Voting Station

Arthur C. Nielsen

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Scientist

The Resume

    (September 5, 1897-June 1, 1980)
    Graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1918)
    Founder of the A.C. Nielsen Company in Evanston, Illinois (1923)
    Gathered statistical information used to gauge market share before products were mass produced
    Created the Nielsen Ratings used to measure audience numbers for radio and television
    Awarded silver medal by the Annual Advertisement Awards Committee (1936)
    Awarded honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Wisconsin (1974)

Why he might be annoying:

    His system has caused many good TV programs to be canceled before they could find target audiences or develop a loyal following.
    His system has also allowed a lot of crappy TV shows to remain on the air.
    U.S. Congressional Hearings in 1963 focused on flaws of his audience measurement surveys and their reliability, though nothing came of it.
    Audiologs he introduced as a radio audience measurement tool were rebuffed by radio stations.
    He quit the radio ratings portion of his business shortly after the 1963 hearings.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
    He was an electrical engineer for five years before founding his company.
    He was captain of the University of Wisconsin's varsity tennis team during his tenure.
    He won (with son Arthur Jr.) the U.S. Father and Son doubles title in 1946 and 1948 and was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971.
    In 1970, he was named 'Marketing Man of the Year.'
    He was married to the same woman for 62 years until his death.

Credit: Scar Tactics


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 85.71% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 17 Votes: 52.94% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 84 Votes: 48.81% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 27 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 27 Votes: 51.85% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 27 Votes: 62.96% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 63 Votes: 68.25% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 473 Votes: 69.34% Annoying