At last week’s AAAA Media Conference there was no shortage of propaganda pieces floating around to brain wash us into believing the various exhibiting vendors were the greatest thing since sliced bread.  One that caught Jennifer’s eye is this ad for Arbitron’s PPM which is currently being rolled out in select markets across the U.S.  Note the disclaimer at the bottom of the ad.  It states “PPM ratings are based on audience estimates and are the opinion of Arbitron and should not be relied on for precise accuracy or precise representativeness of a demographic or radio market.”  As media planners and buyers we have very few options when it comes to audience data.  And the one elephant in the room is covering the you know what with this disclaimer.  I don’t know whether to laugh or cry when I read this.  No wonder certain segments of media planning and buying are so frowned upon in a world of real time accountability.  The providers of data won’t even take a bullet for their products.

Eric