Paxton Media group is acquiring the Chronicle-Independent, the Lee County Observer, the Blythewood Country Chronicle, the Winnsboro/Fairfield County Country Chronicle, the Ft. Jackson Leader, The Shaw News, and assorted glossy magazines and websites from Camden Media Co., a long-time partnership owned by Charles H. Morris of Savannah, Ga. and Mike Mischner of Camden, S.C.Camdem Media Co. was represented by Randy Cope of Cribb, Cope & Potts.
Paxton Media Group, a 125 year old family owned media company headquartered in Paducah, Kentucky, is managed by fourth and fifth generation Paxton family members. The company owns more than 120 newspapers across the Southeast and Midwest including newspapers in Lancaster, Chester and Chesterfield counties which are adjacent to Camden Media Co. markets. Among the newspapers that Paxton owns in North Carolina are those in High Point, Goldsboro, Henderson, Sanford, Monroe, Lenoir, Forest City, Roanoke Rapids, Lexington, Asheboro, Burlington, Kinston, New Bern and Jacksonville.
“We are excited to add Camden Media Co. newspapers to our growing portfolio in the Carolinas,” said Jamie Paxton, PMG president and CEO. “PMG believes strongly in the value of local newspapers and the vital role they play in the communities that they serve. We appreciate being chosen to be the stewards of these important community assets and intend to work hard to maintain the trust that these publications have earned over their long and storied history.”
“Paxton Media Group is the right company to pass ownership of Camden Media Co. on to. They are very well thought of in the industry and we are confident that they will do a wonderful job”, said Mischner and Morris.
In a related statement, Mike Mischner has announced that he will be retiring once the sale takes place. “I have had the terrific opportunity to head-up Camden Media Co. for all these years and am proud of our many accomplishments. I sincerely thank all of our readers and advertisers for their support and especially want to express my deep appreciation to all of our outstanding and dedicated employees who have contributed so much to our success.”
PMG assumed ownership on February 1st.
Randy Cope of Cribb, Cope and Potts, a leading media merger and acquisition firm represented Camden Media Co. in the transaction. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.