As a consumer research and ratings company, Arbitron is all about data. We collect it, we identify market trends with it, we allow others to analyze it, and more. So our big data efforts span everything we do.

Internally, we have much the same focus as everyone else--seeking to improve business processes and enable better decisions. But our big push now is providing analytics tools for external clients. The software services that we provide to radio stations, media groups, advertisers and marketing firms are designed to help them run better as profitable companies--for example, helping stations determine which programming works best for which time blocks and locations, or helping advertisers identify the optimal times and places to get their message out. Our primary service has been to give both groups audience information in fairly static reports that our custom research group develops based on their individual needs. Data analytics allows us to also deliver a dashboard that they can use to manipulate and query the data however they want. As this technology improves and we learn how to use it internally, we are then able to turn around and continuously enhance the value we give our clients.