Nielsen, Acxiom Announce Job Cuts

Nielsen is to cut 724 jobs in two Florida locations, as it continues its transition to new methods of measurement. Data onboarding and targeting firm Acxiom has also announced cuts, amounting to around 66 staff, following recent restructuring.

Local sources including the Tampa Bay Business Journal say Nielsen Media Research will lay off 328 workers in its call center in Oldsmar, beginning in May; and a further 396 in North Venice in June, as a preliminary to closing its Diary Checking Center there in early 2019. The remaining 52 employees from North Venice will transfer to Nielsen's Sarasota office.

Acxiom said last week it would reduce its global workforce by two percent due to recent restructuring. The firm split its portfolio into two business units - customer data 'onboarding' specialist LiveRamp and Acxiom Marketing Solutions, which focuses on 'turning customer insights into engaging experiences'. Spokeswoman Sherry Hamilton told www.arkansasbusiness.com the firm had c.3,300 employees worldwide so around 66 redundancies are expected. Acxiom said in a statement: 'Decisions that impact jobs are never made lightly. These are among the most difficult decisions we make, as they affect friends and colleagues who have made valuable contributions to our clients, our partners and our organization'.

The company has also announced that it will 'explore options' for the newly formed Acxiom Marketing Solutions division, including the possibility of 'a strategic partnership, acquisition, tax-free merger, joint venture, tax-free spin-off, sale or other potential strategic combinations'.

Web sites: www.acxiom.com and www.nielsen.com .