Free Pick Up Copies - ABC Bulk Distribution

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Free Pick Up Copies

Copies distributed on a regular and consistent basis to known distribution points for pick up or receipt by consumers. 

Principles

1. Prior notification of distribution details and any changes to ABC

2. Distribution follows a regular and consistent pattern to known distribution points

3. Copies are made available at the known distribution points for pick up or receipt by consumers

4. Quantity claimed should not exceed potential demand by the intended consumers

5. Effective management controls over distribution

6. Reported by distribution type 

7. Reported by distribution point type 

Requirements 

1. Prior notification of distribution details and any changes to ABC

1. You must obtain ABC’s agreement that your distribution system is capable of being compliant and verifiable to ABC standards before the distribution of the first issue for which you intend to claim pick up copies. This will include:

   1.  The method of distribution. 

   2. A master list of all distribution points .

2. The method of distribution statement:

   1. Is a statement reflecting the total distribution and describes where, when and how copies are distributed.

   2. Must be verifiable.

3. The master list of distribution points will include details of all distribution points supplied.

4. After initial approval of the distribution system, you must, on an on-going basis, notify ABC of any changes to the method of distribution or details on the master list of distribution points (such as changes in distribution quantities, distribution dates, new or ceased distribution points) as and when they occur.

Guidance Available

2. Distribution follows a regular and consistent pattern to known distribution points

1. A distribution point is defined as an agreed location at which copies are handed to or left for pick up by the consumer. Note:
   
   
   1. A distribution point is defined at the micro level.  

      For example: a single dispensing bin or single hand merchandiser as opposed to say a group of dispensing bins at a particular location. 

2. Distribution points used must be regular in type for every issue (subject to notified and allowable changes). 

3. The distribution points claimed must be consistent with the method of distribution statement.

4. Publications published more frequently than weekly can be assessed for regularity and consistency by day of week/issue. 

   For example: Wednesdays must be regular and consistent with other Wednesdays, Fridays with Fridays etc.

5. Only distribution points in the UK or Republic of Ireland can be claimed.

6. ABC must have the right to visit or contact distribution points for verification purposes.

7. Gross distribution (i.e. supply) quantities for an issue must be similar for each issue but may be varied (compared to the previous reporting period’s total average gross bulk distribution*) as follows:

   1. By up to 10%, without any stipulation or notification requirements.

   2. By greater than 10%, on an ad hoc basis as long as it is due to exceptional circumstances (for example due to tube strikes, severe weather) and ABC is notified within one month of the issue or before the claim is submitted to ABC (whichever is the sooner).

   3. By greater than 10% on a planned and regular basis to account for seasonal variations in the audience (for example a two week reduction in gross pick up copy distribution due to a holiday period).  In this instance the publisher must notify ABC and obtain our agreement in advance, and include details of the seasonal change within their method of distribution statement for the affected Certificate.

 *Note: For daily publications you must apply the 10% distribution change criteria by comparing the gross pick up distribution for a Monday issue compared against the previous period’s total average Monday gross pick up distribution, same for Tuesdays, Wednesdays etc

Guidance Available

3. Copies are made available at the known distribution points for pick up or receipt by consumers

1. You must be able to provide evidence, from the third party responsible, of the number of copies of the publication made available for pick up or receipt at each distribution point by consumers. Note:

   1. Where the copies are made available for pick up or receipt at distribution points by drivers/distributors that are not 3^rd party to the publisher (such as in-house distributors or from a joint venture), it may be possible to include these in the claim as long as:

      • It can be demonstrated that the drivers/distributors have sufficient independence and are specifically contracted to deliver/distribute the publication.

      • The auditor/ABC has full and unrestricted access to the relevant parties’ documentation and financial records.

      • ABC has specifically agreed this distribution method.

2. Where your ABC pick up claim is for the net number of copies picked up or received by consumers at a distribution point, you must be able to provide evidence of the number of copies returned/not picked up at each relevant distribution point.

3. For non-daily publications, all copies must be delivered and made available within 24 hours of the majority of the rest of the distribution (with the exception of top-up copies – see below).

4. You can make ‘top- up’ supplies of an issue after the initial supply at a distribution point, as long as:

   1. They are delivered before the distribution of the subsequent issue.

   2. For non-daily publications:

      • The initial supply to a distribution point is made within 24 hours of the majority of the rest of the distribution

      • Any top-up supplies to a particular distribution point beyond the initial supply are not individually greater than the initial supply. 

5. You cannot claim distribution of back issues.

Guidance Available

4. Quantity claimed should not exceed potential demand by the intended consumers

1. Your ABC pick up claim must be reported as a minimum as follows:
   
   

   1. Daily publications (except copies distributed airside and on trains): must be reported on a net basis (i.e. those made available less copies not picked up by consumers).

   2. All publications distributed airside and on trains must be reported on a capped basis. This means the number of copies claimed will be limited to designated caps – see Caps by Supply Type section for details. 

2. As an option you can report copies of non-daily publications distributed in a public place (either by hand merchandiser or via distribution bins) on a net basis as long as:

   1. There are 1 or more distinct distribution cycles, each cycle being completed within 24 hours.

   2. For each distinct distribution cycle you have third party evidence of the net distribution (i.e. those made available and actually collected/handed out).    

Guidance Available

5. Effective management controls over distribution 

1. The publisher is responsible for ensuring that the copies they claim have been delivered and if applicable returns/copies not picked up are accounted for. This requires a publisher to have appropriate management controls and processes in place to ensure that this is happening. 

Guidance Available

6. Reported by distribution type

1. Distribution will be reported analysed by:

   1. Net distribution for daily publications (excluding airside and on trains) and optionally for non-daily publications distributed in a public place; or

   2. Capped distribution for non-daily publications and daily publications distributed airside and on trains.

7. Reported by distribution point type 

1. Distribution will be reported analysed for the selected normal issue by distribution point type. 

Reporting

You will report pick up copies as follows, which will be broken out on the ABC Certificate: 

1. By geographical type:

1. United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland as one figure.

2. By total average pick-up copies per issue for the period, analysed into:

1. Net distribution

2. Capped distribution

3. By total pick up copies for the selected normal issue, analysed by distribution point type.

4. By total pick up copies for each issue in the period.

5. The total average number of distribution points per issue over the period will be reported. 

6. The method of distribution statement that covers the total distribution claimed.

7. Each issue where the total claimed pick up copy figure (i.e. net and/or capped as applicable) varies by more than 10% (increase or decrease) from the previous period’s total average pick up copy claim* will be identified on the front page of the relevant Certificate. For monthly reporting publications these will be published in the monthly ABC report.

*Note: For daily publications the issues identified on the front page of the Certificate will be those where the claimed pick up figure varies by more than 10% compared to the previous period’s total average pick up claim for the corresponding day of the week (i.e. compared to average Monday, average Tuesday etc).

Guidance

G1. Prior notification of distribution details to ABC

1. The method of distribution statement should be as detailed as possible but must also be verifiable from evidence.

2. The master list of all distribution points. We would expect this to include the following for each distribution point: 

   • Unique point ID (to enable clear identification when changes are made).
   • Address, including postcode.
   • Audience Type. For example airside/international rail, hotel – as analysed on the Certificate.
   • Whether there is a responsible individual based at the point, a deliverer places copies on display, or it is a hand distribution point.
   • Point description. For example: type of bin, location at address.
   • Point restrictions. For example it is particularly important to identify any points which can only be accessed via security barriers such as airport airside locations, some office buildings.
   • Name of responsible person:
   1. • Name of recipient for distribution points where individual based at point confirms delivery.
      • Name of deliverer (in-house or name of delivery company) where deliverer confirms delivery.
   • Telephone number of responsible individual.
   • Normal day/date of delivery.
   • Approximate time of delivery.
   • Method of delivery. For example: in house, name of 3rd party distribution company.
   • Normal supply quantity.
   • Normal day/date of collection of returned/damaged copies (net copies only).
   • Additional details as above for all regular top-up supplies.

     • The master list of all distribution points must be supplied to ABC at the time the distribution point and process is submitted to ABC for approval prior to certification. All changes to the above details for existing distribution points, any removal of distribution points and all additions to the distribution points should be notified to ABC as and when they occur.

3. Other information needed for audit typically will include:

   1. Issue by issue free pick up summary: This is an issue by issue summary of the claimed free pick up distribution compiled from the Detailed Issue Distribution Lists (see below).

   2. Detailed Issue Distribution List: This form includes on an issue by issue basis:

      • Name/identification of distribution point
      • Type of distribution point (e.g. hotel), manned or unmanned
      • Gross supply
      • For copies claimed on a net basis:Returned/damaged copies
      • For copies claimed on a capped basis: the cap percentage or number
      • Net distribution
      • Actual day/date of delivery
      • For copies claimed on a net basis: Actual day/date of collection of returned/damaged copies

4. Copies that are purchased from distribution points are still eligible as pick up circulation as long as they comply with the pick-up rules. 

G2. Distribution follows a regular and consistent pattern to known distribution points

1. A distribution point is defined as an agreed location at which copies are handed to or left for pick up by the consumer. 

   1. You should be able to provide details of the terms and conditions between the publisher and the distribution points for the supply and collection of copies, including any financial arrangements. 

2. Examples of ineligible distribution (because it is not regular and consistent) include distribution to irregular exhibitions, rotational sampling, and variations in gross supply due to fluctuations in demand (except as allowed due to seasonal variation rules). 

G3. Copies are made available at the known distribution points for pick up or receipt by consumers 

1. You must be able to provide evidence, from the third party responsible, of the number of copies made available for pick up or receipt at each distribution point by consumers. 

   1. Typically, suitable evidence will be a delivery note signed and dated by a responsible third party individual (at the time of delivery) confirming the number of copies of the particular issue of the publication supplied and that they have made available for pick up or receipt at the particular location.

   2. Where the individual confirming the delivery is the driver/distributor, additional verification such as the deliverer’s manager signing to confirm completion, or the inclusion of a time of delivery may be required where ABC deems appropriate for audit purposes.

   3. If the evidence is from an individual that is not third party to the publisher  (such as an in-house driver) then the records that additionally might be needed for audit could include run/route sheets, evidence of contractual arrangements, wage claims of distributor invoices. 

   4. Ordinarily an individual based at the distribution point should be signing the delivery note at the time of the delivery. However if the signatory is unavailable at the time of delivery they can complete the delivery note left with the consignment and return to the publisher within 5 working days or before the distribution of the next issue (whichever is the sooner). 

   5. With ABC’s agreement you may be able to maintain documentation on a team basis for a group of merchandisers or a group of dispensing racks at a designated location (for example at a train station).

2. Where your ABC pick up claim is for the net number of copies picked up or received by consumers at a distribution point, you must be able to provide evidence of the number of copies returned/not picked up at each relevant distribution point.

   1. Typically, suitable evidence will be a returns note signed and dated by a responsible third party individual (at the time of collection) confirming the number of copies of the publication returned/not picked up, including the time collected. If there is no evidence you cannot assume 100% distribution but instead due to lack of evidence must treat distribution as zero.

   2. If the evidence is from an individual that is not third party to the publisher  (such as an in-house driver) then the records that additionally might be needed for audit could include run/route sheets, evidence of contractual arrangements, wage claims of distributor invoices.

   3. Ordinarily an individual based at the distribution point should be signing the returns note at the time of the collection. However if the signatory is unavailable at the time of collection they can complete the returns/collection note left at the time of collection and return to the publisher within 5 working days or before the distribution of the next issue (whichever is the sooner). 

   4. Distributors and their agents must not have a disincentive to accurately report the net number of copies picked up/received by consumers.

   5. With ABC’s agreement you may be able to maintain documentation on a team basis for a group of merchandisers or a group of dispensing racks at a designated location (for example at a train station).

G4. Quantity claimed should not exceed potential demand by the intended consumers

1. Where distribution claimed is limited by designated caps (see see Caps by Supply Type section for details) you must have appropriate evidence to support the cap if applicable.

G5. Effective management controls over distribution

1. For each publication the detail and extent of these controls and processes will vary as they should be appropriate to the type of distribution. These could include training of staff, spot checks, customer complaint handling etc. 

   1. These controls and processes are reviewed by ABC as part of the joining process and continuing audit of a publication. These help underpin the audit in that they form part of the consideration of risk and consequently the type and extent of audit work done.

   2. If weaknesses in management controls are found during the audit work, the publication’s circulation auditor / ABC will inform the distributor and the publisher of defined improvements to be implemented and a timescale to ensure copies are still eligible for ABC purposes.