Arbitron Issues Social Media Do’s And Don’ts

Arbitron has mailed a info sheet to radio stations with a list to stay out of trouble.  According to Arbitron, urges radio follow the social meeting commandments to stay out of trouble

Do

• Notify Arbitron if a respondent reaches out to the station via social media (or any other means).
• Remind station staff that social media comments are subject to same guidelines as on-air comments.
• Contact Arbitron for a confidential  pre-review if you are unsure about  comments you wish to post.
• Contact Arbitron if your staff sees posted comments directed to an Arbitron  respondent.
• Contact Arbitron if the station learns the  identity of an Arbitron respondent (by  any means).
• Review the following materials at arbitron.com.–Rating Bias & Rating Distortion  handbooks for PPM and Diary Security “Dos & Don’ts”

Don’t

• Don’t attempt to learn the identity of Arbitron respondents. The station may be delisted, even if the attempt  doesn’t succeed.
• Don’t address comments to panelists or diarykeepers.
• Don’t discuss ratings (even ratings  success) on social networking sites.  Doing so may prompt respondents to  disclose their participation.
• Don’t post comments encouraging  listeners to participate as panelists  or diarykeepers.
• Don’t offer anything of value to self-  identified panelists or diarykeepers.