VNU Name Change

VNU Group has renamed itself The Nielsen Company to take advantage of the more recognizable branding.

"The Nielsen name is a source of pride for everyone in our organization, and it is now the name under which we all will go to market," CEO David Calhoun said in a statement.

The rebranding will be rolled out over the span of 2007. The marketing and publishing company, which includes Nielsen SoundScan, Nielsen Media Research, Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter, was purchased by a group of private equity investors last May for $9.7 billion after a months-long takeover struggle.

A major restructuring in which about 4,000 jobs could be cut is said to be under way.