The Annual General Meeting of the ABC was held in the offices of News Limited, in Surry Hills, Sydney on 25 October. A highlight was the launch of a review of the rules and analysis of Average Net Paid-Sales to meet advertiser and agency requests for greater transparency,  and more granular reporting.

Sixteen representatives of the ABC’s General Committee committed to weekly meetings on a Wednesday that commenced on November 10. High on the agenda is a review and ongoing enhancement of the ABC’s Rules and Guidelines governing the definitions and reporting of Average Net Paid Sales.

The Rule Review Sub-Committee, which has support and representation from the AANA, the Media Federation of Australia, and senior publishing representatives, will continue to discuss issue-specific reporting of newspapers and magazines as well as issues relating to subscription reporting, additional category or ‘bucket’ reporting and sales by price-point.

Paul Dovas, CEO of the ABC, welcomed the opportunity to re-engage the industry in discussion. “Our members operate in a very dynamic industry and it is essential that the ABC Rules evolve to meet the changing needs of media buyer and seller members.”

Carol Morris, Executive Director of the MFA, expressed to publishers at the AGM the need for urgency and commitment in seeking a resolution by working together to review the existing rules that constitute Average Net paid Sales. “The MFA was a very active and keen participant in the 2006 rule review,” she stated at the AGM, “and we look forward to making swift progress in these areas by working with advertisers and publishers through the newly formed sub-committee.”

The Chairman of the ABC, Dr Stephen Hollings, is proud of the Bureau’s tradition of working with its advertiser, agency and publisher members through dialogue and consultation, to develop rules that meet the evolving needs of the industry.

“The ABC’s open and transparent review process ensures that the rules continue to evolve to meet the dynamic nature of our industry,” said Dr Hollings at the AGM. “The integrity of circulation numbers is vital to the credibility of the industry.”

The rules sub-committee will continue to meet weekly at the offices of the ABC during November and December 2010, and throughout January 2011. The General Committee will be updated with progress reports during the schedule, and will meet to endorse proposed changes before going to a vote by members. More details will be provided by the ABC on next steps, in early 2011.

Share your views by emailing paul.dovas@auditbureau.org.au.

Source: Audit Bureau of Circulations, Paul Dovas, Dr Stephen Hollings; Carol Morris – MFA
By: Philip Jenkinson