Individually Addressed Distribution to Consumers for Personal Use

A sponsor may opt to purchase magazines for distribution to targeted consumers for the purpose of increasing its business relationship with the consumer. These copies are typically delivered to the consumer’s home for their personal use.

It is necessary that the consumer be notified about the sponsor of these copies. Such notification should occur at the beginning of service of the sponsored publication. For periods longer than one year, a reminder notice should be sent to the consumer on an annual basis.

This notification can be made in one of the following ways:

• At the time of delivery of the first issue of the publication via a sticker, stamp, flyer, wrap or similar vehicle notifying the consumer of who has purchased the magazine on their behalf.
• Separate notification sent to the consumer advising them of the identity of the sponsor. Such a message must be communicated in a clear and conspicuous fashion.
• In situations where the consumer is offered a selection of publications or the opportunity to opt-in to receipt of a sponsored copy, notification of the identity of the sponsor may be executed at this point.

• This magazine is compliments of ….. (sponsor’s name)
• This magazine is courtesy of ….. (sponsor’s name)
• This magazine is being provided to you by ….. (sponsor’s name)

• Sponsor’s logo
• Street address
• Web site URL
• E-mail address
• Phone number
• Fax number

The following are examples of additional items the magazine sponsor may wish to include on the notification that would require a charge for advertising:

• Normal sponsor advertising
• Coupon for its merchandise/services
• Editorial content about the sponsor

Public Place Distribution for Placement in Reception Room Locations

Sponsors may opt to purchase a magazine distributed to reception rooms for use by patrons of a business, with the intent for the copy to remain in the reception room location.

Each copy of each issue delivered to such locations must contain acknowledgment as to the sponsor of the magazine. This should be done via a sticker, stamp, or similar external device identifying the sponsor on the magazine’s front cover.

• This magazine is compliments of ….. (sponsor’s name)
• This magazine is courtesy of ….. (sponsor’s name)
• This magazine is being provided to you by ….. (sponsor’s name)

• Sponsor’s logo
• Street address
• Web site URL
• E-mail address
• Phone number
• Fax number

The following are examples of additional items the magazine sponsor may wish to include on the notification that would require a charge for advertising:

• Normal sponsor advertising
• Coupon for its merchandise/services
• Editorial about the sponsor

On-site Distribution at Purchaser’s Place of Business

A magazine sponsor may simply want to distribute the magazine at its own place of business. Hotels frequently do this for in-room placement for guest use.

If the distribution of the magazine occurs on-site, then the recipient will assume the sponsor of the magazine is the place of business they are visiting. In this case, no written notification is required, as the assumption by the recipient is accurate.

Event or Similar Distribution

When a sponsor wants to reach a specifically targeted audience, it may choose to distribute the magazine at an event or a location where that audience is most likely to be present.

In these cases, it is necessary to notify the recipient in writing as to the sponsor of the magazine. This notification can be done via a sticker, stamp, flyer, wrap around the magazine, or racks/tables where magazines are picked up with clearly visible signs.

The content of this notification must state something similar to the following:

• This magazine is compliments of ….. (sponsor’s name)
• This magazine is courtesy of ….. (sponsor’s name)
• This magazine is being provided to you by ….. (sponsor’s name)

• Sponsor’s logo
• Street address
• Web site URL
• E-mail address
• Phone number
• Fax number

The following are examples of additional items the magazine sponsor may wish to include on the notification that would require a charge for advertising:

• Normal sponsor advertising
• Coupon for its merchandise/services
• Editorial about the sponsor

Additional Information

A sample of the written notification piece must be maintained for the ABC auditor’s review during the audit process. For additional information about sponsored sales programs, visit these links: