Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

CM355: Company, Industry, and Consumer Information

SRDS

Use the SRDS Media Solutions Database to locate media ad rates:

Media Ad Rate Help Guides

Digital Media Ad Rates

  1. Go to SRDS (above)
  2. Click Digital
  3. Click Websites & Programmatic Inventory
  4. Filter by Business Class, Consumer Class, DMAs, or Audience Demographics (gender, age, and income)

CPM: cost per mille (the amount an advertiser pays a website per one thousand visitors who see its advertisements).

TV Ad Rates

Many variables go into determining a TV ad rate, and they are often negotiated. For a rough estimate, take the SQAD cost-per-point (in US dollars) for the market and multiply it by the Nielsen rating for a program that airs at the same time. That will equal the estimated cost of the ad.

SQAD Cost Per Point     X     Nielsen Rating = estimated TV ad cost

Collect SQAD cost-per-point (CPP) data for your market:
  1. Go to SRDS (below).
  2. Select Broadcast
  3. Select  "SQAD Cost Per Point Level Reports”
  4. Find your DMA (media market)
  5. Select the SQAD report.
 Collect Nielsen ratings for the show you want to run your ad during.
  • Nielsen has ratings for the Top 10 shows of the week. Look for Top 10 under Insights at the bottom of their homepage
  • Futon Critic Ratings – includes rating information and a helpful FAQ about the ratings system
  • Broadcasting & Cable – ratings and advertising information, including syndications

Note: Locating local station and show ratings will require digging through articles and press releases. TV stations blogs can also be helpful.

Magazine Ad Rates

  1. Go to SRDS (above)
  2. Click Magazines
  3. Click Consumer Magazines
  4. Select by Consumer Class (subject) or search for a specific title

The magazine's profile will include important information like circulation demographics and data, plus ad rates for regular or special issues. 

When looking at the "Rates & Policies" page, the number below "ti" represents the cost of running the same ad a set number of times. For example, "3 ti" = 3 times

Newspaper Ad Rates

  1. Go to SRDS (above)
  2. Click Newspapers
  3. Click Newspapers, Reps, & Press Associations
  4. Select by DMA (media market).

When looking at the "Rates & Policies" page, the number below "ti" represents the cost of running the same ad a set number of times. For example, "3 ti" = 3 times.

Find tips, tricks, and some pricing information, in Hootsuite's Social Media Advertising Guide.