ABC

November 15 2011

The Board of the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) has elected ZenithOptimedia Canada’s CEO Sunni Boot as its new Chairman, replacing outgoing Chairman Merle Davidson of JCPenney, who held the role for three years. ABC is a forum of North America's magazine and newspaper publishers, advertisers and ad agencies, which maintains an online database of audited circulation information and an array of readership, audience and web site usage data. Its digital arm, ABC Interactive (ABCi) provides audits of web sites and digital ad-based technology. Boot began her career at ad agency Ronalds-Reynolds, which was merged into FCB in 1987. In 1992, she formed standalone media company Optimedia Canada, later (1998) re-launched under the Publicis banner. She joined the ABC Board in 2008, and then served as Chairman of the ABC Canada Board Committee. In the latter role she will be replaced by Rogers Communications’ VP of Brand and Marketing Communications, Shelagh Stoneham. ABC President Mike Lavery comments: ‘Sunni and Shelagh are strong leaders in the buying community and they have exactly the kind of tenacity and expertise ABC and our members need as we navigate the confluence of print and digital media. We want to thank Merle Davidson for his outstanding leadership these past three years.’ Additionally, the ABC has elected three new representatives: Liberta Abbondante, SVP of Consumer Marketing at Hearst, representing US magazines Jeffrey Holecko, North American Media Manager at Kimberly-Clark, representing US advertisers Kenneth Whyte, President of Rogers Media, representing Canadian periodicals. The following directors will serve as Vice Chairmen of the ABC board for a one-year term: David Leckey, American Media Inc; Christina Meringolo, Merck Consumer Care; Suzanne Silber, Optimedia; and Shelagh Stoneham, Rogers Communications Inc. Rob Fisher of American City Business Journals will serve as the 2012 Board Secretary and Scott Heekin-Canedy of the New York Times will fill the role of Treasurer. Web site: www.accessabc.com . Printer-friendly version of this article. Email this article to a friend. Register for News emails