Definition of Business Publications Audit of Circulations (BPA)

nonprofit organization formed in 1931 and headquartered in New York whose membership is composed of advertisers, advertising agencies, and publishers. Eligible publishers include business-to-business publications, consumer publications, and Internet web sites that sell advertising space. Its purpose is to audit and provide independent verification of print media circulation claims and web site traffic figures. Relied upon as a principal information source by media planners, the BPA publishes regular Audit Reports and Publisher's Statements that detail the findings of its auditors. Whereas the Audit Bureau of Circulations concentrates primarily on auditing consumer publications, BPA audits 85% of all business-to-business publications. BPA can be found at www.bpai.com.