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  1. TopTop #1
    Barry's Avatar
    Barry
    Founder & Moderator

    Press Democrat owner buys Sonoma County Gazette


    Press Democrat owner buys Sonoma County Gazette, a free monthly publication
    BILL SWINDELL
    THE PRESS DEMOCRAT December 27, 2019, 3:49PM

    Sonoma 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.

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  3. TopTop #2

    Re: Press Democrat owner buys Sonoma County Gazette

    Great for Vesta, but not great for free press in Sonoma County. I will not be renewing my subscription now that it will be owned by a slimy criminal cabal,
    Sonoma Media Investments and Mr Anderson. Yuck!

    Project Censored: Peter Byrne and Will Carruthers Examine PG&E’s Role in the Political Influence and Media Control of California

    Last edited by Barry; 12-29-2019 at 12:28 PM.
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  4. TopTop #3
    tommy's Avatar
    tommy
     

    Re: Press Democrat owner buys Sonoma County Gazette

    Goodbye Sonoma Gazette
    Last edited by Barry; 12-29-2019 at 12:28 PM.
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  6. TopTop #4
    Thad's Avatar
    Thad
     

    Re: Press Democrat owner buys Sonoma County Gazette

    Talk to Vesta about that, what else would there have been? Maybe they have ears to be improved in their morality. Its good for subscriptions.
    Quote Posted in reply to the post by kltkwmn~707: View Post
    Great for Vesta, but not great for free press in Sonoma County. I will not be renewing my subscription now that it will be owned by a slimy criminal cabal,
    Sonoma Media Investments and Mr Anderson. Yuck!
    Last edited by Barry; 12-29-2019 at 12:29 PM.
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  8. TopTop #5
    deepresto's Avatar
    deepresto
     

    Re: Press Democrat owner buys Sonoma County Gazette

    Boo hoo.
    A second Press Democrat, aka Big Wine apologist & cheerleader, we don't need.
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    Re: Press Democrat owner buys Sonoma County Gazette

    ? ?
    The criminal cabal that owns the PD as well as all other print media other than the Bohemian, I highly doubt that they "have ears to be improved in their morality" (unclear as to what you are trying to say?!).
    Darius Anderson is PG&E's lobbyist, a lobbyist for private prison/detention center builder GEO Group, has skimmed off millions through his Rebuild NorthBay Foundation.
    It would be a major miracle and is definitely wishful thinking to 'hope for change'. Sonoma Media Investments wants the advertising revenue the Vesta has nurtured, which is substantial compared to dePressed Democrap's advertising.
    This Project Censored interview is a very important exposé of Anderson and his various businesses.
    One doesn't need to look far to find deep corruption; no, Corruption is local!

    https://www.projectcensored.org/pete...in-california/

    https://m.bohemian.com/northbay/juic...nt?oid=9026523

    https://www.bohemian.com/northbay/ch...nt?oid=9415222

    https://pacificsun.com/smokescreen-rebuild-north-bay/

    https://www.bohemian.com/TheFishingR...gande-lobbyist

    https://www.bohemian.com/northbay/cl...nt?oid=8219974

    https://www.bohemian.com/northbay/Ar...ius%20Anderson



    Quote Posted in reply to the post by Thad: View Post
    Talk to Vesta about that, what else would there have been? Maybe they have ears to be improved in their morality. Its good for subscriptions.
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