The Alberni Valley News is one of several Island and BC-based Black Press newspapers undergoing automated circulation auditing calls next week.
The auditing calls are part of a wider circulation survey for Black Press, to determine how thoroughly we are reaching our readers.
While the calls will come from a US-based phone number, AV News publisher Teresa Bird says the survey of Alberni Valley households is not spam.
“These calls are legitimate phone calls,” Bird says. “It’s part of our continuing way of making sure our papers are getting out. It’s quality control.”
Alliance for Audited Media—a non-profit, member-based organization that provides independently verified data and information services—will conduct the audit starting March 31 and ending the week of April 10.
The hope is to reach out to approximately 10 percent of households in the News’ circulation area.
Respondents will be asked if they regularly receive a free copy of the News; those who don’t will be asked if anyone in their household has ever asked that delivery be stopped.
“Live” follow-up calls will be made to households where there is no answer or a hang-up from the automated call system.
The automated calls are another phase of auditing that the AV News and other Black Press papers do to keep accountable to their readers and advertising clients, and ensure the paper is getting to people who are wanting to receive it, Bird added.
Black Press has also been conducting a reader survey on its websites.
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