The Pioneer News Group Co. today announced that it is selling its media division assets
to family-owned Adams Publishing Group. The sale will include 22 daily and weekly
newspapers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Utah along with a newspaper and
commercial print facility, various shoppers and websites. The sale is expected to be finalized
on November 1, 2017. Terms were not disclosed.
The Pioneer News Group is a family media business owned by members of the Scripps
family. The Scripps family has a long history in newspapers, starting with EW Scripps who
started the Detroit Evening News in 1873 and the Cleveland Penny Press in 1878, which led to
a bigger chain of newspapers that included the St. Louis Chronicle and Cincinnati Post.
Pioneer Newspapers was formed by James G. Scripps in 1986. The company is owned by
Leighton Wood and his children Stedem, Marnie, Heather, Laura and eight next-generation
family members. Marnie Roozen is Chairwoman of the company’s Board of Directors.
“It has been an honor for my family to serve our communities over these many
generations,” said Roozen. “We cherish the friendships we have created with our employees
and truly feel we are a family. It is because of our dedication to our communities and
employees that we are so pleased that Adams Publishing Group is purchasing our media
division. Adams shares our values as well as a deep commitment to the future of community
newspapers. It is heartening to know our papers will be in very capable hands.”
The company was recently renamed Pioneer News Group to reflect its expansion to
produce news and advertising, both in print and expanding digital formats. Mike Gugliotto is
president and CEO of Pioneer.
“I’m very proud of the outstanding work Pioneer employees have produced as our industry
continues to evolve, facing related challenges and exciting new opportunities,” said Gugliotto.
“It’s been a privilege to work with some of the most dedicated, determined and creative people
in the business, with the unwavering support of the Wood family.”
Adams Publishing Group owns and operates 100 community newspapers in 11 states,
including the acquisition of five newspaper publishing companies in 2016. The company is
based in Minneapolis, MN. In addition to its community newspaper company, the Adams family
owns radio stations, outdoor advertising companies, a wine distribution business, label printing
companies, and a large interest in Camping World Holdings, a publicly traded national network
of RV dealers, affinity programs, the Good Sam Club, and other RV related products and
services.
“We’re very excited to welcome the Pioneer group of community newspapers, commercial
print facilities, and other print and digital products and services to APG. We’re especially
pleased to welcome Pioneer’s over 500 dedicated associates to our community newspaper
group,” said Steve Adams of the Adams Publishing Group. “The Wood family, along with
Pioneer’s dedicated employees and management team, has done a stellar job of creating new
and compelling products and services, both in print and digital, in the face of an ever changing
media landscape. We commend their efforts, and look forward to continuing their proud
journalistic tradition in the communities Pioneer serves.”
Pioneer newspapers in the sale include The Ellensburg Daily Record, The Klamath Falls
Herald and News, The Lake County Examiner, The Klamath Falls Nickel, The Skagit Valley
Herald, The Anacortes American, The Burlington Argus, The Sedro-Woolley Courier-Times,
The Stanwood Camano News, The Logan Herald Journal, The Tremonton Leader, The
Bozeman Daily Chronicle, The Belgrade News, The Idaho Press Tribune, The Idaho State
Journal, The Kuna Melba News, The Meridian Press, The Emmett Messenger Index, The
Montpelier News-Examiner, The Preston Citizen, The Rexburg Standard Journal and The
Teton Valley News.
Cribb, Greene & Cope represented the Pioneer News Group Co. in this transaction.
For more information contact Jeff Wampler at 206-284-4424 or by email at jwampler@pioneernewsgroup.com