EXHIBIT 24 

                              POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW  ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that  each  person  whose  signature
appears below  constitutes  and appoints  Robert J. Chrenc,  Earl H. Doppelt and
Ellenore  O'Hanrahan,  and  each  of  them,  as  his  or  her  true  and  lawful
attorneys-in-fact   and   agents,   with   full   power  of   substitution   and
resubstitution,  for him or her and in his or her name,  place and stead, in any
and all  capacities,  to sign the name of such person in the capacity  indicated
below  opposite the name of such person to the Annual Report for the fiscal year
ended  December 31, 1997 of ACNielsen  Corporation  on Form 10-K and any and all
amendments  thereto and to file the same with all  exhibits  thereto,  and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents,  and each of them, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and thing  requisite  and
necessary  to be done in and about the  premises,  as fully to all  intents  and
purposes  as he or she  might  or  could  do in  person,  hereby  ratifying  and
confirming all that said  attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their
or his or her substitute or substitutes,  may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

         This Power of Attorney has been signed by the following  persons in the
capacities indicated on February 19, 1998.



              Name                                                   Title


     /s/ Robert H. Beeby                                             Director
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         Robert H. Beeby



    /s/ Michael P. Connors                                            Director
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        Michael P. Connors



    /s/ Donald W. Griffin                                             Director
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        Donald W. Griffin



    /s/ Thomas C. Hays                                                Director
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        Thomas C. Hays



     /s/ Karen L. Hendricks                                           Director
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         Karen L. Hendricks



     /s/ Robert M. Hendrickson                                        Director
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         Robert M. Hendrickson



     /s/ Robert Holland, Jr.                                          Director
- - -------------------------------
         Robert Holland, Jr.



     /s/ Robert J Lievense                                            Director
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         Robert J Lievense



     /s/ John R. Meyer                                                Director
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         John R. Meyer



     /s/ Brian B. Pemberton                                           Director
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         Brian B. Pemberton


     /s/ Robert N. Thurston                                           Director
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         Robert N. Thurston