Pamplin Media Group Purchases Madras Pioneer and Several Other Community Newspaper

Mark Garber, president of Pamplin’s newspaper division, said the purchase of the five Portland-area community newspapers greatly enlarges the company’s presence in the metro area. The acquisition of the Madras Pioneer also gives the company a presence in the growing Central Oregon market.

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.

“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 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 Governor 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, Washington. 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.

“This expands the number of communities we serve, meaning that we can generate even more news and produce even greater results for our advertisers,” Garber said. “These communities are great places to live and work. Our management and staff are looking forward to learning more about them and continuing to provide the best in local journalism.”

About R.B. Pamplin Corporation

Founded in 1957 and based in Portland, Oregon, the R.B. Pamplin Corp. 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.

Pamplin himself has served on presidential and state commissions, and as chairman of the board of trustees for three colleges and the Portland Art Museum. 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.

Eagle’s primary owner, Denny Smith, has had a lifelong career in printing and publishing, and also served 10 years as a member of Congress. He flew 180 Air Force combat missions in Viet Nam and later was a commercial pilot for Pam American Airlines. He was inducted into the Oregon Aviation Hall of Honor in 2009.