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Volume 2 | Number 11 | November 2006
This Month's Features:
Verified Would Like to Welcome...
The Top 15 Magazine Launches of 2005–2006
Verified Performs Distribution Company Audits
Ad Inserts and Circulars Influence Clothing Shopping
Events Calendar
Ask Verified: What is a Website Audit?
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Verified Would Like to Welcome...
Seattle MagazineTiger Oak Publications
Seattle, WA
Seattle Magazine is the premier regional lifestyle and culture publication in the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle Magazine focuses on enriching the lives of both its subscribers and newsstand readers by covering local and national events that impact everyday life in the region.
The Top 15 Magazine Launches of 2005–2006
The Media Industry Newsletter (MIN) and Sami "Mr. Magazine" Husni, PhD, from the University of Mississippi Department of Journalism released their annual "Top 15 Magazine Launches" in October. The review covered new magazines launched from September 2005 through September 2006. In alphabetical order:Beckett Elite – Beckett Media LLC
Blueprint – Martha Stewart Living Omni Media
Cookie – Condé Nast
Crazy for Sodoku! – Dell Magazines
Everyday with Rachael Ray – Reader's Digest Association
Good – Good Magazine
Hallmark – Hallmark Publishing
Men's Vogue – Condé Nast
Play – Fusion Publishing, Inc.
Relish – Publishing Group of America
Shock – Hachette Filipacchi Media US, Inc.
ShopSmart – Wiesner Custom Publishing
Success – Success Magazine
US Airways – Pace Communications
Wondertime – Disney Publishing
The winner was announced onNovember 6 in New York.
This year's top choice was
Every Day with Rachael Ray.
Verified Performs Distribution Company Audits
After attending the AAPS spring conference in Cancun, Manuel Austin, President of A&A Distribution began pondering the opportunities presented by Verified Audit Circulation in their discussion of field verification of distribution.
According to Manuel, "The unreasonable claims of a local newspaper who is a competitor of mine made me uncomfortable. I realized it was time to get some reliable and independent confirmation of the quality of my company's work."
Though Manuel was fully confident in the quality of service A&A delivered, he felt that having independent verification of distribution would help his clients feel that same level of confidence. Verified responded to Manuel's request for a proposal immediately and set about developing a plan that would provide an assessment of A&A's distribution of the Almaden Times on June 23rd.A field verification project commissioned by a distributor is similar to one commissioned by an advertiser, but it can be expanded to include characteristics that an advertiser may not know or care about. This particular project included not only verification of delivery but quality of delivery assessment and an evaluation of the warehouse facilities, delivery vehicles, and staff.
Verified's field auditors were on the scene before dawn on delivery day armed with GPS tracking phones used to send precise location data back to Verified's office. After an examination of the physical assets, they took to the field to observe the delivery of the paper in six distribution zones from start to finish.
The auditors found that delivery areas/routes were well documented on street maps and with detail lists for "stops" and special requests. The distribution was carried out quickly and with care and papers were "porched" in a conspicuous location. Saturation of the observed delivery zones appeared to be complete, allowing for stop delivery requests."My staff did not know about the audit until 45 minutes before Verified arrived at our offices," said Manuel. "Their nervousness turned to pride as they watched the auditor count papers in the truck, observe the accurate delivery to the front door, and note the inventory and quality control systems we use. Naturally, they were delighted with the outcome."
Within two days, A&A Distribution received a preliminary report from Verified, which was followed up by a conference call to discuss particulars of the job and the report. A final summary report was delivered the next day.
"I have shared the summary letter with quite a few customers," said Manuel. "When prospects ask me who I work with, in addition to my list of customers I now tell them about my relationship with Verified. This definitely provides them assurance and has led to new business."
"This project was a pleasure to develop and implement because A&A Distribution is a very well run operation," said Tim Prouty, Chief Executive Officer of Verified Audit. "All observed distribution systems and performance were found to be excellent."
Manuel said, "This open relationship with Verified, an independent audit firm, has given me an increased sense of optimism about the future of our industry."
Ad Inserts and Circulars Influence Clothing Shopping
According to the new Vertis Communications proprietary Customer Focus®/RISC Fashion study, 51 percent of adults use advertising inserts or circulars to decide where to shop for clothing items."Despite demographic similarities, consumers are unique individuals with different values and personalities influencing their habits," said Jim Litwin, Vice President of Market Insights at Vertis Communications. "In order to connect with consumers on a personal level, it is important for marketers to understand these groups and their motivations."
To further define these unique characteristics, the study analyzed the shopping habits of four core attitudinal groups:
- Movers and Shapers are described as open-minded individuals in constant pursuit of new things from clothing to careers. They are a high-energy group that does not like to be controlled or limited.
- Daredevils are known for their competitive nature and constant need for recognition from others. These individuals value status, which is often reflected by their physical appearance and purchase selections.
- Wannabes aspire to be like other groups who have what they want and know how to enjoy life. These adults are often attracted to unique and different experiences.
- Guardians are least likely to accept change and often plan ahead to avoid unexpected situations. Close, personal relationships are important to this group, which values tradition and routine.
Circular users
- 58 percent of Daredevils and 50 percent of Guardians research by circular and then purchase at store
- 21 percent of Movers and Shapers research by circular online and then purchase at store
- 13 percent of Daredevils research by circular online and then purchase online, compared to 10 percent of Wannabes and Movers and Shapers
- 8 percent of Guardians and 8 percent of Wannabes research by circular and then purchase online
- 40 percent of Movers and Shapers surveyed shop at discount stores most often for their fashion items, compared to 18 percent of Wannabes
- Movers and Shapers are busy individuals and 18 percent are attracted to stores where they can get items for the entire family
- 37 percent of consumers in this group have a combined household income of less than $30,000
- 21 percent of Wannabes shop at specialty stores for their fashion items, compared to 1 percent who shop using catalogs
- 38 percent of Wannabes look for stores with clothes that fit them, compared to 11 percent who shop at locations carrying the latest fashion
- 50 percent of Wannabes have a combined household income of $50,000
- Of the women 23-54 surveyed, 44 percent are classified as Wannabes
- For 32 percent of Daredevils, "best value" is the most important factor in selecting where to shop, while 29 percent shop at stores with clothes that fit them
- Daredevils are least interested in stores carrying the latest trends, with only 6 percent of respondents stating this is important when selecting where to shop
- 38 percent of Daredevils have a combined household income of $50,000, while 34 percent have an income of less than $30,000
- 30 percent of women 50 and older are categorized as Daredevils, compared to 8 percent of women 18-34
- 27 percent of Guardians shop at department stores for their fashion needs
- Guardians are most likely to shop using catalogs
- For 33 percent of Guardians, best value is a motivating factor when selecting where to shop for fashion
- 37 percent of women 50 and older and 20 percent of women 65 and older are classified as Guardians
Events Calendar
Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association
November 30, 2006
Anthony's Pier 4 Restaurant, Boston, MA
www.masspublishers.org
13th Annual Marketing to US Hispanics and Latin America
January 21–23, 2007
Miami Beach Resort and Spa, Miami Beach, FL
www.srinstitute.com
Kentucky Press Association Winter Convention
January 25–26, 2007
Louisville, KY
www.kypress.com
Mississippi Press Association Mid-Winter Conference
January 25–27, 2007
Hilton Hotel, Jackson, MS
www.mspress.org
Newspaper Association of America Marketing Conference 2007January 28–31, 2007
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, NV
marketingconference.naa.org
California Newspaper Publishers Association
11th Annual Governmental Affairs Day and CNPA Quarterly Board Meeting
January 31–February 1, 2007
Grand Sheraton, Sacramento, CA
www.cnpa.com
If you have an event that you would like to announce, please send your information to e-newsletter@verifiedaudit.com.
Ask Verified: What is a Website Audit?
What is a Website audit?
A Website audit is a comprehensive review of the online activity of a publication's Website. It's a reliable audience and traffic measurement that is essential to the media buying and selling process. Auditing is vital to attracting and retaining advertisers.
Why should I have a Website audit?
Media buyers demand accountability and transparency regarding online activity. Buyers are seeking third-party verification of to assure them that they are making smart buying decisions. To monetize your Website and keep competitive in the marketplace, you need to provide authoritative proof of performance.
What do I need for a Website audit?
Verified will gather data from your log files by:
- Contacting your Web server administrator for the initial set-up
- Receiving a username and password for access to your files
- Setting-up a virtual FTP site and having your Web server administrator grant access to your log files
- Sending instructions for the installation of the Urchin UTM, the Unique Tracking Method
- Receiving a path to the log files and zipping the files before they are exported
- Analyzing the files at Verified's corporate offices
The audit is conducted at Verified corporate offices.
How often are Website audits conducted?
We recommend a minimum of quarterly auditing. However, you can determine the audit frequency.
What kind of information is reported on a Website Audit Report?
The standard Verified audit report includes 5 indices: total and average visits, users, page views and visit length. Web audits can be customized to fit your own needs and may include bounce rate, click paths, downloads, countries, screen resolution, etc.
To view a sample Website Audit Report, go to www.verifiedaudit.com.
I'm not a Verified client, can Verified still conduct my Website audit?
You do not have to currently be a Verified audit client to have a Web audit.
What is the price range for a Website audit?
The cost for a Web audit varies and custom reporting will increase the fee. A basic audit starts at $2,800 annually. For more information contact John Lowman, Director of Sales, at (415) 461-6006 or jlowman@verifiedaudit.com.
Please send comments and story ideas to e-newsletter@verifiedaudit.com or contact us at:
Verified Audit Circulation
900 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 295
Larkspur, CA 94939-1758
Phone: (415) 461-6006
Fax: (415) 461-6007