The firm said it had gone from “steady and stable” at the end of 2009 to slightly more positive momentum in the first few months of 2010.

On a constant currency basis the revenue rise was 4%. Reported net income was $41m and operating income was $132m, up from $112m.

The firm said its revenues from audience measurement were flat on a constant currency basis, as growth in North America was “substantially offset” by declines in TV measurement and advertiser services in other countries. Nielsen said this resulted primarily from “certain planned market closures and reductions in discretionary customer spending”.

Commenting on the feeling among Nielsen’s clients, chief financial officer Brian West (pictured) told analysts today: “We’re just starting to see things firm up a bit, and spots where discretionary budgets were held pretty right in the last three months that are just starting to loosen up a bit.”