RBR+TVBR on Thursday independently confirmed the departure of three longtime audio division leaders at Nielsen. They are among what is said to be hundreds of individuals who are no longer at the audience measurement and consumer data analytics company that completed its privatization effort in October 2022.
A few days later, the individual who had served as SVP/Sales Manager for National Audio Services since August 2016 took to LinkedIn to comment on his departure.
“This week concludes my time at Arbitron/Nielsen,” wrote Bruce Supovitz. “When I joined in 1995, I never expected to be here 27 years and looking back it’s been a great ride. While I have great empathy for those recently effected at Nielsen, I am personally in a good place with this change.”
Indeed, Supovitz came aboard at Arbitron in September 1995 as a Senior Account Manager for radio station services after serving as General Sales Manager of WLIF-FM in Baltimore for Infinity Broadcasting. His departure came following word that Brad Kelly would be exiting, with Catherine Herkovic selected to lead Nielsen’s North America Audio and Local TV business, reporting to Amilcar Perez, Chief Revenue Officer of the company’s Audience Measurement Business.
Kelly was the face of Nielsen Audio to the radio industry since the company’s acquisition of Arbitron. But, he was a part of a team that has also witnessed the departure of David Chipman, who held the role of SVP/Sales Director for the Western Region, leading a team of eight from Salt Lake City while being responsible for 40% of the revenue at Nielsen Audio. Chipman is an Arbitron veteran, too, and joined that company in 2001 as a Senior Account Manager.
Also exiting as part of the Nielsen Reduction-in-Force initiative — Bill Rose, who joined Nielsen’s audio team as SVP of Client Solutions following a lengthy career at Arbitron. Rose’s activity in the radio business dates to January 1988, when he became Eastern Division Manager for advertiser and agency services. He had been in his current role since transitioning from Arbitron.
On LinkedIn, Supovitz continued, “Between calling on local radio stations, radio groups, radio networks, and more recently podcasters, I have been fortunate to meet and form great relationships with a wide array of talented people.” In the process, he added, he’d been to more cities and states than he would have visited otherwise.
Supovitz concluded his comments on LinkedIn by wishing his now-former clients and colleagues well.
“Since I had my first start working at a radio station back in 1983 and through my various positions since, I have been a big advocate for radio/audio. With that said, I wish all of my clients (past and most recently) as well as my Nielsen colleagues continued success going forward. Enjoy the journey and laugh all the way.”
Thanking him “for everything” is Pierre Bouvard, today the Chief Insights Officer at Cumulus Media and its Westwood One arm and the man who launched the Portable People Meter (PPM) while at Arbitron through September 2010.
Bouvard commented, “Bruce, thank god Frank Stanitski suggested you consider Arbitron for your next sales role in 1995! You led the national/network division with tremendous customer focus, integrity and a deep love for the radio industry. After working with you at Arbitron, it has been an absolute pleasure to speak with you each Tuesday for the last eight years planning new advertiser insights and radio sales stories. Tuesdays won’t be the same. I look forward to hearing of your new adventures and travel!”
Kelly also chimed in. “We made a hell of a team, Brucie,” he wrote. “For more than two decades you have been a colleague, collaborator, confidant, consigliere, coach, but most importantly – a valued friend. ‘Thank you’ doesn’t quite express my appreciation for your tireless contributions to our audio family, and your unwavering support for me personally.
I’ll look for you out on the open seas, brother. There are new horizons for us yet to explore.”
Rich Tunkel, who remains as SVP/Business Development at Nielsen Audio, noted that ” it has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside you for these many years and an even greater pleasure to forge our friendship. You have built a great podcast business at Nielsen and managed the National Audio Network business with integrity and class. Your clients benefitted from your advocacy and leadership, and we are left in a great place to continue this work. Thank you, my friend, and I truly wish you continued success and happiness in your next chapter.”
Rose also took a moment to salute Supovitz. “[It] has been a great ride together ever since those greasy slices on the AC boardwalk. You have so much to be proud of. You built a thriving national business and personally pulled the company into podcasting. I’ve enjoyed every minute together and look forward to your next leadership role. Meanwhile take some time to recharge and reflect on the good you’ve accomplished.”
Rose declined to comment on his own future.
