: Additional deduction per credit agreement

        (10 )
           

   Cash and cash equivalents excluding cash of unrestricted subsidiaries/deduction

        307  
           

   Net debt, including Nielsen net debt (7)

        8,160  

   Less: Unsecured debenture loans

        (2,868 )

   Less: Other unsecured net debt

        (9 )
           

   Secured net debt (8)

      $ 5,283  
           

   Net debt, excluding $355 million (at September 30, 2008) of Nielsen net debt (9)

      $ 7,805  

   Ratio of secured net debt to Covenant EBITDA

        3.9  

   Ratio of net debt (excluding Nielsen net debt) to Covenant EBITDA (10)

        5.8  

   Consolidated interest expense, including Nielsen interest expense (11)

        508  

   Ratio of Covenant EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense, including Nielsen interest expense

        2.7  

 

(1) Consists of non-cash items that are permitted adjustments in calculating covenant compliance under the senior secured credit facility, primarily stock-based compensation expense.

 

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(2) Unusual or non-recurring items include (amounts in millions):

 

     Three months ended
September 30, 2008
    Twelve months ended
September 30, 2008
 

Deferred Revenue Purchase Price Adjustment (a)

   $ —       $ 1  

Currency exchange rate differences on financial transactions and other gains (b)

     (125 )     (20 )

Compensation arrangements/deal costs/legal settlements (c)

     2       20  

Duplicative running costs (d)

     8       31  

U.S. Listing/Consulting Fees Costs

     3       12  

Gain on Derivative Instruments

     38       (3 )

Other (e)

     1       4  
                

Total

   $ (73 )   $ 45  
                
 
  (a) Purchase Price Adjustment to Deferred Revenue which reduces revenue resulting from the purchase accounting for the Telephia Acquisition in 2007.

 

  (b) Represents foreign exchange gains or losses on revaluation of external debt and intercompany loans.

 

  (c) Represents payments incurred in connection with compensation arrangements and recruiting expenses for certain corporate executives, NetRatings/Telephia deal costs, and legal settlements.

 

  (d) Represents the costs incurred in Europe as a result of the parallel running of data factory systems expected to be eliminated. Also includes duplicative Transformation Initiative running costs.

 

  (e) Includes other unusual or non-recurring items that are required or permitted adjustments in calculating covenant compliance under the senior secured credit facility.

 

(3) Restructuring charges and business optimization costs (including costs associated with Transformation Initiative), severance and relocation costs.

 

(4) Represents the amount of run rate cost savings related to the Transformation Initiative projected by us in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions. Run rate savings represent estimated annualized savings expected to be realized one year from September 30, 2008. We do not make specific assumptions relating to run rate cost savings on an interim basis. See Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, “Restructuring Activities”, contained in Part I, Item 1 above for discussion of the Transformation Initiative.

The adjustments reflecting estimated cost savings constitute forward looking statements described within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. We may not realize the anticipated cost savings related to Transformation Initiative pursuant to the anticipated timetable or at all. We also cannot assure you that we will not exceed one time restructuring costs associated with implementing the anticipated cost savings.

 

(5) Represents the annual Sponsor monitoring fees effective as of the acquisition date, to be increased by 5% on an annual basis.

 

(6) These adjustments include the pro forma EBITDA impact of businesses that were acquired during the last twelve months, gain on sale of fixed assets, subsidiaries and affiliates, dividends received from affiliates; equity in net income of affiliates, and the exclusion of Covenant EBITDA attributable to unrestricted subsidiaries.

 

(7) Net debt, including Nielsen net debt, is not a defined term under GAAP. Net debt is calculated as total debt less cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2008 excluding a contractual $10 million threshold.

 

(8) The net secured debt is the consolidated total net debt that is secured by a lien on any assets or property of a loan party or a restricted subsidiary.

 

(9) Net debt, as defined, excluding $355 million of Nielsen net debt, is not a defined term under GAAP. Nielsen and our unrestricted subsidiaries are not subject to the restrictive covenants contained in the senior secured credit facility, and Nielsen’s Senior Discount Notes are not considered obligations of any of Nielsen’s subsidiaries. Therefore, these notes will not be taken into account when calculating the ratios under the senior secured credit facility.

 

(10) For the reasons discussed in footnote (9) above, the ratio of net debt (excluding Nielsen’s Senior Discount Notes) to Covenant EBITDA presented above does not include $355 million of Nielsen net indebtedness.

 

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(11) Consolidated interest expense is not a defined term under GAAP. Consolidated interest expense for any period is defined in our senior secured credit facility as the sum of (i) the cash interest expense of Nielsen Holding and Finance B.V. and its subsidiaries with respect to all outstanding indebtedness, including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance and net costs under swap contracts, net of cash interest income, and (ii) any cash payments in respect of the accretion or accrual of discounted liabilities during such period related to borrowed money (with a maturity of more than one year) that were amortized or accrued in a previous period, excluding, in each case, however, among other things, the amortization of deferred financing costs and any other amounts of non-cash interest, the accretion or accrual of discounted liabilities during such period, commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges incurred in connection with certain permitted receivables financing and all non-recurring cash interest expense consisting of liquidated damages for failure to timely comply with registration rights obligations and financing fees. Consolidated interest expense, including Nielsen interest expense, is not a defined term under GAAP. Consolidated interest expense, including Nielsen interest expense, is calculated as total consolidated interest expense for the four consecutive fiscal quarter periods ended on September 30, 2008, including $40 million of interest expense of Nielsen as follows:

 

(IN MILLIONS)

    

Cash Interest Income

   $ 23

Cash Interest Expense

     516
      

Net Cash Interest Expense for the twelve months ended September 30, 2008

     493

Plus: Pro Forma impact for the acquisitions and divestitures

     15
      

Pro Forma Cash Interest Expense for the twelve months ended September 30, 2008

   $ 508
      

See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further information on our indebtedness and covenants.

 

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Transactions with Sponsors and Other Related Parties

We recorded $8 million in selling, general and administrative expenses related to Sponsor management fees, travel and consulting for both the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2008.

During the second quarter of 2008, we repaid all previously outstanding loans with both Valcon and Dutch Holdco. A portion of the repayments was used by Valcon to acquire the remaining outstanding Nielsen common shares through a statutory squeeze-out procedure, pursuant to Dutch legal and regulatory requirements.

At September 30, 2008, short-term debt included $3 million payable to Dutch Holdco. We recorded $2 million and $3 million in interest expense from loans with related parties for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies

Outsourced Services Agreement

On February 19, 2008, AC Nielsen (US), Inc., a subsidiary of Nielsen, amended and restated its Master Services Agreement dated September 16, 2004 (“MSA”), with Tata America International Corporation and Tata Consultancy Services Limited (jointly “TCS”). The term of the amended and restated MSA is for ten years, effective October 1, 2007; with a one year renewal option granted to us, during which ten year period (or if we exercise our renewal option, eleven year period) we have committed to purchase at least $1 billion in services from TCS. Unless mutually agreed, the payment rates for services under the amended and restated MSA are not subject to adjustment due to inflation or changes in foreign currency exchange rates. TCS will provide us with Information Technology, Applications Development and Maintenance and Business Process Outsourcing services globally. The amount of the purchase commitment may be reduced upon the occurrence of certain events, some of which also provide us with the right to terminate the agreement.

Information Technology Infrastructure Outsourcing Agreement

We entered into an agreement during the first quarter of 2008 with TCS to outsource its global IT Infrastructure services. The agreement has an initial term of seven years, and provides for TCS to manage our infrastructure costs at an agreed upon level and to provide us infrastructure services globally for an annual service charge of $39 million per year. The agreement is subject to earlier termination under certain limited conditions.

Legal Proceedings and Contingencies

We are subject to litigation and other claims in the ordinary course of business; however, except as described below and in Note 13 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there are no other pending actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting us which, if determined adversely to us, would in our view, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on our business, consolidated financial position or results of operations.

D&B Legacy Tax Matters

In November 1996, D&B, then known as The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (“Old D&B”) separated into three public companies by spinning off the A.C. Nielsen Company (“ACNielsen”) and Cognizant Corporation (“Cognizant”) (the “1996 Spin-Off”).

In June 1998, Old D&B changed its name to R.H. Donnelley Corporation (“Donnelley”) and spun-off The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (“New D&B”) (the “D&B Spin”), and Cognizant changed its name to Nielsen Media Research, Inc. (“NMR”), now part of Valcon, and spun-off IMS Health (the “Cognizant Spin”). In September 2000, New D&B changed its name to Moody’s Corporation (“Moody’s”) and spun-off a company now called The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (“Current D&B”) (the “Moody’s spin”). In November 1999, Nielsen acquired NMR and in 2001 Nielsen acquired ACNielsen.

Pursuant to the agreements affecting the 1996 Spin-Off, among other things, certain liabilities, including certain contingent liabilities and tax liabilities arising out of certain prior business transactions (the “D&B Legacy Tax Matters”), were allocated among Old D&B, ACNielsen and Cognizant. The agreements provide that any disputes regarding these matters are subject to resolution by arbitration.

In connection with the acquisition of NMR, Nielsen recorded in 1999, a liability for NMR’s aggregate liability for payments related to the D&B Legacy Tax Matters. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, we paid $6 million to settle our portion of one of the outstanding tax matters previously in arbitration, including $1 million in interest. As of September 30, 2008, we had $10 million of remaining accruals, which are considered to be adequate to cover any liabilities associated with the remaining matters.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Except as disclosed above, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements that currently have or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditure or capital resources.

Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and establishes a hierarchy that categorizes and prioritizes the sources to be used to estimate fair value. SFAS 157 also expands financial statement disclosures about fair value measurements. On February 12, 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2 (“FSP 157-2”), which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for one year, for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). SFAS 157 and FSP 157-2 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 beginning January 1, 2008 for all financial assets and financial liabilities that are recognized at fair value. Additionally, for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are recognized at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis, we have adopted the provisions of FSP 157-2 and delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 until January 1, 2009. The impact of partially adopting SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008 was not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”), which permits but does not require us to measure financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. As we did not elect to fair value any of its financial instruments under the provisions of SFAS 159, the adoption of this statement effective January 1, 2008 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 enhances required disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities, including enhanced disclosures regarding how: (a) an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities;” and (c) derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008 and therefore we will be required to provide such disclosures beginning with the interim period ended March 31, 2009.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS No. 142-3 (FSP FAS 142-3) “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets.” FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” to include an entity’s historical experience in renewing or extending similar arrangements, adjusted for entity-specific factors, even when there is likely to be “substantial cost or material modifications.” FSP FAS 142-3 states that in the absence of historical experience an entity should use assumptions that market participants would make regarding renewals or extensions, adjusted for entity-specific factors. The aforementioned guidance for determining the useful life of intangible assets will be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date of January 1, 2009. We do not expect FSP FAS 142-3 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and market prices such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and changes in the market value of equity instruments. We are exposed to market risk, primarily related to foreign exchange and interest rates. We actively monitor these exposures. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, we historically entered into a variety of derivative financial instruments, mainly interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps and forward rate agreements. Currently we only employ basic contracts, that is, without options, embedded or otherwise. Our objective is to reduce, where it is deemed appropriate to do so, fluctuations in earnings, cash flows and the value of our net investments in subsidiaries resulting from changes in interest rates and foreign currency rates. It is our policy not to trade in financial instruments.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We operate globally, deriving approximately 46% of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. We predominantly generate revenue and expenses in local currencies. Because of fluctuations (including possible devaluations) in currency exchange rates or the imposition of limitations on conversion of foreign currencies into our reporting currency, we are subject to currency translation exposure on the profits of our operations, in addition to transaction exposure.

Foreign currency translation risk is the risk that exchange rate gains or losses arise from translating foreign entities’ statements of earnings and balance sheets from functional currency to our reporting currency (the U.S. Dollar) for consolidation purposes. Translation risk exposure is managed by creating “natural hedges” in our financing or by using derivative financial instruments aimed at offsetting certain exposures in the statement of earnings or the balance sheet. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

The table below details the percentage of revenues and expenses by currency for the period from January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008:

 

     U.S.
Dollars
    Euro     Other
Currencies
 

Revenues

   54 %   15 %   31 %

Operating costs

   53 %   17 %   30 %

Based on the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, a one cent change in the U.S. Dollar/Euro exchange rate will impact revenues by approximately $5 million annually, with an immaterial impact on operating income.

Interest Rate Risk

At September 30, 2008, we had $5,541 million nominal amount of debt under our senior secured credit facilities and our EMTN floating rate notes which are based on a floating rate index. A one percentage point increase in these floating rates would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $55 million. Given our exposure to volatility in floating rates, we evaluated hedging opportunities and entered into hedging transactions in November 2006, January 2007 and February 2008. After giving effect to these interest rate swap agreements, a one percentage point increase in interest rates would increase interest expense by approximately $19 million. As a result of our hedging strategies, the rate of interest that we pay on our indebtedness was not significantly affected by recent fluctuations in interest rates resulting from current adverse conditions in global credit markets.

Derivative instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of non-performance, or credit risk. We do not believe that we currently face a significant risk of loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparties associated with these instruments, as these transactions were executed with a diversified group of major financial institutions with a minimum investment-grade or better credit rating. Our credit risk exposure is managed through the continuous monitoring of our exposures to such counterparties.

Recent developments in the U.S. and global financial markets have not required us to materially modify or change our financial risk management strategies with respect to our exposures to interest rate and foreign currency risk.

Equity Price Risk

We are not exposed to material equity risk.

 

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Item 4T. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, as the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to do. Thus, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2008 (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information in response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in Note 13 “Commitments and Contingencies” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) included in Part I, Item 1 above.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to our Risk Factors as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

   

Description of Exhibits

  4.3    

Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2008, among Nielsen IAG, Inc., Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

  4.4    

Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2008, among Nielsen IAG, Inc., Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

  4.5    

Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2008, among RewardTV, Inc., Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

  4.6    

Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2008, among RewardTV, Inc., Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

  4.7    

Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 24, 2008, among ACNielsen eRatings.com, Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

  4.8    

Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 24, 2008, among ACNielsen eRatings.com, Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

10.2     Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Master Services Agreement by and between Tata America International Corporation & Tata Consultancy Services Limited and ACNielsen (US), Inc.
10.3     Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated Master Services Agreement by and between Tata America International Corporation & Tata Consultancy Services Limited and ACNielsen (US), Inc.
10.13 (c)   Amendment to The Nielsen Company Deferred Compensation Plan, dated October 28, 2008.
31.1     CEO 302 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e)
31.2     CFO 302 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e)
32.1     Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    The Nielsen Company B.V.
                  (Registrant)
      /s/    David E. Berger
Date: November 13, 2008     David E. Berger
     

Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller

Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

   

Description of Exhibits

  4.3    

Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2008, among Nielsen IAG, Inc., Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

  4.4    

Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2008, among Nielsen IAG, Inc., Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

  4.5    

Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2008, among RewardTV, Inc., Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

  4.6    

Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2008, among RewardTV, Inc., Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

  4.7    

Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 24, 2008, among ACNielsen eRatings.com, Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

  4.8    

Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 24, 2008, among ACNielsen eRatings.com, Nielsen Finance LLC, Nielsen Finance Co., the Guarantors as defined therein and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as Trustee

10.2     Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Master Services Agreement by and between Tata America International Corporation & Tata Consultancy Services Limited and ACNielsen (US), Inc.
10.3     Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated Master Services Agreement by and between Tata America International Corporation & Tata Consultancy Services Limited and ACNielsen (US), Inc.
10.13 (c)   Amendment to The Nielsen Company Deferred Compensation Plan, dated October 28, 2008.
31.1     CEO 302 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e)
31.2     CFO 302 Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e)
32.1     Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)

 

48

Exhibit 4.3

SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Sixth Supplemental Indenture (this “ Sixth Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of July 15, 2008, among Nielsen IAG, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ”) and affiliate of Nielsen Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Nielsen Finance Co., a Delaware corporation (the “ Issuers ”), and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers and the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture, dated as of August 9, 2006, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount at maturity of Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2016 (the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “ Guarantee ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:

(a) Along with all Guarantors named in the Indenture, to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and


(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor.

(c) The following is hereby waived: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture.

(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.

 

2


(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.

(i) Pursuant to Section 11.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 11 of the Indenture, this new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under this Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuers for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuers become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuers’ assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(l) This Guarantee shall be a general unsecured senior subordinated obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking pari passu with any other future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.

(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

(3) Execution and Delivery . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not an Issuer or Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Person ”);

 

3


(B) the Successor Person, if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture;

(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or the Issuers.

(5) Releases . The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or all or substantially all the assets of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the Senior Credit Facilities or the guarantee which resulted in the creation of the Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;

 

4


(iii) the proper designation of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(iv) the Issuers exercising their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(b) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(6) No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Sixth Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(7) Governing Law . THIS SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(9) Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Trustee . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(11) Subrogation . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 11.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

 

5


(12) Benefits Acknowledged . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Sixth Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(13) Successors . All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 2(k) hereof or elsewhere in this Sixth Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Sixth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

NIELSEN IAG, INC.
By:  

/s/ Alan Gould

Name:   Alan Gould
Title:   Co-Chief Executive Officer
LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ James D. Heaney

Name:   James D. Heaney
Title:   Vice President

[Sixth Supplemental Indenture to Senior Sub. Discount Notes Indenture]

Exhibit 4.4

SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Seventh Supplemental Indenture (this “ Seventh Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of July 15, 2008, among Nielsen IAG, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ”) and affiliate of Nielsen Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Nielsen Finance Co., a Delaware corporation (the “ Issuers ”), and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers and the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture, dated as of August 9, 2006, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of Senior Dollar Notes due 2014 and Senior Euro Notes due 2014 (together, the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “ Guarantee ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Seventh Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:

(a) Along with all Guarantors named in the Indenture, to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and


(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor.

(c) The following is hereby waived: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Seventh Supplemental Indenture, and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture.

(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.

 

2


(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.

(i) Pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 10 of the Indenture, the new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under this Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuers for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuers become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuers’ assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(l) This Guarantee shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking pari passu with any other future Senior Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.

(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

(3) Execution and Delivery . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not an Issuer or Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Person ”);

 

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(B) the Successor Person, if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture;

(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or the Issuers.

(5) Releases . The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or all or substantially all the assets of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the Senior Credit Facilities or the guarantee which resulted in the creation of the Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;

 

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(iii) the proper designation of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(iv) the Issuers exercising their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(b) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(6) No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Seventh Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(7) Governing Law . THIS SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Seventh Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(9) Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Trustee . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Seventh Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(11) Subrogation . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 10.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

 

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(12) Benefits Acknowledged . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Seventh Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(13) Successors . All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Seventh Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 2(k) hereof or elsewhere in this Seventh Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Seventh Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Seventh Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

NIELSEN IAG, INC.
By:  

/s/ Alan Gould

Name:   Alan Gould
Title:   Co-Chief Executive Officer
LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ James D. Heaney

Name:   James D. Heaney
Title:   Vice President

[Seventh Supplemental Indenture to Senior Notes Indenture]

Exhibit 4.5

SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Seventh Supplemental Indenture (this “ Seventh Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of July 15, 2008, among RewardTV, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ”) and affiliate of Nielsen Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Nielsen Finance Co., a Delaware corporation (the “ Issuers ”), and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers and the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture, dated as of August 9, 2006, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount at maturity of Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2016 (the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “ Guarantee ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Seventh Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:

(a) Along with all Guarantors named in the Indenture, to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and


(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor.

(c) The following is hereby waived: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Seventh Supplemental Indenture, and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture.

(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.

 

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(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.

(i) Pursuant to Section 11.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 11 of the Indenture, this new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under this Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuers for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuers become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuers’ assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(l) This Guarantee shall be a general unsecured senior subordinated obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking pari passu with any other future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.

(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

(3) Execution and Delivery . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not an Issuer or Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Person ”);

 

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(B) the Successor Person, if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) he Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture;

(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or the Issuers.

(5) Releases . The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or all or substantially all the assets of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the Senior Credit Facilities or the guarantee which resulted in the creation of the Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;

 

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(iii) the proper designation of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(iv) the Issuers exercising their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(b) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(6) No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Seventh Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(7) Governing Law . THIS SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Seventh Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(9) Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Trustee . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Seventh Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(11) Subrogation . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 11.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

 

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(12) Benefits Acknowledged . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Seventh Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(13) Successors . All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Seventh Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 2(k) hereof or elsewhere in this Seventh Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Seventh Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Seventh Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

REWARDTV, INC.
By:  

/s/ Alan Gould

Name:   Alan Gould
Title:   Co-Chief Executive Officer
LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Bice II

Name:   Robert L. Bice II
Title:   Vice President

[Seventh Supplemental Indenture to Senior Sub. Discount Notes Indenture]

Exhibit 4.6

EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Eighth Supplemental Indenture (this “ Eighth Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of July 15, 2008, among RewardTV, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ”) and affiliate of Nielsen Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Nielsen Finance Co., a Delaware corporation (the “ Issuers ”), and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers and the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture, dated as of August 9, 2006, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of Senior Dollar Notes due 2014 and Senior Euro Notes due 2014 (together, the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “ Guarantee ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Eighth Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:

(a) Along with all Guarantors named in the Indenture, to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and


(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor.

(c) The following is hereby waived: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Eighth Supplemental Indenture, and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture.

(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.

 

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(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.

(i) Pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 10 of the Indenture, the new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under this Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuers for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuers become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuers’ assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(l) This Guarantee shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking pari passu with any other future Senior Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.

(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

(3) Execution and Delivery . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not an Issuer or Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Person ”);

 

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(B) the Successor Person, if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture;

(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or the Issuers.

(5) Releases . The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or all or substantially all the assets of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the Senior Credit Facilities or the guarantee which resulted in the creation of the Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;

 

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(iii) the proper designation of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(iv) the Issuers exercising their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(b) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(6) No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Eighth Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(7) Governing Law . THIS EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Eighth Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(9) Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Trustee . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Eighth Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(11) Subrogation . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 10.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

 

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(12) Benefits Acknowledged . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Eighth Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(13) Successors . All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Seventh Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 2(k) hereof or elsewhere in this Eighth Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Eighth Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Eighth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

REWARDTV, INC.
By:  

/s/ Alan Gould

Name:   Alan Gould
Title:   Co-Chief Executive Officer
LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Robert L. Bice II

Name:   Robert L. Bice II
Title:   Vice President

[Eight Supplemental Indenture to Senior Notes Indenture]

Exhibit 4.7

EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Eighth Supplemental Indenture (this “ Eighth Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of September 24, 2008, among ACNielsen eRatings.com, a Delaware corporation (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ”) and affiliate of Nielsen Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Nielsen Finance Co., a Delaware corporation (the “ Issuers ”), and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers and the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture, dated as of August 9, 2006, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount at maturity of Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2016 (the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “ Guarantee ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Eighth Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:

(a) Along with all Guarantors named in the Indenture, to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and


(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor.

(c) The following is hereby waived: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Eighth Supplemental Indenture, and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture.

(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.

 

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(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.

(i) Pursuant to Section 11.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 11 of the Indenture, this new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under this Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuers for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuers become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuers’ assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(l) This Guarantee shall be a general unsecured senior subordinated obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking pari passu with any other future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.

(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

(3) Execution and Delivery . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not an Issuer or Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Person ”);

 

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(B) the Successor Person, if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) he Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture;

(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or the Issuers.

(5) Releases . The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or all or substantially all the assets of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the Senior Credit Facilities or the guarantee which resulted in the creation of the Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;

 

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(iii) the proper designation of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(iv) the Issuers exercising their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(b) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(6) No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Eighth Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(7) Governing Law . THIS EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Eighth Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(9) Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Trustee . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Eighth Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(11) Subrogation . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 11.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

 

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(12) Benefits Acknowledged . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Eighth Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(13) Successors . All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Eighth Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 2(k) hereof or elsewhere in this Eighth Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Eighth Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Eighth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM
By:  

/s/ David E. Berger

Name:   David E. Berger
Title:   President and Chief Financial Officer
LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ James D. Heaney

Name:   James D. Heaney
Title:   Vice President

[Eighth Supplemental Indenture to Senior Sub. Discount Notes Indenture]

Exhibit 4.8

NINTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Ninth Supplemental Indenture (this “ Ninth Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of September 24, 2008, among ACNielsen eRatings.com, a Delaware corporation (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ”) and affiliate of Nielsen Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Nielsen Finance Co., a Delaware corporation (the “ Issuers ”), and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers and the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture, dated as of August 9, 2006, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of Senior Dollar Notes due 2014 and Senior Euro Notes due 2014 (together, the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “ Guarantee ”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Ninth Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:

(a) Along with all Guarantors named in the Indenture, to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and


(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor.

(c) The following is hereby waived: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Ninth Supplemental Indenture, and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture.

(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.

 

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(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.

(i) Pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 10 of the Indenture, the new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under this Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuers for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuers become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuers’ assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(l) This Guarantee shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking pari passu with any other future Senior Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.

(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

(3) Execution and Delivery . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not an Issuer or Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Person ”);

 

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(B) the Successor Person, if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture;

(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or the Issuers.

(5) Releases . The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) (i) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or all or substantially all the assets of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the Senior Credit Facilities or the guarantee which resulted in the creation of the Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;

 

4


(iii) the proper designation of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(iv) the Issuers exercising their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(b) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(6) No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Ninth Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(7) Governing Law . THIS NINTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Ninth Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(9) Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Trustee . The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Ninth Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(11) Subrogation . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 10.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

 

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(12) Benefits Acknowledged . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Ninth Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(13) Successors . All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Seventh Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 2(k) hereof or elsewhere in this Ninth Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Ninth Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Ninth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM
By:  

/s/ David E. Berger

Name:   David E. Berger
Title:   President and Chief Financial Officer
LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ James D. Heaney

Name:   James D. Heaney
Title:   Vice President

[Ninth Supplemental Indenture to Senior Notes Indenture]

Exhibit 10.2

AMENDMENT NUMBER 1 TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT NUMBER 1, effective as of March 31, 2008 (“ Amendment Effective Date ”), is made and entered into by and between Tata America International Corporation (“TCS America”), Tata Consultancy Services Limited (“TCSL,” and together with TCS America, ‘TCS”), and ACNielsen (US), Inc. (“Nielsen”) and modifies the AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT, dated as of October 1, 2007, between TCS and Nielsen (the “ Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used in this Amendment shall bear the meaning given in the Agreement.

The Parties have agreed that Schedule C to the Agreement shall be amended as set forth on the attached schedule, which amendment shall be effective from the Amendment Effective Date.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have each caused this Amendment Number 1 to the Agreement to be signed and delivered by its duly authorized representative.

 

ACNIELSEN (US), INC.     TATA AMERICA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Michael E. Elias

    By:  

/s/ Satyanarayan S. Hegde

Name:   Michael E. Elias     Name:   Satyanarayan S. Hegde
Title:   V.P.     Title:   General Counsel & Senior Vice President
      TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED
      By:  

/s/ Satyanarayan S. Hegde

      Name:   Satyanarayan S. Hegde
      Title:   General Counsel & Senior Vice President

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

AMENDMENT NUMBER 2 TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT NUMBER 2 (the “ Data Privacy Amendment ”), effective as of October 31, 2007 (“ Amendment Effective Date ”) is made and entered into by and between TCS and Nielsen and modifies the AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT, dated as of October 1, 2007, between TCS and Nielsen (the “ Agreement ”).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

The Parties have agreed to amend and supplement certain of the terms, conditions, rights and obligations of the Parties under the Agreement with regard to data privacy and data protection pursuant to the provisions of this Data Privacy Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein, and of other good and valid consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

A. DATA PRIVACY

The Parties agree to insert the following provisions of this Section A between Section 14 (DATA OWNERSHIP, PROTECTION AND RETURN OF DATA) of the Agreement and Section 15 (CONSENTS) of the Agreement as a new Section 14A (DATA PRIVACY) of the Agreement:

“Section 14A DATA PRIVACY

In performing the Services, TCS will comply with the requirements of this “Section 14A.

14A.1 Data Privacy Rules, Generally

(a) “ Data Privacy Rules ” means the following:

(i) all Laws applicable to Nielsen and the Nielsen Regulatory Requirements regarding personal data privacy and data protection rights (including breach notification requirements) with respect to Personally Identifiable Information held and/or controlled by Nielsen and its Affiliates, including personal data relating to employees, customers, consumers, panelists, survey respondents, and other individuals. Such Laws and Nielsen Regulatory Requirements include: (A) the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act and its effective implementing rules and regulations (“ GLB Act ”); (B) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and its effective implementing rules and regulations (“ HIPAA ”) and analogous state laws; (C) the Canadian Privacy Legislation and its effective implementing rules and regulations; and (D) legislation implementing the European Directive 95/46/EC on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (the “ EU Data Protection Directive ” or the “ Directive ”) and analogous legislation in European countries not part of the European Union (collectively “ EU Privacy Laws ”); and

 

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(ii) the provisions of this Agreement that address TCS’ obligations regarding data privacy and data protection, including Section 5.6, Section 14, this Section 14A, Section 16, Section 20, and Schedule G to this Agreement.

(b) General Requirements .

(i) TCS and Nielsen will comply, and will support the other Party in complying, with all relevant provisions of Data Privacy Rules.

(ii) TCS will observe, comply with, and perform the Services in a manner consistent with, the Data Privacy Rules.

(iii) TCS will cause those TCS Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors performing the Services to comply with the obligations of TCS provided in this “Section 14A.

(iv) Except as provided in Section 14A.1(c), TCS will meet the requirements of this “Section 14A at no additional charge to Nielsen.

(v) If TCS suspects or becomes aware of any breach of the Data Privacy Rules, TCS will promptly notify Nielsen and will cooperate with Nielsen to investigate, mitigate, rectify and respond to such breach.

(vi) Upon Nielsen’s request, TCS will provide to Nielsen certifications (whether self-certifications or, on an Out-of-Pocket Expense basis, third party certifications, as Nielsen reasonably requests) that demonstrate TCS’ compliance with the Data Privacy Rules.

(vii) Nielsen will have the right to screen and approve all TCS Personnel who might have access to the Personally Identifiable Information that is the subject of the Data Privacy Rules.

(viii) Nothing in this Agreement will be deemed to prevent Nielsen from taking the steps it deems necessary to comply with the Data Privacy Rules.

(ix) The obligations provided in this “Section 14A will survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

(c) Changes to the Data Privacy Rules .

(i) Statutory and Regulatory Changes . If during the Initial Term or a Renewal Period a change is made to any Laws or Nielsen Regulatory Requirements described in Section 14A.1(a), or a new Law or Nielsen Regulatory Requirement is implemented that affects any of the Parties’ rights and obligations regarding data protection and data privacy in this Agreement, TCS will comply with such changed or new Law or Nielsen Regulatory Requirement in accordance with the provisions of Section 20.8.

 

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(ii) Change Control Procedure . TCS will perform the Services in compliance with any additional or revised Nielsen standards, policies and requirements disclosed to TCS from time to time relating to the Data Privacy Rules, whether or not additions or revisions arise from changed or new Laws or Nielsen Regulatory Requirements (such as those relating to information security, or instructions from Nielsen or any Nielsen Affiliate in connection with a signed EU Model Contract), subject to application of the Change Control Procedure to the extent TCS reasonably demonstrates that such standards, policies, requirements and instructions impose material incremental costs upon TCS in excess of those that would otherwise be necessary for TCS to comply with its obligations under this Agreement.

14A.2 EU Privacy Laws.

Without limiting the generality of Section 14A.1, TCS will comply with the obligations provided in this Section 14A.2 regarding applicable EU Privacy Laws.

(a) Definitions . The following non-capitalized terms used in Section 14A.2 will have the meanings given to them in the EU Privacy Laws: “ controller ”; “ data exporter ”; “ data importer ”; “ data subject ”; “ personal data ”; “ processing ” (and “ processed ” will be construed accordingly); and “ processor ”. In addition:

(i) “ EU Model Contract ” means a contract between the applicable data importer and the applicable data exporter, which contract will include the standard contractual clauses provided or approved by the applicable European Union or implementing country authorities governing the transfer and processing of personal data outside of the European Union. As of the Agreement Effective Date, such standard contractual clauses are those provided in the annex to Decision 2002/16/EC of the European Commission dated December 27, 2001 for the transfer of personal data to processors established in third countries; and

(ii) “ Nielsen Personal Data ” means personal data that is processed by or on behalf of TCS in performing the Services, including personal data relating to the employees, customers, consumers, panelists, and survey respondents of Nielsen and its Affiliates, and/or which is made available directly or indirectly to TCS by Nielsen or Nielsen Affiliates.

(b) Compliance with EU Privacy Laws . Nielsen and TCS will each comply, and will support the other Party in complying, with their respective obligations under the EU Privacy Laws, including maintaining all necessary notifications or registrations that may be required.

 

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(c) The Parties’ Roles . The Parties agree that:

(i) Nielsen Solely Responsible . Nielsen is solely responsible for determining the purposes for which and the manner in which Nielsen Personal Data are, or are to be, processed under this Agreement in the course of TCS performing the Services; TCS will only process Nielsen Personal Data in accordance with written instructions given by Nielsen and in accordance with this Agreement; and

(ii) Controller and Processor . Nielsen will be the data “controller” with respect to all Nielsen Personal Data and TCS will be the data “processor” with respect to all Nielsen Personal Data.

(d) TCS’ Obligations .

(i) General . In a manner that conforms to any time limits provided in applicable EU Privacy Laws, and in any event as soon as reasonably practicable, TCS will comply with any written request to provide reasonable assistance to Nielsen as necessary to allow Nielsen to comply with EU Privacy Laws.

(ii) Nielsen Consent for Transfers . Where TCS intends to transfer any Nielsen Personal Data either (A) to third parties (including TCS Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors), or (B) across any country’s border (except to countries or territories within the European Union or to a country that the European Commission has found to ensure an adequate level of protection within the meaning of Article 25(2) of the Directive), TCS will obtain Nielsen’s prior written consent, which Nielsen may withhold in its sole discretion. Nielsen may grant such consent subject to any conditions Nielsen deems appropriate, and any such transfer of Nielsen Personal Data will in any event be subject to TCS’ compliance with the applicable provisions of Section 14A.2(f).

(iii) Other TCS Obligations .

(A) TCS will promptly notify Nielsen in writing if TCS: (1) receives any complaints about the processing of Nielsen Personal Data from third parties (including data subjects); or (2) receives, or becomes aware of, any allegation by any relevant EU privacy or information commissioner (or any corresponding supervisory authority) that Nielsen or TCS is not complying with the EU Privacy Laws; and in each such case, TCS will not make any admissions, or take any action, which may be prejudicial to the defense or settlement of any such complaint or allegation and will provide to Nielsen such reasonable assistance as it may require in connection with such complaint.

(B) Nielsen in any event will ensure that any Nielsen Personal Data it provides to TCS or requires TCS to obtain on Nielsen’s behalf in relation to this Agreement can be lawfully processed in the manner contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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(e) Article 17 of the Directive . TCS agrees that with respect to Nielsen Personal Data TCS is obligated to comply with applicable legislation implementing Article 17 of the Directive, including the following obligations:

(i) Technical and Organization Measures . Take appropriate technical and organizational measures (including in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement) to safeguard against: (A) unauthorized accesses to, and unlawful processing of, Nielsen Personal Data; (B) accidental loss, misuse or destruction of, or damage to, Nielsen Personal Data; and (C) unauthorized disclosure of Nielsen Personal Data;

(ii) Written Instructions . Only process Nielsen Personal Data in accordance with written instructions given by Nielsen, including as provided in this Agreement;

(iii) Reliability of Third Parties and of Personnel . Take reasonable steps to ensure the reliability of those third parties (including TCS Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors) that, and those TCS Personnel who, have access to Nielsen Personal Data; and

(iv) Training . Ensure that all TCS Personnel involved in processing Nielsen Personal Data have undergone (and on an ongoing basis continue to undergo) reasonably adequate training in the care and handling of personal data generally and Nielsen Personal Data in particular.

(f) Transfers to Third Parties . Where TCS intends to transfer any Nielsen Personal Data to any third party (including TCS Affiliates and Approved Subcontractors), the following provisions will apply:

(i) Transfers to Third Parties Within the European Union and Certain Other Countries . If such transfer is to a third party providing some portion of the Services within the European Union (or where a third party is providing some portion of the Services from a country that the European Commission has found to ensure an adequate level of protection within the meaning of Article 25(2) of the Directive), TCS will ensure that no transfer takes place until such time as TCS has concluded a subcontract (or intra-group arrangement) with the relevant third party, which subcontract (or intra-group arrangement) includes provisions to protect such Nielsen Personal Data that are substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section 14A; or

(ii) Transfers to Third Parties Outside the European Union. If such transfer is to a third party providing some portion of the Services from outside the European Union (except where such third party is providing some portion of the Services from a country that the European Commission has found to ensure an adequate level of protection within the meaning of Article 25(2) of the Directive), TCS will ensure that no such transfer takes place until such time as TCS has:

(A) caused the relevant third party to enter into an EU Model Contract with Nielsen and/or with any Nielsen Affiliate(s) designated by Nielsen (pursuant to which the relevant third party will be the data importer and Nielsen and/or the applicable Nielsen Affiliate will be the data exporter); and

 

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(B) concluded a subcontract (or intra-group arrangement) with the relevant third party, which subcontract (or intra-group arrangement) will include obligations for such third party with respect to (1) its ability to process Nielsen Personal Data; and (2) its obligations with regard to legislation implementing Article 17 of the Directive, which will be substantially equivalent to those provided in Section 14A.2(e).

In addition, prior to the transfer of any Nielsen Personal Data outside the European Union (or a country that the European Commission has found to ensure an adequate level of protection within the meaning of Article 25(2) of the Directive) for processing, the Parties will take such steps as may be necessary to comply with the requirements and time limits provided in applicable EU Privacy Laws of the relevant country or territory, including by lodging a copy of any EU Model Contract with, or seeking any permits or licenses from, the relevant privacy or information commissioner (or any corresponding government office or agency) in the applicable jurisdiction.”

 

B. OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE AGREEMENT

 

1. Defined Terms

Terms used with initial capitalization in this Amendment and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning provided in the Agreement.

 

2. Additional Definitions.

2.1. The following definitions shall be added into Section 1.5 of the Agreement, preserving the alphabetical order of such Section, and the numbering of the existing definitions shall be adjusted accordingly:

(a) “ Data Privacy Rules ” has the meaning provided in Section 14A.1(a)(i).

(b) “ EU Data Protection Directive ” or “ Directive ” has the meaning provided in Section 14A.1(a)(i).

(c) “ EU Model Contract ” has the meaning provided in Section 14A.2(a)(i).

(d) “ EU Privacy Laws ” has the meaning provided in Section 14A.1(a)(i).

(e) “ GLB Act ” has the meaning provided in Section 14A.1(a)(i).

(f) “ HIPAA ” has the meaning provided in Section 14A.1(a)(i).

(g) “ Nielsen Personal Data ” has the meaning provided in Section 14A.2(a)(ii).

 

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2.2 The existing definitions of Canadian Privacy Legislation and Personally Identifiable Information in Section 1.5 of the Agreement shall be deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:

(a) “ Canadian Privacy Legislation ” shall mean the Personal Information Protection and Electronics Documents Act, S.C. 2001, c-5, and any analogous provincial laws, including the Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector, R.S.Q. c. P-39.1, the Personal Information Protection Act, S.B.C. 2003, c-63, the Personal Information Protection Act, R.S.A., c. P-65, and any similar legislation applicable in Canada.

(b) “ Personally Identifiable Information ” means any information that relates to a specific, identifiable individual, and any information that otherwise is defined as “personal information” or “personal data” (or an equivalent term) under Laws regarding personal data privacy and data protection (including the EU Data Protection Directive), regardless of whether such Laws apply to such information.

 

3. Section 14 (Ownership of Nielsen Data)

3.1 The second sentence of Section 14.1(a) of the Agreement shall be amended by inserting the phrase “Regardless of whether the Nielsen Data has been de-identified or de-personalized,” at the beginning of such sentence.

3.2 Section 14.1(b) of the Agreement shall be amended by inserting the word “misuse” between the words “loss” and “theft” in the second and fourth lines of such Section.

3.3 Section 14.1(d) of the Agreement shall be amended by inserting the phrase “Regardless of whether the Nielsen Data has been de-identified or de-personalized,” at the beginning of such Section.

3.4 Section 14.3 of the Agreement shall be amended by inserting the word “misuse” between the words “destruction” and “loss”.

 

4. Section 23 (Confidentiality)

4.1 Section 23.1(d) of the Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(d) Personally Identifiable Information of Nielsen employees, customers, consumers, panelists and survey respondents; and”

4.2 The last sentence of Section 23.1 of the Agreement shall be amended by adding the parenthetical “(even if de-identified or de-personalized)” at the end of such sentence.

4.3 Section 23.4 of the Agreement is amended by adding the following sentence as the final paragraph of such Section, which paragraph shall not be numbered:

“The foregoing does not relieve TCS of its obligations under Section 14A.”

 

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5. Section 31 (Miscellaneous Provisions)

Section 31.9 of the Agreement shall be amended by adding the phrase “Section 14A (Data Privacy)” between the phrases “Section 14 (Data Ownership, Protection and Return of Data)” and “Section 17.4 (Payment Upon Termination or Expiration)”.

REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

 

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All other provisions of the Agreement shall continue to be in full force and effect. In case of a conflict between the provisions of this Data Privacy Amendment and the Agreement, the provisions of this Data Privacy Amendment shall control.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have each caused this Agreement to be signed and delivered by its duly authorized representative.

 

ACNIELSEN (US), INC.     TATA AMERICA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Michael E. Elias     By:   /s/ Satyanarayan S. Hegde
Name:   Michael E. Elias     Name:   Satyanarayan S. Hegde
Title:   V.P.     Title:   General Counsel & Senior Vice President
    TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED
      By:   /s/ Satyanarayan S. Hegde
      Name:   Satyanarayan S. Hegde
      Title:   General Counsel & Senior Vice President

 

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Exhibit 10.13(c)

THE NIELSEN COMPANY DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

(Originally Effective April 1, 2003)

(As Amended and Restated Effective October 28, 2008)

1. Purpose; Effectiveness.

(a) The purpose of The Nielsen Company Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) is to provide certain members of a select group of management or highly compensated employees of TNC (US) Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) and its affiliates a means to defer receipt of compensation and to have such deferred amounts treated as if invested in specified investment vehicles in order to enhance the competitiveness of the Company’s executive compensation program and, therefore, its ability to attract and retain key personnel necessary for the continued success and progress of the Company.

(b) Amounts deferred under any Predecessor Plan prior to April 1, 2003 (“Previously Deferred Amounts”) shall be governed by the applicable deferral agreement and the terms of such Predecessor Plan in effect on the date of such deferral, provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the Company from depositing or transferring at any time all or any portion of such Previously Deferred Amounts into any trust or trusts established or designated by the Company to hold assets in connection with this Plan and designating as hypothetical investment vehicles for all or any portion of such Previously Deferred Amounts the mutual funds or such other investment vehicles as may be specified from time to time by the Company as hypothetical investment vehicles available under this Plan.

2. Definitions.

The following terms used in the Plan shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a) “Administrator” shall mean the person or persons to whom the Company has delegated the authority to take any or all action under the Plan.

(b) “Beneficiary” shall mean any person (which may include trusts and is not limited to one person) designated by the Participant in his or her most recent written Beneficiary designation form filed with the Company to receive the benefits specified under the Plan in the event of the Participant’s death. The spouse of a married Participant shall be required to consent to the designation of a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries other than such spouse, unless such spouse cannot be located or the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, determines in a particular case, that it would be appropriate to waive the spousal consent requirement. If no designated Beneficiary survives the Participant’s death, then “Beneficiary” shall mean any persons(s) entitled by the Participant’s will, or in the absence thereof, the laws of descent and distribution of the Participant’s state of domicile, to receive such benefits.


(c) “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company, except that any action that may be taken by the Board may also be taken by a duly authorized committee of the Board or the Company or the duly authorized delegees of such duly authorized committee.

(d) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(e) “Company” shall mean TNC (US) Holdings, Inc., a New York corporation.

(f) “Company Account” shall mean the account or subaccount established and maintained by the Company for specified notional contributions, if any, made by the Company or an affiliate with respect to a Participant, as described in Section 6. A Company Account will be maintained solely as a bookkeeping entry by the Company to evidence unfunded obligations of the Company or an affiliate.

(g) “Deferral Account” shall mean the account or subaccount established and maintained by the Company for specified deferrals by a Participant, as described in Section 6. A Deferral Account will be maintained solely as a bookkeeping entry by the Company to evidence unfunded obligations of the Company or an affiliate.

(h) “Deferral Election” shall mean the election made, in accordance with Section 5, on a form, in substance, and at the time or times satisfactory to the Company, entered into between a Participant and the Company pursuant to which the Participant elects to defer compensation in accordance with the terms of this Plan.

(i) “Effective Date” shall mean April 1, 2003.

(j) “Fair Market Value” shall mean, on a given date, (i) with respect to any mutual fund, net asset value as reported in The Wall Street Journal with respect to the date of valuation, and (ii) with respect to any alternative investment, the value, as determined in good faith by the Company, based on all relevant factors for determining the fair market value of an investment of such type and nature. In determining Fair Market Value, the Company may rely upon a valuation made by independent third party appraisers experienced in the valuation of investments similar to the investment.

(k) “Financial Hardship” shall mean an “unforeseeable emergency” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Code that (i) would result in severe financial hardship to the Participant if early withdrawal were not permitted and (ii) is caused by an event beyond the control of the Participant or beneficiary, such as (A) a severe financial hardship to the Participant caused by a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the Participant or a dependent of the Participant (as defined in Code Section 152(a)), of (B) a loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty, where neither (A) nor (B) is reimbursed or reimbursable through insurance, or (C) other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances caused by

 

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events beyond the Participant’s control. Financial Hardship shall not include payment of college tuition or home purchases.

(l) “Participant” shall mean any employee of the Company or any affiliate who is designated by the Company as eligible to participate in the Plan and who makes an election to participate in the Plan.

(m) “Plan” shall mean The Nielsen Company Deferred Compensation Plan.

(n) “Plan Year” shall mean the calendar year.

(o) “Predecessor Plan(s)” shall mean, depending on the context, either or both of (i) the VNU USA, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, adopted effective as of February 1, 1994 and as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 1999 (formerly known as the VNU Business Information Services, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan) or (ii) the ACNielsen Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of April 1, 2000.

(p) “Previously Deferred Amounts” shall mean amounts deferred prior to April 1, 2003 under any Predecessor Plan.

(q) “Trust” shall mean any trust or trusts established or designated by the Company to hold assets in connection with the Plan; provided, however, that the assets of such trusts shall remain subject to the claims of the general creditors of the Company in the event of an insolvency of the Company or, if applicable, its affiliate. The Company or the affiliate, as the case may be, shall be considered “insolvent” for purposes of this Plan and any Trust if (i) the Company or the affiliate is unable to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) the Company or the affiliate is subject to a pending proceeding as a debtor under the United States Bankruptcy Code. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any trust or trusts designated to hold assets in connection with the Plan also may hold Previously Deferred Assets under any Predecessor Plan or assets previously deferred under other deferred compensation plans of the Company or the affiliate or any predecessor of either.

3. Administration.

(a) Authority . The Administrator (subject to the ability of the Company to restrict the Administrator) shall administer the Plan in accordance with its terms, and shall have all powers necessary to accomplish such purpose, including the power and authority to construe and interpret the Plan, to define the terms used herein, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations, agreements, forms, and notices relating to the administration of the Plan, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. Any actions of the Administrator with respect to the Plan shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons interested in the Plan. The Company and Administrator may each appoint agents and delegate thereto powers and duties under the Plan, except as otherwise limited by the Plan.

 

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(b) Limitation of Liability . Each officer of the Company and the Administrator shall be entitled, in good faith, to rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or other employee of the Company or any affiliate, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant, legal counsel, or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan. To the maximum extent permitted by law, no officer of the Company or the Administrator, nor any person to whom ministerial duties have been delegated, shall be liable to any person for any action taken or omitted in good faith in connection with the interpretation and administration of the Plan.

(c) Indemnification . To the maximum extent permitted by law, officers of the Company and the Administrator shall be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any action taken or omitted in good faith in connection with the interpretation or administration of the Plan.

4. Participation.

The Company will notify each person of his or her eligibility to participate in the Plan not later than 15 days (or such lesser period as may be practicable in the circumstances) prior to any deadline for filing an election form.

5. Deferrals; Company Contributions.

(a) Deferrals .

(i) In General . To the extent authorized by the Company, a Participant may elect to defer the following cash compensation or awards to be received from the Company or an affiliate: base salary, commissions, annual incentive awards, long-term incentive awards and other compensation as determined by the Company in writing. The Company may impose limitations on the amounts permitted to be deferred and other terms and conditions of deferrals under the Plan, including minimum and/or maximum periods of deferral. Any such limitations, and other terms and conditions of deferral, shall be set forth in the rules relating to the Plan or election forms, other forms, or instructions published by the Company.

(ii) Deferral Elections . Except as otherwise may be provided by the Company with respect to annual and long-term incentive awards that otherwise would be payable to the Participant during the first Plan Year, a Deferral Election must be made by a Participant prior to (A) the first day of the calendar year with respect to which base salary and commission are to be earned and (B) the date that is six months prior to the end of the applicable performance period (to the extent permitted under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-2(a)(8)), in the case of annual and long-term incentive awards that constitute “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(e). Notwithstanding the above, newly hired employees who are advised of their eligibility to participate in the Plan may submit their Deferral Elections no later than 30 days following their first day of employment and such Deferral Elections will be effective as soon as practicable after the date of such election with respect to amounts earned after the date of

 

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such election, to the extent permitted under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-2(a)(7). Once a Deferral Election, properly completed, is received by the Administrator, the elections of the Participant thereon shall be irrevocable; provided, however, that the Company may, in its discretion, permit a Participant to change the form or timing of distribution by filing a later election form if the following conditions are met: (A) the redeferral election may not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which such redeferral election is made; (B) the first payment with respect to which such redeferral election is made must be deferred for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made based on the prior deferral election; and (C) the election must be made at least twelve (12) months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment pursuant to the prior applicable deferral election. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit Participants to change their deferral elections under the Plan without meeting the conditions set forth in this Section 5(a)(ii) provided that such deferral election changes comply with transitional relief rules promulgated by the Treasury Department under Section 409A of the Code. Subject to the minimum deferral period set forth in Section 5(c) hereof, a Participant may elect to receive his or her payout at any time set forth on his or her Deferral Election form, and may, on such form, elect to receive his or her payout in (I) a lump sum or (II) from one to ten approximately equal annual installments.

(iii) Deferral Amounts . Participants may, if permitted by the Company, elect to defer (A) up to 75 percent of annual base salary and/or commissions and (B) up to 100 percent of annual incentive awards and/or long-term incentive awards. With each Deferral Election made, a Participant must defer a minimum of $5,000. In no event may a Participant’s Deferral Elections result in a reduction of his or her nondeferred compensation for the period to an amount below that necessary to satisfy applicable employment taxes on deferred and nondeferred compensation, benefit plan withholding amounts, and income tax withholding for nondeferred compensation.

(b) Company Notional Contributions . The Company and any affiliate may, at any time, in their sole discretion, credit notional contributions to one or more Company Accounts established on behalf of a Participant. Notional contributions need not be subject to any uniform allocation among Participants. In addition, notional contributions may include any compensation that the Company determines to designate as such, e.g. , sign on bonuses, etc. The vesting schedule and other terms and conditions for such notional Company contributions shall be established from time to time by the Company in its sole discretion.

(c) Deferral Period . At the time a Deferral Election is made, the Participant must specify the deferral period and the first payment date with respect to amounts subject to such deferral. The Company will establish the deferral period for any Company contributions. All Deferral Elections made by the Participant must be for a minimum of one Plan Year (exclusive of the Plan Year in which the deferred amounts are earned or otherwise realized), and the first payment date may be no sooner than the first day of the second Plan Year following the Plan Year in which the deferred amounts are earned or otherwise realized.

 

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6. Accounts.

(a) Establishment of Accounts . One or more Deferral Accounts and one or more Company Accounts will be established for each Participant, as determined by the Company. The amount of base salary and awards deferred with respect to each Deferral Account will be credited to a Participant’s Deferral Account as of the date on which such amounts would have been paid to the Participant but for the Participant’s election to defer receipt hereunder, unless otherwise determined by the Company. Notional Company contributions shall be credited to a Participant’s Company Account as of the date determined by the Company. Participant deferrals and notional Company contributions will be deemed to be invested in one or more of the hypothetical investments, as provided in Section 6(b) hereof, no later than five business days following the date of the deferral or credit, as the case may be. The amounts of hypothetical income and appreciation and depreciation in value of a Deferral Account or a Company Account will be credited and debited to, or otherwise reflected in, such Deferral Account or Company Account from time to time. Unless otherwise determined by the Company, amounts credited to a Deferral Account or Company Account shall be deemed invested in a hypothetical investment as of the date so credited.

(b) Hypothetical Investments . Subject to the provisions of Section 6(c), amounts credited to a Deferral Account or Company Account shall be deemed to be invested, at the Participant’s direction, in one or more of such mutual funds as may be specified from time to time by the Company, and/or such other investment vehicles as may be specified from time to time by the Company. The Company may change or discontinue any hypothetical mutual fund or other investment vehicle available under the Plan in its discretion.

(c) Reallocation of Hypothetical Investments . A Participant may reallocate amounts credited to his or her Deferral Account or Company Account among the available hypothetical investment vehicles on a basis determined by the Company. The Company may, in its discretion, restrict allocation or reallocation by specified Participants into or out of specified investment vehicles or specify minimum or maximum amounts that may be allocated or reallocated by Participants.

(d) Trusts . The Company may, in its discretion, establish one or more Trusts (including sub-accounts under such Trust(s)), and deposit therein cash or other property in amounts not exceeding the amount of the Company’s obligations with respect to a Participant’s Deferral Account or Company Account established under this Section 6 provided, however, that no amounts shall be contributed to a Trust in a manner or at any time that would result in subjecting Participants to additional taxation under Section 409A(b) of the Code.

(e) Restrictions on Participant Direction . The provisions of Sections 6(b), 6(c), and 7(c) notwithstanding, the Company may restrict or prohibit allocation or reallocation of amounts deemed invested in specified investment vehicles, and subject such amounts to a risk of forfeiture and such other restrictions, in order to conform to restrictions applicable to any award or amount deferred under the Plan and resulting in such deemed investment, to comply with any

 

6


applicable law or regulation, or for such other purpose as the Company may determine is not inconsistent with the Plan.

7. Settlement of Deferral Accounts.

(a) Payout of Deferrals . Payout of deferrals and vested notional Company contributions shall be made at the time and in the form elected by the Participant on his or her Deferral Election with respect to deferrals made and as determined by the Company with respect to vested notional Company contributions (if any) provided that the designated time(s) for payment constitute permissible payment times or events under Section 409A(a)(2)(A) of the Code.

(b) Payment in Cash . The Company shall settle a Participant’s Deferral Account(s) and vested Company Account(s), and discharge all of its obligations to pay deferred compensation under the Plan with respect to such Accounts, by payment of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of the vested hypothetical amounts credited to the applicable Deferral Account or Company Account.

(c) Forfeitures Under Other Plans and Arrangements . To the extent that any amount or award (i) is deposited in a Trust pursuant to Section 6 in connection with (A) a deferral of such amount or award or (B) a notional Company contribution and (ii) is forfeited, the Participant shall not be entitled to the value of such award or amount, or any proceeds thereof or earnings thereon.

(d) Timing of Payments .

(i) Payments in settlement of a Deferral Account or a Company Account shall be made as soon as practicable, and in any event, within 70 days, after the date or dates (including upon the occurrence of specified events), and in such number of annual installments (not to exceed ten), as may be directed by the Participant in his or her election relating to such Deferral Account or Company Account. The Company may set a minimum amount for each distribution of deferrals and/or Company contributions in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. All amounts needed for a payment will be deemed withdrawn from the investment vehicle(s) as close in time as is practicable to the requested payment date. If a Participant has elected to receive installment payments, unpaid vested balances will continue to earn gains or losses based upon the performance of the investment vehicle(s) that such Participant has designated as his or her hypothetical investment(s).

(ii) In the event of a Participant’s death prior to the payment of all vested amounts remaining in his or her Deferral Accounts or Company Accounts, such amounts shall be paid to the Participant’s designated Beneficiary in a single lump sum as soon as practicable, and in any event, within 70 days, following the Participant’s death.

(iii) Irrespective of any elections made by a Participant, the Company may provide that vested amounts credited to a Participant’s Deferral Account or Company

 

7


Account may be paid out in a single lump sum as soon as practicable, and in any event, within 70 days, following the Participant’s termination of employment from the Company or an affiliate (but ignoring transfers of employment between or among the Company or any of its affiliates).

(iv) Irrespective of any elections made by a Participant, the Company may provide that vested amounts credited to a Participant’s Deferral Account or Company Account may be paid out in a single lump sum as soon as practicable following a termination of the Plan affecting the Participant, to the extent permitted under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix).

(e) Financial Hardship and Other Emergency Payments . Other provisions of the Plan notwithstanding, if, upon the written application of a Participant, the Company determines that the Participant has an unforeseeable Financial Hardship of such a substantial nature and beyond the individual’s control that payment of amounts previously deferred under the Plan is warranted, the Company may direct the immediate lump sum payment to the Participant of the applicable portion of the vested balance of such Participant’s Deferral Accounts and/or Company Accounts, not to exceed the amount necessary to meet the Financial Hardship and the amount necessary to pay the tax on such amount. If a Participant is granted such a withdrawal on account of Financial Hardship, the Participant’s right to make future deferrals under this Plan will be suspended for one Plan Year following the Plan Year in which the withdrawal occurs.

(f) De Minimis Benefit . Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 7 to the contrary, in the event that the Administrator determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that the amount of any benefit (or any balance thereof) is too small to make it administratively practical to begin or continue paying such benefit in installments, the Company may pay the benefit (or any balance thereof) in the form of a lump sum, to the extent permitted under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(j)(4)(v).

8. Statements.

The Company will furnish statements to each Participant reflecting the amount credited to a Participant’s Deferral Accounts and Company Accounts and transactions therein from time to time and not less frequently than once each calendar year.

9. Amendment/Termination.

The Company may, with prospective or retroactive effect, amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan at any time without the consent of Participants, stockholders, or any other person; provided, however, that, without the consent of a Participant, no such action shall materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant with respect to any rights to payment of amounts credited to such Participant’s Deferral Accounts or Company Accounts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, in its sole discretion, terminate the Plan (in whole or in part) with respect to one or more Participants and distribute to such affected

 

8


Participants the amounts credited to their Deferral Accounts and Company Accounts in a lump sum as soon as reasonably practicable following such termination, to the extent permitted under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix).

10. General Provisions.

(a) Limits on Transfer of Awards . Other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or by appointing a Beneficiary, no right, title or interest of any kind in the Plan shall be transferable or assignable by a Participant (or his or her Beneficiary) or be subject to alienation, anticipation, encumbrance, garnishment, attachment, levy, execution or other legal or equitable process, nor be subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities or engagements, or torts of any Participant or his or her Beneficiary. Any attempt to alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, garnish, attach or take any other action subject to legal or equitable process or encumber or dispose of any interest in the Plan shall be void.

(b) Receipt and Release . Payments (in any form) to any Participant or Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims for the awards or other compensation deferred and relating to the Deferral Account and/or Company Account to which the payments relate against the Company or any affiliate, the Administrator, or the Company, and the Company may require such Participant or Beneficiary, as a condition to such payments, to execute a receipt and release to such effect.

(c) Unfunded Status of Awards; Creation of Trusts . The Plan is intended to constitute an unfunded plan for deferred compensation and Participants shall rely solely on the unsecured promise of the Company for payment hereunder. With respect to any payment not yet made to a Participant under the Plan, nothing contained in the Plan shall give a Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company; provided, however, that the Company may authorize the creation of Trusts or other arrangements, including but not limited to the Trusts referred to in Section 6 hereof, to meet the Company’s obligations under the Plan, which Trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the unfunded status of the Plan unless the Company otherwise determines with the consent of each affected Participant.

(d) Other Participant Rights . No provision of the Plan or transaction hereunder shall confer upon any Participant any right to be employed by the Company or an affiliate, or to interfere in any way with the right of the Company or an affiliate to increase or decrease the amount of any compensation payable to such Participant, or affect the right of the Company or any affiliate to discharge any Participant. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 10(a) hereof, the Plan shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto and their successors and assigns.

(e) Tax Withholding . The Company and any affiliate shall have the right to deduct from amounts otherwise payable in settlement of a Deferral Account or Company

 

9


Account any sums that federal, state, local or foreign tax law requires to be withheld with respect to such payment.

(f) Offset . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, may offset from the payment or payments otherwise to be made to any Participant of any benefit hereunder, an amount equal to any indebtedness or liability to the Company by such Participant existing at the time of such distribution, including, without limitation, any amount arising out of conversion or wrongful misappropriation of Company property by such Participant, to the extent permitted under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(j)(4)(xiii).

(g) Incapacity of Participant or Beneficiary . If the Company determines that a Participant or Beneficiary is unable to care for his or her affairs and a legal representative has not been appointed for such person, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion (i) suspend payment to such Participant or Beneficiary until such legal representative is appointed, or (ii) direct that any benefits payable hereunder shall be paid to the spouse, child, parent or other blood relative of such Participant or Beneficiary, or (if and as recognized by the state of domicile of the Participant or Beneficiary) to the domestic partner of such Participant or Beneficiary, or to any other person or entity, so long as such payment is permitted under applicable law and discharges completely all liability of the Company under the Plan to such Participant or Beneficiary.

(h) Governing Law . The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws, and applicable provisions of federal law.

(i) Limitation . A Participant and his or her Beneficiary shall assume all risk in connection with any decrease in value of his or her Deferral Account and/or his or her Company Account, and neither the Company nor the Administrator shall be liable or responsible therefor.

(j) Construction . The captions and numbers preceding the sections of the Plan are included solely as a matter of convenience of reference and are not to be taken as limiting or extending the meaning of any of the terms and provisions of the Plan. Whenever appropriate, words used in the singular shall include the plural or the plural may be read as the singular.

(k) Severability . In the event that any provision of the Plan shall be declared illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of the Plan but shall be fully severable, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if said illegal or invalid provision had never been inserted herein.

(l) Status . The establishment and maintenance of, or allocations and credits to, the Deferral Account or Company Account of any Participant shall not vest in any Participant

 

10


any right, title or interest in and to any Plan or Company assets or benefits except at the time or times and upon the terms and conditions and to the extent expressly set forth in the Plan and in accordance with the terms of any Trust.

11. Effective Date.

The Plan shall be effective as of April 1, 2003.

12. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

This Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and will be interpreted in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code. In furtherance thereof, no payments may be accelerated under the Plan other than to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any provision of the Plan violates Section 409A of the Code such that amounts would be taxable to a Participant prior to payment or would otherwise subject a Participant to a penalty tax under Section 409A, such provision shall be automatically reformed or stricken to preserve the intent hereof. References under the Plan to a Participant’s termination of employment shall be deemed to refer to the date upon which the Participant has experienced a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) if at the time of a Participant’s termination of employment the Participant is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code (and any related regulations or other pronouncements thereunder) and the deferral of the commencement of any payments or benefits otherwise payable hereunder as a result of such termination of employment is necessary in order to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, then the Company shall defer the commencement of the payment of any such payments or benefits hereunder until the date that is six months following the Participant’s termination of employment (or the earliest date as is permitted under Section 409A of the Code), at which point all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 12 shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum and (ii) if any other payments due to a Participant hereunder could cause the application of an accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, such payments or other benefits shall be deferred if deferral will make such payment compliant under Section 409A of the Code, or otherwise such payment shall be restructured, to the extent possible, in a manner, determined by the Administrator, that does not cause such an accelerated or additional tax. The Administrator shall implement the provisions of this Section 12 in good faith; provided that neither the Company, the Administrator nor any of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ employees or representatives shall have any liability to Participants with respect to this Section 12.

 

11

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

I, David L. Calhoun, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The Nielsen Company B.V. (the “registrant”);

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  c. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: November 13, 2008
By:   /s/ DAVID L. CALHOUN
  David L. Calhoun
 

Chairman, Executive Board and

Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

I, Brian J. West, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The Nielsen Company B.V. (the “registrant”);

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  c. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: November 13, 2008
By:   /s/ BRIAN J. WEST
  Brian J. West
  Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1

Certification

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), each of the undersigned does hereby certify that:

The Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 (the “Form 10-Q”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

      /s/ David L. Calhoun
Date: November 13, 2008     David L. Calhoun
    Chairman, Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer
      /s/ Brian J. West
Date: November 13, 2008     Brian J. West
    Chief Financial Officer

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Form 10-Q or as a separate disclosure document.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to The Nielsen Company B.V. and will be retained by The Nielsen Company B.V. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.