Single-Copy Promotions Guidebook—U.S. Newspapers

Coffee and Newspaper Concept

A newspaper may choose to sell a single issue of the newspaper in conjunction with a non-newspaper product, such as a coffee. The circulation generated from these sales may be claimed as single copy on ABC documents provided the program complies with all ABC standards governing this type of program.

This coffee and a newspaper concept applies when:

• A single issue of a newspaper and a non-newspaper product (such as coffee, donut, soda, etc.) are being sold together as a package deal for a single price, and
• Neither the newspaper nor the non-newspaper product is being stated or inferred to as free, no additional cost, no extra charge or other synonymous language.

If your program is positioning the non-newspaper product (such as coffee) as free with the purchase of a newspaper, then the premium rules apply. Therefore, please see the section regarding premiums.

If your program is positioning the newspaper as free with the purchase of a non-newspaper product (such as coffee), then classification of those papers as single copy is not applicable. Rather, please consult the guidelines for third-party sales.

Pricing

When offering a newspaper and a coffee (or other non-newspaper product) for a single price, the selling price must equal at least 25 percent of basic single-copy prices plus the full value of the coffee.

The value of the coffee is the highest price at which the coffee is being sold to consumers without the purchase of a newspaper, during the time of the promotion.

The difference between the package price and the price of the coffee (or other non-newspaper product) separately is considered the implied value of the newspaper. It is this implied value that must equal no less than 25 percent of basic single-copy prices.

The newspaper sold separately from the package does not have to be sold at a discount. When sold separate from the package, during the time of the promotion, the newspaper may be sold at basic price or any other price that is 25 percent or more of basic single-copy prices.

Promotional Material

All promotional material must:

• State the items involved in the purchase (newspaper and non-newspaper product).
• State the selling price for the package.
• Identify the price at which the non-newspaper product will be sold separately to everyone during the entire time of the circulation promotion.
• Reflect a qualifying price.
• Exclude any reference to any of the items in the package as being free, no additional cost, bonus, or other synonymous language.

Examples—Coffee and Newspaper Concept

Reporting

Circulation generated from these single-copy newspapers with non-newspaper product packages is reflected in Paragraphs 1A and 2 of the ABC Publisher’s Statement.

In Paragraph 1A, the circulation is classified as Single-Copy Sales under Paid for by Individual Recipients. For individually paid circulation, ABC requires a newspaper to delineate between circulation sold at 50 percent or more of basic prices and circulation sold at less than 50 percent, but at least 25 percent of basic prices. Therefore, for the newspaper involved in a non-newspaper product package sale, the single-issue sales should be included in the appropriate price category based on the implied value of the newspaper.

In Paragraph 2, the circulation is classified as Single Copy (Individual), based on the specific ABC zone where the sale to the consumer occurred.