ABC Restructures For Changing Media World
The Audit Bureau of Circulations is to restructure, to better reflect the increasingly online and multi-platform media world, and to “best serve the needs of both the buying and selling communities”.
Account teams responsible for managing ABC’s traditional print-based media owner members will take on additional responsibility for all ABC relevant platforms – specifically online/digital and exhibitions/events.
Specialist new media clients will be the key responsibility of the ABCe team. The ABC says that this is the fastest growing advertising sector and one where standards and accountability are new and developing.
Martyn Gates, director of newspapers, will be responsible (cross platform) for national newspapers, regional newspapers (combined paid and free), and free distribution newspapers.
Jan Pitt, director of magazines and exhibitions, will be responsible, also cross platform, for B2B magazines and consumer magazines, as well as for exhibitions.
Richard Foan, MD of ABCe will be responsible for all new media companies across the large range of developing media entities such as online TV and radio. Richard Foan is also responsible for the ABCe Associate Subscriber Scheme.
For the first time leading media buying agencies will be allocated to an account handling team in order to ensure that buyers are continually supported and kept informed of details on accountability and reporting.
All ABC/ABCe activities in Ireland will be centrally managed through Martyn Gates, who takes over responsibility for regional strategy, development and delivery of services in Ireland.
Chris Boyd, chief executive of the ABC, said: “The media industry is ever changing and mirroring its evolution is a vital step for ABC to ensure the organisation, and most importantly the service it provides, remains current and relevant.
“The restructuring will also help to focus the organisation on the core areas of reporting standards and auditing, enabling the directorial team to concentrate on responding to industry needs, whilst further developing our auditing processes.”
He continued: “As media platforms converge and diversify, the need for accountability, regardless of channel, has never been greater, and this restructure will make certain ABC is able to embrace its central role within the industry for the future.”
ABC: 01442 870 800 www.abc.org.uk