Sound Publishing Inc., a Black Press subsidiary, has acquired, effective October 1, the three times per week Daily World, in Aberdeen, Washington, from Stephens Media. The details of the purchase were not disclosed. The transaction also includes the Montesano (WA) Vidette, the North Coast News (Ocean Shores, WA) and the South Beach Bulletin (Westport, WA). All are weekly newspapers.
“We feel quite fortunate to add the Aberdeen cluster of quality news products to Sound Publishing” said Gloria Fletcher, President of Sound Publishing. “Of course we value the products but more importantly we value the people and the communities these products faithfully serve.”
Founded in 1987, Sound Publishing is the state’s largest community news organization publishing 47 community daily, weekly and monthly news products. Sound Publishing publications reach more than 600,000 homes weekly with print and digital products in the greater Puget Sound area.
Oahu Publications Inc., another Black Press subsidiary, and Stephens Media have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire West Hawaii Today and the Hawaii Tribune-Herald (Hilo).
“While we have appreciated the opportunity to serve these wonderful markets for a number of years, we concluded that they were no longer a strategic fit for Stephens Media “ Ed Moss, Stephens Media CEO said today. “We are delighted that a newspaper operator of Black Press’ stature will take ownership of and continue to serve these communities and their readers and advertisers” Moss noted.
“These newspaper titles in Washington and Hawaii fit with Black Press’ geographic clustering strategy and are by far the leading local media in each of their respective communities,” said CEO Rick O’Connor. “We are pleased to be adding these assets to our business in both Hawaii and Washington”, said company founder and Chairman, David Black, “as both areas have been sources of growth for Black Press in the past few years.”
Sound Publishing is the largest community media organization in Washington, with 47 newspaper and digital titles that have a combined circulation of over 632,000. Sound is a subsidiary of Black Press, Ltd. Black Press publishes more than 170 newspapers and other publications in: British Columbia and Alberta, Canada; Washington, Hawaii and the Akron (Ohio) Beacon-Journal daily newspapers of the U.S.