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National Cost and Revenue Study for Daily Newspapers
The Cost and Revenue Studies for Daily Newspapers is considered the industry standard for newspaper cost and revenue analysis and serves as a valuable benchmarking tool for newspapers.
The National Cost and Revenue Study is the oldest industry wide survey prepared to assemble and analyze cost and revenue figures for newspapers in all circulation categories. The study is conducted by the Inland Press Association and the International Newspaper Financial Executives (INFE), and is the only study of its kind in the industry.
Inland introduced the survey in 1920. It enables newspaper managers to better assess their newspapers' operations by comparing them to other newspapers and to industry norms. With increasing market encroachment by other media, streamlining operations is as important as ever. In 1986, Inland and INFE began working together to administer and refine future National Cost and Revenue Studies. Thus, the two associations are providing newspapers with a valuable tool for making financial decisions, and reliable statistics for mapping trends in the industry as a whole.
"The study can be very beneficial for benchmarking one's results against those of a useful peer group," said Donald Kron, financial studies manager. "The study identifies the best performers. It gives measures of how they accomplish that performance. It enables newspaper decision makers to find answers to questions about making improvements to their newspaper's profitability. We at Inland Press provide the timely information found no where else needed to make this kind of benchmarking analysis."
Confidentiality
When dealing with financial reports of a sensitive nature, it is imperative that newspaper identities not be revealed.
To ensure confidentiality, Inland and INFE have developed a strict policy manual on the handling of reporting forms: "The Inland Press Association and the International Newspaper Financial Executives are committed to the secure and the confidential handling of all submitted financial data.
"To maintain anonymity, newspaper identities and contact information are separated from the reporting form when received by the Inland. Reporting forms are kept in locked files when not in use, and data processing is done in an area separated from other Inland office operations. To maintain control, survey forms are insulated from staff members not involved with the National Cost and Revenue Study processing. Reporting forms are kept for two years in a secured storage area to which access is strictly limited. They are destroyed by shredding at the end of the retention period.
"Staff members who process the forms are not connected with any newspaper operation or any newspaper group. They are not hired from newspaper companies, nor are they permitted to maintain any personal affiliation with any newspaper company, newspaper broker, supplier or similar interest. The joint committee responsible for study policy is prohibited from any contact with survey forms."
In its 84-year history, the National Cost and Revenue Study has never experienced any breach of confidentiality.
How the study is organized
Working smarter, not harder, is the key to success in any business, and the National Cost and Revenue Study can help you do just that.
Use it to challenge expenses, establish performance criteria, test budgets and discover underdeveloped revenue opportunities. You can use the study to look at your newspaper's operation in eight different ways:
Your Newspaper's Profile, a computer-generated workbook, allows you to compare your newspaper's data side by side with information from the entire study.
Circulation Group Averages organize the study data into subgroups of 12 newspapers based on circulation size. Each department expense or newspaper revenue source is averaged for the subgroups and reported.
The Revenue Group Averages organize the study into subgroups of 12 newspapers based on revenue, allowing comparisons that may be more valid than those based on circulation.
Industry Norm Graphs provide a visual representation of where newspapers in the study find common ground on expenses and revenues.
The Table of Industry Norms for each participating newspaper provides information on how that newspaper performs compared to the norm.
The Table of Industry Norms also is a valuable reference source for evaluating a prospective acquisition, by circulation category.
The Circulation Book gives a detailed listing of each participating newspaper (with a circulation of less than 80,000) in a specific circulation range.
The Revenue Book gives a detailed listing of each participating newspaper (with a circulation of less than 80,000) in a specific revenue range.
Training, Services and Resources
Once you have completed the survey and have received results, several seminars and workshops can help you get the most out of the National Cost and Revenue Study.
Inland offers a day-and-a-half Cost Clinic annually. The clinic uses the study as its focus as participants get an orientation to the study and review the information it produced.
The American Press Institute, offers its Management and Costs seminar annually. A day and a half is devoted to the National Cost and Revenue Study as part of the program, when participants review the survey and are exposed to practical applications of the study. Inland also offers speakers to newspaper associations and groups to discuss the study.
How to participate
Cost of participation is $1,000 with a $125 discount for Inland Press or INFE members, an additional $100 discount for submitting by March 31st, an additional $100 discount for paying by March 31st, and this year for the first time an additional $150 discount for submitting electronically, either on-line or by Excel spreadsheet and an additional $150 discount for receiving the study results on-line (with download options to Excel spreadsheets) resulting in a net fee of $375. Non-members may participate for $1,000 with a $100 discount for submitting by March 31st and an additional $100 discount for paying by March 31st, an additional $150 discount for submitting electronically, either on-line or by Excel spreadsheet and an additional $150 discount for receiving the study results on-line (with download options to Excel spreadsheets) resulting in a net fee of $500. Traditional 3-ring binders of the study results continue to be available but do not qualify for the $150 on-line results discount.
To receive registration forms or a sample of the results, contact Don Kron at dkron@inlandpress.org or 701 Lee St., Suite 925, Des Plaines, IL 60016; Phone: (847) 795-0380, Fax: (847) 795-0385
Data may be submitted by electronic spreadsheet or via a secure Web site. E-mail the completed electronic submission form to Kron at dkron@inlandpress.org. Should you prefer to participate on-line, please contact Kron by e-mail or telephone for a User ID and password to our website at www.InlandINFEstudy.org. Kron can be reached at (847) 795-0380 should you have comments or questions.
The National Cost and Revenue Study is the oldest industry wide survey prepared to assemble and analyze cost and revenue figures for newspapers in all circulation categories. The study is conducted by the Inland Press Association and the International Newspaper Financial Executives (INFE), and is the only study of its kind in the industry.
Inland introduced the survey in 1920. It enables newspaper managers to better assess their newspapers' operations by comparing them to other newspapers and to industry norms. With increasing market encroachment by other media, streamlining operations is as important as ever. In 1986, Inland and INFE began working together to administer and refine future National Cost and Revenue Studies. Thus, the two associations are providing newspapers with a valuable tool for making financial decisions, and reliable statistics for mapping trends in the industry as a whole.
"The study can be very beneficial for benchmarking one's results against those of a useful peer group," said Donald Kron, financial studies manager. "The study identifies the best performers. It gives measures of how they accomplish that performance. It enables newspaper decision makers to find answers to questions about making improvements to their newspaper's profitability. We at Inland Press provide the timely information found no where else needed to make this kind of benchmarking analysis."
Confidentiality
When dealing with financial reports of a sensitive nature, it is imperative that newspaper identities not be revealed.
To ensure confidentiality, Inland and INFE have developed a strict policy manual on the handling of reporting forms: "The Inland Press Association and the International Newspaper Financial Executives are committed to the secure and the confidential handling of all submitted financial data.
"To maintain anonymity, newspaper identities and contact information are separated from the reporting form when received by the Inland. Reporting forms are kept in locked files when not in use, and data processing is done in an area separated from other Inland office operations. To maintain control, survey forms are insulated from staff members not involved with the National Cost and Revenue Study processing. Reporting forms are kept for two years in a secured storage area to which access is strictly limited. They are destroyed by shredding at the end of the retention period.
"Staff members who process the forms are not connected with any newspaper operation or any newspaper group. They are not hired from newspaper companies, nor are they permitted to maintain any personal affiliation with any newspaper company, newspaper broker, supplier or similar interest. The joint committee responsible for study policy is prohibited from any contact with survey forms."
In its 84-year history, the National Cost and Revenue Study has never experienced any breach of confidentiality.
How the study is organized
Working smarter, not harder, is the key to success in any business, and the National Cost and Revenue Study can help you do just that.
Use it to challenge expenses, establish performance criteria, test budgets and discover underdeveloped revenue opportunities. You can use the study to look at your newspaper's operation in eight different ways:
Your Newspaper's Profile, a computer-generated workbook, allows you to compare your newspaper's data side by side with information from the entire study.
Circulation Group Averages organize the study data into subgroups of 12 newspapers based on circulation size. Each department expense or newspaper revenue source is averaged for the subgroups and reported.
The Revenue Group Averages organize the study into subgroups of 12 newspapers based on revenue, allowing comparisons that may be more valid than those based on circulation.
Industry Norm Graphs provide a visual representation of where newspapers in the study find common ground on expenses and revenues.
The Table of Industry Norms for each participating newspaper provides information on how that newspaper performs compared to the norm.
The Table of Industry Norms also is a valuable reference source for evaluating a prospective acquisition, by circulation category.
The Circulation Book gives a detailed listing of each participating newspaper (with a circulation of less than 80,000) in a specific circulation range.
The Revenue Book gives a detailed listing of each participating newspaper (with a circulation of less than 80,000) in a specific revenue range.
Training, Services and Resources
Once you have completed the survey and have received results, several seminars and workshops can help you get the most out of the National Cost and Revenue Study.
Inland offers a day-and-a-half Cost Clinic annually. The clinic uses the study as its focus as participants get an orientation to the study and review the information it produced.
The American Press Institute, offers its Management and Costs seminar annually. A day and a half is devoted to the National Cost and Revenue Study as part of the program, when participants review the survey and are exposed to practical applications of the study. Inland also offers speakers to newspaper associations and groups to discuss the study.
How to participate
Cost of participation is $1,000 with a $125 discount for Inland Press or INFE members, an additional $100 discount for submitting by March 31st, an additional $100 discount for paying by March 31st, and this year for the first time an additional $150 discount for submitting electronically, either on-line or by Excel spreadsheet and an additional $150 discount for receiving the study results on-line (with download options to Excel spreadsheets) resulting in a net fee of $375. Non-members may participate for $1,000 with a $100 discount for submitting by March 31st and an additional $100 discount for paying by March 31st, an additional $150 discount for submitting electronically, either on-line or by Excel spreadsheet and an additional $150 discount for receiving the study results on-line (with download options to Excel spreadsheets) resulting in a net fee of $500. Traditional 3-ring binders of the study results continue to be available but do not qualify for the $150 on-line results discount.
To receive registration forms or a sample of the results, contact Don Kron at dkron@inlandpress.org or 701 Lee St., Suite 925, Des Plaines, IL 60016; Phone: (847) 795-0380, Fax: (847) 795-0385
Data may be submitted by electronic spreadsheet or via a secure Web site. E-mail the completed electronic submission form to Kron at dkron@inlandpress.org. Should you prefer to participate on-line, please contact Kron by e-mail or telephone for a User ID and password to our website at www.InlandINFEstudy.org. Kron can be reached at (847) 795-0380 should you have comments or questions.
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