Peiffer (pictured) has informed the board of his decision to depart following the rollout of the Virtual Australia ratings system, VOZ.

His last day will be 1^st July and the board has begun its search for a new chief executive.

OzTAM non-executive chairman, Mark Buckman, said: “Doug has led OzTAM through a period of transformation and significant change in which both technology and Australian media consumption patterns changed dramatically.

“OzTAM’s board and I offer Doug our thanks and appreciation for his leadership and contribution and wish him every continued success in his career.”

Peiffer said: “With the successful launch of VOZ, and more than 12 years with the company, the time is right for me to hand over the reins to new OzTAM leadership. I thank my team for their astonishingly hard work and support and look forward to seeing their many future accomplishments.”