Wisconsin Media Group, LLC., an affiliate company of O’Rourke Media Group, announced that it plans to acquire Unified Newspaper Group. Unified is owned by Woodward Communications, Inc. Furthermore, the transaction is set to close in one week (June 30, 2021).
Unified Newspaper Group has four weekly newspapers and websites that serve these areas of Wisconsin: Oregon, Verona, Fitchburg and Stoughton.
Woodward Communications, Inc., acquired Stoughton Newspapers in 1993 and Schroeder Publications in 1998, which was then brought together under the name “Unified Newspaper Group.”
O’Rourke Media Group describes itself as a “family-owned, community focused media company.” The company was launched in October 2018. To be clear, their mission is to “acquire hyper-local, print, and digital community newspapers” and implement their digital transformation playbook. Furthermore, the firm has a decentralized operation.
“Joe Mathes and I are extremely excited about entering the Madison market with this excellent group of community newspapers and talented team that’s in place. We’re confident that our company’s strategy to exponentially grow digital revenue and audience will take form quickly in these markets as we continue our expansion in Wisconsin.”
Jim O’Rourke, CEO of O’Rourke Media Group
Bob Woodward, VP of Woodward Community Media said the group was outside of their core strategic cluster. However, he believes “Wisconsin Media Group will continue with a commitment to high quality products.”
