By: Michael Lavery, President and Managing Director, Audit Bureau of Circulations
Published: December 22, 2010 Part five in a five-part series detailing the recent changes to U.S. newspaper rules
Reviewing the rules
The U.S. newspaper industry is transitioning and expanding its channels of distribution. Throughout this series, I have reviewed ABC's response to these changes. To summarize, a need for more transparency in circulation channels led to the verified circulation category. Inclusion of targeted publications published by ABC-member newspapers to reflect their total media footprint inspired the implementation of branded editions. And the new rules regarding digital editions reflect the market's shift toward digital devices as delivery channels.
The new rules, which took effect on Oct. 1, 2010, result from a great deal of discussion and preparation from the ABC board, its advisory committees and members. The result is more comprehensive reporting to better represent the current U.S. newspaper media marketplace.
ABC's solution now encompasses a two-report approach:
1) Traditional Publisher's Statements and Audit Reports are newly revised to incorporate greater detail on distribution channels and digital devices.
2) Consolidated Media Reports allow publishers to present comprehensive, audited data for traditional and new media channels across multiple properties.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/Departments/AD/CIRC/comprehensive-reporting-abcs-approach-to-media-transparency-and-accountability-for-us-newspapers-63601-.aspx
Reviewing the rules
The U.S. newspaper industry is transitioning and expanding its channels of distribution. Throughout this series, I have reviewed ABC's response to these changes. To summarize, a need for more transparency in circulation channels led to the verified circulation category. Inclusion of targeted publications published by ABC-member newspapers to reflect their total media footprint inspired the implementation of branded editions. And the new rules regarding digital editions reflect the market's shift toward digital devices as delivery channels.
The new rules, which took effect on Oct. 1, 2010, result from a great deal of discussion and preparation from the ABC board, its advisory committees and members. The result is more comprehensive reporting to better represent the current U.S. newspaper media marketplace.
ABC's solution now encompasses a two-report approach:
1) Traditional Publisher's Statements and Audit Reports are newly revised to incorporate greater detail on distribution channels and digital devices.
2) Consolidated Media Reports allow publishers to present comprehensive, audited data for traditional and new media channels across multiple properties.
