The Alliance for Audited Media has eliminated eliminate the paid circulation requirement for U.S. and Canadian newspaper membership, qualifying any newspaper — paid, free or digital — for AAM membership, the organization announced today.
The decision, made at AAM’s November board of directors meeting, follows a newspaper member advisory vote in which a majority supported eliminating the bylaw that required 70% of a newspaper’s circulation to be paid.
“This change reflects the evolving nature of the newspaper industry, where content is distributed via an array of paid and free print products, on tablet and smartphone apps, and on continuously updated websites,” AAM Board Chairman Sunni Boot of ZenithOptimedia Canada said in a statement. “Now advertisers will have even more audited data for each distribution channel newspapers use.”
The board also outlined AAM’s larger strategic direction to build its Media Intelligence Center into a frequently updated cross-media database. All media divisions are working toward reporting data more often than the semiannual statements that have been staples of the organization for years, AAM said.
AAM is exploring ways to automate the process of filing publisher data and designing how this data will be accessed in the Media Intelligence Center for all divisions.
The board approved a new audit program designed for U.S. magazines with circulations of 100,000 or less, intended to reduce costs, lessen audit preparation and streamline reporting that continues to meet the needs of advertisers.
The board also elected a new group of directors and officers during its meeting. New representatives include:
• Tom Cassidy, JCPenney, representing U.S. advertisers
• Michael R. Gulledge, Lee Enterprises, representing U.S. newspapers
• Pierre Marcoux, TC Media, representing Canadian periodicals
• Yasmin Namini, New York Times, representing U.S. newspapers
• Eric Zinczenko, Bonnier Corp., representing U.S. magazines
The board also re-elected Sunni Boot of ZenithOptimedia Canada Inc. as chairman. AAM elected as vice chairmen: Kirk Davis, GateHouse Media Inc.; Rob Fisher, American City Business Journals; Scott Kruse, GroupM; David W. Leckey, American Media Inc.; Christina Meringolo, Merck Consumer Care; and Shelagh Stoneham, Rogers Communications Inc.
The organization also made plans for its 100th anniversary in 2014. The board is planning a series of events and special programs for members throughout the year. The board is also leading an initiative to reinforce the importance of AAM advertiser membership — the founders of the organization, the group said.
A complete summary of board actions can be found here.
