Pamplin Media Group Acquires Additional News Outlets

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pamplin Media Group, Oregon’s largest community news organization and a subsidiary of R.B. Pamplin Corp., has expanded its reach with the acquisition of six weekly newspapers from Eagle Newspapers Inc., a Salem-based company. The transaction, which was effective immediately, has expanded Pamplin Media Group’s presence throughout the Portland area and in Central Oregon. The newspapers included in the acquisition are: the Canby Herald, Madras Pioneer, Molalla Pioneer, Newberg Graphic, Wilsonville Spokesman and Woodburn Independent.

“This sale is between two great Oregonians, men who share many of the same ideals, including a passion for community journalism and public service”

“We are excited to add these outlets to the family of Pamplin community newspapers,” said Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr., owner of Pamplin Media Group and R.B. Pamplin Corp. “This acquisition strengthens our ability to share important community news with more residents in more places.

“Now, we’ll reach half a million print readers each week, and hundreds of thousands more online and through our radio stations,” Pamplin added. “This puts us on equal footing, in terms of reach, with any other media in Oregon. With this acquisition, there’s no media larger in the state than Pamplin Media Group.”

Eagle Newspapers was founded in 1948 by former Oregon Gov. Elmo Smith. Under the leadership of his son, former Congressman Denny Smith, the company grew to 25 holdings in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, including dailies in The Dalles and Sunnyside, Wash. The company also owns four press plants, a mailing service and publishes various other specialty publications and phone books.

“This sale is between two great Oregonians, men who share many of the same ideals, including a passion for community journalism and public service,” said Eagle Newspaper President, Tom Lanctot. “We look forward to watching these news outlets continue to grow under the leadership of the Pamplin Media Group.”

Pamplin Media Group also owns the Portland Tribune and 17 other newspapers throughout Portland, including newspapers in Gresham, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Tigard and Clackamas.

About R.B. Pamplin Corporation

Founded in 1957 and based in Portland, Ore., the R.B. Pamplin Corporation is one of the largest privately-owned and family-managed-businesses in the United States. Under the leadership of Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr., R.B. Pamplin Corp’s subsidiaries are leading American manufacturers of commercial and household products, including textiles, concrete, asphalt, newspapers, wine, beef, berries and hazelnuts. The 55-year-old company generates more than $600 million annually, employs more than 4,000 people in eight states including Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Washington and sells its product globally. Learn more at www.pamplin.org.

About Eagle Newspapers Inc.

Eagle Newspapers is a community of two dailies, six semi-weeklies, six weeklies, two weekly classified publications, six specialty publications, four printing operations and a mailing service located throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho. A family-owned corporation, Eagle is dedicated to the community newspaper concept. Each publication is locally managed to best serve the community or region in which it is located. Plans based on the Eagle mission and objectives are made at each location and in each department. The result is a "sense of ownership" in the plan for each of the 400-plus employees company wide.