Google Expands to VNU Targeted Advertising

Google Inc. (www.google.com) today announced the deal with a global information and media company VNU (www.vnu.com) for targeted advertising distribution. Google AdWords will appear on the websites of all of VNU U.S. and European business-to-business publications.

The deal is VNU's first major joint US-European web partnership, featuring U.S. brands such as Adweek, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, National Jeweler, Progressive Grocer, and Successful Meetings and leading European titles like Computing, Accountancy Age, Computable, IT Week.

According to the agreement, Google's targeted, text-based ads will appear on VNU's global network of professional websites through the Google AdSense program.

"Google's huge collection of advertisers offers the depth necessary to provide relevant ads that match the industry-specific content of VNU's titles," said Mike Marchesano, President and CEO of Business Media U.S. and Ruud Bakker, President and CEO of Business Media Europe in a joint statement.

VNU's business-to-business titles in the entertainment, media & marketing, technology and finance, retail, travel, performance, real estate and design, and food service and beverage industries now show Google's targeted ads throughout their respective websites.

The revenue from clicks on these ads is shared between VNU and Google.

"VNU's quality business content provides another excellent distribution channel for our business-to-business advertisers," said Joan Braddi, vice president of Search Services.

"Google continues to collaborate and innovate to bring business-to-business users, publishers and advertisers together," added Joan.

VNU is a global information and media company with leading market positions and recognized brands in marketing information (ACNielsen), media measurement and information (Nielsen Media Research) and business information (Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Computing, Intermediair).

VNU is active in more than 100 countries, with headquarters in Haarlem, the Netherlands and New York, USA. The company employs 36,000 people.

The company reported that the total revenues amounted to EUR 3.9 billion in 2003. VNU is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange.