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12-28-2019, 07:00 AM
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Press Democrat owner buys Sonoma County Gazette, a free monthly publication
(https://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/10517122-181/the-press-democrat-owner-buys)BILL SWINDELL
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT December 27, 2019, 3:49PM
48515Sonoma Media Investments, owner of The Press Democrat and other North Bay publications, announced Friday it has acquired Sonoma County Gazette, a free hyperlocal magazine that relies upon article submissions from local residents.
The Santa Rosa-based publisher bought the Gazette from Vesta Copestakes of Forestville. She turned what was originally a newsletter for the Forestville Chamber of Commerce into a 72-page publication with a monthly distribution of 35,000 printed copies, featuring everything from Camp Meeker updates to listings of volunteer opportunities and area nature hikes.
The sale price was not disclosed, though Copestakes said in an interview annual revenue is about $500,000. She will stay on as publisher in 2020 to assist in the ownership transition.
“It gives us the ability to reach deeper into our local communities. It is a very unique product in that all of the editorial contributions are written by readers and community members,” said Steve Falk, CEO of Sonoma Media Investments. “It allows us to reach into neighborhoods with local content and local advertising that you don’t find in The Press Democrat.”
The acquisition is positive news in a tough print media industry, as local publishers attempt to find new sources of revenue. They continue grappling with declining print sales, while striving to grow digital readership and advertising. That transition has been brutal with many casualties. Since 2004, about 1,800 newspapers have closed nationwide, according to PEN America, a nonprofit group that backs press freedom. On Sunday, the Martinez News-Gazette in Contra Costa County — one of California’s oldest newspapers — will print its final edition after publishing for 161 years.
Copestakes put up for sale the Gazette she’s owned since 2003, after turning 70 this year and wanting to slow down from her typical 80- to 100-hour workweeks. As the lone full-time employee, she wears many hats, including editing, design work, advertising sales and distribution management. She works from her Forestville house and has a number of contract workers. Some of her writers are paid, while others contribute stories and listings for free.
Continues here (https://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/10517122-181/the-press-democrat-owner-buys)
Press Democrat owner buys Sonoma County Gazette, a free monthly publication
(https://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/10517122-181/the-press-democrat-owner-buys)BILL SWINDELL
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT December 27, 2019, 3:49PM
48515Sonoma Media Investments, owner of The Press Democrat and other North Bay publications, announced Friday it has acquired Sonoma County Gazette, a free hyperlocal magazine that relies upon article submissions from local residents.
The Santa Rosa-based publisher bought the Gazette from Vesta Copestakes of Forestville. She turned what was originally a newsletter for the Forestville Chamber of Commerce into a 72-page publication with a monthly distribution of 35,000 printed copies, featuring everything from Camp Meeker updates to listings of volunteer opportunities and area nature hikes.
The sale price was not disclosed, though Copestakes said in an interview annual revenue is about $500,000. She will stay on as publisher in 2020 to assist in the ownership transition.
“It gives us the ability to reach deeper into our local communities. It is a very unique product in that all of the editorial contributions are written by readers and community members,” said Steve Falk, CEO of Sonoma Media Investments. “It allows us to reach into neighborhoods with local content and local advertising that you don’t find in The Press Democrat.”
The acquisition is positive news in a tough print media industry, as local publishers attempt to find new sources of revenue. They continue grappling with declining print sales, while striving to grow digital readership and advertising. That transition has been brutal with many casualties. Since 2004, about 1,800 newspapers have closed nationwide, according to PEN America, a nonprofit group that backs press freedom. On Sunday, the Martinez News-Gazette in Contra Costa County — one of California’s oldest newspapers — will print its final edition after publishing for 161 years.
Copestakes put up for sale the Gazette she’s owned since 2003, after turning 70 this year and wanting to slow down from her typical 80- to 100-hour workweeks. As the lone full-time employee, she wears many hats, including editing, design work, advertising sales and distribution management. She works from her Forestville house and has a number of contract workers. Some of her writers are paid, while others contribute stories and listings for free.
Continues here (https://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/10517122-181/the-press-democrat-owner-buys)