How ABC’s Preprint Projection Center Saves JCPenney Valuable Time and Resources At No Cost to Newspapers

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“The Preprint Projection Center is a great resource for advertisers,” explained Adam Sembrat, marketing media analysis manager at JCPenney. “It is a huge time saver for us because we are no longer contacting these newspapers every month. Now we can go right to the PPC and get the information we need.”

Advertisers aren’t the only ones that benefit from the PPC. Participating newspapers also save valuable time and resources, and some, like the Merced Sun-Star, have received an increased buy from national advertisers based on their PPC data.

“The benefit to the newspaper is that it is a much quicker way to communicate to many advertisers all at once through a centralized source—ABC,” said Sembrat. “Now your sales teams aren’t spending their time on clerical work. Instead, they can focus on the advertisers’ needs, build better client relationships, increase business, and be our eyes and ears in the market.”

Today, nearly 300 newspapers are uploading circulation data into the Preprint Projection Center. Sembrat applauds those newspapers already participating and encourages newspapers on the fence to join now, even if they are not a large metropolitan paper.

“In every conversation we have with newspapers, we talk to them about the ABC products and services,” said Sembrat. “Audience-FAX, IVS and the Preprint Projection Center all contain valuable information for us and should be no-brainers for newspaper participation.”

Sembrat continued, “I hear the talk in the industry about PPC and ABC’s other newspaper products: do newspapers need to get on board first or do advertisers need to demand it first? We do everything we can to make our newspaper partners aware of the ABC products and get them involved. The more that advertiser’s hold newspapers accountable, the greater newspaper participation in these programs, including the PPC.”

Sembrat also has some guidance for newspapers already participating in PPC. He recommends newspapers update their information regularly. If there is additional information that can’t be shared easily in the spreadsheet, Sembrat suggests newspapers use the comment box. He also reminds newspapers to include a contact person and an e-mail address so that advertisers can easily contact them with any questions.

“Some newspapers have done the right thing and signed up for PPC but then have done nothing else. They need to maintain it every 30 to 60 days,” explained Sembrat. “There are some great newspapers out there uploading some really sophisticated spreadsheets into the PPC and I commend them.”

Sembrat really pushes newspapers to upload the information in Excel®. It is much easier to manipulate and it doesn’t require rekeying. He also encourages newspapers to maintain historical information in the PPC. Some newspapers have almost two years worth of history. Sembrat explains that this is really helpful information, especially for newspapers that experience seasonal fluctuations.

Finally, Sembrat encourages newspapers to get creative.

“If newspapers have a PDF file of their distribution or zones map, include it,” he said. “And include the circulation for all products, not just the primary newspaper. We want easy access to information about TMCs, community newspapers, etc.

“With the challenge of growing paid circulation, do newspapers have other products we can consider to reach our consumers?” asked Sembrat. “Then share it and place that information in the PPC too.”

For more information about the Preprint Projection Center, members are encouraged to contact ABC’s Kristina Meinig, manager, marketing and sales, at (224) 366-6412.