Experian Acquires Consumer DataProvider

COSTA MESA, Calif. - (10/19/04) -- Credit bureau Experian said lastweek it has acquired Simmons Market Research Bureau, a producer ofdata about consumer brand preferences and the media channelsconsumers use. Simmons, based in New York City, conducts 30,000consumer interviews annually to generate data for clients about8,000 brands in more than 450 product categories. Simmons willoperate as a stand-alone entity within Experian Marketing Servicesand will be known as Simmons, an Experian Company. Terms of thedeal were not disclosed. Experian is a subsidiary England-based GUSplc.