Nielsen to acquire Telephia.

The Nielsen Company announced an agreement to acquire San Francisco-based Telephia, Inc., the leading provider of syndicated consumer research to the telecom and mobile media markets. This transaction will accelerate Nielsen’s strategy of providing clients worldwide with the most accurate measurement and analysis of consumer behavior and media use across all platforms.

This acquisition provides Nielsen with an entry into measurement services for the estimated $350 billion mobile sector, where telecom and media are quickly converging. Telephia expands Nielsen’s ability to measure the rapidly expanding mobile content delivery industry, where today there are more than 232 million wireless subscribers in the U.S.

Susan D. Whiting Executive Vice President of The Nielsen Company said, “As media content increasingly moves from television to the personal computer to the ‘third screen’ of the mobile device, it is essential that we measure all platforms. Combining Nielsen’s worldwide strengths and measurement expertise with Telephia’s cutting edge research and measurement capabilities in the mobile content arena expands our capabilities in the vital, high-growth telecom and mobile media markets. Building on the compatible strengths of both companies enables us to provide more complete consumer insights to clients around the world.”

Whiting also noted, “Telephia’s strong management team has built a company with a powerful base of clients, leading measurement technology and sought after research that complements our own. This is a strategic, high growth opportunity that enhances Nielsen’s existing capabilities, strengthens our business and delivers even more of the intelligence our global customers need to succeed.”

“The Telephia team is very excited to be joining The Nielsen Company,” said Sid Gorham, President and CEO of Telephia. “With access to all the expertise, complementary products, and global resources of The Nielsen Company, Telephia will be able to better serve clients in the rapidly evolving telecom and mobile media markets.”