One set of numbers: BBM/Nielsen merger approved

TORONTO – It took nearly two years, but Canada's Competition Bureau has approved the merger of BBM's and Nielsen Media Research's Canadian TV measurement systems. The companies announced their initial deal in July of 2004 and the Competition Bureau finally ruled on June 23rd of this year. "That was quite a process, I must say," BBM president Jim Macleod told Cartt.ca."The Bureau conducted a detailed review of the merger, consulting broadcasters, advertisers, and advertising agencies. It found strong industry support for the creation of a standard TAM system in Canada, the norm in the United States, Britain and Australia," says...