Publishers Vie For Place On ABC Council

The UK’s major magazine and newspaper publishing companies are currently lining up to win a place on the council of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC). The ABC is garnering votes for its bi-annual elections ahead of the group’s AGM on 2 December when the new council will be announced.

Whichever groups are represented on the council will hold sway over the way the ABC audits newspapers and magazines over the next two years. It is the business press sector that the seats are most heavily-contested. There are nine candidates competing for just three seats to represent this area. Similarly, the three regional press and consumer magazines seats are being contested by six and four candidates respectively.

The consumer magazines candidates are Martin Grandby, head of circulation at the National Magazine Company; Sue Hawken, managing director of EMAP élan; David Stam, managing director of IPC Magazines and Alan Urry, managing director of H Bauer Publishing. Regional press candidates include representatives from Independent Newspapers, Newsquest Media and Northcliffe Newspapers.

The two seats available for national newspapers representatives are both uncontested, with submissions from Express Newspapers’ Richard Bogie and the Telegraph Group’s Cliff Ewan.

Commenting on the response from publisher, ABC’s chief executive Simon Devitt, says: “It’s good to see so many people getting actively involved in the election process and wanting to play a part in ABC’s future. The constitution of the ABC Council is key to protecting the independence that is so crucial to our value and success.”

The ABC has sent ballot papers to all of the Bureau’s members; the closing date for voting is 29 November.

Audit Bureau of Circulations: 01442 870 800