Capital-Journal sold to GateHouse Media

AUGUSTA, Ga. — As part of a strategic restructuring to focus its business on lifestyle publications, property development and new business, Morris Communications Co. announced today that it has signed an agreement to sell the assets of Morris Publishing Group, including The Topeka Capital-Journal, to GateHouse Media.

The sale includes 10 other daily newspapers, numerous non-daily publications and associated websites and digital assets. The transaction is expected to close on Oct. 2, 2017. Terms were not disclosed.

“I appreciate GateHouse Media’s innovative digital marketing solutions and client-centric focus, which, I believe, opens endless opportunities that get results for our advertisers,” said Zach Ahrens, president and publisher of The Topeka Capital-Journal. “I look forward to taking advantage of GateHouse Media’s tools and resources so we can serve our community in the best way possible. This acquisition will solidify a tremendous network of award-winning journalists and advertising opportunities across Kansas. I anticipate great synergies with the existing GateHouse operations across the state.”

“Since my father took a job as bookkeeper at The Chronicle in 1929, our family has been dedicated to journalism, and to the readers and advertisers in the communities we serve,” said William S. “Billy” Morris III, chairman of Morris Communications. “Although this has been a difficult decision for me, we have found a wonderful buyer for the newspapers in GateHouse, as they are strongly committed to providing good community coverage for readers and effective solutions for advertisers.”

Under terms of the sale, Ahrens will continue in his role as publisher of The Topeka Capital-Journal. Billy Morris will continue as publisher of The Augusta Chronicle and will oversee editorial-page policy for the three Morris newspapers in Georgia. GateHouse Media is a division of New Media Investment Group, a publicly traded company (NEWM) on the New York Stock Exchange. It is one of the largest newspaper companies in the country, owning more than 130 daily newspapers and more than 500 non-daily publications across the United States.

“GateHouse is very excited to welcome the Morris publications and their employees into our Company,” said Michael E. Reed, New Media President and Chief Executive officer. “For over 80 years, the Morris family has built and operated an incredible collection of local media assets. We are honored that the family has chosen us to uphold the rich tradition of journalism and innovation they have established. This transaction will expand our footprint into new states and add some very attractive markets to our local media portfolio. We see strong synergies between our two companies and look forward to the value creation opportunity that will exist as we combine the portfolios.”

“Every newspaper company in America is battling trends and redirected advertising dollars, so it is necessary for newspapers to be part of a large newspaper group to build and maintain the necessary resources to compete,” said Morris. “We are deeply grateful for the many friendships and business relationships we have enjoyed for these many years and look forward to the impact the next generation will make.”

William S. (Will) Morris IV, president and CEO of Morris Communications, said, “Although the decision to leave the newspaper business was a tough one for our family, we are enthusiastic about our plans to diversify our business holdings with print and digital communications and real estate development. We have a solid team in place to take the business in a prosperous new direction.”

Daily papers included in the sale, in addition to The Topeka Capital-Journal, are The Augusta Chronicle, the Savannah Morning News, the Athens Banner-Herald, The Florida Times-Union and The St. Augustine Record in Florida, the Amarillo Globe-News and Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in Texas, Conway (Ark.) Log Cabin Democrat, and the Juneau Empire and Kenai Peninsula Clarion in Alaska.

Derek May, currently president of Morris Publishing Group, will take a new leadership role as chief operating officer of Morris Communications. “I’ve considered it a blessing to be around such talented individuals who work for our company,” said May. “These are great people, passionate about what they do, and committed to their communities.”

“We are enthusiastic about our current and future business ventures,” Will Morris said. “With this sale, we will pursue a range of new possibilities. We intend to keep making a difference in the world, as we have for more than 80 years.”

Here is the list of newspapers owned by GateHouse in Kansas. The company also owns some shoppers and other properties.

Butler County Times-Gazette

Cherokee County News-Advocate

Dodge City Daily Globe

Fort Leavenworth Lamp

Garden City Telegram

Hays Daily News

Hutchinson News

Kiowa County Signal

Leavenworth Times

McPherson Sentinel

Newton Kansan

Pittsburg Morning Sun

Pratt Tribune

Ottawa Herald

Salina Journal

St. John News

Topeka Capital-Journal (effective Oct. 1, 2017)

Wellington Daily News