Fourth-quarter operating income rose 8.8% to $20.7m, profits were hit by a $3.5m pre-tax impairment charge associated with Arbitron’s minority stake in an unspecified privately-held media research firm as well as a $2.1m pre-tax operating loss for Arbitron Mobile Oy (previously known as Zokem Oy), which was acquired in July 2011.

For the full year ending 31 December, Arbitron’s revenue was up 6.8% to $422.3m while net income jumped 19.8% to $53.3m.

President and CEO William Kerr (pictured) said: “In 2011, we made significant progress toward achieving the objectives we outlined during last year’s call: growth in our core revenue, improved margins in the wake of the full commercialisation of our PPM radio ratings service, and entry into new markets in the US and overseas.

“For 2012 and beyond, we see our basic strategies as unchanged. We will pursue opportunities to improve performance and deliver compelling returns by leveraging our existing PPM and diary platforms, by continuing to seek out cost efficiencies and by deploying our financial and other resources to cultivate new markets. We will pursue these strategies with the goal of building long-term value for our customers, our employees and our shareholders.”