|
ABC’s Kelly Murphy Answers the Most Frequently Asked Questions About the Publisher’s Statement Filing Process and Online Filing Tool for Periodicals
More than 60 percent of periodical members will file their Publisher’s Statement electronically for the December 2007 filing period. ABC’s online filing tool has become an efficient and popular way for members to ensure that their data arrives at ABC completely and securely. ABC’s Kelly Murphy, director of Technical Review Report Processing (TRRP) and Production, answers some of the questions most frequently asked by periodical members regarding the Publisher’s Statement filing process and online filing tool.
What are the steps to filing a Publisher's Statement?
Six weeks prior to the filing deadline, ABC’s Technical Review Report Processing (TRRP) department sends out e-mails to publishers containing the username and password to file their Publisher’s Statement using the ABC online filing tool. In addition, publishers are given the links to download hard-copy filing forms off the ABC Web site. Online filing opens one to two days after the close of the filing period. (i.e., Jan. 2 for the December 2007 Publisher’s Statements). Once the Publisher’s Statements are received, the publishers are provided with a receiving number. The Publisher’s Statements are reviewed in order of the receipt. At the same time, TRRP begins using the data from the December 2007 Publisher’s Statements to begin compiling the FAS-FAX report. If ABC staff finds any errors or questions that need to be answered at the time of statement review, they will reach out to the members via phone or e-mail.
Will I receive confirmation that my Publisher’s Statement is received?
Yes, a confirmation e-mail is automatically sent to the member’s TRRP contact.
Once the Publisher’s Statement is received, what is the process?
Once a Publisher’s Statement has been reviewed by ABC, a proof copy is sent to the publisher. In the absence of hearing from the publisher, ABC follows up with a phone call or e-mail. If ABC doesn’t hear back from the publisher within 10 days, the Publisher’s Statement is automatically released. Once the statement is released, it is posted to the ABC Web site. Printed copies of the statement are mailed to the membership within seven working days.
What is FAS-FAX?
FAS-FAX for periodicals is a twice-yearly report of the top-line circulation data for all titles filing Publisher’s Statements. Each year periodicals file two circulation statements for the six months ending June 30 and Dec. 31.
What are some of the differences between FAS-FAX and Rapid Report?
FAS-FAX
- Released twice per year
- Six-month average of issue-by-issue top-line circulation data
- Reports released within two weeks of the filing deadline
- Comparative data
|
Rapid Report
- Voluntary
- Member controlled
- Issue-by-issue
- Updated by publisher as frequently as desired
- Prior Publisher’s Statement data reported for benchmarking purposes
|
Why do many Publisher’s Statements get released before FAS-FAX?
ABC’s main objective is to release circulation data to the market as quickly as possible. In many cases ABC can process statements in two weeks. TRRP processes statements as they are received. ABC staff also compiles FAS-FAX simultaneously. As soon as Publisher’s Statements are completed and reviewed by the publisher, they are released. Statements are not held for FAS-FAX.
What are the filing deadlines?
The filing deadlines for periodical members for 2008 are as follows:
December Reporting Period:
- Jan. 3: Online filing available for magazine/farm/religious and business publication Publisher’s Statements and FAS-FAX
- Jan. 31: Filing deadline for magazine/farm/religious Publisher’s Statements and FAS-FAX
- Feb. 11: Scheduled release date for magazine/farm/religious December 2007 FAS-FAX
- Feb. 19: Filing deadline for business publication FAS-FAX and magazine/farm/religious FAS-FAX supplement
- Feb. 25: Scheduled release date for business publication December 2007 FAS-FAX and magazine/farm/religious December 2007 FAS-FAX supplement
June Reporting Period:
- July 1: Online filing available for magazine/farm/religious and business publication Publisher’s Statements and FAS-FAX
- July 31: Filing deadline for magazine/farm/religious Publisher’s Statements and FAS-FAX
- Aug. 11: Scheduled release date for magazine/farm/religious June 2008 FAS-FAX
- Aug. 19: Filing deadline for business publication FAS-FAX and magazine/farm/religious FAS-FAX supplement
- Aug. 25: Scheduled release date for business publication June 2008 FAS-FAX and magazine/farm/religious June 2008 FAS-FAX supplement
How do I access the online filing tool?
The online filing tool is located on ABC’s Web site under the tab “online report filing.” The members are provided a username and password six weeks prior to the filing deadline. By using their ABC member number along with the ABC-provided username and password, they can access the tool.
Can I get an extension?
To qualify for an extension, the publication must provide ABC with a reason for the extension and a date when ABC can expect to receive the Publisher’s Statement. It is also important to note that if an extension is filed, the publication may not be listed in FAS-FAX.
Who can I call if I have problems filing or using the online tool?
Contact information can be found on the ABC online filing page. If you have any questions, please contact
at (847) 879-8435,
at (847) 879-8303,
at (847) 879-8346, or
at (847) 879-8268.
Who needs to sign the Publisher’s Statement?
The senior circulation executive needs to sign off on the Publisher’s Statement. The certification and contact form can be sent in as a hard copy or updated online using the online filing tool.
Will you accept a fax of my statement?
Yes, a faxed copy will be accepted providing it is a completed statement.
Once I complete my Publisher’s Statement, what else do I need to provide to ABC?
|
Checklist for Online Filing:
Have you completed the necessary worksheets either online or hard copy?
- Average price worksheet
- Premium usage worksheet
- International production worksheet
Have you reviewed all error messages received when filing Publisher’s Statements?
|
Checklist for Statement Submission via fax to ABC at (847) 619-6065
- Signatory and contact form
- Current period rate card
- Updated logo
- Completion of necessary worksheets
|
|
Tips for a Smooth Filing Process
- Use the online tool as there are built-in formulas and cross-paragraph validations to assist in filing.
- Keep current on ABC rule changes and board actions as they impact the filing process. Rule reminders and board actions are on the online tools page.
- The member username and password is not the same as your username and password for the online filing tool. This information is e-mailed to you six weeks before the filing deadline.
- If you have any changes in your department (i.e., TR contact change), notify ABC’s service department so they can update your membership profile.
|
Related Links:
Publisher’s Statement Online Filing
Rapid Report Online Filing
Hard-Copy Online Filing Forms
Rule Reminders
Format Changes
Board Actions
|
