• Portfolio, Friday, February 13, 2009 9:30 AM

Hachette Filipacchi Media's defection from the Magazine Publishers of America may trigger a wider exodus. French-owned Hachette, home to Elle, Car and Driver and other titles, said it wanted to save money on dues. Now there's talk that other publishers may quickly follow for the same reason.

Hachette's MPA dues totaled approximately $1 million, although the MPA says that number is "highly overstated," without giving a specific amount. Hachette is far from being MPA's biggest source of revenue.

Membership dues for U.S. companies are based on circulation revenues and ad revenues, says the MPA. Insiders estimate Hearst Magazines is paying about $2 million a year to belong, Condé Nast pays about $2.75 million, and Time Inc. coughs up nearly $3.25 million. MPA won't confirm the fees and refuses to discuss membership dropouts.

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