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{{Short description|American newspaper publisher}}
The '''Brown Publishing Company''' is an [[Ohio]] newspaper business started by Congressman [[Clarence J. Brown]] in 1920. The company is a family-owned business, publishing 18 daily newspapers, 27 weekly newspapers, and 26 free weeklies, and remains an attractive entry-level option for those wishing to learn the rudiments of newspaper operation. The current [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] is Brown's grandson, [[Roy Brown (publisher)|Roy Brown]]. The current [[chairman of the board]] is Roy's brother, actor [[Clancy Brown]].
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}}
'''Brown Publishing Company''' was a privately owned [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], newspaper business started by Congressman [[Clarence J. Brown]] in [[Blanchester, Ohio]] in 1920. It ended 90 years of operations in August/September 2010 with its [[bankruptcy]] and sale of assets to a new company formed by its creditors and called Ohio Community Media Inc.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100904/BUSINESS/9040321 | title = Uncertainty shrouds Brown Publishing bankruptcy | last = Palmer | first = Thomas | newspaper = [[Mansfield News Journal]] | via = www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com | date = September 4, 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100906221258/http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100904/BUSINESS/9040321 | archive-date = 2010-09-06}}</ref> The company was previously a family-owned business; it published 18 daily newspapers, 27 weekly newspapers, and 26 free weeklies. The former [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] was Brown's grandson, [[Roy Brown (publisher)|Roy Brown]]. The [[chairman of the board]] was Roy's brother [[Clancy Brown]], who is also an actor.


==Bankruptcy proceedings==
==Publications==
On April 30, 2010, the company and its subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy in federal court in [[Central Islip, New York]], in the [[Eastern District of New York]] in Docket 10-73295. It listed Brown and 14 affiliates, with assets of $94.1 million and $104.6 million in debts as of March 31, 2010. Its affiliates included Delaware Gazette Co., Texas Business News LLC, Utah Business Publishers LLC, Texas Community Newspapers Inc., Upstate Business News LLC, Troy Daily News Inc., SC Biz News LLC, ARG LLC, Brown Business Ledger LLC, [[Dan's Papers]] Inc., Business Publications LLC.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.bcbr.com/article.asp?id=51412 | title = Brown Publishing files for bankruptcy | date = May 3, 2010 | location = Cincinnati | website = Boulder County Business Report | via = www.bcbr.com | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110707220102/http://www.bcbr.com/article.asp?id=51412 | archive-date = July 7, 2011 | url-status = usurped}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = https://bizwest.com/2010/05/03/brown-publishing-files-for-bankruptcy-3/ | title = Brown Publishing files for bankruptcy | date = May 3, 2010 | location = Cincinnati | website = Boulder County Business Report | via = bizwest.com | url-access = subscription}}</ref>


Several key executives of Brown Publishing submitted a plan to purchase key assets of the company under the auspices of a newly created company, Brown Media Holdings. This plan fell through when a key lender backing the plan withdrew its offer.<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-news/brown-publishing-cant-close-on-bankruptcy-sale-876268.html | title = Brown Publishing can’t close on bankruptcy sale | last = Sanctis | first = Matt | location = Urbana | newspaper = [[Springfield News Sun]] | via = www.springfieldnewssun.com | date = August 24, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100825202117/http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/springfield-news/brown-publishing-cant-close-on-bankruptcy-sale-876268.html | archive-date = August 25, 2010 | url-status = dead}}</ref>

On September 3, 2010, it was announced that [[Manhattan Media]] had purchased ''Dan's Papers,'' ''Montauk Pioneer,'' and ''Hampton Style Magazine'' from Brown.<ref>{{cite press release | url = http://www.danshamptons.com/manhattan_media_acquires_dans_papers.html | title = Manhattan Media Acquires Dan's Papers 50-Year-Old Hamptons Weekly to be Headed by Founder Dan Rattinger | website = Dan's Papers | via = www.danshamptons.com | date = September 3, 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100917221522/http://danshamptons.com/manhattan_media_acquires_dans_papers.html | archive-date = 2010-09-17}}</ref>

Later in September, Brown's 14 Ohio dailies and about 50 weekly publications were transferred to [[Ohio Community Media]], a new entity owned by Brown's creditors, in a transaction valued at $21.75 million.<ref>{{cite news | last = Sanctis | first = Matt | title = Judge OKs Sale of Brown Newspapers | url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-25793891.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140610231151/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-25793891.html | url-status = dead | archive-date=June 10, 2014 | newspaper = [[Dayton Daily News]] | date = September 4, 2010 }}</ref> Over the next few months, the new company sold a "mini-empire" of business newsweeklies which Brown had assembled starting in 2007. The company sold titles in cities including [[Charleston, South Carolina]]; [[Cheyenne, Wyoming]]; [[Fort Worth, Texas]]; and [[Naperville, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Brown's Biz Journals Now All Sold | url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-252131008.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140610231146/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-252131008.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 10, 2014 | date = February 14, 2011 | newspaper = NewsInc}}</ref>

[[Philadelphia]]-based Versa Capital Management completed its purchase of Ohio Community Media for an undisclosed price in May 2011. By this point, the chain consisted of 14 daily newspapers and about 30 weeklies, all located in Ohio.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-28741410.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610231148/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-28741410.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2014|title=Business Headlines: Local Newspapers Have New Owners|newspaper=[[Dayton Daily News]]|date=May 21, 2011}}</ref>

==Publications==
===Dailies===
===Dailies===
*[[Athens, Ohio|Athens]] - The Athens Messenger
* [[Beavercreek, Ohio|Beavercreek]] - ''News Current''
*[[Beavercreek, Ohio|Beavercreek]] - News Current
* [[Delaware, Ohio|Delaware]] - ''[[Delaware Gazette]]''
*[[Circleville, Ohio|Circleville]] - Herald
* [[Fairborn, Ohio|Fairborn]] - ''Daily Herald''
*[[Delaware, Ohio|Delaware]] - The Delaware Gazette
* [[Galion, Ohio|Galion]] - ''Inquirer''
*[[Fairborn, Ohio|Fairborn]] - Daily Herald
* [[Greenville, Ohio|Greenville]] - ''Advocate''
*[[Galion, Ohio|Galion]] - Inquirer
* [[Hillsboro, Ohio|Hillsboro]] - ''Times-Gazette''
*[[Greenville, Ohio|Greenville]] - Advocate
* [[London, Ohio|London]] - ''Madison Press''
*[[Hillsboro, Ohio|Hillsboro]] - Times-Gazette
* [[Piqua, Ohio|Piqua]] - ''Daily Call''
*[[Logan, Ohio|Logan]] - Daily News
* [[Sidney, Ohio|Sidney]] - ''[[Sidney Daily News|Daily News]]''
*[[London, Ohio|London]] - Madison Press
* [[Troy, Ohio|Troy]] - ''Daily News''
*[[Piqua, Ohio|Piqua]] - Daily Call
* [[Urbana, Ohio|Urbana]] - ''Daily Citizen''
* [[Washington Court House, Ohio|Washington Court House]] - ''Record-Herald''
*[[Sidney, Ohio|Sidney]] - Daily News
*[[Troy, Ohio|Troy]] - Daily News
* [[Wilmington, Ohio|Wilmington]] - ''News Journal''
*[[Urbana, Ohio|Urbana]] - Daily Citizen
* [[Xenia, Ohio|Xenia]] - ''Daily Gazette''
*[[Van Wert, Ohio|Van Wert]] - Times Bulletin
*[[Washington Court House, Ohio|Washington Court House]] - Record-Herald
*[[Wilmington, Ohio|Wilmington]] - News Journal
*[[Xenia, Ohio|Xenia]] - Daily Gazette
===Paid Weeklies===
*[[Ada, Ohio|Ada]] - The Ada Herald
*[[Bellville, Ohio|Bellville]] - The Bellville Star
*[[Cardington, Ohio|Cardington]] - Morrow County Independent
*[[Columbus Grove, Ohio|Columbus Grove]] - Putnam County Vidette
*[[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]] - Times Community Newspapers
*[[Eaton, Ohio|Eaton]] - The Register-Herald
*[[Englewood, Ohio|Englewood]] Independent
*[[Enon, Ohio|Enon]] Messenger
*[[Huber Heights, Ohio|Huber Heights]] Courier
*[[New Carlisle, Ohio|New Carlisle]] Sun Times Weekend Edition
*[[Tipp City, Ohio|Tipp City]] Herald
*[[Vandalia, Ohio|Vandalia]] Drummer News
*[[West Milton, Ohio|West Milton]] Record
*[[Fredericktown, Ohio|Fredericktown]] - Knox County Citizen
*[[Georgetown, Ohio|Georgetown]] - The News Democrat
*[[Jackson, Ohio|Jackson]] - Times Journal
*[[McArthur, Ohio|McArthur]] - Vinton County Courier
*[[Mechanicsburg, Ohio|Mechanicsburg]] - The Telegram
*[[Mount Gilead, Ohio|Mount Gilead]] - The Morrow County Sentinel
*[[Mount Sterling, Ohio|Mount Sterling]] - The Tribune
*[[New Lexington, Ohio|New Lexington]] - Perry County Tribune
*[[Ottawa, Ohio|Ottawa]] - Putnam County Sentinel
*[[Plain City, Ohio|Plain City]] - Plain City Advocate
*[[Ripley, Ohio|Ripley]] - The Ripley Bee
*[[Sunbury, Ohio|Sunbury]] - The Sunbury News
*[[Waverly, Ohio|Waverly]] - Pike County News Watchman
*[[West Union, Ohio|West Union]] - People's Defender


===Free Weeklies===
===Paid weeklies===
*[[Circleville, Ohio|Circleville]] - Pickaway County Paper
* [[Bellville, Ohio|Bellville]] - The Bellville Star
*[[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]] - The Scoop
* [[Cardington, Ohio|Cardington]] - Morrow County Independent
*[[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]] - Times Community Newspapers
* [[Columbus Grove, Ohio|Columbus Grove]] - Putnam County Vidette
* [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]] - Times Community Newspapers
*[[Beavercreek, Ohio|Beavercreek]] News-Current Extra
* [[Eaton, Ohio|Eaton]] - The Register-Herald
*[[Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio|Centerville]]-[[Bellbrook, OH|Bellbrook]] Times
* [[Englewood, Ohio|Englewood]] Independent
*[[Kettering, Ohio|Kettering]]-[[Oakwood, OH|Oakwood]] Times
*[[Springboro, Ohio|Springboro]] Sun
* [[Athens, Ohio|Athens]] [[The Athens Messenger]]
* [[Huber Heights, Ohio|Huber Heights]] Courier
*[[Wright-Patterson AFB]] - Skywrighter
*[[Eaton, Ohio|Eaton]] - Weekend Edition
* [[New Carlisle, Ohio|New Carlisle]] Sun Times Weekend Edition
*[[Galion, Ohio|Galion]] - Advertiser
* [[Tipp City, Ohio|Tipp City]] Herald
*[[Gallipolis, Ohio|Gallipolis]] - River Cities & More
* [[Vandalia, Ohio|Vandalia]] Drummer News
*[[Georgetown, Ohio|Georgetown]] - The News Democrat (Sunday)
* [[West Milton, Ohio|West Milton]] Record
*[[Greenville, Ohio|Greenville]] - Sunday Edition
* [[Fredericktown, Ohio|Fredericktown]] - Knox County Citizen
*[[Hillsboro, Ohio|Hillsboro]] - The County Shopper
* [[Georgetown, Ohio|Georgetown]] - The News Democrat
*[[Jackson, Ohio|Jackson]] - Community Shopper
* [[Jackson, Ohio|Jackson]] - Times Journal
*[[London, Ohio|London]] - Madison Press Weekly Review
* [[McArthur, Ohio|McArthur]] - Vinton County Courier
*[[Mount Gilead, Ohio|Mount Gilead]] - Morrow County Advertiser
* [[Mechanicsburg, Ohio|Mechanicsburg]] - The Telegram
*[[New Lexington, Ohio|New Lexington]] - Perry County Shopper
* [[Mount Gilead, Ohio|Mount Gilead]] - The Morrow County Sentinel
*[[Ottawa, Ohio|Ottawa]] - Putnam County Advertiser
* [[Mount Sterling, Ohio|Mount Sterling]] - The Tribune
*[[Piqua, Ohio|Piqua]] - Miami County Advocate
* [[New Lexington, Ohio|New Lexington]] - Perry County Tribune
*[[Portsmouth, Ohio|Portsmouth]] - The Community Common
* [[Ottawa, Ohio|Ottawa]] - Putnam County Sentinel
*[[Urbana, Ohio|Urbana]] - Sunday Extra
* [[Plain City, Ohio|Plain City]] - Plain City Advocate
*[[Van Wert, Ohio|Van Wert]] - Sign of the Times
* [[Ripley, Ohio|Ripley]] - The Ripley Bee
*[[Washington Court House, Ohio|Washington C.H.]] - South Central Ohio Shopper
* [[Sunbury, Ohio|Sunbury]] - The Sunbury News
*[[Waverly, Ohio|Waverly]]/[[Chillicothe, OH|Chillicothe]] - Pike/Ross County Paper
* [[Waverly, Ohio|Waverly]] - Pike County News Watchman
*[[West Union, Ohio|West Union]] - People's Defender (Weekend Edition)
* [[West Union, Ohio|West Union]] - People's Defender
*[[Wilmington, Ohio|Wilmington]] - Star Republican
*[[Xenia, Ohio|Xenia]] - Greene County Shopper


==External links==
===Free weeklies===
====Ohio====
* [[Circleville, Ohio|Circleville]] - Pickaway County Paper
* [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]] - The Scoop
* [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]] - Times Community Newspapers
* [[Beavercreek, Ohio|Beavercreek]] News-Current Extra
* [[Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio|Centerville]]-[[Bellbrook, OH|Bellbrook]] Times
* [[Kettering, Ohio|Kettering]]-[[Oakwood, Montgomery County, Ohio|Oakwood]] Times
* [[Springboro, Ohio|Springboro]] Sun
* [[Wright-Patterson AFB]] - Skywrighter
* [[Eaton, Ohio|Eaton]] - Weekend Edition
* [[Galion, Ohio|Galion]] - Advertiser
* [[Gallipolis, Ohio|Gallipolis]] - River Cities & More
* [[Georgetown, Ohio|Georgetown]] - The News Democrat (Sunday)
* [[Greenville, Ohio|Greenville]] - Sunday Edition
* [[Hillsboro, Ohio|Hillsboro]] - The County Shopper
* [[Jackson, Ohio|Jackson]] - Community Shopper
* [[London, Ohio|London]] - Madison Press Weekly Review
* [[Mount Gilead, Ohio|Mount Gilead]] - Morrow County Advertiser
* [[New Lexington, Ohio|New Lexington]] - Perry County Shopper
* [[Ottawa, Ohio|Ottawa]] - Putnam County Advertiser
* [[Piqua, Ohio|Piqua]] - Miami County Advocate
* [[Portsmouth, Ohio|Portsmouth]] - The Community Common
* [[Urbana, Ohio|Urbana]] - Sunday Extra
* [[Van Wert, Ohio|Van Wert]] - Sign of the Times
* [[Washington Court House, Ohio|Washington C.H.]] - South Central Ohio Shopper
* [[Waverly, Ohio|Waverly]]/[[Chillicothe, OH|Chillicothe]] - Pike/Ross County Paper
* [[West Union, Ohio|West Union]] - People's Defender (Weekend Edition)
* [[Wilmington, Ohio|Wilmington]] - Star Republican
* [[Xenia, Ohio|Xenia]] - Greene County Shopper


====Former holdings, New York====
* [[Bridgehampton, New York]] - Dan's Papers
* [[Bridgehampton, New York]] - Hampton Style
* [[Montauk, New York]] - Montauk Pioneer

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060601031710/http://www.brownpublishing.com/ Brown Publishing Company website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120530000518/http://www.ohcommedia.com/ Ohio Community Media - successor company]


{{OCM}}{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Newspaper companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Newspaper companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Newspapers published in Ohio]]
[[Category:1920 establishments in Ohio]]
[[Category:Publishing companies established in 1920]]
[[Category:Brown family (newspaper publishers)| ]]

Latest revision as of 03:48, 24 March 2024

Brown Publishing Company was a privately owned Cincinnati, Ohio, newspaper business started by Congressman Clarence J. Brown in Blanchester, Ohio in 1920. It ended 90 years of operations in August/September 2010 with its bankruptcy and sale of assets to a new company formed by its creditors and called Ohio Community Media Inc.[1] The company was previously a family-owned business; it published 18 daily newspapers, 27 weekly newspapers, and 26 free weeklies. The former CEO was Brown's grandson, Roy Brown. The chairman of the board was Roy's brother Clancy Brown, who is also an actor.

Bankruptcy proceedings

[edit]

On April 30, 2010, the company and its subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy in federal court in Central Islip, New York, in the Eastern District of New York in Docket 10-73295. It listed Brown and 14 affiliates, with assets of $94.1 million and $104.6 million in debts as of March 31, 2010. Its affiliates included Delaware Gazette Co., Texas Business News LLC, Utah Business Publishers LLC, Texas Community Newspapers Inc., Upstate Business News LLC, Troy Daily News Inc., SC Biz News LLC, ARG LLC, Brown Business Ledger LLC, Dan's Papers Inc., Business Publications LLC.[2][3]

Several key executives of Brown Publishing submitted a plan to purchase key assets of the company under the auspices of a newly created company, Brown Media Holdings. This plan fell through when a key lender backing the plan withdrew its offer.[4]

On September 3, 2010, it was announced that Manhattan Media had purchased Dan's Papers, Montauk Pioneer, and Hampton Style Magazine from Brown.[5]

Later in September, Brown's 14 Ohio dailies and about 50 weekly publications were transferred to Ohio Community Media, a new entity owned by Brown's creditors, in a transaction valued at $21.75 million.[6] Over the next few months, the new company sold a "mini-empire" of business newsweeklies which Brown had assembled starting in 2007. The company sold titles in cities including Charleston, South Carolina; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Fort Worth, Texas; and Naperville, Illinois.[7]

Philadelphia-based Versa Capital Management completed its purchase of Ohio Community Media for an undisclosed price in May 2011. By this point, the chain consisted of 14 daily newspapers and about 30 weeklies, all located in Ohio.[8]

Publications

[edit]

Dailies

[edit]
[edit]

Free weeklies

[edit]

Ohio

[edit]

Former holdings, New York

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Palmer, Thomas (September 4, 2010). "Uncertainty shrouds Brown Publishing bankruptcy". Mansfield News Journal. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010 – via www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com.
  2. ^ "Brown Publishing files for bankruptcy". Boulder County Business Report. Cincinnati. May 3, 2010. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011 – via www.bcbr.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "Brown Publishing files for bankruptcy". Boulder County Business Report. Cincinnati. May 3, 2010 – via bizwest.com.
  4. ^ Sanctis, Matt (August 24, 2010). "Brown Publishing can't close on bankruptcy sale". Springfield News Sun. Urbana. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010 – via www.springfieldnewssun.com.
  5. ^ "Manhattan Media Acquires Dan's Papers 50-Year-Old Hamptons Weekly to be Headed by Founder Dan Rattinger". Dan's Papers (Press release). September 3, 2010. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010 – via www.danshamptons.com.
  6. ^ Sanctis, Matt (September 4, 2010). "Judge OKs Sale of Brown Newspapers". Dayton Daily News. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014.
  7. ^ "Brown's Biz Journals Now All Sold". NewsInc. February 14, 2011. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014.
  8. ^ "Business Headlines: Local Newspapers Have New Owners". Dayton Daily News. May 21, 2011. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014.
[edit]
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