Carpenter Media Group (CMG) has acquired 16 community newspapers in Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois from Phillips Media Group (PMG). The acquisition also includes the Nowata Printing Company in Springfield, Missouri. The newspapers involved in the deal are the Quincy Herald Whig, Baxter Bulletin, Harrison Daily Times, Newton County Times, Big Nickel, Bolivar Herald-Free Press, Buffalo Reflex, Cedar County Republican, Christian County Headliner News, Kirksville Daily Express, The Marshfield Mail, NEMO Trader, Sedalia Democrat, Warrensburg Star-Journal, The West Plains Daily Quill, and the Hannibal Courier Post.
Rupert Phillips, president and CEO of PMG, said, “It has been a pleasure to own and operate these great publications. Their future will be in good hands with Carpenter Media Group, a company focused on continuing the tradition of providing a quality newspaper for their local communities.”
Todd Carpenter, chairman of CMG, expressed his company’s commitment to serving the local communities. “We feel fortunate to succeed Rupert Phillips and his team in these communities with these newspapers that are so important to each one.
To work with a group like this is a pleasure and privilege because of the quality of the company, the people, and the good foundations they put down,” he said.
Carpenter expands with PMG acquisition
The transaction was brokered by media merger and acquisition firm Dirks, Van Essen & April, and the financial terms were not disclosed.
CMG is dedicated to serving and developing communities through exceptional local journalism, guiding the marketing and advertising of its small and medium-sized business customers, and fostering the personal and professional growth of its team members. Before chairing CMG, Carpenter was a longtime CEO and director of Boone Newsmedia, Inc. (BNI), which managed 85 newspaper titles, various magazines, websites, and other businesses in 12 states.
After separating CMG holdings last year from BNI and recent acquisitions, CMG now owns and manages over 250 titles in the U.S. and Canada. The acquisition is part of CMG’s ongoing strategy to expand their footprint in regional journalism. The purchase is expected to bring new resources and investments into the local newspapers, ensuring their continued operation and support to the communities they serve.
- Legends1063.”New Owners for Several Area Papers in Arkansas, Missouri”.
- WGEM.”Carpenter Media Group buys ownership group of Herald-Whig, Courier-Post”.
- WestPlainsDailyQuill.”Carpenter Media Group acquires 16 titles, print facility from Phillips Media Group”.