SNAP Newspaper Group

In 2004, businessmen Paul Dutton and Dr. Jon Henderson founded SNAP Newspaper Group Inc. after the introduction of SNAP Newmarket, which showcases a local suburb just north of Toronto Ontario. This particular community was chosen as a test market for SNAP’s unique style of community-based advertising, marketing and print publication.  The existing media in that area, as well as those nationally and internationally, had been growing stale in the public eye for some time. Local markets had been continually eroding over the years as large nationals and multinationals became dominant players who delivered mostly negative and political editorial content. In short, these local publications had drastically lost touch with their readership and advertisers alike, but the community and local business had little other alternative. Utilizing their extensive knowledge of the advertising, marketing and technology fields, Dutton and Henderson recognized an opportunity to deliver a truly Positive Community Based Publication, blending community support and public relations with a dynamic financial model to make it all possible.  Not only did SNAP Newmarket successfully grow as a community paper in its own right, it also proved to be a good role model for future expansion across the region.

By adopting a strong community foundation and gradually implementing a progressive use of technology, SNAP Newmarket set the stage for a unique and efficiently lean business model for other SNAP communities to emulate. With this viable foundation in place, SNAP Newspaper Group began the hiring of key personnel to further reinforce the business model so that it could be easily replicated and transferred into other communities. Over the following six years, SNAP has grown to over 61 franchises across North America, with papers in the United States and Italy, and it continues to grow today. While constant upgrades and efficiencies are introduced on both the technological side and new media fronts, the business model has ultimately remained the same to this day; support your clients, support your community, and both will support you in return.