I was talking with a new newsagent yesterday and they were surprised to learn that their local association owns 50% of Newspower in their state. An association representative had been providing advice to them on the selection of a marketing group. They had not declared a conflict of interest for the association with their half ownership of Newspower.
Associations need to declare their shareholding in Newspower to anyone they pitch or discuss Newspower – otherwise those receiving the advice may not have all the facts.
Whether they like it or not, associations are businesses and need to act open and ethically – as all suppliers should act.
I think fundamentally, this is the problem for the associations.
There seems to be no transparency with a lot of what they do, and why they do it.
Newsagency Awards nights are the greatest example of this, with the suppliers we whinge about being the one’s who sponsor such events.
I think we would all be a little naive to think associations do not consider the damage negative comments about such suppliers could make to the future of such sponsorships when they make public announcements.
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Amanda, I am involved with plenty of associations outside the newsagency channel and which that the transparency and non-commercial engagement I see there could come to newsagent representation.
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Hi Mark, nice blog.
Does the association, or associations have any other shareholdings in other marketing groups?
Or for that matter any suppliers?
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Makenzie – only Newspower in terms of marketing groups.
Newsagents access Western Union through the ANF.
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