September , 2000 Stephen J. Boatti, Esq. Nielsen Media Research, Inc. 299 Park Avenue New York, NY 10171 Earl Doppelt, Esq. ACNielsen Corporation 177 Broad Street Stamford, CT 06901 Dear Sirs: Reference is made to the Distribution Agreement (the "1996...

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                            The New D&B Corporation
                             ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
                         ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

                               September   , 2000

▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Media Research, Inc.
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▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
ACNielsen Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇

Dear Sirs:

     Reference is made to the Distribution Agreement (the "1996 Distribution
Agreement"), dated as of October 28, 1996, among The Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation, now known as ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Corporation ("Historical D&B"),
Cognizant Corporation, now known as ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Media Research, Inc. ("Cognizant"),
and ACNielsen Corporation ("ACNielsen"). The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation
("D&B") has announced its intention to separate into two separate companies
through a distribution (the "2000 Distribution") to its stockholders of all of
the shares of common stock of its subsidiary, The New D&B Corporation ("New
D&B"). Intending to be legally bound hereby, from and after the effective time
of the 2000 Distribution, New D&B undertakes to each of Cognizant and ACNielsen
to be jointly and severally liable with D&B and Historical D&B for all D&B
Liabilities under the 1996 Distribution Agreement.

                                   Very truly yours,

                                   THE NEW D&B CORPORATION


                                   By: _________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title: