-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, HzFB9l170pSpmEbElL/Vts64MhVrGFiVB692V/YhSyd73g1WVCO5XYRgjfigHOBG mDqQSeKWnVtME1e9nfaq5w== 0000938775-98-000002.txt : 19980203 0000938775-98-000002.hdr.sgml : 19980203 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000938775-98-000002 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19980202 SROS: NYSE SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ACNIELSEN CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001019878 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-ENGINEERING, ACCOUNTING, RESEARCH, MANAGEMENT [8700] IRS NUMBER: 061454128 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-47591 FILM NUMBER: 98519184 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 177 BROAD STREET CITY: STAMFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06901 BUSINESS PHONE: 2038344200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 177 BROAD ST CITY: STAMFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06901 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BLUM RICHARD C & ASSOCIATES L P CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000938775 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: [] IRS NUMBER: 943205364 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 909 MONTGOMERY STREET # 400 CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94133 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 909 MONTGOMERY STREET STREET 2: SUITE 400 CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94133 SC 13D 1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13D Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ACNIELSEN CORPORATION --------------------- (Name of Issuer) Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 ----------------------------- (Title of Class of Securities) 004833109 --------- (CUSIP Number) Murray A. Indick Richard C. Blum & Associates, L.P. 909 Montgomery Street, Suite 400 San Francisco, CA 94133 (415) 434-1111 -------------- (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications) January 28, 1998 ---------------- (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement) If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ]. *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes). Page 1 of 10 CUSIP NO. 004833109 SCHEDULE 13D Page 2 of 10 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON RICHARD C. BLUM & ASSOCIATES, L.P. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON 94-3205364 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [x] (b) [x] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. SEC USE ONLY - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* See Item 3 below - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. SOLE VOTING POWER -0- NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 2,949,600** BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ----------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- ----------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,949,600** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,949,600** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 5.1%** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN, IA - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** See Item 5 below *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! CUSIP NO. 004833109 SCHEDULE 13D Page 3 of 10 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON RICHARD C. BLUM & ASSOCIATES, INC. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON 94-2967812 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [x] (b) [x] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. SEC USE ONLY - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* See Item 3 below - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. SOLE VOTING POWER -0- NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 2,949,600** BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ----------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- ----------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,949,600** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,949,600** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 5.1%** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON CO - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** See Item 5 below *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! CUSIP NO. 004833109 SCHEDULE 13D Page 4 of 10 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON RICHARD C. BLUM S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [x] (b) [x] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. SEC USE ONLY - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* See Item 3 below - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. SOLE VOTING POWER -0- NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 2,949,600** BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ----------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- ----------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 2,949,600** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 2,949,600** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 5.1%** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** See Item 5 below *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT! CUSIP NO. 004833109 SCHEDULE 13D Page 5 of 10 Item 1. Security and Issuer - ---------------------------- This Schedule 13D relates to shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 (the "Common Stock") of ACNielsen Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Issuer"). The principal executive office and mailing address of the Issuer is 177 Broad Street, Stamford, Connecticut 06901. Item 2. Identity and Background - -------------------------------- This Schedule 13D is being filed by Richard C. Blum & Associates, L.P., a California limited partnership ("RCBA L.P."); Richard C. Blum & Associates, Inc., a California corporation ("RCBA Inc."); and Richard C. Blum, the Chairman and a substantial shareholder of RCBA Inc. (collectively, the "Reporting Persons"). RCBA L.P. is a California limited partnership whose principal business is acting as general partner for investment partnerships and providing investment advisory and financial consulting services. RCBA L.P. is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The sole general partner of RCBA L.P. is RCBA Inc. The shares of Common Stock were acquired on behalf of RCBA L.P.'s limited partnerships and investment advisory clients. The principal business office address of RCBA L.P. and RCBA Inc. is 909 Montgomery Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, California 94133. The names of the executive officers and directors of RCBA Inc., their addresses, citizenship and principal occupations are as follows: Name and Business Citizen- Principal Occupation Office Held Address ship or Employment - -------------------- ----------------------- --------- -------------------- Richard C. Blum 909 Montgomery St. USA President & Chairman President, Chairman Suite 400 RCBA L.P. and Director San Francisco, CA 94133 Nils Colin Lind 909 Montgomery St. Norway Managing Director Managing Director Suite 400 RCBA L.P. and Director San Francisco, CA 94133 Jeffrey W. Ubben 909 Montgomery St. USA Managing Director Managing Director Suite 400 of Investments, of Investments San Francisco, CA 94133 RCBA L.P. William C. Johnston 909 Montgomery St. USA Managing Director Managing Director Suite 400 RCBA L.P. San Francisco, CA 94133 CUSIP NO. 004833109 SCHEDULE 13D Page 6 of 10 Name and Business Citizen- Principal Occupation Office Held Address ship or Employment - -------------------- ----------------------- --------- -------------------- John C. Walker 909 Montgomery St. USA Managing Director Managing Director Suite 400 of Investments, of Investments San Francisco, CA 94133 RCBA L.P. Murray A. Indick 909 Montgomery St. USA Managing Director Managing Director, Suite 400 and General Counsel, General Counsel and San Francisco, CA 94133 RCBA L.P. Secretary George F. Hamel, Jr. 909 Montgomery St. USA Managing Director Managing Director Suite 400 of Marketing, of Marketing San Francisco, CA 94133 RCBA L.P. Marc T. Scholvinck 909 Montgomery St. USA Managing Director Managing Director Suite 400 and Chief Financial and Chief Financial San Francisco, CA 94133 Officer, Officer RCBA, L.P. Thomas L. Kempner 40 Wall Street USA Chairman, Loeb Director New York, NY 10005 Partners Corporation, Investment Banking Business To the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, none of the entities or persons identified in this Item 2 has, during the past five years, been convicted of any criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors), nor been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws. Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration - ---------------------------------------------------------- The source of funds for the purchases of securities was the working capital of RCBA L.P.'s limited partnerships and investment advisory clients. Item 4. Purpose of Transaction - ------------------------------- The purpose of the acquisition of the Common Stock is for investment, and the acquisitions of the Common Stock were made in the ordinary course of business and were not made for the purpose of acquiring control of the Issuer. Although no Reporting Person has any specific plan or proposal to acquire or dispose of the Common Stock, consistent with its investment purpose, each CUSIP NO. 004833109 SCHEDULE 13D Page 7 of 10 reporting Person at any time and from time to time may acquire additional Common Stock or dispose of any or all of its Common Stock depending upon an ongoing evaluation of the investment in the Common Stock, prevailing market conditions, other investment opportunities, liquidity requirements of the Reporting Persons and/or other investment considerations. Also, consistent with the investment purpose, the Reporting Persons may engage in communications with one or more shareholders of the Issuer, one or more officers of the Issuer and/or one or more members of the board of directors of the Issuer and/or one or more representatives of the Issuer regarding the Issuer, including but not limited to its operations. The Reporting Persons may discuss ideas that, if effected may result in any of the following: the acquisition by persons of additional Common Stock of the Issuer, an extraordinary corporate transaction involving the Issuer, and/or changes in the board of directors or management of the Issuer. Except to the extent the foregoing may be deemed a plan or proposal, none of the Reporting Persons has any plans or proposals which relate to, or could result in, any of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) through (j), inclusive, of the instructions to Item 4 of Schedule 13D. The Reporting Persons may, at any time and from time to time, review or reconsider their position and/or change their purpose and/or formulate plans or proposals with respect thereto. Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer - --------------------------------------------- (a),(b) According to information furnished to the Reporting Persons by the Issuer, there were 57,463,607 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 1997. Based on such information, after taking into account the transactions described in Item 5(c) below, the Reporting Persons report direct holdings of 2,476,900 shares of the Common Stock on behalf of its clients, which represents 4.3% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock. In addition, because RCBA L.P. has voting and investment power with respect to 472,700 shares that are legally owned by The Common Fund for the account of its Equity Fund ("The Common Fund"), those shares are reported as beneficially owned by RCBA L.P. The Common Fund is principally engaged in the business of managing investments for educational institutions. The principal administrative office of The Common Fund is located at 450 Post Road East, Westport, Connecticut 06881-0909. The Common Fund disclaims membership in a group with any of the Reporting Persons, and disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares held by the Reporting Persons. Voting and investment power concerning the above shares are held solely by RCBA L.P. The Reporting Persons therefore may be deemed to be members in a group, in which case each Reporting Person would be deemed to have beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 2,949,600 shares of the Common Stock, which is 5.1% of the outstanding Common Stock. As the sole general partner of RCBA L.P., RCBA Inc. is deemed the beneficial owner of the securities over which RCBA L.P. has voting and investment power. As Chairman, director and a substantial shareholder of RCBA Inc., Richard C. Blum might be deemed to be CUSIP NO. 004833109 SCHEDULE 13D Page 8 of 10 the beneficial owner of the securities beneficially owned by RCBA Inc. Although Mr. Blum is joining in this Schedule as a Reporting Person, the filing of this Schedule shall not be construed as an admission that he, or any of the other shareholders, directors or executive officers of RCBA Inc. is, for any purpose, the beneficial owner of any of the securities that are beneficially owned by RCBA Inc. (c) During the last 60 days, the Reporting Persons purchased the following shares of Common Stock in the open market: Trade Date Shares Price/Share - ---------- ------- ----------- 12-01-97 50,000 22.50 12-02-97 44,500 22.63 12-11-97 1,500 22.25 12-26-97 2,300 22.25 01-08-98 70,000 22.21 01-09-98 90,000 21.02 01-13-98 20,000 21.04 01-14-98 50,000 21.01 01-15-98 40,000 20.97 01-16-98 5,000 20.94 01-20-98 20,000 21.74 01-22-98 20,000 21.16 01-23-98 20,500 21.35 01-26-98 20,000 20.98 01-27-98 75,000 20.75 01-28-98 40,000 20.94 01-29-98 20,000 21.42 01-30-98 20,000 21.54 (d) and (e) Not applicable. Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ None of the Reporting Persons or, to the best knowledge of the Reporting Persons, the other persons named in Item 2, is a party to any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including but not limited to the transfer or voting of any securities of the Issuer, finder's fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies, except (i) as previously disclosed, or (ii) as noted above, RCBA L.P. has voting and investment power of the shares held by it for the benefit of the Common Fund. Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits - ----------------------------------------- Exhibit A Joint Filing Undertaking. CUSIP NO. 004833109 SCHEDULE 13D Page 9 of 10 SIGNATURES After reasonable inquiry and to the best or our knowledge and belief, the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Dated: February 2, 1998 RICHARD C. BLUM & ASSOCIATES, L.P. RICHARD C. BLUM & ASSOCIATES, INC. By /s/ Murray A. Indick By /s/ Murray A. Indick ------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Murray A. Indick Murray A. Indick Managing Director Managing Director, General Counsel and General Counsel and Secretary /s/ Murray A. Indick --------------------------------------- RICHARD C. BLUM By Murray A. Indick, Attorney-in-Fact CUSIP NO. 004833109 SCHEDULE 13D Page 10 of 10 Exhibit A JOINT FILING UNDERTAKING The undersigned, being duly authorized thereunto, hereby execute this agreement as an exhibit to this Schedule 13D to evidence the agreement of the below-named parties, in accordance with the rules promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to file this Schedule jointly on behalf of each such party. Dated: February 2, 1998 RICHARD C. BLUM & ASSOCIATES, L.P. RICHARD C. BLUM & ASSOCIATES, INC. By /s/ Murray A. Indick By /s/ Murray A. Indick ------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Murray A. Indick Murray A. Indick Managing Director Managing Director, General Counsel and General Counsel and Secretary /s/ Murray A. Indick --------------------------------------- RICHARD C. BLUM By Murray A. Indick, Attorney-in-Fact -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----