Verto Hires Verkasalo as CEO, Raises Growth Funds

New York-based digital media measurement specialist Verto Analytics has appointed Arbitron Mobile founder Hannu Verkasalo as Chief Executive Officer, while raising $5.4m in new investment funding.

The firm, which also has offices in Switzerland and Finland, provides a broad portfolio of digital media measurement services, with a focus on syndicated research and analytics.

Verkasalo (pictured) previously founded Finnish mobile measurement firm Zokem, which he sold to ratings giant Arbitron in 2011 for an initial c.$11.7m in cash, plus up to $12m in future payments. After the sale he continued to lead the firm, which was renamed Arbitron Mobile, and has since been acquired by Nielsen and forms part of Nielsen Audio.

Verto's new funding was led by new investor Conor Venture Partners, and also included existing investors. The financing will be used to extend current research products to a syndicated model, and to expand operations in key geographies. Verkasalo comments: 'The evolution of the digital media research industry is in its infancy, but we at Verto are confident that now is the ideal time to introduce our offering, and the new round of funding helps us achieve our mission.'

Web site: www.vertoanalytics.com .