SHELTON, Conn. and LISLE, Ill.—The two not-for-profit media auditing organizations—the Alliance for Audited Media (AAM) and BPA Worldwide—have unanimously approved a plan to merge in January.
AAM was founded in 1914 by the Association of National Advertisers to help ensure media transparency and trust among advertisers and media companies. BPA is an accredited, third-party auditor of compliance to established guidelines across the global events industry. Its event audience and exhibitor reports are used by trade and consumer shows, and it is a member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and an approved auditor for UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.
The combined organization’s goals will be to maintain the same high level of service at a low cost as a not-for-profit organization; to streamline media buying and selling through a single data destination; and to offer a suite of assurance services, allowing buyers to maximize the return on their media investments across all channels—web sites, newsletters, events, print, out-of-home, podcasts and ad tech—and across various compliance areas, from advertising to privacy to sustainability.
Related. BPA Acquires Global Data Platform VSef
Richard Murphy, President & CEO, BPA Worldwide, said the combined organization plans to expand its support for its trade show, exhibition and industry partners. “Globally, we work with organizations to audit their exhibition data to achieve UFI Approved Event status. Through the acquisition of VSef and the complementary development of RSDE (Reporting Standards for Digital Events), we are helping the industry develop common data structures and definitions to accelerate information sharing and digital commerce. And we will continue to work with key industry partners, like the Events Industry Council, to elevate ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) awareness and compliance in the events sector,” Murphy said.
AAM and BPA members will vote on the merger in January. Pending member and regulatory approval, the merger is expected to be completed next spring. AAM’s CEO and Managing Director, Tom Drouillard, will be CEO, and Murphy will be President.
More information is available in the AAM/BPA Merger Resource Hub.
Reach Richard Murphy at (203) 447-2800 or RMurphy@bpaww.com
