ABC Bulk Distribution

Latest Changes

December 2011

From January 2012 reporting period: clarification of the information and requirements for bulk distribution claims, including ABC's right to contact distribution points, information expected on the Master List of Distribution Points and the audit treatment following the assessent of management controls.

Previous changes

May 2011

Digital editions: From July 2011 there are changes to the definitions and requirements in relation to the reporting of digital editions of a print publication. Please refer to the letter on the link above for more details.

Appeal procedure: Where a member appeals against a decision in relation to an audit, the timescale within which the Director of Audit will investigate and provide a decision has been amended from 5 working days to 10 working days.

Publicity: from the October 2010 reporting period the requirement for the statement of distribution to be published on either the front or back cover has been widened so it may instead be published on the inside front cover or inside back cover.

Bulk distribution: it has been agreed to allow more flexibility in varying bulk distribution to take account of a variety of planned and unplanned circumstances. There are a number of controls on changes and reporting requirements to ensure there is transparency in the more significant changes. Effective from the May 2010 reporting period.
Bulk distribution - daily titles, copies distributed airside and on trains: Due to the difficulties in carrying out reality testing at airports and on trains, from the May 2010 reporting period these copies will now be subject to a cap rather than reporting a net figure. This has already been the case for weekly titles and is now applicable to daily titles.

Page size: allowing a particular issue to be published in a different page size (subject to certain conditions)
Reporting of bulk distribution for non-daily publications: to be reported on a capped basis rather than net from July 2009 audit period

Advertising changes: clarification that an advertiser changing copy within their own advert will not lead to copies requiring separate certification
Evidence required for audit: clarification that publishers are expected to have and may need to demonstrate management controls to support their claimed distribution

Distribution point definition and evidence (i.e. micro level and team/group evidence)
Wraps /centre pullouts: Definition of and treatment of advertisements affected by wraps/pullouts