Magazine media paid promotional programs
Related rules: F 2.3/102.3
Subscriptions included as a benefit of membership to an organization, association, club, or publisher branded membership program. To qualify as a membership subscription, the following AAM requirements apply:
- All members must be notified that their annual dues or membership payment includes a subscription to the publication.
- The amount allocated for the subscription must be no less than one cent.
- The portion of the annual dues, membership payment or contribution allocated to the subscription must be clearly stated on every invoice or renewal notice.
- Additional details such as the amount allocated to the magazine, whether the magazine allocation is deductible or not from dues, and other non-promotional references may be included in the notes section of AAM reports.
Notes:
- Branded membership programs create a membership program associated with a magazine brand and offer a variety of rewards and perks for the membership fee, including a subscription to the magazine.
- Subscriptions to a privately-owned publication purchased by a membership program that does not submit its membership records for audit by AAM, are classified as sponsored sales subscriptions, provided criteria for sponsored subscription rules are met.
Branded Membership Example:
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Benefits of Fashion Club:
_______ YES! I want a one-year membership to Fashion Club. Enclosed is my $500.00 check for membership. I understand that $24.99 will be applied to a one-year print subscription to Fashion Magazine. Name: ______________________ Address: ____________________ City, State, ZIP: _____________ Email: ________________________ |
In this example, the Fashion Club is a branded membership program associated with Fashion Magazine. The consumer is notified that the print subscription is included with membership and the value of the subscription is at least one cent ($24.99).
AAM Reporting
- Magazine subscriptions obtained from a membership program (i.e. club, associations, branded membership, etc.) are reported as Membership under Paid Subscriptions.
- Optional descriptions of the membership program are available in the Notes section of the report:
- This publication is served to members of ________membership organization where $ ________ of the dues are allocated to the magazine and is deductible if member wishes to decline the magazine.
OR - This publication is served to members of ______ membership organization where $ ______ of the dues are allocated to the magazine and cannot be deducted from the dues.
- This publication is served to members of ________membership organization where $ ________ of the dues are allocated to the magazine and is deductible if member wishes to decline the magazine.