The Audit Bureau of Circulations’ interactive unit, ABCi, is teaming-up with Handmark to provide audited mobile usage statistics for publishers and advertisers. The move comes after ABCi has reviewed Handmark’s mobile application platform, confirming it meets the necessary prerequisites as part of the ABCi audit process.
So what’s the point of this partnership and why do we care? As an end user, you won’t get anything out of this deal, at least not initially. Handmark’s idea is to get some third-party numbers that would make it easier to sell ad space on various mobile apps it publishes.
As you may know, Handmark is collaborating with various media companies, making applications for various mobile platforms on their behalf. Those apps are offered as free downloads, with the idea to make money out of advertising. And to get the big boys to post their ads into mobile apps, Handmark (and their media partners) need to have audited figures or the so called “independent verification of app usage.” That’s where ABCi comes in.
As a results, Handmark and its media partners will make more money in the future, ensuring we get to keep our free apps for some time to come. And that’s a good thing, don’t you agree? 😉