Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 5 — Segment Information

The Company manages its business through three reportable segments: Research, Consulting and Events. Research consists primarily of subscription-based research products, access to research inquiry, peer networking services, and membership programs. Consulting consists primarily of consulting, measurement engagements, and strategic advisory services. Events consists of various symposia, conferences, and exhibitions.

The Company evaluates reportable segment performance and allocates resources based on gross contribution margin. Gross contribution, as presented in the table below, is defined as operating income excluding certain Cost of services and product development and Selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation, amortization of intangibles, and acquisition and integration charges. Certain bonus and fringe benefit costs included in consolidated Cost of services and product development are not allocated to segment expense. The accounting policies used by the reportable segments are the same as those used by the Company. There are no intersegment revenues.

The Company does not identify or allocate assets, including capital expenditures, by reportable segment. Accordingly, assets are not reported by segment because the information is not available by segment and is not reviewed in the evaluation of segment performance or in making decisions in the allocation of resources.

The following tables present information about the Company’s reportable segments (in thousands):

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012:	Research		Consulting		Events		Consolidated
Revenues	$	284,048	$	71,731	$	18,627	$	374,406
Gross contribution		193,540		24,380		4,511		222,431
Corporate and other expenses								(172,663	)
Operating income							$	49,768

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011:	Research		Consulting		Events		Consolidated
Revenues	$	255,979	$	70,815	$	18,990	$	345,784
Gross contribution		173,615		24,458		5,553		203,626
Corporate and other expenses								(156,376	)
Operating income							$	47,250

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012:	Research		Consulting		Events		Consolidated
Revenues	$	836,970	$	222,970	$	81,119	$	1,141,059
Gross contribution		571,547		79,886		32,867		684,300
Corporate and other expenses								(518,254	)
Operating income							$	166,046

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011:	Research		Consulting		Events		Consolidated
Revenues	$	749,429	$	219,407	$	72,058	$	1,040,894
Gross contribution		506,420		78,820		28,533		613,773
Corporate and other expenses								(469,174	)
Operating income							$	144,599