Virtual Press RoomNews Releases
ABC Board Finalizes New Community Newspaper Service, Elects Officers and Directors
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (Nov. 17, 2009)—The board of the Audit Bureau of Circulations gave final approval to a new ABC Community Newspaper Audit (CNA) service that will significantly lower publisher costs and simplify audit requirements. More than 200 newspapers have already registered to participate in the new CNA service, which is available to all U.S. newspapers with daily average paid circulation under 25,000 beginning with the March 2010 reporting period. It is expected to be available in Canada later next year, following industry input to customize the program for the Canadian market.
The CNA service features all-inclusive fees that begin at a flat annual rate of $2,000 per year; streamlined audits that occur every other year and require less publisher preparation and involvement; simplified rules and reporting requirements; and inclusion in ABC’s searchable online database, which is relied upon by hundreds of leading advertisers and ad agencies in the U.S. and Canada.
Merle Davidson, director of media services at J.C. Penney Co. and chairman of the ABC board, said, “For advertisers like J.C. Penney, community newspapers are a vital way to reach our customers in local markets, especially where metropolitan newspapers may no longer be available. We’re very pleased to see so many publishers sign up for this new program. It’s a testament to the value of an ABC audit, even in this difficult advertising environment.”
Other Key ABC Board Actions
For U.S. and Canadian business publications, the ABC board gave final approval to modify the format of Publisher’s Statements, making several areas optional that were previously mandatory to report. These changes will take effect with December 2009 statements.
The board also agreed that business publications would only be required to break out digital circulation when it represents more than five percent of a title’s average circulation.
The ABC board took no actions that affected consumer magazines at this meeting.
In Canada, ABC agreed to form a digital advisory committee to help it examine trends, business opportunities, and ABC’s role in auditing emerging media. The group will be chaired by Ted Boyd, CEO of digital agency 58Ninety Inc.
The board also noted its support of a strategic U.S. newspaper task force that is continuing to examine how changes in publishing plans, the emergence of print/digital hybrid models, and the growing use of e-readers and mobile platforms may affect future advertising opportunities, and how ABC should measure, audit, and report the audience data that emanate from these channels. The group expects to present recommendations for U.S. newspapers to the ABC board in March 2010.
Directors and Officers Elected
At its annual business meeting, ABC members re-elected 17 directors to serve on the board and elected two new directors: Lisa Haynes, regional media manager, advertising, Kohl’s Department Stores, and Lorraine Hughes, president of OMD Canada.
Members also elected the following slate of board officers to serve one-year terms:
- Chairman – Merle Davidson, director of media services, J.C. Penney Co. Inc.
- Vice-Chairs – David W. Leckey, executive vice president of consumer marketing at American Media Inc.; Vikki Schwartzman, vice president and corporate media director, L’Oreal USA; Brian Segal, president and CEO of Rogers Publishing; David Walker, CEO of NSA Media and Geomentum
- Secretary – Rob Fisher, senior vice president, American City Business Journals
- Treasurer – Dennis Skulsky, president and CEO, Canwest Publishing
The ABC board of directors meeting was held Nov. 12 – 13 in Rye Brook, New York, following its annual business meeting held on Nov. 11 in New York City. For a complete summary of board actions, visit ABC’s Virtual Pressroom.
ABC is a forum of North America's leading magazine and newspaper publishers, advertisers and advertising agencies. The organization provides credible, verified information essential to the media buying and selling process. ABC maintains the world’s foremost online database of audited circulation information and a growing array of readership, audience and website usage data. ABC’s digital arm, ABC Interactive, is one of the world’s leading independent auditors of websites and digital ad-based technology. To learn more, visit http://www.accessabc.com.
|
Corporate Communications Contacts: | ||
|
Senior Vice President, Communications and Strategic Planning t: 224-366-6363 |
Manager, Communications t: 224-366-6365 |
|
