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David Kenny

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David Kenny is a seasoned technology and media executive best known for leading major transformations at the intersection of data, AI, and media. He served as CEO of Nielsen from 2018 to 2022, steering the measurement company through a period of significant disruption in audience measurement and advertising currency debates, including Nielsen's eventual take-private deal with Elliott Investment Management and Brookfield Business Partners. His tenure at Nielsen placed him at the center of the advertising and media industry's ongoing battles over cross-platform measurement standards. Prior to Nielsen, Kenny served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of IBM Watson & Cloud Platform, where he led IBM's flagship AI business. Before IBM, he was Chairman and CEO of The Weather Company, which he helped sell to IBM in 2016. Earlier in his career, Kenny was a Managing Partner at Publicis.Sapient and a founding partner of Digitas, one of the pioneering digital marketing agencies, giving him deep roots in advertising and marketing services. Kenny now serves as Chair of the Board of Directors at Best Buy, the consumer electronics retailer. His career spans digital marketing, AI, data analytics, and media measurement, making him one of the more broadly experienced executives across technology and advertising.

Last updated Oct 24, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment

Role
Chair of the Board of Directors
Company
Best Buy
Based
New York, New York, USA
Boards
1

AI-drafted from public sources1 source cited

Years in industry
30 years

Bio

David Kenny is a seasoned technology and media executive best known for leading major transformations at the intersection of data, AI, and media. He served as CEO of Nielsen from 2018 to 2022, steering the measurement company through a period of significant disruption in audience measurement and advertising currency debates, including Nielsen's eventual take-private deal with Elliott Investment Management and Brookfield Business Partners. His tenure at Nielsen placed him at the center of the advertising and media industry's ongoing battles over cross-platform measurement standards. Prior to Nielsen, Kenny served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of IBM Watson & Cloud Platform, where he led IBM's flagship AI business. Before IBM, he was Chairman and CEO of The Weather Company, which he helped sell to IBM in 2016. Earlier in his career, Kenny was a Managing Partner at Publicis.Sapient and a founding partner of Digitas, one of the pioneering digital marketing agencies, giving him deep roots in advertising and marketing services. Kenny now serves as Chair of the Board of Directors at Best Buy, the consumer electronics retailer. His career spans digital marketing, AI, data analytics, and media measurement, making him one of the more broadly experienced executives across technology and advertising.

Expertise & education

Expertise

Audience MeasurementDigital MarketingArtificial IntelligenceData AnalyticsMedia TechnologyAdvertising Currency & StandardsCloud PlatformsConsumer Technology

Education

  • MBA, Harvard Business School
  • BS, General Motors Institute (Kettering University)

Speaking topics

AI and Data in MediaAudience Measurement and Advertising CurrencyDigital TransformationThe Future of Television and Cross-Platform Media

Recognition

Notable achievements

  • Led the sale of The Weather Company to IBM in 2016
  • Co-founded Digitas, one of the first major digital marketing agencies
  • Guided Nielsen through its take-private acquisition by Elliott and Brookfield
  • Oversaw IBM Watson's commercialization as a major AI platform