ABC Insert Verification Audit

1
ABC Insert Verification Audit
(The Sun-Sentinel Experience)
Joel Meyer Press Newsprint Manager South Flori
da Sun-Sentinel
2
Getting Prepared

• Capital Investment
• In 2002 an investment of 13.5 million is made
  to upgrade Packaging equipment and planning
  systems.
  
• (2) GMA SLS 3000 high speed inserters (Daily
  Inserting).
  
• Prim Hall 56 hopper collator (Sunday
  Production).
  
• Quarterly Quality Audits
• In 2004 Tribune Publishing institutes FSI
  quality audit program for all business units.
  
• Seven day audit conducted at the reader
  doorstep.
  
• TMC audit.
• All audits were conducted by internal Finance
  Division.
  

3
Planning the Audit

• The first step in the planning phase is
  selecting the date to conduct the audit.

• Things to Consider
• FSI Volume
• High vs. Low
• Higher volume allows for a greater margin of
  error.
  
• Lower volume allows for a much lower margin of
  error.
  
• Holidays
• Stay Away!
• Circulation
• Historically stable period.
• Most major advertisers order according to your
  ABC figures.
  

4
Planning the Audit

• Assign a point person or persons to the process.

• Things to Consider
• Knowledge of Production Process (Packaging
  Manager)
  
• Able to answer questions
• Planning Process?
• Production Process?
• Knowledge of Circulation Process (Distribution
  Manager)
  
• Able to provide information to Auditors
• Routes, Distribution Centers, Reports, etc.

5
Planning the Audit

• Walk through your entire process (Production
  Planning, Production and Circulation).
  
• Identify your weaknesses.
• Know your limitations.
• Create an Action Plan.
• Hold a meeting with ABC Audit Manager.
• Invite representatives from
• Advertising
• Packaging
• Transportation
• Circulation

6
The Audit
Production

• Stick to what you do best.
• Deviations to normal production process may
  result in errors.
  
• Over-communicate to team.
• Follow the Project Plan!
• Make sure you have a shortage or run out report
  in place.
  
• Know what is in-spec and what is out.
• ABC will only consider the specifications listed
  in YOUR rate card.
  
• Closely watch your zone breaks to ensure pure
  pallets/carts are being delivered to Circulation
  

7
The Audit
Collection and Counting

• Escort the Auditors to the Distribution
  Centers.
  
• Be mindful of the field production process.
• Over-communicate to team.
• Have a plan for storage and transporting of
  packages.
  
• Be involved with the counting process.
• Have knowledgeable staff on hand during the
  counting process to answer questions.
  
• Keep track of errors during the counting
  process.
  
• ASK QUESTIONS!

8
Post Audit
Building the Partnership

• The audit is a commitment each newspaper needs
  to make.
  
• Advertisers need to see the commitment and the
  results.
  
• Get involved with the audit process early.
• Establish open lines of communication with ABC
  and Audit Manager.
  
• Develop a self test procedure to ensure you have
  no surprises.

9
Results
Tribune Publishing

• Sun-Sentinel 98.80
• Chicago Tribune 98.70
• Hartford Courant 99.84
• Orlando Sentinel 99.14
• Newsday 99.81