ABC And NRS In Possible Collaboration

The Audit Bureau of Circulations and the National Readership Survey have initiated exploratory talks about possible areas for closer collaboration and co-operation.

“Since both organisations have significant areas of overlapping interest in the newspaper and magazine markets it seems appropriate to initiate such a debate in order to ascertain whether there may be any benefits in the shape of efficiencies, cost-savings and greater effectiveness to be had from a closer working relationship,” read a statement.

In addition, both the ABC and NRS are facing the need to recruit new CEO/MDs during 2008 making such discussion particularly timely.

John Mayhead, chairman of ABC, and Simon Marquis, chairman of NRS, welcomed the consultation but both stress that discussions are at a very tentative stage and any proposals arising from discussions would require the agreement of both the ABC Council and the NRS board.

Roger Pratt, MD of the NRS, announced last month that he is to step down this year.

Pratt said: “I am now 62 and am looking ahead to the point at which I shall want to retire from a full-time role. I have now been managing director for 12 years and have thoroughly enjoyed running the NRS, but the time will come when I want to do other interesting things with my life (see Roger Pratt To Step Down As NRS MD).

“I am signalling my intentions early so that appropriate arrangements for an orderly succession can be made in good time.”

ABC: 01442 870 800 www.abc.org.uk NRS: 020 7242 8111 www.nrs.co.uk