Black Press Media's parent group, Carpenter Media Group, has acquired seven newspapers in Texas.
Carpenter Media Group announced the acquisition of M. Roberts Media on Friday (Dec. 6).
M. Roberts Media is described as a cornerstone of the Texas media landscape since 1942. M. Roberts Media is the parent company of seven award-winning newspapers and a variety of magazines and publications that serve Victoria and East Texas.
The Texas-based titles include the Victoria Advocate, Longview News-Journal, Tyler Morning Telegraph, The Marshall News Messenger, The Panola Watchman, Kilgore News Herald, and The Henderson News. Its magazine portfolio features ETX View, Rose Festival, The Zone, Discover 361, Harrison Magazine, Etcetera Magazine, and 40 Under Forty.
M. Roberts Media is a family-owned company that traces its roots back to Morris Roberts鈥� role in a conglomerate that acquired the Victoria Advocate in 1942. In 1961, Roberts bought out the other owners to become the sole owner of the Victoria Advocate.
The third generation of family leadership is represented by Roberts鈥� grandson, Stephen McHaney, who is publisher of the Longview News-Journal, as well as president of M. Roberts Media.
"Over the years, the company grew under family leadership. The company expanded its portfolio to include six additional newspapers, multiple magazines and publications, a digital agency, magazines, and a printing company, emphasizing its commitment to delivering diverse media and marketing solutions across South and East Texas," reads a news release.
Reflecting on M. Roberts Media鈥檚 legacy, McHaney said, 鈥淥ur mission has always been to produce valuable journalistic content that engages audiences and improves the communities we serve, while delivering innovative marketing solutions that help our customers grow. I am pleased to have Carpenter Media Group take over the leadership of our publications with their commitment to continue quality local journalism.鈥�
Carpenter Media Group chair Todd Carpenter said the company is pleased to follow in the footsteps of the family and all the people who have built foundations of these media institutions.
鈥淲e recognize the importance of the work for which we now have responsibility, and we look forward to getting involved, serving readers, along with small and medium-sized businesses in each community. We promise to work hard to meet our obligations to each staff and community served.鈥�
Following the separation of Carpenter Media Group from Boone Newsmedia Inc. in 2023, and subsequent acquisitions, Carpenter Media Group now owns and manages more than 250 publications across the U.S. and Canada.
