ABC Proposes New Consumer Magazine Auditing Rules

The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) is to meet on 29 June to discuss changes in the way that consumer magazines are audited. Whilst the details of the new system are fairly complex, the basic aim behind the proposals is to tighten up the way consumer magazines report their circulations.

The distinction between consumer general and consumer specialist magazines will be removed under the new system, and all titles will operate under the rules currently set for consumer specialist.

There may also be an option for publishers to declare particular editions if their circulation variance is greater than 20%. An option to report six-monthly or annually will also be put in place.

The hope is to distinguish between business and contract titles and those on the newsstands. The new rules also hope to deal with the problems associated with auditing bulk copies and free distribution.

If agreed, the new rules will be effective from January 1999. The ABC will brief those affected in the preceeding six months.

ABC: 01442 870800