Declare free editions in a more differentiated way
Attention publishers: After June 30, free copies for the period from July 2008 through June 2009 must be reported in detail according to five distribution types.
Every year, at the beginning of the summer break, publishing house managers enter the circulation and circulation sections of their print titles in a form at www.wemf.ch and submit it for certification. The survey period lasts from the middle of the previous year (July 1) to the middle of the current year (June 30).
This year, publishers are once again performing this ritual, albeit with an important innovation: for the July 08 to June 09 survey period, the free print runs of all titles must be broken down for the first time into the five distribution types of free subscriptions, household distribution, self-service, hand distribution and targeted distribution. The reported figures will then be published for the first time on October 1, 2009.
According to the new regulations (which have been in force since July 1, 2008), "free subscription" refers to regular mailings to free subscribers. "Household distribution" refers to unaddressed distribution in letterboxes. A statement from the commissioned distribution organization is required to certify each of the two delivery types. Self-service" refers to distribution via newspaper boxes or dispensers. In this case, however, returns must be invoiced according to publication dates, whereby Wemf reserves the right to carry out random checks. Manual distribution" refers to distribution via colporteurs, also less returns. Finally, "target distribution" refers to repeated delivery to the same addressees of a target group, whereby this distribution must take place regularly and, depending on the publication interval, for at least three months - for the continuous information of customers or also to acquire new subscribers.
"The new regulation has no impact on either the number of copies sold or the number of free copies. This means that the circulation figures for a title remain comparable with those of previous years," says Roland Achermann, Head of Circulation Certification at Wemf.
Apart from the new level of detail for free circulation, the new regulations, which are available on the Wemf website, will result in a number of other changes. For example, the term "confirmation of circulation by post" will no longer be used in future and all titles will once again be regarded as "Wemf/SW-certified". Furthermore, a new, standardized price model will apply to certification. This is based on a detailed process cost calculation on the one hand and on cause-oriented aspects (such as distribution via several channels, publication frequency) on the other.
Markus Knöpfli
This year, publishers are once again performing this ritual, albeit with an important innovation: for the July 08 to June 09 survey period, the free print runs of all titles must be broken down for the first time into the five distribution types of free subscriptions, household distribution, self-service, hand distribution and targeted distribution. The reported figures will then be published for the first time on October 1, 2009.
According to the new regulations (which have been in force since July 1, 2008), "free subscription" refers to regular mailings to free subscribers. "Household distribution" refers to unaddressed distribution in letterboxes. A statement from the commissioned distribution organization is required to certify each of the two delivery types. Self-service" refers to distribution via newspaper boxes or dispensers. In this case, however, returns must be invoiced according to publication dates, whereby Wemf reserves the right to carry out random checks. Manual distribution" refers to distribution via colporteurs, also less returns. Finally, "target distribution" refers to repeated delivery to the same addressees of a target group, whereby this distribution must take place regularly and, depending on the publication interval, for at least three months - for the continuous information of customers or also to acquire new subscribers.
"The new regulation has no impact on either the number of copies sold or the number of free copies. This means that the circulation figures for a title remain comparable with those of previous years," says Roland Achermann, Head of Circulation Certification at Wemf.
Apart from the new level of detail for free circulation, the new regulations, which are available on the Wemf website, will result in a number of other changes. For example, the term "confirmation of circulation by post" will no longer be used in future and all titles will once again be regarded as "Wemf/SW-certified". Furthermore, a new, standardized price model will apply to certification. This is based on a detailed process cost calculation on the one hand and on cause-oriented aspects (such as distribution via several channels, publication frequency) on the other.
Markus Knöpfli
