All SNA delegates (designated voting member for each company) received a ballot on December 1 to vote on a proposed name change for the organization. The SNA board of directors is recommending Local Media Association as the new name.
Many voices were involved in proposing this new name. In addition to the 14 companies represented by senior level executives on the SNA board of directors, another 12 companies were represented on the marketing committee. These companies include: GateHouse Media, Sun-Times Media Group, Journal Register Company/Digital First Media, New York Times Regional Group, Swift Communications, Metroland Media Group, Deseret Digital Media, Borrell Associates, Rust Communications, Wick Communications, ASP Westward, ThisWeek Community Newspapers, American Community Newspapers, Richner Communications, The World Company, Arizona Daily Star, NGM Partners, Holden Landmark Corporation, CrossRoadsNews, The Elkhart Truth, Dow Jones Local Media Group and USA Weekend.
There are many reasons for the proposed name change as you might imagine. The current name confuses people and is not reflective of the entire membership. It also does not account for the digital side of our businesses. As for the new name, "...it's simple, self-explanatory, direct", said Jon Rust, Chairman of the SNA Board of Directors, "It is also powerful: It puts 'local' first - just like we do as media organizations - and it shares that we're not just newspapers anymore but much more." The board has also put forth a new tagline: "Innovate. Educate. Inspire." These words truly reflect the spirit of SNA that will continue under the new name.
The SNA bylaws do require a majority vote to change the name of the organization. Only newspaper members are eligible to vote. Each company has one voting delegate (usually the CEO, publisher or other senior level executive). Everyone is invited to provide feedback on this important recommendation. Simply email Nancy Lane at nancylanesna@aol.com with your comments; she will be sharing all of them with the board.
The SNA board is excited about the direction of the association. They acknowledge the proud heritage of the last 40 years under the SNA name and vow to continue and improve upon it. The association remains committed to providing leading-edge and innovative solutions for local media companies.
For more information about the name change recommendation, click to read Jon Rust's and Nancy Lane's columns from the December issue of Sub Pub. They provide more background information on the reasons why as well as the process.
Voting will take place through December 9. At that time the results will be announced. The name change will officially take place on January 1 pending a majority vote.