Serving AAA members in the Carolinas since 1922

You can download a PDF version of the 2008 GO! Magazine Media Kit here.

The Membership Publication for more than 1.4 Million North Carolina & South Carolina AAA Members

GO Magazine seeks to provide AAA Carolinas members with accurate, up-to-date information about travel, consumer issues, member services, benefits and programs that are beneficial to our members' lifestyles.

Advertising is sold to help support the publication and provide members with meaningful information.

AAA Carolinas accepts advertising only from companies with a commitment to
customer service and makes no endorsements concerning any advertiser.

As our membership grows, so does our circulation.

This year, AAA Carolinas celebrates 86 years in business, and we are more than 1.6 million members strong!

With a growth rate averaging 5% to 7% a year, GO MAGAZINE readership increases with each issue. (Nationally, AAA has more than 50 million members and celebrates its 106th anniversary in 2008.)

GO MAGAZINE has the largest circulation of any single publication in the Carolinas.

1,050,000 and growing

The member publication goes to Primary Members only (one per household), which translates to slightly more than three-fifths of our total membership.

Our NC members account for about 68% of our membership, while SC accounts for about 32%.

“Beaufort absolutely loves AAA GO for the great results which it produces in reaching our ideal target market and generating inquiries. The new format is a big improvement; the service and production always have been top notch. We are pleased to recommend this magazine as one of our favorite partners in tourism marketing.”
    –Liz Mitchell, Tourism Marketing Director & Film Commissioner, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, Beaufort, SC

“After several years of advertising in AAA GO, we continue to be pleased with the response! The AAA traveler is definitely our target market! Giddy-up!!”
    –Rex Frederick, President/Owner, Clear Creek Guest Ranch, Burnsville, NC

MEDIAN AGE OF MEMBERS: 50
1% ages 15-17;
34% ages 18-44;
24% ages 45-54;
18% ages 55-64;
23% ages 65+

GENDER:
Female...55%   Male...45%

HOUSEHOLD INCOME: 
AAA members have an average household income of $74,500.

20% of AAA members have an average household income of  $100,000+.

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL:
AAA members are highly educated with 45% having earned a college diploma, university degree or postgraduate degree.

PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE:
AAA members who own or are in the process of buying a home: 82%
           
AAA MEMBERS ONLINE:
Percent of members that have gone online at least three times in the last three months: 73%

LEISURE TRAVEL:
Leisure travel refers to trips of any distance that include an overnight stay or travel of at least 100 miles from home for leisure reasons regardless of an overnight stay.

Members who took a leisure trip in the last 12 months:
75%

Travelers who took one or more domestic trips:
96%

Travelers who took two or more domestic trips:
79%

Travelers who took a 2-3 day trip over the weekend:
67%

Average number of domestic trips in a 12 month period:
3.7

Average number of weekend trips in a 12 month period:
2.0

Travelers who took a day trip without an overnight stay:
44%

Travelers who took trips and stayed in paid lodgings for one or more nights, excluding RV and camping trips:
85%

Members who obtained hotel discounts in the past 12 months:
56%

Travelers who took a trip by car:
86%
Average number of trips by car among leisure travelers was 3.4 times during a 12 month period.

Leisure trips, including paid lodgings, in past 12 months:
2-3 trips = 38%      4-5 trips = 14%      6 or more = 7%      0 = 15%

Leisure trips taken by car in the past 12 months:
1 trip=21%    2-3 trips=35%    4-5 trips=14%    6 + trips=16%    0 trips=14%

Top leisure travel activities for AAA members:
            Dining: 35%
            Shopping: 26%
            Touring: 24%
            Entertainment: 22%
            Cultural/Museum: 10%

Members most likely to use upscale lodging on a pleasure trip:
            Budget: 20%
            Lower Moderate: 10%
            Moderate: 15%
            Upper Moderate: 13%
            Upscale: 33%
            Luxury: 9%

READER RESPONSE
Advertisers are listed on a reader response postcard. The postcard is inserted into each issue of AAA Carolinas GO MAGAZINE.

Labels, e-mails or disks with names and addresses of respondents are forwarded for fulfillment to the advertiser every two weeks at no charge.

Because the service is free, you pay no additional charges, other than the cost of fulfillment materials you decide to send an interested customer.

Twice a year, we offer a prize drawing to encourage AAA members to look for the Reader Response Card and to fill out their requests. A vacation to Walt Disney World Resort and the Caribbean are just two examples of past prizes offered.

FREE ADS ON AAA.COM
In addition to the print magazine, current advertisers will benefit from having their ad, as seen in the magazine, placed on the AAA Carolinas Web site.  Advertisers will also be allowed to add a maximum of 100 words to the advertising space. No links will be available.

Advertiser-supplied banner ads will be placed in rotation on GO MAGAZINE pages for the duration of the current issue. Banner size is 468x60 pixels.

Accepted formats are gif, animated gif, jpg or rich media. No click-throughs are permitted.

GO MAGAZINE offers a great opportunity to get your insert into the hands of more than 1.6 million AAA members.

We accept preprinted inserts and flyers for placement in GO MAGAZINE. Blow-in and stitch-in inserts are accepted. Number of inserts is limited to two blow-in and three stitch-ins per issue.

Prior approval of the insert is required due to postal regulations.

Rates: $30 per 1,000 for full runs, $35 per 1,000 for partial runs.

Inserts are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Circulation can be broken down; please ask for details.

Weight and size restrictions do apply.

AAA Carolinas requires one proof copy in advance.

Deadlines for inserts are as follows:
Jan-Feb 2008.................... Dec. 5
March-April 2008..............    Feb. 5
May-June 2008..................   April 9
July-Aug 2008....................   June 4
Sept-Oct 2008...................    Aug. 6
Nov-Dec 2008....................   Oct. 9

(Effective with JanuaryFebruary 2008 Issue.)

COLOR DISPLAY AD RATES:

POSITION GUARANTEE
10% rate premium is required. Contracts or insertion orders conditional upon position must include the position-premium to earn publisher’s guarantee.

AGENCY COMMISSIONS
15% to recognized advertising agencies who adhere to the advertising deadlines as listed by AAA Carolinas GO MAGAZINE

GO Magazine offers a great opportunity to get your insert into the hands of more than 1.5 million AAA members.

We accept preprinted inserts and flyers for placement in GO Magazine. Blow-in and stitch-in inserts are accepted. Number of inserts is limited to two blow-in and two stitch-in per issue.

Prior approval of the insert is required due to postal regulations.

Rate is $30 per 1,000 for full runs, $35 per 1,000 for partial runs.

• Inserts are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Circulation can be broken down; please ask for details.
• Weight and size restrictions do apply.
• AAA Carolinas requires one proof copy in advance.

High resolution PDF files are the preferred ad format.
Live files may also be sent along with PDF (i.e. Quark, InDesign, fonts, photos, etc.)
Photos should be high resolution files – 300 dpi
Save files as CMYK
May use Aladdin’s Stuffit to compress files
Acrobat Profile is available through your sales representative

PROOFS:
Please send a hardcopy proof
Color or black/white lasers are fine
Proofs can be mailed or faxed

MORE INFORMATION:
Editorial calendar and contract are available through your advertising sales representative

FONTS:
Use Postscript Type 1 fonts
Adobe Multiple Master Fonts and TrueType fonts are not accepted and must not be used
Always use real typeface - Do not use application to apply styles  (i.e. bold, italic, outline, underline, shadow)

AD DELIVERY:
Email: jsflowe@mailaaa.com   (Janean Flowe)

FTP Site:     ftp://ftp.aaaqa.com/communications
  Username:   aaacomm      Password: aaa2006
           
Within this Communications Folder is a GO Magazine Folder. Please place your items in the GO Magazine folder. Afterward please e-mail the name of your file to:  jsflowe@mailaaa.com

Disk Delivery:          Janean Flowe
                                    6600 AAA Drive, Charlotte, NC 28212
                                    800-888-3262 ext. 6306

DISCLAIMER:
Ads not conforming to correct sizes will not be used. Extra charges may apply to advertiser if Macintosh formatted ad materials are not received. The publisher reserves the right to accept or decline any advertising. The advertiser assumes liability for all advertising content (including text, representations and illustrations of advertising printed) and also assumes responsibility for any claims arising thereof made against the publisher. An advertisement which simulates editorial content will be prefaced by the word “Advertisement.” When a change in copy is not received by the material due date, copy run in the previous issue will be inserted. Late fees may be assessed for copy received after the due date.

Call 330-764-6246 or 330-764-6203 for delivery appointment. Insert boxes must be marked with the following information: AAA Carolinas GO Magazine, issue date, quantity and number of skids/boxes.

IN EVERY ISSUE
The following is our planned editorial calendar for 2008.

The following sections are included in each issue:

Around the Carolinas
AAA.com
Calendar of Events/Happenings
Carolina Journey Celebrity Interview
Diamond Destinations
News and Issues
Reader Response Contest
Safe Driving Day
Show Your Card & Save benefits
The Member’s Edge
Traffic Safety/Driver Improvement
Worth the Drive

UPCOMING STORIES
To the right, you will find our planned features and stories for 2008.

Jan/Feb 2008
• Cruising in 2008 & New Cruise Dining Options
• Magical Members
• Things to Do in Great Britain
• San Antonio
• Family Friendly Orlando
• Gaffney, SC
• Georgetown, SC
• New Bern, NC
• Ashe County, NC
• Sea Trail Golf
• Charlottesville, VA
• Energy Policy
• Substandard Bridges
• AAA Top Rated Hotels & Restaurants

Mar/Apr 2008
• Canada Cruise
• Italy’s Lake District or Cinque Terre
• Top Caribbean or Mexican Destinations
• French Riviera
• Thailand
• North Carolina High Country - winery
• Campbell Folk School
• Abbeville SC
• Wilmington NC
• Pawleys Island SC
• Myrtle Beach Family Fun
• Jackson County, NC
• Warm Springs, GA
• AAA Maps
• Dangerous Counties

May/June 2008
• Traveling with Grandparents
• Top Five Family Vacations
• Cruise Lines Private Islands
• Las Vegas - Top Chefs & Restaurants
• Beaches North of Myrtle Beach, SC
• Lake Hartwell, SC
• Roanoke Rapids, NC
• Charlotte, NC
• Chattanooga, TN

July/Aug 2008
• Top Romantic Getaways
• Greek Isles
• Costa Rica
• Beaches South of Myrtle Beach, SC
• Rock Hill, SC
• Laurens County, SC
• Lexington, NC
• Wilson, NC
• Country Music Highway

Sept/Oct 2008
• Small Ship Cruising
• Panthers Fan Cruise
• Preview Alaska
• Exotic Islands
• Orangeburg, SC
• Haywood County, NC
• Fayetteville, NC
• Northeast Tenn.

Nov/Dec 2008
• Travel Hot Spots for 2009
• European Winter Escapes
• Gift of Travel
• Camden, SC
• Santee, SC
• Winston-Salem, NC
• Washington, NC
• Baltimore, MD

The publisher reserves the right to reject or exclude any advertisement at any time for any reason.

AAA Carolinas encourages companies advertising in GO Magazine to establish a working relationship with AAA Carolinas to help foster improved customer communication and service. As the largest dues-paying, membership organization in the Carolinas, AAA strives to provide the best possible service to its members and the traveling public.

POSITION GUARANTEE: 10% rate premium is required. Contracts or insertion orders conditional upon position must include the position-premium to earn publisher’s guarantee.

AGENCY COMMISSIONS: 15% to recognized advertising agencies who adhere to the advertising deadlines.

CONTRACT PERIOD: Contract periods are no more than 12 months following date of first insertion order. Contracts may be cancelled in writing 60 days prior to publishing.

RATE PROTECTION: Rate protection will be honored for 12 months from the date of contract or insertion order.

CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS: Cancellations are not accepted after published closing dates. Cover contracts are non-cancelable. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising. Advertiser and/or his agency agrees to indemnify the Publisher against all claims, actions or expenses of any nature based upon unauthorized use of names or photographs of any person or persons, copyright infringements or libelous statements in connection with the advertising covered by their order. No cash discounts.

SHORT RATES/REBATES: Advertisers will be billed or credited at the lowest frequency rate earned by advertisements published during the contract period. Inserts can count toward frequency.

AD MATERIALS: Advertisers not adhering to the required GO Magazine ad format, will be charged an extra $125 on their invoice for a processing fee.

TERMS OF PAYMENT: Publisher or his designated representative shall invoice advertiser on the issue date of the publication, and  such invoice shall be due and payable by advertiser 30 days from invoice date. No cash discounts are allowed. Monthly 1.5% late fee on unpaid balance over 30 days. If the need arises for further collection, advertiser will pay all costs incident to collection of the account, including reasonable attorney fees.

CREDIT: Will be extended upon approval by our Credit Department after reviewing your account. Prepayment of the account may be required before the publication deadline if credit criteria are not in keeping with AAA Carolinas’ guidelines.

STORAGE OF AD MATERIALS: AAA Carolinas will store ad materials for a one-year time period, allowing advertisers the use of “pick-ups.” After the one-year time period, ad materials will be destroyed.

READER RESPONSE: All display ad advertisers are automatically listed on a reader response postcard inserted into each issue of GO Magazine. Names and addresses of respondents are forwarded for fulfillment to the advertiser every two weeks at no charge. THERE IS A PLACE ON THE CONTRACT FOR THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE AGENCY OR PERSON THAT SHOULD RECEIVE THE READER RESPONSE ADDRESS LEADS. One listing allowed per ad placed.

PUBLISHER’S PROTECTION CLAUSES: The publisher reserves the right to accept or decline any advertising. The advertiser assumes liability for all advertising content (including text, representations and illustrations of advertising printed) and also assumes responsibility for any claims arising thereof made against the publisher. An advertisement which simulates editorial content will be pre-faced by the word “Advertisement.” When a change in copy is not received by the material due date, copy run in the previous issue will be inserted. Late fees may be assessed for copy received after the due date.

Publication of an advertisement demonstrates acceptance by the publisher. Prior to publication, there is no obligation or liability upon the publisher. No credit for positioning unless agreed to in writing.