Audit Bureau of Circulations

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Timeline

	The Audit Bureau of Circulations is established.

	ABC occupies its international headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois.
	ABC buyer advisory groups are created to suggest improvements in ABC reports and services and encourage member input and dialogue.
	First steps to fully automate ABC takes place during its 75^th anniversary year.
	The automation plan moves to completion. Publisher’s Statements become a reality as diskette-based filing packages are made available to members.
	ABC implements its fully integrated database, thereby automating all stages of information retrieval, processing and dissemination to members.
	ABC introduces the CD-ROM product, “Access ABC: Newspapers” providing ZIP code data and household counts. Access ABC: Consumer magazines renamed to “Access ABC: Periodicals” and includes all Publisher’s Statement data for business and farm publications in addition to consumer magazines.
	ABC develops their home page on the Internet’s World Wide Web.
	ABC establishes a New Media Committee and the Interactive Media Liaison and Interactive Technical Liaison Committees. ABCi begins to review online activity of websites.
	ABC Audit Reports and Publisher’s Statements go online.
	ABC enhances its website by introducing eCirc—the online version of FAS-FAX. ABC launches newspaper Reader Profile service to verify newspaper readership surveys conducted by third-party research organizations and report their results in a special ABC Audit Report.
	ABC website is relaunched, sporting product and service information interspersed with member communication features.
	Access ABC: Periodical Analysis Tools module becomes available on ABC’s website.
	Online FAS-FAX filing is introduced.
	ABC begins to offer periodical members the option to file their Publisher’s Statements online.
	ABC celebrates its 90^th anniversary. Publishers’ Statements and Audit Reports are distributed electronically within 24 hours of publisher member approval. ABC begins to offer newspaper members the option to file their Publisher’s Statements online.
	ABC adds “Audit Status Listing” tool to website to provide current status reports, along with the date each audit was moved to its current status, for all open audits.
	ABC launches Rapid Report, allowing publishers to voluntarily report their top-line circulation data on an issue-by-issue basis within weeks of the on-sale or distribution date directly into an online database. ABC launches the Insert Verification Service, a quantitative review and audit of a newspaper’s advertising insert distribution process on a specific date. ABC introduces a Consolidated Media Report (CMR) presenting circulation, pass-along receivership, website traffic, and other auditable media in one aggregated figure represented as “Total Audience Reach.”
	ABC introduces the Multimedia Publisher’s Statement for consumer magazines detailing print and website activity on one report. ABC launches Audience-FAX, a U.S. newspaper reporting initiative, integrating print readership and online website activity in circulation reports.
	ABC launches the Preprint Projection Center (PPC), an online tool designed to streamline communication between newspapers and advertisers by reducing the need for advertisers to contact multiple newspapers to request updated preprint quantities and distribution information. ABC introduces Audit QuickLink, an online application which streamlines the audit process by letting newspapers submit ABC audit documents and forms electronically prior to the auditor’s arrival. Digital Advisory Committee formed to address media verification in the evolving interactive and mobile marketplace.
	ABC launches Audit Fast Track, an initiative that revamps the circulation audit model by shifting the physical location of the field auditor away from the publisher’s office to an off-site location managed by ABC. ABC announces formation of ABC Canada Board , an elite group of media professionals charged with focusing on the changing Canadian marketplace and the individual needs of ABC’s Canadian members. ABC released the first Consolidated Media Report (CMR) for newspapers. ABC board approves the creation of the Community Newspaper Audit program, designed specifically for newspapers with paid circulation of less than 25,000. CNA is slated for a January 2010 launch.
	ABC launches a separate website catering to its Canadian membership. ABC Connection, a social networking initiative, is created. ABC members and industry personnel can connect with ABC via a blog, Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the most recent trends and current topics affecting the print and interactive media industry.

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