Schaumburg, Ill. (May 6, 2008)—The following are highlights of the actions taken by the Audit Bureau of Circulations’ (ABC) board of directors at an interim meeting held April 28. (Note: The full update to ABC’s bylaws and rules is regularly made available on ABC’s Web site within weeks following each board meeting.)
First Passage – Effective April 1, 2009
The board modified Rule C 1.2 Prices to align the rule with changes made to the rules governing geographical or zone reporting. Under the new rules, geographical reporting becomes optional so publishers are no longer required to establish separate basic prices for each geographic area. If a publisher chooses to continue reporting by zone, they may optionally report a different set of basic prices for each zone.
Newspapers must continue to establish an annual basic price for each frequency of delivery available to consumers. The prices must be published at least quarterly within the publication and the newspaper must be able to demonstrate current and ongoing sales at those prices.
First Passage – Effective April 1, 2009
Finally, the board voted to provide further clarification regarding Rule C 5.13 Subscription Offer Based on Acceptance Unless Declined. In March, the board gave first passage to a set of standards based on “opt out” frequency conversions. In April, the board voted to adopt additional standards to govern “forced” frequency conversions.
A publisher may eliminate an existing frequency and convert all of those subscribers to a new delivery schedule that is available to the public. The additional service is known as a “forced” conversion and can qualify as paid circulation provided the following criteria are met:
- The frequency change must be incorporated in all promotional and sales materials no later than 30 days prior to the first delivery date of the new frequency.
- All frequency changes must be applied to a defined geographic area.
- The discontinued frequency cannot be reinstated within the affected geography for six months after its discontinuance.
- All affected households must receive clear and conspicuous notice of the change.
- No inference should be made that the change in frequency is temporary.
Advertisers must be notified of all frequency conversion programs, both “opt out” and “forced,” at least 120 days in advance via an ABC-hosted Web site.
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Corporate Communications Contacts:
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Senior Vice President, Communications and Strategic Planning
t: 847-879-8442 |
Manager, Communications
t: 847-879-8232 |
Manager, Communications
t: 847-879-8432
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