A&O Has Never Reported Our "Adds"

With the news that Cox joins Cumulus in no longer permitting their stations to report "adds" to trade publications, I have to admit that I am scratching my head over what all the fuss is about. In a monitored world, you can check BDS, Mediabase or Mediaguide for songs played for seven spins or less in a 7 day period and, presto, there are their ADDS!

I've always wondered how the clients of other consultants feel when they see their consultant's supposedly-proprietary rotation recommendations being posted in promo blogs, emailed, faxed and touted early each week to everyone, including the competition.

It's no accident that you never see Accu-Test info distributed in this way by the music promotion community. Our only goal is to help our stations win in the ratings and we consider that research-based info an important weapon in our clients' arsenal.

Don't be surprised if some other major groups and consultants begin to rethink their policies of reporting 'adds' as well. I think it's about time.

A&O has never done it, never will.