The Livewire, Jackson County’s largest-circulation newspaper, has been recognized as one of the top newspapers in North America.
Published by Livewire Printing Co. of Jackson and Lakefield, the 10,500-circulation Livewire received an international “Gold Standard Award” for readership, receivership and response, one of only five in the state of Minnesota to receive the honor and one of less than 1 percent of more than 4,000 eligible newspapers across the United States and Canada.
Notification of the award came last week from the Circulation Verification Council, the newspaper industry’s top source of audit, circulation and readership data in North America.
Tim Bingaman, president and CEO of CVC, said the Gold Standard Award is given only to “elite” publications verified as having the highest receivership, readership, distribution and purchase scores of all CVC-audited publications.
“The prestige of this award cannot be overstated,” Bingaman said. “The Gold Standard Award recognizes the absolute best of the best and the Livewire is at the very top of the list. The Livewire has earned the award based on its exceptional distribution and readership study reporting.”
Receivership is a measure of how many households in the circulation area receive the newspaper every week, readership is a measure of how many household residents read the Livewire every week and purchase scores are indications of what percentage of all readers frequently purchase items or services that have been advertised in the Livewire. According to the most recent audit data, the Livewire’s receivership is 99 percent, its readership is 89 percent and its purchasing percentage is 84 percent. All are among the highest of any newspaper in the nation and Canada.
Based in St. Louis, the CVC is regarded in the newspaper industry as the premier source of audit, circulation and readership data in North America. CVC audits encompass a three-tiered system of data collection and checks and balances, including member reporting, on-site and field visits and telephone surveys, to ensure accurate data.
The latest CVC audit pegged the Livewire’s circulation at nearly 10,500 and its readership reach at around 20,000.
The Livewire is one of only 40 newspapers in the United States and Canada to receive the 2008-2009 Gold Standard Award and one of only five in the state of Minnesota.
Bingaman said the achievement is one worthy of being shared by both Livewire staff and the community of readers the weekly newspaper serves.
“I offer hearty congratulations to the publisher and staff of the Livewire and the community on this phenomenal achievement,” he said. “This award is truly a source of deep pride for the staff of the Livewire and its readers and advertisers.”
The Livewire has been serving Jackson County since 1929. Today it reaches nearly 10,500 households across six counties in two states, including Jackson, Cottonwood, Martin and Nobles counties in Minnesota and Dickinson and Emmet counties in Iowa.
Click here to see the official award notification letter and a list of all Gold Standard winners.
