MAM
Nielsen Media Research wins Swedish TV ratings contract
MUMBAI: Nielsen Media Research has won a new, seven-year contract to provide television audience ratings in Sweden with effect from September 2005, the terms of which will run through to August 2012.
In an official release, Nielsen said that the Swedish industry television company, Mediamätning I Skandinavien AB (MMS), which is owned by all the major TV companies and media agencies in Sweden, awarded the contract following a thorough evaluation of Nielsen Media Research and other service providers. Nielsen Media Research has provided TV ratings in Sweden to MMS since 1993.
“We had excellent submissions for this tender, and we took great care in evaluating them to find the best TV Audience Measurement System in the world,” said MMS CEO Hans Öberg. “Overall, Nielsen, who is our present supplier, provided the best solution. As the television viewing environment becomes ever more complex and more challenging to measure, we are pleased to be continuing our relationship with Nielsen.”
“Against stiff competition, Nielsen presented us with a highly compelling case to retain the television audience measurement contract for Sweden. Nielsen demonstrated to us an all-round ability to successfully evolve television audience measurement in Sweden, recognising the technological challenges that lie ahead. It is imperative for the Swedish television industry that we are able to keep pace with the way peoples viewing is changing, and that viewing on all platforms is measured correctly. We have absolutely no doubt that Nielsen will continue to provide this service to the very high standard that it has done in Sweden since 1993,” added Öberg.
Nielsen Media Research International chairman and CEO Robert L McCann said, “We are extremely pleased with this decision, the clear message it sends about the quality of our services, and the fact that we will be able to extend what has been a highly successful, 10-year-plus partnership with the Swedish broadcast industry. The decision reaffirms the faith and trust the industry places in our service, and underscores our unwavering commitment to providing the highest-quality, most reliable TV audience information possible in Sweden and around the world.”
Nielsen Media Research Managing Director Europe Charles Fulton was quoted in an official report saying, “The Swedish television industry required a service with the flexibility to meet its changing needs in the coming years. As our relationship has shown over the past decade, Nielsen Media Research proved to be just the company they were looking for.”
Under the new agreement, Nielsen Media Research will introduce a comprehensive range of measures, which will continue to protect the sound television ratings currency that has already been established in Sweden, through the lifetime of the new contract, offered the release.
In particular these would include:
a) An enhanced sample design with a 20 per cent larger sample, bringing the reporting sample up to 1,200 homes.
b) Advanced, non-intrusive metering which includes the new Nielsen S6000 meter, and
c) New measurement technologies founded on the proprietary Nielsen Active/Passive system.
“Our focus has been to offer greater reliability of reporting for smaller audiences; encourage improved panel compliance and to provide the most complete digital measurement available. Also, the industrys decision to renew with Nielsen means that broadcasters, advertisers and agencies will have an uninterrupted service through to at least 2012, making continuous trend analysis possible during and after the transition to the new contract,” stated Fulton.
Brands
Havas reports solid Q1 2026 with 2.5 per cent organic net revenue growth
Advertising group maintains positive momentum and confirms full-year guidance.
MUMBAI: Havas has started 2026 on a strong note proving that even in uncertain times, its converged model continues to deliver. The global advertising and communications group reported net revenue of €638 million for the first quarter of 2026, representing organic growth of +2.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. This performance was driven particularly by a robust +7.4 per cent organic growth in the United States.
Total revenue for the quarter reached €667 million, with organic growth of +2.8 per cent. Recent acquisitions contributed a positive scope impact of +1.7 per cent, while foreign exchange movements had a negative impact of -5.8 per cent, mainly due to the US dollar and British pound.
Europe, which accounts for 50 per cent of net revenue, delivered +1.1 per cent organic growth, supported by a good performance in France. North America (36 per cent of net revenue) led the way with +7.4 per cent growth, thanks to strong contributions from both Havas Creative and Havas Media. APAC & Africa (8 per cent) saw a decline of -6.2 per cent, while Latin America (6 per cent) remained nearly stable at -0.6 per cent.
Havas chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré said, “Havas has started 2026 on a solid footing, continuing its momentum and delivering organic growth in net revenue of +2.5 per cent. This performance, in line with our full-year 2026 guidance, was driven in particular by continued strength in the US.”
The group also continued its bolt-on acquisition strategy, acquiring majority stakes in four agencies during the quarter: Acento Public Affairs (Spain), Ctrl Digital (Sweden), Styleheads (Germany), and Eyesight (France).
Havas maintained its strong creative reputation, ranking as a top holding company in the WARC Creative 100 for the sixth consecutive year, with three agencies BETC, Havas Paris, and Havas India placing in the Top 50.
Looking ahead, Havas confirmed its 2026 guidance: organic net revenue growth between +2.0 per cent and +3.0 per cent, adjusted EBIT margin between 13.2 per cent and 13.5 per cent, and a dividend payout ratio of around 40 per cent. The group also reiterated its medium-term targets for 2028.
Despite ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, Havas enters the rest of the year with solid fundamentals and confidence in its ability to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
In a challenging environment, Havas is proving that its integrated, client-centric model remains resilient delivering steady growth while continuing to invest in creativity and innovation. The first quarter results suggest the group is well-positioned to navigate the year ahead with confidence.
