ABC Council Approve Regional Press Merger

Regional free and paid newspapers will now be able to combine their paid and free circulation figures on one certificate, following approval by the ABC Council.

In response from the industry to reflect the variety of distribution channels in an appropriate way, ABC has worked with the Newspaper Society, media owners and media buyers to create a single set of industry agreed reporting standards. Combined reporting for the regional press has been introduced to enable publishers to demonstrate the total circulation and variety of distribution channels of their print publications.

The new certificate which will be first published in August, will include graphs, charts and a glossary of terms to aid use. A greater level of transparency has been achieved with average monthly circulation reported, and for free pick up copies, daily averages.

Martyn Gates, director of newspapers, ABC, said: “By working with media buyers and sellers, the historic agreement to merge the paid and free rules for regional newspaper reporting has been reached. The combined figures allow publishers to show their total circulations in one format which will prove to be a more useful tool when trading media space.”

Lynne Anderson, communications director, Newspaper Society, added: “Regional and local newspaper content is now being delivered to readers across a range of distribution channels: paid, free, print and online. Combined reporting of an individual title’s paid, free and pick-up circulation figures on one ABC certificate is a sensible development which reflects some of these changes in the market. It should offer greater clarity for media buyers and publishers and help ensure that ABC remains an important component in regional press advertising decisions.”

Paul McGarr, regional press director, ZenithOptimedia, said: “This is a good move for the industry. Greater transparency on regional newspaper circulation figures will enable buyers and advertisers to make more informed decisions when planning campaigns.”

For further information please contact:ichard Lambert / Mark Barber / Tom York at Eulogy! Tel: +44 20 7927 9999 or e-mail abc@eulogy.co.uk

About ABC & ABCe

ABC is a not for profit organisation owned by the media industry, tasked with promoting trust by providing robust currencies on which to trade media in the UK and Ireland. ABC certifies and provides audit services to verify the circulation figures of newspapers and magazines, attendance at exhibitions and performance data across a wide range of digital media (including websites and email) through ABCe.

ABC is governed by a Council of permanent and elected representatives including media owners, media buyers, advertisers and representatives from industry trade bodies. Any changes to rules and regulations are instigated and agreed on by these industry representatives including ISBA, IPA, IPA Digital, PPA, AEO, NS and NPA, to ensure the needs of the media industry are met.

ABCe’s role is to manage standards for the industry through its work with JICWEBS, the Joint Industry Committee for Web Standards, and to provide credibility, comparability and transparency for digital media. www.jicwebs.org

ABC was first established in the UK in 1931, is a leading founder member of the International Federation of ABC’s (IFABC), and is one of the largest media audit bodies in the world. ABCe was established in 1996, and is leading an international network setting global standards for electronic media, delivering global measurement standards for local markets through its work as Chair of the IFABC web standards group. www.ifabc.org.

For further information please visit www.abc.org.uk or www.abce.org.uk.