Certified Audit of Circulations plans merger with Alliance for Audited Media

With unanimous support, the board of directors of Certified Audit of Circulations is recommending a merger with the Alliance for Audited Media to help keep audit rates low, ensure easy access of independently verified data to media buyers, and enhance customer service. Pending approval by both CAC and AAM members, the merger is expected to be complete this summer.

CAC became a subsidiary of AAM in 2012 with the common goal of providing the market with easy-to-access, comparable news media data and cost-savings opportunities for publishers. This merger is the last step in integrating the two organizations.

"The media buyers and publishers of CAC's board strongly support a merger with AAM," explained Kathy Heatley, vice president, local publishing investment, Starcom Worldwide, and CAC board chairwoman. "This is the natural progression of our relationship that will continue to provide buyers with the data they need to make informed decisions and ensure audit rates hold steady for publishers. We encourage CAC members to consider the benefits of the AAM relationship and vote in favor of the proposed merger."

Together the two organizations have made significant enhancements in publisher and buyer communications, including:

• Added nearly 500 community newspapers to AAM's Media Intelligence Center, significantly improving the amount of news media data available to more than 400 marketer and agency members.
• Aligned rules and reporting requirements across the news media industry, making it easier for buyers to analyze and compare data.
• Streamlined data filing using an online portal making it faster for publishers to submit data and add it to the Media Intelligence Center.
• Increased data visibility for news media organizations by adding circulation information to the direct data feeds sent to companies like Nielsen, SRDS, NSA Media, Novus and more.
• Expanded access to new media assurance programs like AAM Brand View and Quality Certification.

"A merger with AAM helps keep community news media top of mind for buyers looking to reach local targeted audiences," said Jason Hegna, revenue director, Shaw Media Group and CAC director. "Eliminating duplicative business costs ensures audit rates remain affordable, a new committee ensures the community news media voice is heard, and buyers are guaranteed a continuous flow of verified news media data. It's a win-win-win that is reflective of today's news media industry."

AAM chairman Edward W. Boyd, CEO, Current International Inc., said, "A merger with CAC aligns with AAM's goal of helping the media industry transact with trust. Community newspapers fill a valuable role in the media mix and ensuring that transparent data is readily available to buyers is paramount to a successful buy/sell relationship."

The merger will have no impact on CAC members' day-to-day operations. CAC members may choose to use the CAC logo or the AAM logo on their reports. A new advisory committee will be formed to ensure the community newspaper voice is heard.

The publisher and buyer members of each organization's board of directors have offered their unanimous support of the merger. CAC and AAM members must now approve the agreement via a vote. CAC members will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the merger before casting their vote on May 16 at 9 a.m. CT at AAM's office in Arlington Heights, Ill. AAM's membership vote will be conducted online. At least 10 percent of the eligible membership must vote with at least two-thirds of the votes in favor for the merger to pass.

More information about the vote and merger is available on AAM's website.