Please find a list of common questions and answers to ABA, eLodgement and eData issues.
The ABA, ABC and CAB
Q. How does the ABA work?
A. The Audit Bureaux of Australia or (ABA) is the location for all ABC and CAB data and provides the framework and resource for members and people interested in media to be able to access audited data.
The ABC was founded in 1932 and the CAB in 1957 both with a rich history of delivery of independently verified data about print and other media data to facilitate the buying and selling of advertising space and marketing expenditure.
Q. Why do publishers join ABC or CAB?
A. Publishers join the ABC or CAB and audit so that they are able to provide advertisers with independent proof of the circulation and distribution figures they quote. By committing to an Audit, media owners are demonstrating their integrity in their willingness to be audited and to conform to industry standards.
Q. What is an audit?
A. An audit is an independent verification of the paid circulation of a print title by the ABC, or verification of the total distribution of a print title by the CAB. No matter whether it is ABC or CAB audited, publisher’s data is audited to rigorous rules and standards set by the industry.
Q. How often do audits take place?
A. The ABC reports data four times per year in February, May, August and November, covering four audit periods, January to March. April to June, July to September and October to December. Some publishers are required to audit in half-year periods.
The CAB reports data twice a year, in May for the October to March period and November for the April to September period.
Q. How do I get access to the data?
A. As a casual visitor you will be able to access audited information about ABC and CAB audited publications through a simple single publication search.
If you would like access to more data, historical as well as current, plus a range of reports, trends and tools to help you then you must become a member. Click here for more information about becoming a member.
It's not expensive with annual membership to both bodies from as little as $1,000 annually.
Q. What is the difference between distribution and circulation?
A. Generally speaking, circulation consists of paid-for copies, whereas distribution includes all copies, including free copies. The ABA provides audit brands including the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) that audits consumer media and Circulations Audit Board (CAB) that audits free and controlled distribution for print media.
Q. How are audited figures used?
A. ABC and CAB data is used in the planning, buying and negotiation process between buyers and sellers of advertising space. They are also used as part of the valuation process of publications and publicly quoted companies.
This data also plays a large part in the negotiation process between media buyers and sellers. They provide independent comparisons of publications, period on period, and also between publications.
Q. How can advertisers and their agencies get the most out of audited data?
A. By using ABC and CAB data regularly in the planning and buying process. Also by becoming members of either the ABC or CAB or both, space buyers can become involved and take part in developing the rules that govern media reporting, having a say in how they are implemented and reported.
Contact the ABA for further details, or call us on 02 9954 9800.
Gordon Towell resigns from the ABC and CAB
6 August 2010 - Gordon Towell, CEO of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) and Circulations Audit Board (CAB) is returning to private enterprise after a productive 2-year period that saw the iconic media industry associations revitalised, rebranded and repositioned to meet the changing media landscape.
Online publishers rally behind ABA's push for measurement reform
6 August 2010 - The Audit Bureaux of Australia's (ABA's) campaign for measurement reform is showing results with an increasing number of online publishers changing their website measurement practises in order to comply with the ABA's web audit process.
Lasoo completes first ABA Web Audit
23 June 2010 - Lasoo.com.au has completed its first ABA Web Audit to independently verify its monthly traffic figures to industry-agreed audit standards. Lasoo is the largest site in the online retail category to open itself up to the scrutiny of a web audit.
Publishers Australia endorse ABA digital audit services
7 June 2010 - The Publishers Australia board of directors voted unanimously to officially endorse the Audit Bureaux of Australia’s (ABA) Digital Audit services on May 21, 2010. This follows recommendations from the Digital Leadership Group, chaired by Chris Bishops from the Beyond Digital Media Group and PA CEO, Alan Sarkissian.
CAB adds 41 new titles in latest release of audited distribution data
28th May 2010 - Over the last 6 months, the CAB has seen substantial growth in business and specialty publisher applications with 41 new titles including custom magazines such as Australia Today, Coles Magazine, BMW Magazine and Honda Magazine now achieving audited status.
Entertainment websites respond to advertisers call with ABA web audit
16th April 2010 - The addition of another 20 sites in recent weeks has boosted the number of ABA audited websites to 120 entrenching the growing importance of audited web audience data in the local industry. The catalyst for the latest increase in membership is the growing advertiser awareness of the major impact on page impressions and session duration created by auto-refresh inflation.
