American Community Newspapers sells Star Community Newspapers to 1013 CommunicationsBack to News

PLANO, TX – February 22, 2012 – American Community Newspapers announced today that it sold its operations in Texas, Star Community Newspapers, to 1013 Communications.  Star Community Newspapers (SCN) consists of 15 publications that serve a series of fast-growing communities north and east of Dallas, including Plano, Frisco, Allen and Lewisville.  All are published weekly except the daily McKinney Courier Gazette. 

Dirks, Van Essen & Murray, a newspaper merger and acquisition firm in Santa Fe, New Mexico, represented American Community Newspapers in the transaction.  Terms were not disclosed.  Prior to selling the Texas newspaper group, ACN sold its operations in Columbus, Ohio and Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The Plano-based company also operates newspapers in suburban Washington, DC.

Roger Will, publisher of SCN, said joining 1013 Communications is “great news for the communities we serve.” 

“The acquisition provides for continued independent publishing of award-winning newspapers in some of the country’s fastest-growing communities,” Will said.  “The leadership of 1013 and of Star Community Newspapers shares a common vision that provides an independent local voice for our regions.  Each day, our reporters strive to report fresh, important stories that impact the residents of our communities.  Whether the beat is government, public safety, sports or human interest, our reporters fill the dual roles of community watchdog and community booster.”

“Our readers can look forward to some excellent changes coming over the next several weeks,” Will continued.  “They will find a more lively and colorful newspaper being delivered at more consistent times.  They will find more features on local citizens and local events.  In some cases, they will receive their newspaper on a different day, but always with the intention to improve the product they receive.”

1013 Communications LLC is a partnership of Thirteenth Street Media of Boulder, Colorado, and 10K Investments LLC based in Reno, Nevada.  The company’s publications boast hyperlocal reporting and an innovative distribution model.  They include the Pulitzer Prize-winning East Valley Tribune, the Daily News-Sun, Glendale/Peoria Today, Surprise Today, Ahwatukee Foothills News and Clipper Marketplace in Phoenix, together with the Arizona Interactive Media Group, and the Explorer, a 50,000-circulation free-distribution weekly in suburban Tucson.  Also, Thirteenth Street Media is publisher of the Telluride Daily Planet, a free-distribution daily, and the Norwood Post, both in Colorado.

For additional information contact Owen Van Essen or Phil Murray at 505-820-2700, owen@dirksvanessen.com, or phil@dirksvanapril.pairserver.com.