MRC Accredits Arbitron's TAPSCAN Web

In the US, the Media Rating Council (MRC) has granted accreditation to Arbitron's TAPSCAN Web, which provides radio ad buyers and sellers with an 'all-in-one' solution with audience data alongside electronic ordering, invoicing and scheduling.

Arbitron says TAPSCAN Web is used by more than 19,000 radio sales professionals and facilitates half a million proposals to radio buyers per year.

Reports created in TAPSCAN Web using MRC accredited data from Arbitron's 234 diary and 14 accredited Portable People Meter (PPM) markets will now carry the 'double checkmark' symbol. However, proposals created using data from the remaining 34 unaccredited PPM markets will not carry the symbol.

Arbitron plans to integrate the system with TV/Internet media transaction software Proposal XML by June this year, to allow advertisers to buy local radio ad inventory seamlessly with other media.

'Arbitron is always looking for ways to keep radio in the competitive buying mix,' states Jerry Wiese, Manager of Customer Software Products. 'Integrating our TAPSCAN Web and Proposal XML systems make it easier, less costly and time consuming for advertisers to buy local radio.'

Web sites: www.mediaratingcouncil.org and www.arbitron.com .