A family-owned newspaper group – now in its third generation – has “handed the baton” with the sale of its cluster of seven mastheads, as well as magazines and other publications.
Todd Carpenter’s Carpenter Media Group has acquired Texas-based M. Roberts Media, which traces its roots to Morris Roberts’ role in a conglomerate that acquired the Victoria Advocate in 1942. Roberts bought out his partners in 1961, with the company growing under family leadership to include six additional newspapers, multiple magazines and publications, a digital agency and a printing company.
Third generation leadership has been represented by Roberts’ grandson, Stephen McHaney, publisher of the Longview News-Journal as well as the group’s president. “Our 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,” he says.
In addition to these, the titles also include the Tyler Morning Telegraph, Marshall News Messenger, Panola Watchman, Kilgore News Herald and the Henderson News.
Todd Carpenter said his company was pleased to “follow in the footsteps of this wonderful family and all the people who have built the foundations of these respected media institutions.
“We promise to work hard to meet our obligations to each staff and community served.”
A former chief executive and director of Boone Newsmedia, Carpenter now owns and manages more than 250 publications across the US and Canada, following the separation of CMG from BNI last year.
Dirks, Van Essen & April represented M. Roberts Media in the transaction, terms of which were not disclosed.
Pictured: Roberts’ daughter Kay McHaney (centre with presenter John Sharp) and family members, who accepted his induction into the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame in 2021, 20 years after his death (Photo Tyler Morning Telegraph)