As we delve into the dynamic world of radio market research, Arbitron Inc. remains a pivotal player, continuously striving to improve its sample quality. In the year 2025, we reflect on the company’s significant strides taken over a decade ago to address the growing demographic of cell-phone-only households in its Diary and Portable People Meter (PPM) services. then, Arbitron had set its sights on achieving an average of 15% sample target for Diary markets and 20% for PPM markets. Let’s take a look at these initiatives and their impact on the industry today.
Arbitron’s Key Quality Improvement Initiatives
Arbitron Outlines Two Key Sample Quality Improvement Initiatives for Diary and PPM Markets
Increasing Diary cell-phone-only household sample target to average of 15 percent;
Increasing PPM cell-phone-only household sample target to average of 20 percent
Arbitron Inc. (NYSE: ARB) back then two sample quality improvement initiatives as part of its ongoing continuous improvement program. These initiatives were designed to reinforce customer confidence in the ratings currency produced by the Arbitron Diary and Portable People Meter’ (PPM’) services. Arbitron planned to expand further cell-phone-only household sampling in its Diary and PPM ratings services to address that growing demographic.
Commitment to Quality
“Arbitron continues to make advances to further our commitment to continually improve sample quality,” said Michael Skarzynski, the then Chief Executive Officer and President, Arbitron. “We also continue to lay the groundwork to help ensure that the radio industry has the state-of-the-art solutions and services that it will need to compete for the long-term.”
Meeting Targets
following the Summer 2009 meeting of the Arbitron Radio Advisory Council (RAC), these sample quality improvement initiatives included plans to:
- Increase its sample target for cell-phone-only households in Diary markets to an average of 15 percent by year-end 2010
- Increase its sample target for cell-phone-only households in PPM markets to an average of 20 percent by year-end 2010
Impacting the Industry
Arbitron also that it achieved its target of delivering a sample containing at least 10 percent cell-phone-only households 151 local markets, yielding a 25 percent increase in Designated Delivery Index (DDI) for Persons aged 18-34 in the Arbitron Spring 2009 Diary survey. The Company previously announced plans to include cell-phone-only household sampling in all 288 Diary markets in the continental US, Hawaii, and Alaska by the Fall 2009 survey.
Continued Pursuit of Excellence
“We are impressed by the gains Arbitron has achieved in its Spring 2009 Diary survey results and believe that these new initiatives can continue to help achieve even more dramatic results for sample quality and enhanced accountability,” said Lisa Decker, Radio Advisory Council Chairperson and Senior Vice President and Seattle Market Manager for CBS Radio. “The Radio Advisory Council has participated in a highly productive meeting and is pleased that Arbitron has taken these steps to raise the bar on sample quality and enhance confidence in the currency.”
Radio Advisory Council
The RAC consists of 24 radio industry leaders who act as the voice of subscribing radio stations, advising Arbitron on issues important to radio and helping improve Arbitron’s services and policies. The RAC comprises both elected and appointed positions from various radio format and market size categories from a spectrum of expertise including research and programming. In addition, each of Arbitron’s five largest radio station group customers has one appointed seat on the RAC.
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