SNPA updates dues model, replaces print circulation with total audience

The SNPA Board of Directors approved a plan this week that will change the way SNPA bills its newspaper membership dues, starting in 2015.

Currently, SNPA dues for newspapers are based on print circulation.  Starting in 2014, the measurement will include both print and digital audience.

"This is not a plan to increase dues," said David Dunn-Rankin, who represents Florida on the SNPA board and is chairman of its membership committee.  "It is a way to incorporate total audience – print and digital – a more accurate assessment of individual market reach."

The board postponed the change until 2015 so SNPA could collect the digital audience data from newspapers, test it against the proposed dues formula, and make sure the new approach does not produce increases that would negatively impact newspaper members.

The SNPA board also agreed to freeze dues for 2014 at 2013 levels – with neither increases nor decreases in newspaper dues.

Dues statements for newspapers are mailed in early November.  Payments for 2014 are due in January.