This was before computers and the Internet were involved, when people wanted to know what was being said about them. They would buy publications and read through it all to see what was being said.

When media monitoring systems started, it was with scissors, glue and paper.

Monitoring agencies would:

  • sift through newspapers and magazines
  • find mentions of their clients
  • stick it in a "clipbook", and
  • give these books to their clients.

This then moved on to radio and television as well. But that's a story for another day.

If you are as fascinated with media monitoring as we are, then you should check out What makes media monitoring unique?

*Image courtesy of Canva