VANA advises newsagents to not sign the Hubbed contract at this time

VANA yesterday advised Victorian newsagents that they should not sign the Hubbed contract at this time.  here is their announcement in full:

VANA’s position on Hubbed
By VANA News | September 13, 2013 | Nparcel Leave a comment

There has been much talk within the industry lately about the ANF’s endorsed company ‘Hubbed”. VANA also understands that the Hubbed team are visiting Victorian Newsagents to introduce the platform to them. As expected, VANA is receiving enquires from members as to our position and recommendation.

The VANA Board was given a presentation by Hubbed CEO David Mclean at our May Board meeting, and has also had many conversations with ANF CEO, Alf Maccioni in relation to the platform.

VANA received a copy of a Hubbed contract and VANA’s solicitors have given us a list of issues and concerns involving this. On Thursday 29th August, VANA met with the ANF to enquire about these issues and on Friday 30th, a list of issues was submitted to Hubbed CEO, David McLean. These questions have been answered and after further discussions, Hubbed has released another version of their contract.

VANA’s advice to Newsagents today is to not sign a Hubbed contract until the final version of the contract is available for all to see, understand and evaluate. Newsagents MUST seek their own professional advice on this contract if they wish to participate as the platform does commit newsagents to a contract term and at a monetary cost, amongst many other things.

VANA also has concerns over the ANF 5% shareholding in Hubbed and the ANF’s ability to have an influence in making sure newsagents are protected.

This issue will be discussed further at our next Board meeting. VANA will continue to update members if any more information comes to hand. If you have any questions in relation to this announcement, please contact The VANA team.

I have expressed some of these concerns here on August 20 and here on August 26. It is good to see newsagent associations doing what associations should do when a new business opportunity enters their marketplace. This is what members expect.

If the Hubbed offer is as good as Hubbed and the ANF say it is they will welcome the scrutiny.