The ABC audit process verifies the paid circulation per issue of a publication in a defined audit period.
A not-for-profit industry organisation, the ABC is governed by an Executive Committee and General Committee elected from the membership on an annual basis. Committee positions are honorary and represent the tripartite nature of membership with representation from Advertisers, Advertising Agencies and Publishers.
The ABC is a leading member of the International Federation of ABC’s.
We work closely with the industry to provide services relevant to members needs while providing the integrity of third party verification of data.
The ABC has four reporting periods each year, covering 13-weeks for daily and weekly publications with circulation greater than 25,000 including National, Metropolitan, Newspaper Inserted Magazines, Saturday and Sunday Newspapers, Weekly Magazines and Regional Dailies.
Monthly magazines and publications with a circulation less than 25,000 report twice per year, with each of these periods covering 26 weeks.
13 week periods are January to March, April to June, July to September and October to December.
26 week periods are January to June, and July to December.
Audits are conducted by either staff or registered ABC auditors who are independent of the publication.
History
The ABC was formed in 1932 when advertisers, advertising agencies and publishers established the ground rules for circulation auditing. As an independent not-for-profit industry body, the ABC’s role has been to maintain and develop those rules.
The requirement for audited circulation stemmed from the need for credibility. Publishers needed independent verification of their circulation sales to provide a basis for their rates. Advertisers as well as advertising agencies needed to be assured their print advertising decisions were being based upon independently verified circulation data. The ABC provides audited circulation information to both the buyers and sellers of advertising space.
Objectives
Today, those needs have not changed, although as the methods of buying and selling print advertising space have evolved, there is now a need to audit ‘new media’. The ABC continues to serve its members by upholding this basic mission.
Advertiser and Media Buyer Survey Results Released by the ABC and CAB
5th February 2010 - It has been confirmed by agencies and advertisers that audited circulation data plays a vital role in media planning and purchasing decisions.
CAB Publicity Correction
4th February 2010 - The Board of Directors today issued a Publicity Correction regarding CAB member Convenience & Impulse Retailing magazine following the resolution of a publicity matter made by Retail Media.
Industry Associations Meet
22nd January 2010 - A meeting yesterday between representatives from the MFA[1], the IAB Australia[2] and the ABA[3] resulted in a greater commitment towards standardisation and transparency of online audience metrics.
ABA Web Audit members approve digital audit standards on October 9, 2009
October 9, 2009 - The ABA’s Digital Watchdog Committee, formed following the launch of the ABA Web Audit Service in July, held its inaugural meeting on September 30, 2009.
ABA Web Audit Service builds momentum on September 25, 2009
September 25, 2009 - Publishers have raced to take advantage of the Audit Bureaux of Australia’s Web Audit Service, with the number of Australian online sites submitting for audit more than doubled in the last month.
CAB Education Series Begins on August 18, 2009
August 18, 2009 - Over the next few weeks CAB will be on the road taking the new Rules out to members and auditors through a series of workshops being held in capital cities around the country.
Launch of IASH Australia brings greater accountability for online advertising.
August 7, 2009 - Twelve of Australia’s leading online advertising companies yesterday announced the formation of IASH Australia (Internet Advertising Sales Houses of Australia), the industry body that will take over the mantle from IANA to bring greater accountability for online advertisers.
CAB adds even more data on July 20, 2009
July 20, 2009 - CAB has added new audited data to eData, CAB's online data access portal, following the completion of additional audits for the period ending March 2009.
CAB adds more data on June 30, 2009
June 30, 2009 - Following the release of data for the period ended March 2009 through the new web site, a number of CAB members’ audited data and publisher’s statement have been received and have now been added to the database.
