If All You've Got Is a Gizmo,
You've Got a Long, Long Way to Go
By David Lapovsky

	Ratings System Components Introduction Sampling Panel Balance Data Processing Station Encoding and/or Monitoring Operations and Production Sample Weighting Useful Reports Multiple Market Measurement Client Service Support for the Industry MRC Accreditation Print-friendly: Click here to print entire document.

Support for the Industry
Going Beyond Delivering the Data

A ratings service must be prepared to support the industry it serves. A responsible ratings service will actively collaborate with customer groups and associations to add value to the radio industry. It should further its clients’ interests by supporting the use of the service among those who buy media—advertisers and their agencies. Optimally, the service will work closely with the industry to conduct studies that advance the industry.

Arbitron has a national staff of 70 service people who work with the radio industry, advertisers and agencies in support of Arbitron services. Each year, Arbitron professionals are the featured speakers at dozens of industry meetings, from major conferences sponsored by the RAB, NAB and ARF to state and local broadcast associations. In addition to being a founding member of RAEL (the Radio Advertising Effectiveness Laboratory) Arbitron conducts numerous studies each year on topics that are of concern to the industry. A sample of recent studies includes Radio's Leading Indicator: Audience Ratings and Their Impact on Revenue, the Arbitron Black Consumer Study 2005, Radio’s ROI Advantage, and Adult Hits: An Early Look at the Numbers Driving Radio’s Newest Format. All of these studies, and more like them, are available free for download at the Arbitron Web site: www.arbitron.com. The Web site is a tremendous resource for the radio industry.