- What is ABC’s Community Newspaper Audit program?
The Community Newspaper Audit program, or CNA, is a new audit plan designed specifically with smaller, community newspapers in mind. CNA offers these newspapers many advantages, including streamlined audit and reporting requirements, flexible billing options and guaranteed, flat-rate audit costs.
- What are CNA's eligibility requirements?
To be eligible to participate in the CNA program, newspapers must have a daily average paid circulation of less than 25,000.
- What kind of response are you receiving from other community newspaper publishers?
The response from community newspaper publishers has been overwhelming. Most of them are very excited about the program, especially the lower price. As of Nov. 2, 2009, nearly 200 newspapers have enrolled in the program, which launches Jan. 1, 2010.
According to Kirk Davis, president and COO of Gatehouse Media Inc., “This is a significant new service offering that directly addresses the challenges many community newspapers face today. Many publishers in this category will likely see savings of 25 to 50 percent, with the quality and brand draw of an ABC audit to help them attract local, regional and national advertisers. I think it will have widespread appeal for many newspapers.”
- Can you explain the differences between CNA and CNA+?
ABC offers two packages for CNA enrollees.
The first package, CNA, is $2,000 per year and includes an every-other-year audit, all-inclusive, flat-rate pricing, inclusion in FAS-FAX, access to ABC’s Preprint Projection Center, semi-annual Publisher’s Statements and flexible billing options.
The second package, CNA+, is $2,250 per year and includes everything listed in the CNA package, plus power day reporting and access to eStatements.
- Is the $2,000 or $2,250 a total audit cost or an annual cost to ABC?
Depending on the package, CNA participants pay $2,000 or $2,250 annually to ABC. That is a guaranteed flat rate and participants can choose from four flexible billing options: monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.
- Do newspapers participating in the CNA program still file Publisher’s Statements every six months?
Yes. CNA participants are still required to file Publisher’s Statements for the six-month periods ending in March and September.
CNA participants are also included in ABC’s twice-yearly FAS-FAX report.
- How do advertisers view the Community Newspaper Audit program?
Advertisers are very supportive of the Community Newspaper Audit program. Many understand that smaller, community newspapers have different needs than their larger, metropolitan brethren and embrace the CNA program which offers simplified auditing and reporting requirements at a lower cost while still delivering the gold standard of media auditing.
Merle Davidson, director of media services at J.C. Penney, noted, “In today’s marketplace, many regional and national companies are advertising in community newspapers to improve reach and coverage in local markets no longer being served by metropolitan newspapers. Having important, ZIP-code-level information from these newspapers included in ABC’s integrated database is essential for advertisers that want to build the most effective media plans.”
- What are the main reporting differences between ABC’s traditional newspaper circulation audit and the Community Newspaper Audit?
One of the key features of the CNA program is simplified reporting requirements. CNA participants no longer need to report by geographic market, day-of-week or premiums. The CNA reports also feature simpler basic price and explanatory reporting.
- Can newspapers still report circulation by day-of-week and participate in the CNA program?
No. Newspapers that wish to continue reporting circulation by day-of-week are encouraged to remain with ABC’s traditional newspaper audit plan.
- Can I see an example of the CNA Publisher’s Statements and Audit Reports?
- Are CNA newspapers still included in ABC’s online database? What about FAS-FAX?
Absolutely. The Publisher’s Statements and Audit Reports for CNA newspapers are populated in ABC’s online database just like newspapers engaged in ABC’s traditional circulation program.
CNA newspapers are also included in ABC’s twice-yearly FAS-FAX report.
Finally, ZIP-code-level data for CNA newspapers is made available via ABC’s eNewspaper tool to hundreds of ABC advertiser and advertising agency members.
- When can newspapers start audits under the CNA program?
The Community Newspaper Audit program officially launches on Jan. 1, 2010. The Community Newspaper Audit program will begin with March 2010-ending Publisher’s Statements and audits.
- How often are CNA newspapers audited?
- Can CNA newspapers still participate in Audience-FAX?
- How do I enroll in ABC’s Community Newspaper Audit program?
- Where can I find more information about CNA? Who can I talk to if I have more questions about CNA?
Newspapers interested in learning more about the Community Newspaper Audit program are encouraged to visit ABC’s website.
Newspapers can also contact ABC’s
manager, marketing and sales, at (224)-366-6388.
Audit Services