Simon Adams

Simon Adams is a prominent executive at Nielsen, where he has held significant leadership positions, including General Manager and Chief Product Officer (CPO) of Gracenote, a subsidiary of Nielsen. His tenure at Nielsen spanned from 2016 to 2022, during which he was instrumental in driving growth and operational efficiency across the company’s media and technology divisions.

Professional Background

General Manager / CPO at Nielsen (2016 - 2022): Adams oversaw a combined P&L for the Gracenote and Nielsen Sports businesses, managing approximately $400 million in revenue and a team of 3,500 employees. Under his leadership, he achieved a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% for the Gracenote video business and nearly doubled cash margins to 35% during his tenure.1 2 3
Previous Roles: Before joining Nielsen, Adams served as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Licensing at Rovi Corporation, where he led significant product initiatives and licensing agreements that generated substantial revenue. He also held various roles in marketing and product management across different companies in the media and technology sectors.1 2

Skills and Expertise

Adams is recognized for his strategic vision and operational expertise in areas such as:

Mergers & Acquisitions: He has extensive experience in M&A due diligence and integrations.
Product Strategy: Skilled in developing product roadmaps that align with market demands to enhance profitability.
Stakeholder Engagement: Known for building strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, facilitating effective communication of complex ideas.1 2

Education

Simon Adams holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from City, University of London. This technical background complements his extensive experience in the media technology landscape.1

In summary, Simon Adams is a seasoned leader in the media and technology sectors with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation at Nielsen.