Nielsen hires CEO of Global Connect and CFO

Rawlinson (pictured, left) joins Nielsen Global Connect from industrial supply company Grainger, where he is president of global online business, leading digital B2B. Prior to joining Grainger eight years ago, he held various executive positions at ITT Corp and at the White House for both George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

He will become chief executive of the newly created public company after Nielsen’s separation into two businesses – Global Media and Global Connect – is completed later this year. He has been a member of Nielsen’s board of directors since 2017.

Zukauckas (pictured, right) is currently executive vice-president and deputy chief financial officer at American Express, where she has worked since 2011. When the two companies split, she will remain as CFO of Nielsen’s Global Media business.

Both hires will join Nielsen on 3^rd February.

The spin-off of Global Connect was announced late in 2019 following a strategic review. Nielsen Global Media will focus on the company’s media market metrics and Nielsen Global Connect will carry out data and insights work in consumer packaged goods and retail.

David Kenny, chief executive officer for Nielsen, said: "Both David and Linda bring a wealth of relevant and valuable experience to Nielsen. Both will have a great deal of impact on the current company and will have significant roles in the new companies moving forward. We are very excited that they have agreed to join us at this dynamic time for Nielsen.”