WPP statement a PR exercise, says NDTV

The tussle between NDTV and ratings agency TAM Media Research has taken a new turn, with the former terming the statement by WPP, parent of Kantar (which co-owns TAM Media), as a public relations (PR) exercise. NDTV said it was “baffled and amused by the PR effort of WPP.”

Yesterday, Martin Sorrell-led global communications giant WPP had issued a statement from its London headquarters, terming NDTV’s lawsuit in the Supreme Court of New York “hypothetical”. It had also threatened to file defamation proceedings against NDTV.

Responding to WPP’s statement, NDTV stated, “We request that WPP should focus on honestly fixing their badly damaged and dishonest ratings system in India which, in their statement, they acknowledge they have control over, and is their responsibility.”

It added, “They surely know, or should know, that service was indeed made on August 10 in New York, and processes under the Hague Convention are also underway, as is the normal procedure. Moreover, the lawyers for Kantar Media Research (UK) have already confirmed to NDTV the service on their client was acceptable in New York. In fact, matters have progressed much beyond ‘service’; the lawyers for Nielsen have been in touch with our lawyers and have requested for an extension. In addition, the CEO of Kantar has been in touch with us and has acknowledged receiving the complaint. NDTV has affidavits to substantiate this.”

Last month, NDTV had accused TAM and its promoter companies Nielsen and Kantar Media Research of fudging viewership data in favour of networks that were willing to bribe its officials in India. NDTV’s lawsuit in the US had listed 42 counts against TAM, Nielsen, Kantar, WPP, etc. NDTV had sought $810 million as compensation for the revenue loss it suffered over the years due to the fudged viewership ratings, as well as $580 million as penalty for negligence by Nielsen and Kantar officials.

While TAM chose not to comment on the issue, on August 16, it assured advertisers and agencies it would plug the loopholes in the system. The company appointed a security officer and a third-party agency to monitor data collection and tabulation.

Industry experts, however, are surprised with WPP’s move of issuing a statement, especially since the matter was being settled in the Supreme Court of New York. WPP group officials in India declined to comment on the issue.

“We assume WPP has made a silly error, which simple cross-checking through their internal systems will soon correct. If all else fails, for details of the complaint, we suggest they visit the Supreme Court of New York’s website, where the ‘non-hypothetical’ complaint is detailed in full,” NDTV said.