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<p style="margin-top:3pt;border-bottom:Double 2.25pt;padding-bottom:1pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;;font-size:4pt;">&nbsp;</p>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-top:9pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">CURRENT REPORT </p>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-top:6pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):&#160;July 26, 2018<font style="font-size:4.5pt;font-weight:normal;">&#160;</font></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">85 Broad Street</p>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Oxford</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Oxfordshire OX4 2WB</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">United Kingdom</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:8pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">(Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code)</p>
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<p style="margin-top:9pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:4.54%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): </p>
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<p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-size:10pt;">Written communications pursuant to Rule&#160;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </font></p></td></tr></table></div>
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<p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-size:10pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&#160;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </font></p></td></tr></table></div>
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<p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-size:10pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&#160;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </font></p></td></tr></table></div>
<p style="margin-top:9pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:4.54%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;&#8201;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;&#8201;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</p>
<p style="margin-top:9pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:4.54%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Emerging growth company&#160;<font style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">&#9744;</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:9pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:4.54%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.&#160;<font style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><font style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">&#9744;</font></font></p>
<p style="border-bottom:Double 2.25pt;padding-bottom:1pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-size:3pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-size:2pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-top:12pt;text-indent:0%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"></p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><a name="_AEIOULastRenderedPageBreakAEIOU2"></a><font style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.</font></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin-top:6pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:6.67%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">On July 26, 2018, Nielsen Holdings plc issued a press release announcing its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin-top:6pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:6.67%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.</p>
<p style="margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:6.67%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">On July 26, 2018, Nielsen Holdings plc (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) issued a press release announcing that Mitch Barns, the Company&#8217;s Chief Executive Officer, will retire by the end of 2018. The Company&#8217;s Board of Directors (the &#8220;Board&#8221;) is commencing a comprehensive search process to identify a new Chief Executive Officer.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company also announced that James Attwood, current Chairman of the Board, has been named Executive Chairman of the Board.&nbsp;&nbsp;Mr. Attwood will lead a committee of the Board in overseeing the CEO search.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to Mr. Attwood, the Executive Search Committee will include Mr. Harish Manwani, Mr. Robert C. Pozen and Ms. Lauren Zalaznick.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:6.67%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Mr. Barns&#8217; retirement will constitute a termination without cause under the Company&#8217;s Severance Policy for Section 16 Officers and United States-Based Senior Executives (&#8220;Severance Policy&#8221;) and will entitle Mr. Barns to the rights and benefits due to the Chief Executive Officer upon a termination without cause, including the following:</p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><font style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">&#x2022;</font></p></td>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;">cash severance equal to two times the sum of Mr. Barns&#8217; (1) annual base salary and (2) the average of the annual incentive payments paid to Mr. Barns in the three years preceding the year in which Mr. Barns&#8217; employment termination occurs, with such amount payable in equal bi-weekly installments during the twenty-four months following Mr. Barns&#8217; employment termination date;</font></p></td></tr></table></div>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><font style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">&#x2022;</font></p></td>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;">a bonus in respect of fiscal year 2018 for the portion of the year that Mr. Barns is employed by the Company, based on actual performance, and payable at the same time that the Company pays bonuses to other executives of the Company;</font></p></td></tr></table></div>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><font style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">&#x2022;</font></p></td>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;">reimbursement during the twenty-four months following Mr. Barns&#8217; employment termination for the portion of COBRA premiums in excess of the amounts that Mr. Barns paid while employed by the Company; and</font></p></td></tr></table></div>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><font style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">&#x2022;</font></p></td>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;">outplacement assistance and support services for one year.</font></p></td></tr></table></div>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:6.67%;color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><font style="Background-color:#FFFFFF;">All severance payments under the Severance Policy are conditioned on Mr. Barns executing and not revoking a release of claims in favor of the Company (the &#8220;Release Conditions&#8221;).&nbsp;&nbsp;The release of claims will include customary restrictive covenants, including perpetual non-disparagement and confidentiality </font><font style="color:#000000;">provisions</font><font style="Background-color:#FFFFFF;"> and non-competition and employee/client non-solicitation obligations applicable during the twenty-four months following the employment termination date.&nbsp;&nbsp;The foregoing description of the severance entitlements for Mr. Barns is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company&#8217;s Severance Policy, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.</font></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;text-indent:6.67%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Based on his age (55) and years of service (21), Mr. Barns is retirement eligible.&nbsp;&nbsp;Consistent with past practice, and subject to satisfaction of the Release Conditions, the Board has approved the following retirement treatment for the unvested equity awards held by Mr. Barns:</p>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><font style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">&#x2022;</font></p></td>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Unvested stock options will continue to vest during the twenty-four months following the employment termination date, subject to Mr. Barns&#8217; compliance with the Restrictive Covenants during such period;</font></p></td></tr></table></div>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><font style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">&#x2022;</font></p></td>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;">In order to comply with applicable tax regulations, unvested restricted stock units will vest upon Mr. Barns&#8217; termination of employment; however, Mr. Barns will be required to hold the Company shares underlying the restricted stock units, net of any shares required to satisfy applicable tax withholdings, for the twenty-four months following the employment termination date; and </font></p></td></tr></table></div>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><font style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">&#x2022;</font></p></td>
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<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:6pt;margin-top:6pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Unvested performance restricted stock units (&#8220;PRSUs&#8221;) will remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance as determined by the compensation committee of the Board, with the actual number of shares earned for the 2018 PRSU award reduced by one-third.</font></p></td></tr></table></div>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:6.67%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.</p>
<p style="margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Item&#160;9.01<font style="font-weight:normal;"> </font>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">&#160;</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">&#160;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">(d)</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Exhibits </p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Exhibit No.</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Description</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:6pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:6pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:6pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Exhibit 99.1</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><a href="nlsnnv-ex991_19.htm"><font style="text-decoration:underline;">Press Release, dated July 26, 2018, issued by Nielsen Holdings plc pertaining to the financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.</font></a></p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:6pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:6pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:6pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Exhibit 99.2</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="top"  style="width:89%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><a href="nlsnnv-ex992_115.htm"><font style="text-decoration:underline;">Press Release, dated July 26, 2018, issued by Nielsen Holdings plc pertaining to Mr. Barns&#8217; retirement.</font></a></p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-size:2pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<hr style="page-break-after:always;width:100%;">
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><a name="_AEIOULastRenderedPageBreakAEIOU3"></a><font style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">SIGNATURES </font></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:4.54%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </p>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Date: July 26, 2018 </p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">&#160;</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;text-align:left;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">NIELSEN HOLDINGS PLC</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;text-align:left;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;text-align:left;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;text-align:left;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">By:</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;text-align:left;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="top"  style="width:86.98%; border-bottom:solid 0.75pt #000000;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Jamere Jackson</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Name:</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;text-align:left;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="top"  style="width:86.98%; border-top:solid 0.75pt #000000;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Jamere Jackson</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Title:</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:10pt;text-align:left;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Chief Financial Officer</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></body>
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nlsnnv-8k_20180726.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 26, 2018
NIELSEN HOLDINGS PLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
England and Wales
001-35042
98-1225347
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
Nielsen House
John Smith Drive
Oxford
Oxfordshire OX4 2WB
United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive offices)
+1 (646) 654-5000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
☐
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On July 26, 2018, Nielsen Holdings plc issued a press release announcing its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.
A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On July 26, 2018, Nielsen Holdings plc (the "Company") issued a press release announcing that Mitch Barns, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, will retire by the end of 2018. The Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") is commencing a comprehensive search process to identify a new Chief Executive Officer.  The Company also announced that James Attwood, current Chairman of the Board, has been named Executive Chairman of the Board.  Mr. Attwood will lead a committee of the Board in overseeing the CEO search.  In addition to Mr. Attwood, the Executive Search Committee will include Mr. Harish Manwani, Mr. Robert C. Pozen and Ms. Lauren Zalaznick.
Mr. Barns' retirement will constitute a termination without cause under the Company's Severance Policy for Section 16 Officers and United States-Based Senior Executives ("Severance Policy") and will entitle Mr. Barns to the rights and benefits due to the Chief Executive Officer upon a termination without cause, including the following:
•
cash severance equal to two times the sum of Mr. Barns' (1) annual base salary and (2) the average of the annual incentive payments paid to Mr. Barns in the three years preceding the year in which Mr. Barns' employment termination occurs, with such amount payable in equal bi-weekly installments during the twenty-four months following Mr. Barns' employment termination date;
•
a bonus in respect of fiscal year 2018 for the portion of the year that Mr. Barns is employed by the Company, based on actual performance, and payable at the same time that the Company pays bonuses to other executives of the Company;
•
reimbursement during the twenty-four months following Mr. Barns' employment termination for the portion of COBRA premiums in excess of the amounts that Mr. Barns paid while employed by the Company; and
•
outplacement assistance and support services for one year.
All severance payments under the Severance Policy are conditioned on Mr. Barns executing and not revoking a release of claims in favor of the Company (the "Release Conditions").  The release of claims will include customary restrictive covenants, including perpetual non-disparagement and confidentiality
provisions
and non-competition and employee/client non-solicitation obligations applicable during the twenty-four months following the employment termination date.  The foregoing description of the severance entitlements for Mr. Barns is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company's Severance Policy, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
Based on his age (55) and years of service (21), Mr. Barns is retirement eligible.  Consistent with past practice, and subject to satisfaction of the Release Conditions, the Board has approved the following retirement treatment for the unvested equity awards held by Mr. Barns:
•
Unvested stock options will continue to vest during the twenty-four months following the employment termination date, subject to Mr. Barns' compliance with the Restrictive Covenants during such period;
•
In order to comply with applicable tax regulations, unvested restricted stock units will vest upon Mr. Barns' termination of employment; however, Mr. Barns will be required to hold the Company shares underlying the restricted stock units, net of any shares required to satisfy applicable tax withholdings, for the twenty-four months following the employment termination date; and
•
Unvested performance restricted stock units ("PRSUs") will remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance as determined by the compensation committee of the Board, with the actual number of shares earned for the 2018 PRSU award reduced by one-third.
A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
Exhibit 99.1
Press Release, dated July 26, 2018, issued by Nielsen Holdings plc pertaining to the financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.
Exhibit 99.2
Press Release, dated July 26, 2018, issued by Nielsen Holdings plc pertaining to Mr. Barns' retirement.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: July 26, 2018
NIELSEN HOLDINGS PLC
By:
/s/  Jamere Jackson
Name:
Jamere Jackson
Title:
Chief Financial Officer