Burbank named CMO for the Nielsen Company.

The Nielsen Company announced that John Burbank has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Marketing Officer, effective May 9, 2008. Burbank, who is currently Chief Marketing Officer for AOL, will report to Susan Whiting, Executive Vice President of the Nielsen Company.

In his new position, Burbank will be responsible on a company-wide basis for the Company’s strategic marketing, business development, market insights, brand development, communications and knowledge management functions.

“As we continue to integrate our world class research businesses under the well-known and trusted Nielsen name, we have created a new senior position to build our brand, and identify new businesses to support marketers,” Whiting said. “John Burbank has considerable experience in leading major global brands. He will have a key role in harmonizing Nielsen’s diverse products and building brand equity among clients, business partners, employees and other stakeholders.”

“As a marketer, I have used Nielsen products virtually my entire career,” Burbank said. “Today, the company is at the center of some of the most exciting and far-reaching developments in understanding how new media impacts consumers and marketers. The company has a remarkable and unique set of both traditional and new media assets — I look forward to working with the rest of the Nielsen team to fully leverage the company’s opportunities.”