Daily Gazette Buys Leader-Herald
The Daily Gazette says it will be acquiring The Leader-Herald in Gloversville, New York, part of The Ogden Newspapers, from the Nutting Company, a holding company that operates a number of media, hospitality and entertainment businesses. “As a family-owned newspaper, it gives everyone at the Gazette great pride knowing that we are continuing the mission and legacy of another family-owned newspaper like The Leader-Herald,” said Daily Gazette board chairwoman Elizabeth “Betsie” Hume Lind. Within 60 days, the Leader-Herald will go from afternoon publication to morning delivery.
Cailin Brown will be editor of The Leader-Herald. Brown is the managing editor of the Gazette. Gazette President and Publisher John DeAugustine will be named publisher of The Leader-Herald. The Leader-Herald acquisition is a continuation of The Daily Gazette’s business growth and diversification strategy, which began a few years ago with the purchase of an Image360 franchise. Image360 is a sign and graphics company owned by the Gazette. More recently, the Gazette purchased the Amsterdam Recorder along with two of its weekly papers, the Courier-Standard-Enterprise and the Fulton County Express. The Gazette purchased a FedEx Ground franchise and its assets from RM Logistics of Rotterdam, New York, at the end of 2019. The Gazette also operates an events business that plans and hosts events including weddings, signature community events and events for people 50 and older.
Spokane Daily Chronicle Gets New Life
The Spokane Daily Chronicle has started publishing again, now as an evening electronic edition, Brier Dudley, Seattle Times Free Press editor, writes. The Chronicle is produced by The Spokesman-Review and sent electronically to subscribers for no extra fee. The Chronicle has eight pages and no repeat stories from the Spokesman.
“From a business perspective, the Chronicle is a clever use of the paper’s digital platform and assets,” writes Dudley. “It’s also smart for the Spokesman to create something new and fresh for customers, especially those who miss evening papers and loyal subscribers who have seen papers get thinner and prices rise.” No new employees were brought on to produce the Chronicle, writes Dudley.
Sovrn Holdings Acquires Proper Media
Sovrn Holdings, a publisher-focused tech company, has acquired San Diego-based Proper Media. Proper Media combines advertising technology with personalized managed services. “Proper Media gives publishers access to enterprise-level technology that increases their revenue while streamlining operations and improving profitability,” said Chris Richmond, co-founder and CEO, Proper Media.
“Sovrn and Proper Media share a commitment to help publishers better understand, operate and grow their business,” said Walter Knapp, CEO, Sovrn. “Programmatic advertising is a complex challenge for publishers and many don’t have the time, resources or expertise to best navigate these changes on their own. Our aim is to help our customers make and keep more of their hard-earned revenues, giving them insights to make better decisions and investments.”
209 Multimedia Buys Mattos Newspapers
Mattos Newspapers (California), which includes The Gustine Press-Standard, Westside Index, Tuesday Review, Westsideconnect.com and commercial printing, is being bought by 209 Multimedia Corporation, Westsideconnect.com reports. Owners of 209 Multimedia are Hank and Kelly Vander Veen. Hank has been group publisher of the papers in the Central Valley for almost a decade. Kelly has a background in digital management, commercial printing and newspapers. The company includes six papers, several magazines and a digital services agency. 209 Multimedia also has a commercial printing operation printing 10 to 15 other papers and magazines each week.
Fayetteville Observer Building to Go Up for sale
The Fayetteville Observer (North Carolina) building will soon be listed for sale, the paper reports. The paper has the intent of leasing back space for its news, advertising, business and distribution staff, says the paper. The newsroom will go on operating from its Whitfield Street location and the paper’s press will still print 12 daily papers, including USA Today. Gannett owns the paper. Gannett has put a number of its buildings on the market recently.
More News
- French regulators hit Googlewith a fine of 500 million euros ($593 million) last week. The fine was for not complying with an order to work out fair deals with news publishers for the use of their content, CNBC and others reported.
- The Athletic is raising the cost of an annual subscription, Variety reports. The Athletic is now charging new and existing subscribers $71.99 per year. Before an annual subscription cost $59.99. The Athletic has been in the news as it has been looking at possible mergers.
- The Buffalo Newspaper Guildis “calling on The Buffalo News to stop its assault on the region’s daily paper and local jobs,” says a statement from the guild. At a news conference last week, the largest union at The Buffalo News announced actions including a billboard, petition and byline strike. A News & Tech email to Lee’s communications manager got no response as of this writing.
- Agfa North America and Mac Papers and Packaging entered an exclusive authorized reseller agreement to represent the Anapurna portfolio in the Southeastern United States. Mac Papers and Packaging is a distributor of wide-format equipment, paper and packaging material.
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