APG acquires three newspaper divisions from ACMBack to News

Minneapolis, MN – March 14, 2014 – Adams Publishing Group LLC (APG) announced today that it has purchased three newspaper divisions from American Consolidated Media (ACM).  The newspaper divisions include the Superior Publishing Group, Ohio Publishing Group, and Chesapeake Publishing Group.  The purchase includes a total of 34 print publications, special print products, digital media assets and commercial printing facilities.

Dirks, Van Essen & Murray, a merger and acquisition firm based in Santa Fe, New Mexico represented ACM in the sale.

Following the acquisition, APG Media will consist of four regions: APG Media of Wisconsin LLC, APG Media of Minnesota LLC, APG Media of Ohio LLC, and APG Media of Chesapeake LLC.

APG Media of Minnesota LLC consists of five paid newspapers and three controlled‐distribution publications including the Mesabi Daily News, Hibbing Daily Tribune, Grand Rapids Herald Review, Walker Pilot Independent, Chisholm Tribune Press, Virginia Manney’s Shopper, Hibbing Manney’s Shopper and Grand Rapids Manney’s Shopper.  APG Media of Wisconsin LLC consists of six paid newspapers and one controlled-distribution publication including the Ashland Daily Press, Sawyer County Record, Sawyer TMC, Spooner Advocate, Phillips Bee, Park Falls Herald and Bayfield County Journal.  “We are excited to be a part of the Adams Publishing Group and we look forward to the new opportunities that will be available to us as part of this successful media company.  We will continue to focus on providing the most up‐to‐date and complete local news and advertising products for our readers and subscribers in the communities we serve.  Our strong commitment to our employees and the communities of our area will continue as our primary focus”, said Chris Knight, President and Publisher of the Minnesota and Wisconsin group.

APG Media of Ohio LLC consists of eight paid newspapers and two controlled‐distribution publications including the Athens Messenger, Circleville Herald, Logan Daily News, Jackson County Times‐Journal, The Community Shopper, Pike County News Watchman, Weekend Marketplace, Perry County Tribune and Vinton County Courier in Ohio and the Gladwin County Record and Clarion in Gladwin, MI .  President and Publisher of the Ohio group, Monica Nieporte, said, “This is a very positive outcome for our business, our employees and our communities.  I’m very optimistic that through our partnerships with the other businesses that are owned by our new parent company we will be able to expand our services to readers and advertisers.  I am proud of the fact that the leaders of the Adams Publishing Group saw what fine products and talented people we have throughout southern Ohio and Michigan and wanted us to be part of their organization.  I am excited about the new opportunities that all of our employees will have with the new ownership.”

APG Media of Chesapeake LLC consists of six paid newspapers and four controlled‐distribution publications including the Star Democrat, Cecil Whig, Kent County News, Kent Island Bay Times, Times‐Record, Record Observer, Dorchester Star, Newark Post, The Bargaineer and Avenue News.  “We are thrilled to be joining Adams Publishing Group and to be moving back to a family owned company.   I applaud our new owner’s vision to see the value of our region’s strong local content, outstanding employees, and long history as the primary news source for the communities we serve.  We are excited about the diversified resources and opportunities the Adams group brings to our local franchise and how they will further enhance our deep‐rooted connection with the advertisers and readers of our market”, said David Fike, President and Publisher of the Chesapeake group.