NatMags To Reissue ABC Figures

The National Magazine Company is to reissue Audit Bureau of Circulation figures for nine of its titles, including Esquire and Good Housekeeping, after infringing the strict rules that govern bulk sales.

The news comes just two weeks before the release of the July to December 2002 ABC magazine audit figures, meaning that media planners and buyers will have been using inaccurate data for almost six-months.

However, NatMags claims that the average restatement for the affected titles is less than 5% and will “have no impact on the actively purchased circulation.”

According to a spokeswoman for NatMags: “There is no suggestion by the ABC that the copies in question were not ultimately delivered to consumers. The National Magazine Company has always been entirely open about how and where we distribute promotional copies and we are happy to give a detailed explanation about all our promotions. Clearly we regret that this misinterpretation of the ABC rules has led us to this restatement.”

Other affected titles include; She, Best, Prima, Prima Baby, House Beautiful, Your Home and Zest.

This is not the first time that a high-profile publisher has been forced to re-state its ABC results. Emap had to reissue circulation figures for 14 of its titles last October, after infringing the rules surrounding bulk sales (see ABC To Re-Issue Circulation Figures Across Emap Titles).

ABC is currently undertaking a consultation process with key industry figures, which is expected to simplify the complex rules governing bulk sales of magazines.

National Magazine Company: 0207 439 5000 www.natmags.co.uk

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