AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATION (ABC)

ABC is one of several organizations of the same name operating in different parts of the world.

The ABC is a non-profit, self-disciplining, voluntary organization consisting of Publishers, Advertisers and Advertising Agencies. It has done pioneering work in developing systems to verify the circulation data published by those newspapers and periodicals, which have earned the right to display its emblem.

The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) was founded in 1948, is an association consisting of publishers, advertisers and advertising agencies. ABC as it is called and understood by all, is a founder member of the International Federation of Audit Bureaux of Circulations. The main function of ABC is to evolve, lay down a standard and uniform procedure by which a member publisher shall compute its net paid circulation figure. A firm of Chartered Accountants approved by the Bureau checks the circulation figures so arrived at. The Bureau issues ABC certificates every six months to those publishers whose circulation figures confirm to the rules and regulations set out by the Bureau and duly certified by a Chartered Accountant who is from the approved panel of the Bureau.

ABC's membership today includes 380 publishers of national and regional importance, 189 advertising agencies, 74 Advertisers & 19 New Agencies and Associations connected with print media and advertising. It covers more than 50 major towns in India.

Facts and figures, which are checked and certified by an independent body, are very important in advertising business. It increases confidence and sets high standards.

An advertiser would like to know the facts and figures before investing his money in advertising. And before investing the money, the advertiser ought to know how many people buy which publication in which area. The ABC gives all these vital facts every six months. The ABC figures are not the outcome of opinions, claims or guesswork, but they are the result of rigid, in-depth and impartial audits of paid circulations of member publications by independent and leading firms of Chartered Accountants working in accordance with the rules/procedures set by the Bureau.

An advertising agency would want to make valid and rational recommendations for the proper distribution of his clients' advertising budget.

A publisher gets a Certificate of Circulation, which is a proof to the advertiser of the coverage he is offering.

 

NATIONAL READERSHIP SURVEY (NRS)/ INDIAN READERSHIP SURVEY (IRS)

There are the two main sources of obtaining data to determine readership of any publication:

1. National Readership Survey - NRS
2. Indian Readership Survey - IRS

National Readership Survey is a survey on all media, but especially the print medium, conducted by the National Readership Studies Council (NRSC) - supported by Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC), Advertising Agencies association of India (AAAI) & Indian Newspapers Society.

Research agencies involved are: IMRB, TNS Sofres Mode, AC Nielsen in collaboration with ORG.

Indian Readership Survey is conducted by the Media Research Users Council (MRUC).

Both NRS & IRS

- Gives media consumption habits, product ownership & consumption, lifestyle indicators information on macro demographic & geographic parameters.
- Population coverage: 12 years & above
- Sample size: over 200, 000
- Geographic coverage: All India (Urban+Rural)
- Sample Frame: Electoral rolls based on 2001 Census definition of Urban Agglomeration

 

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF APPLIED ECONOMIC RESEARCH (NCAER)

NCAER is an independent, non-profit research institution that is committed to assist government, civil society and the private sector to make informed policy choices. The Council encourages research on Indian themes using Indian data. NCAER is dedicated to the goal of connectivity and seeks to establish interlinkages with research institutions interested in the areas of industry and infrastructure development, macroeconomic analysis and human development.

NCAER has an interdisciplinary team of researchers capable of generating large scale primary data and independent analyses at national, state, sectoral, industry and firm levels.

NCAER has done pioneering research work in areas of applied economics with an emphasis on policy analysis and application of modern quantitative techniques to development issues, regional development and planning, household income, consumption, savings /investment and energy.

NCAER Activities

• Develop policy reports
• Track key sectors of the economy
• Forecast the economic outlook
• Conduct and design surveys
• Disseminate research findings

In addition to its research capabilities, NCAER has a unique position in the country for designing and executing large-scale sample surveys on regional and human development as well as a large range of consumer products. NCAER has built up a rich database on economic and commercial data.

Research Areas

NCAER's research programme areas include

• Macroeconomic Monitoring and Forecasting
• Human Development
• Agriculture and Rural Development
• Industry and Infrastructure.
• Survey and General Economics