The Economist Collaborates with ABC to Release New Certificates for Greater Transparency on Audited Circulation Figures

February 14, 2019 - LONDON - Today’s release of the ABC July to December 2018 certificates marks a change in the way The Economist’s circulation figures are reported and audited by ABC. Working in collaboration with ABC, The Economist has consolidated its reporting into one Print certificate and one Digital Publications certificate.

In cooperation with ABC The Economist has consolidated its six regional certificates into two: one Print certificate and one Digital Publications certificate. Each certificate will show data points and facts worldwide, including audited breakouts of circulation by Edition/Region. Under the new reporting methodology The Economist’s combined average global circulation is 1,657,795.

“Our audited reporting needed to reflect The Economist’s product neutrality - we allow customers to choose their preference between print and digital. A majority of our readers choose to purchase both together at a premium price,” said Marina Haydn, EVP and Managing Director, Circulation at The Economist. “That's why there was a need for a new ABC reporting approach that reflects our true digital market share; it had been challenging for clients who wanted to set up holistic programs across our platforms. Working with ABC, we now have verified data that meets industry standards and provides greater transparency into our circulation and our global reach.”

Global highlights include:

● Worldwide (print + digital) circulation is 1,657,795, up 19.1% yoy

● Global print circulation is 867,733 and Global digital circulation is 790,062

● The print vs digital split is 52:48

● Actively purchased rate 99% (print) and 100% (digital). Actively purchased copies are the sum of circulation from Paid Single Copies and Paid Subscription Copies - Individual. The actively purchased rate is a reflection of circulation profitability.

● Social audiences grew to 61,423,797, an increase of 10.4% yoy

UK highlights include:

● UK edition circulation (ex-Ireland) grew 20.7% yoy to 306,685

● Digital circulation is at 150,010, up 69.2% yoy

● Print is at 156,675, down 5.3% yoy

● UK circulation accounts for 18% of global circulation

● Actively purchased rate for print in the UK is 99.9%

● Print: Digital split is 51:49

The Economist joined ABC in 1949 and has been reporting transparent, audited and comparable trading information ever since. In 2016 The Economist worked with ABC to launch the very first worldwide brand report demonstrating their global reach using clear trusted data.

Simon Redlich, Chief Executive of ABC, said: “We’re delighted to have collaborated with The Economist to develop these new reporting options, which have been delivered through discussion and agreement with the industry. Our role is to provide impartial, transparent data that media buyers trust. The Economist’s proactive approach to working with us demonstrates their strong commitment to making trusted trading data available to their advertisers, and has enabled them to demonstrate their global reach with even greater clarity using ABC verified figures.”

For some time The Economist has been pursuing a commitment to growing profitable circulation and an engaged global readership that remains an important audience for marketers. According to The Economist Group’s 2018 Annual Report revenue from circulation was up 14% year on year, and circulation continues to be the largest contributor of profits to The Economist Group.

The Economist’s reader research into its premium bundle subscribers shows that they spend equal time reading the print edition and the digital edition – and in combination, spend more time with Economist products per week than a reader of either print or digital only.

The Economist’s latest Worldwide Brand Report and audit certificates for all regions are available for download at www.abc.org.uk/Certificates/49547182

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About The Economist (www.economist.com)

With a growing global audience and a reputation for insightful analysis and perspective on every aspect of world events, The Economist is one of the most widely recognised and well-read current affairs publications in the world. In addition to the weekly print and digital editions and website, The Economist publishes Espresso, a daily news app, Global Business Review, a bilingual English-Chinese product and a Economist VR, a virtual-reality app. Economist Radio produces several podcasts a week, and Economist Films produces short- and long-form video. The Economist maintains robust social communities on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, LINE, Medium and other social networks. A recipient of many editorial and marketing awards, The Economist was recently named the most trusted news source in the 2017 Trusting News Project Report.

For more information contact:

Becky Partridge rebeccapartridge@economist.com/ +44 7898914415

Lauren Hackett laurenhackett@economist.com/ +1 212 554 0639