- What is a Consolidated Media Report (CMR)?
The CMR is a customized standalone report that provides newspapers the flexibility to report their total brand with print circulation, digital metrics and readership information.
- What are the benefits of a CMR?
The CMR may combine products that are not typically reported on standard ABC statements such as broadcast data, certain nonpaid products and social media statistics. Publishers can present advertisers with their total media footprint on a report that is independently verified by ABC.
CMR data is included in CMR-FAX in conjunction with the semi-annual newspaper FAS-FAX report. Reports are available in eStatements in ABC’s e-Data Center, which buyers may access 24/7.
- What can be reported on a CMR?
ABC can audit virtually any type of product for a CMR as long as the product is owned or operated by an ABC member and the required records and files are available to conduct the audit. There is no required format, and the publisher may customize the report’s look to support its usefulness.
Examples of products that can be included on the CMR include:
| Print publications | Digital products | Audience metrics |
Paid, nonpaid and free publications
Newspapers
Magazines
Business publications
TMC/EMC and shoppers |
Website traffic
E-Newsletters
Mobile
Apps
Social Media
E-readers and tablets |
Print readership
Online readership
Custom demographics
Broadcast data |
- Can non-ABC member publications be included on the CMR?
Yes, as long as ABC audits the publications that are included. Publications that are audited only for the CMR do not need to become members of ABC. However, this audited data does not entitle the individual products that do not hold regular membership in ABC to represent or claim that they are "members" of ABC, nor are these non-member products permitted to use the ABC insignia/logo within their publications, letterhead, or advertising and marketing materials.
- What type of metrics can be reported for my digital products?
Again, because there is no required format for the CMR, different metrics may be reported for the various products. For example, a publisher may want to report website page views and unique browsers but only report time spent for mobile website traffic.
Detailed descriptions of the digital and social media products that may be included on CMRs are available here.
- Can Audience-FAX print and online readership be included on a CMR?
Yes. If a newspaper is a current Audience-FAX participant, ABC will include the latest Audience-FAX data on a CMR.
- Can custom demographics be included on a CMR?
Yes. If a newspaper currently participates in Audience-FAX and wishes to report expanded/detailed demographics, ABC can provide a quote to include the information on a CMR.
- How often are CMRs released?
CMRs have an open reporting frequency and can be released as often as the newspaper wishes. Reports are typically released every six months, but some publishers choose to report monthly, quarterly or annually.
- How much does a CMR cost?
Because the CMR is customized for each newspaper, ABC provides custom quotes. The cost depends on the number and type of products included on the report. ABC charges an audit fee plus a $300-$500 statement fee to release a CMR. The report fee is based on the number of products and complexity of the artwork contained in the report.
- Do I have to file Publisher’s Statements for a CMR?
No, Publisher’s Statements are not a requirement.
- Do all of the products on a CMR have to be audited?
Yes. Information included on Publisher’s Statements such as print circulation or Audience-FAX data may be included on the CMR without being audited in advance. All other brand print, digital and audience products elements must be audited before the report is released.
- Can the CMR report include promotional information?
Yes. Newspapers may tailor their CMRs with graphs, logos, product photos, etc. Any claims made on the report must be approved and audited by ABC. This may result in additional costs.
- How can advertisers access my CMR?
Advertisers access CMRs with eStatements in the e-Data Center and CMR-FAX, which is released in conjunction with newspaper FAS-FAX in the spring and fall.
- How current is the CMR data that is found in CMR-FAX?
CMR-FAX contains data for the most recently released CMRs. Please keep in mind that in most cases, a September-ending CMR will not be included in the September CMR-FAX, but rather in the CMR-FAX release in March. The FAS-FAX and CMR-FAX are typically released before the final audited data is ready, causing a delay in CMR-FAX reporting.
- What are some examples of CMRs?
Several newspapers share their stories about creating a CMR in our case study series:
- How do I get a quote or receive more information about the CMR?
The first step is to provide ABC with information about the products that you would like to include on a CMR. To start the process or find out more, please contact at 416-962-5840 ext. 226.
Audit Services