Arthur Nielsen, founder of the world's largest marketing research firm, was a worldwide pioneer in his field.
Using his engineering background, he revolutionized the marketing-research industry with his scientific approach to marketing problems. Among the many standards which were established by Nielsen were the concept of continuous marketing research, the performance measurement known as "cost per thousand," and drug and food indices based on audits of purchase invoices and shelf stock. He is perhaps best known for devising a method of measuring television audiences that remains the industry standard.
Prior to its sale to Dun & Bradstreet in 1984, the Nielsen Company grew from a small office with six employees and $45,000 into a large corporation with six companies and 26,000 employees.
Nielsen's philanthropic activities included substantial support for educational institutions, hospitals, medical research, the aged, the blind and organizations devoted to education in economics and political economy. In 1961 King Frederick IX of Denmark conferred on Nielsen the Knighthood of Dannebrog.
In recognition of his pioneering role in market research and his related achievements, Nielsen received many national and international awards. These awards include the Silver Medal of the Annual Advertising Awards Committee, the Parlin Memorial Award, the International Advertising Association's "Advertising Man of the Year" award and an honorary doctor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin.