Industry News

Distinctly Montana Magazine

Distinctly Montana Magazine has been sold by founder Michael Blevins to Bill Muhlenfeld and Anthea George of Bozeman, Montana, according to John Cribb, Cribb, Greene & Associates, who represented the seller in the transaction.

Distinctly Montana Magazine is a high quality glossy product published quarterly and distributed throughout Montana and most of the nation. The magazine, founded in 2001, is a resource guide for all things Montana and includes local features, literary pieces, and high quality art and photography. Included in the sale is the magazine website at distinctlymontana.com.

According to Anthea George, "Distinctly Montana is a quality publication with a great concept and a focused mission. We look forward as new owners to bringing the best of Montana to residents and visitors alike."

Cribb, Greene & Associates is an eighty-seven year old publishing company merger and acquisition firm with offices in Bozeman, Montana and Charlottesville, Virginia.

Publisher Confidence Survey Results

Cribb, Greene

April 21, 2010

Mid and small market newspapers quite optimistic

Media analysts and lenders may want to take note: mid and small market newspaper executives are very optimistic about their future financial performance, local market economies, and the newspaper industry in general.

Cribb, Greene & Associates has released the Publisher Confidence Survey Spring 2010 with results that may surprise newspaper industry observers. Newspaper executives clearly feel that the industry is improving quickly.

Seventy one percent (71%) of executives polled believe their advertising revenues will be up in 2011 and 25% more think they will be about the same as this year. Only 4% think next year's ad revenues will be down.

Most newspapers believe their local market economies are improving or stable (94%); their profits will be up in 2011 (68%); and with an improving economy feel their profit margin will be the same or better than in the past (69%). However a substantial number of respondents - 31% - think their profit margin will be lower than it was prior to the economic downturn.

In a change from responses in last fall's Survey, 68% would not consider eliminating their web press and outsourcing printing - up from 56%. The question on considering buying a newspaper is still about 50-50, however it tipped to more "no" (53%) than "yes" (47%). Fifty-four percent (54%) say bank financing on reasonable terms is available to them, up from 49% last fall.

Respondents became more decisive in answering the question "Would you recommend the newspaper business as a career for your children?" This litmus test question last fall produced 33% "yes" responses which has increased to 39% in the current Survey. When added to those who "maybe" would suggest newspapers as a career the percentage totaled 73%, with 27% saying "no" to this question.

The Cribb, Greene Publisher Confidence Survey polls mid and small market newspaper executives to see how they feel about current performance. The Spring 2010 Survey had 160 participants of which 36% have daily newspapers, 19% have both daily and non-daily newspapers, and 45% have non-daily (primarily weekly) newspapers.

Complete Survey Results here (PDF)

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