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ABC Launches Rapid Report for Consumer Magazines
All AMI and Meredith Titles Will Participate

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (July 5, 2006) – The Audit Bureau of Circulations announced the launch of ABC Rapid Report, a new consumer magazine circulation-reporting tool. Participants in Rapid Report enter their top-line circulation data on an issue-by-issue basis within weeks of the on-sale or non-paid distribution date. American Media Inc. and Meredith Publishing Group have pledged that all of their ABC-audited titles will voluntarily participate in Rapid Report.

"The reason AMI is participating in ABC's Rapid Report is simple: It's the right thing to do," said David W. Leckey, executive vice president of consumer marketing at American Media Inc. "The demands of today's magazine publishing market require more immediate information, more transparency, and more accountability. As publishers, we ask advertisers to trust our claims; this pays back on that trust. If the industry gets behind Rapid Report, this can be an extremely significant step forward."

“With full industry participation, ABC's Rapid Report is going to be a tremendous online resource for all media buyers," said Charles B. Rutman, CEO of MPG North America. “It will allow advertisers and advertising agencies to make more informed decisions and, ultimately, demonstrate the value of print as a medium to the entire marketplace.”

In a recent survey of ABC consumer magazine titles, about 15 percent of the respondents said they expect to participate in ABC Rapid Report, while half aren’t yet sure. Approximately half of those intending to participate in Rapid Report claim circulation greater than 750,000.

“Publishers expressed their desire for a tool they could use to provide their advertisers with more frequent circulation claims and ABC delivered,” said Michael J. Lavery, ABC president and managing director. “While it appears many publishers are taking a “wait and see” approach, our advertiser members have indicated that participation in ABC Rapid Report will be an important discussion point in the near future.”

ABC-publisher members can access Rapid Report through the online filing section of the ABC Web site. All other ABC members can access the reports through the e-Data login portion of the ABC Web site and choose the ABC Rapid Report button on the left-hand tool bar.

The creation of ABC Rapid Report was a collaboration of ABC-member publishers, advertisers and advertising agencies working together to address an important strategic need for more frequently reported circulation data. ABC Rapid Report allows publishers to voluntarily report their top-line circulation data on an issue-by-issue basis within weeks of the on-sale or non-paid distribution date. There is no charge to ABC publisher members to participate in the new program. Report data will also be free to all ABC members with online access.

With more than 4,000 members in North America, ABC is a forum of the world’s leading magazine and newspaper publishers, advertisers and advertising agencies. The organization provides credible, verified information essential to the media buying and selling process. ABC maintains the world’s foremost electronic database of audited-circulation information and an array of verified readership, subscriber demographics and online activity data. To learn more, visit www.accessabc.com.