Majors

GateHouse Media Acquires Gannett to Form Newspaper Giant

MajorsAug 07, 2019

GateHouse Media Acquires Gannett to Form Newspaper Giant

The combined company will own more than 260 daily newspapers across 47 states and Guam.

20190807_Gannett_Logo.jpg
GateHouse Media has acquired Gannett, increasing its already extensive newspaper portfolio. The merged companies will be called Gannett.

New York—GateHouse Media, owned by holding company New Media Investment Group, announced a merger with USA Today owner Gannett in a deal valued at $1.4 billion.

The combined company, which will be renamed Gannett, will publish more than 260 daily newspapers across 47 states, as well as Guam.

Prior to the merger, GateHouse Media operated across 39 states and owned 154 daily newspapers and 292 weekly newspapers.

The New York-based company most recently inked deals to acquire The Austin American-Statesman, The Palm Beach Post, and The Akron Beacon Journal.

Gannett owns USA Today as well as The Detroit Free Press, The Des Moines Register, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and others.

The companies posted their separate quarterly results Monday, both reporting a decline in print readership and a double-digit drop in print advertising revenue.

It’s been a rough year for newspapers with U.S. newspaper circulation reaching its lowest level since 1940, the first year with available data, per Pew Research Center data.

Low circulation has repercussions for advertisers as well.

According to The Manifest 2019 Small Business Advertising Survey more than half of small businesses, around 57 percent, use traditional advertising mediums such as print, TV, and radio.

The study found 36 percent of small businesses utilize print advertisements.

The newly-combined Gannett plans to shift its focus from print to its multimedia operation, said New Media CEO Michael Reed in a statement.

“Uniting our talented employees and complementary portfolios will enable us to expand our comprehensive, hyperlocal coverage for consumers, deepen our product offering for local businesses, and accelerate our shift from print-centric to dynamic multimedia operations,” said Reed.

The company said it expects savings from the merger to total between $275 million to $300 million annually.

The savings will stem from the increased scale of the organization, the leveraging of existing infrastructure, and other cost reductions, which are expected to be realized within 24 months on closing, the company said.

Though layoffs were not mentioned in the statements, both companies are known to take that route when cutting costs.

GateHouse Media laid off around 219 people between January and May this year following weak earnings while Gannett let go of 400 employees in January.

According to Pew Research, newsroom employment dipped by a quarter from 2008 to 2018.

The combined company’s executive board will include Reed as CEO and Alison Engel, Gannett’s current chief financial officer, as CFO. 

Newly-appointed Gannett CEO Paul Bascobert will serve as CEO of the combined company’s operating subsidiary.
Lenore Fedowis the senior editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.

The Latest

Stock image of container ship in port
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials Say

The announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.

Suspects in Glendale burglary
CrimeJul 07, 2025
7 Suspects Charged in California Jewelry Store Burglary

Police officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.

Ella Klein Internship
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship

The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

Shree Ramkrishna Exports
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-Negative

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Bernadette Mack
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive Director

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Eve Goldberg, Matthew Denatale, Willie Lopez, Benjamin Goldberg
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship Program

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Morgan Keefe
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education Scholarship

This year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.

The Jewelry Book
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Jeff Preolo, David Stout, Levi Higgs, David Benavides
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, Promotions

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

Blake Graham and Jessica Kohoutek
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy