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Arbitron PPM Completes MRC Audit
Arbitron is nearing the end of its efforts to achieve Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation for its Portable People Meter (PPM) radio and TV ratings system. In a process costing the company $1m, the system has undergone a two-year audit, and results have been delivered for approval by the MRC.
The Ernst & Young audit team has been inspecting the PPM trial in Houston over the last two years, including testing the PPM technology, examining the sample design and panel recruitment, and reviewing panel management. The final phase of the audit was completed at the end of January.
An MRC audit is the first step towards MRC accreditation. MRC members - including broadcasters, publishers and advertisers - will now evaluate the audit findings, and the Board will decide whether to accredit the system. Currently, twelve Arbitron services are accredited by the MRC.
Owen Charlebois, Arbitron's President of Operations, Technology, Research and Development says the company 'believes strongly in the value of the MRC,' and looks forward to 'working with them to ensure that the proposed PPM service in Houston meets all requirements for accreditation'.
The PPM system uses a passive measurement device - about the size of a small cell phone - to track consumers' exposure to TV and radio broadcasts.
The Media Rating Council, a non-profit industry association, is online at www.mrc.htsp.com . Arbitron's web site is at www.arbitron.com
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