Daily Telegram has new ownership

With the GateHouse-Gannet merger finalized on Tuesday, the local and national news brands which fall under these two companies will now be undergoing a transformation. These outlets include the likes of USA Today and the Daily Telegram.

“We are so excited to be part of the creation of one of the largest media companies in the United States,” said Orestes Baez, Michigan Group Publisher, which includes The Telegram, The Monroe News and several other publications across the state. “We will have such an incredible voice to reach from our local neighborhoods into a national footprint. It is a very exciting time to be part of this new company and all the opportunities it will present. I believe it is something we will all remember over time as a significant life event. I am so grateful Gatehouse Media had the vision to have this come together.”

There are now more than 250 daily publications part of the new Gannett.

The new Gannett will need to continue down the path of becoming a sophisticated digital marketing provider, said Jim Friedlich, CEO of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism.

“Building a new local marketplace business at scale requires a long-term commitment of expertise and financial resources,” Friedlich said in an email. “None of this will be easy,” he added, but if Gannett can generate sizable revenue from local marketers, “it will benefit not only their news properties but the industry as a whole.”

Now, the question is could the company, which will be based in McLean, Virginia, cut unprofitable print days at some of its publications, as has been done elsewhere in the industry?