The megalith that is Google continues to roll on unabated. This morning we get word that Google is looking to google gobble up Nielsen data.
Under an agreement to be announced Wednesday, Google will pay Nielsen an undisclosed amount to obtain detailed information about the kinds of people who watch specific TV shows.
The breakdown, drawn from Nielsen’s rating service, typically provides viewers’ ages, gender, marital status and other personal data that help advertisers choose the audience most likely to be interested in their product or service.
New York-based Nielsen has been selling demographic data to television stations and advertisers for years.
While this is a purchase to help Google target more TV advertising sales I can’t help but, think of a parallel. Last summer at a friend’s cottage I read the Robert Ludlum book, The Prometheus Deception (2000). I have to admit the more that Google buys the more I think of the fictitious company Systematix. I’m a Google fanboy but, I’m starting to get that uneasy feeling.
Tags: Google To Buy Nielsen, Google M&A, Google Acquisitions
