For the fifth consecutive year, Nielsen was named to Diversity MBA’s “Best Companies for Women and Diverse Managers,” also known as the 50 Out Front list, placing at number nine. This year, Diversity MBA’s survey emphasized companies that have strategically crafted a talent development pipeline, ensuring women and diverse associates have access to leadership roles. Nielsen was also named to Diversity MBA’s Top 10 Best in Class Categories for Recruitment, Board Diversity, Succession Planning, Workplace Inclusion, and Accountability.

“We are honored that Diversity MBA has seen the progress that we have made at Nielsen over the past five years to infuse diversity and inclusion into the DNA of our company. From leaders challenging themselves and their teams to demonstrate inclusive behaviors to our associates becoming more engaged in sharing diverse insights both inside and outside Nielsen, our culture is changing,” said Angela Talton, Chief Diversity Officer. “We’re building a culture in which the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences of our associates are truly heard and valued.”

Here are a few of the highlights that helped us garner this recognition:

• Twenty-eight participants in the third class of the Diverse Leadership Network (DLN) completed their 15-month leadership development curriculum. Nielsen has advanced 83% of program alumni to new roles within the company, and we’ve seen a 70% lower turnover rate among participants than the total company population.
• Our Employee Resource Groups (ERG) hosted the fourth-annual ERG Experience Week, also known as enERGize 2017. This year, we engaged with more than 5,200 associates in 49 countries and more than 70 offices around the world. We also launched 10 new ERG chapters, increasing membership by 5% during that week.
• Jamere Jackson, our Chief Financial Officer, and Angela Talton, our Chief Diversity Officer, sponsored the first-ever Black Employee Forum, which convened more than 200 U.S.-based associates, senior leaders, clients and community partners designed to enrich Black employees’ connection to the Nielsen employee experience. To-date, we have 93% retention of associates who attended the forum. Nielsen also recently held its first Hispanic Employee Forum on Oct. 2-3, 2017.
• In June 2016, we launched our first formal Senior Leader Sponsorship Program, matching our CEO and 14 members of his leadership team with high-potential diverse associates. The one-year program will provide advocacy for the associates as they pursue roles of greater responsibility in the organization. To date, we have 100% retention of sponsored associates, and 20% of participants have taken new roles since June.
• Nielsen has added two new board members: David Rawlinson and Lauren Zalaznick. Rawlinson, appointed in February 2017, is President of Online Business for W.W. Grainger and the first African-American male to sit on our board. Zalaznick, appointed in May 2016, is a seasoned media executive with experience delivering growth for some of the strongest brands in media.

“This recognition is more important than ever given the rapidly diversifying global population,” Angela added. “Our continued presence on the Diversity MBA Top 50 Out Front list shows that we’re taking all the right steps toward creating a corporate culture where diversity and inclusion is a priority.”

Four Nielsen associates were also named to Diversity MBA’s “100 Under 50 Emerging & Executive Leaders” list: Arun Ramaswamy, Chief Engineer; Chad Dreas, Managing Director, Media Analytics; Ana Petras, Director, Data Science; and Lena Mcintyre, Project Manager. At the September Awards Gala, each recipient was recognized for this designation.  

Learn more about our global diversity and inclusion strategy.