Senior executives of Birmingham Post & Mail/Trinity Mirror
have met the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) for discussions
following the disclosure by Trinity Mirror of irregularities in relation to the
presentation of circulation figures for their Birmingham titles. Similar
discussions have taken place with ISBA - the Incorporated Society of British
Advertisers.
These discussions were very constructive and have resulted in an
agreement for current advertisers on the following settlement formula:
* The rates on all bookings for 2000 and 2001 will be frozen at
1999 negotiated levels, plus a further 10% rate reduction on 1999 negotiated
rates for 2000.
* There will be a 7.5% goodwill payment based on all bookings
across January 1994 - January 2000 in the Evening Mail, the Birmingham Post and
the Sunday Mercury.
This formula was arrived at after the detailed consideration of
a number of buying criteria including, but not limited to, circulation,
readership and direct response.
All parties were at pains to emphasise that it is important to
secure and enhance the ongoing relationships that Birmingham Post & Mail has
with its advertisers.
The IPA and ISBA are satisfied that the formula agreed is fair
and reasonable in all the circumstances, with Birmingham Post & Mail stating
that the cost of advertising in the Birmingham titles was competitive with other
regional newspapers, even allowing for the overstatement.
Details of specific sums payable to individual IPA members and
other advertisers will be communicated by Birmingham Post & Mail
direct.
