Cheryl Pearson-McNeil named Senior Vice President, Communications, ACNielsen U.S.

An award-winning executive with more than 21 years of public relations, communications and writing experience, Ms. Pearson-McNeil's expertise spans diverse industries, including advertising, television, public affairs, the non-profit sector and government. In her current position at Nielsen Media Research, also a division of The Nielsen Company, Ms. Pearson-McNeil has held responsibilities for national advertising, government relations, community outreach, education and philanthropic initiatives. A well-known figure in media and community affairs in the Chicago area, Ms. Pearson-McNeil is the former press secretary for Chicago City Treasurer Miriam Santos, the first Latino elected official in the City of Chicago. She is also a former director of station relations for WMAQ, the NBC television station in Chicago.

"Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is an experienced, talented and dynamic communications executive," said John Lewis, President & CEO, ACNielsen North America, to whom Ms. Pearson-McNeil will report. "She is joining our company at a time when we are building tremendous momentum in the marketplace and launching a new generation of integrated Nielsen services for our clients. As a member of our senior management team, Cheryl will lead all our external and internal communications activities and will play a vital role in our future development and growth. I am delighted to welcome her to ACNielsen."

Mr. Lewis said Ms. Pearson-McNeil also will work to coordinate communications across ACNielsen and The Nielsen Company's Advisory Services businesses in the U.S., which provide clients with complementary analytical and advisory marketing information services. Nielsen began implementing earlier this year a series of transformational changes that include the introduction of integrated, "One Voice" marketing information business solutions and client service.

Ms. Pearson McNeil has been featured in several local, regional and national publications, including Today's Chicago Woman, Ebony Magazine, PRSA Tactics, N'Digo magapaper and SELF magazine, and continues to serve as a public speaker on a variety of topics around the country. Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts in public relations from Purdue University and a Masters of Business Administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management.