Famous for inventing the light bulb and holding thousands of patents, it was actually one of Edison’s early failures that taught him the vital relationship between invention and marketing.

At a time when consumers are more sophisticated than ever and networks and advertisers are looking for ways to deepen engagement with their audiences, they are turning to Nielsen for help in better understanding the connected consumer in an increasing fragmented media landscape.

One key to success is to precisely manage process, not the ideas themselves. CPG companies with rigid stage gates – decision points in the process where a new product idea must pass certain criteria to proceed forward – average 130% more new product revenue.

As Art Nielsen Jr. turns 91, we recognize his innovation and intuition. He knew that more could be done with information if it was collected in more meaningful ways.

Steve Hasker, Nielsen’s president of Media Product Leadership and Advertiser Solutions, discussed the outlook for media companies in 2010 with a focus on innovation, social networks, and mobile media.

New retail formats, unique service offerings and differentiated products will drive growth at retail in 2010. And as consumers continue to bunker in-home, a greater focus on eating right will lead to healthy results.

Make a dramatic difference by using new models that factor in current market conditions and putting next generation action standards in place that measure all facets of the consumer adoption process.

Nic Covey, Director of Insights for The Nielsen Company, recently presented and participated in a panel discussion at the European Journalism Centre’s “Innovation in Youth Media and Next Generation Classroom” event.

Most businesses want to build a loyal customer base, people who will frequent their stores or buy their products on a regular basis and talk positively about their experiences with their friends and associates.  Loyal customers provide a steady revenue stream, higher profit margins and confirmed evangelists who do much of their marketing for them. 
With the country in the grips of a recession, however, consumers are focusing on price more than where they purchase goods.  Recent surveys have reported a decline in corporate allegiance.  But all is not lost for …

As consumers continue to tighten their wallets, product manufacturers are feeling the pinch. Add higher costs for health care, energy and raw materials to the equation and many manufacturers are forced to cut costs to maintain sales and profitability.  But if there is one overarching message for manufacturers, it’s this: do not pull back on innovation or marketing support.  Nielsen research reveals that brands that continued to invest in these areas during a downturn performed significantly better than their peers once recovery takes hold.
Nielsen looked at more than 100 client engagements …