Black Press Media
Black Press Media is Canada's largest private newspaper publisher, operating 150+ daily and weekly newspapers across 80+ communities in Canada and the U.S., with 19+ million monthly online users and 185+ journalists, serving local advertisers, subscribers, and event organizers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersNorth Surrey, Canada
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Black Press Media does
Black Press Media is the largest private newspaper publisher in Canada, operating a portfolio of more than 150 daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and websites across 80+ communities in Canada and North America. Founded in 1975 by David Black and headquartered in Surrey, British Columbia, the company employs approximately 1,200–2,000 people, including the largest newsroom of journalists in Western Canada (185+). Its combined print and digital audience reaches 4+ million weekly print readers and 19+ million monthly online users, supported by 1+ million social media followers.
The company delivers local journalism and multi-channel advertising solutions through a proprietary technology stack that includes the Villager CMS licensed from Village Media, a programmatic advertising platform, and an integrated advertising suite spanning print, digital display, social, video, sponsored content, and search. Its business model is diversified across advertising (the primary revenue driver), print and digital subscriptions, content licensing, commercial printing services, flyer distribution, and community events. Customer segments include local small and mid-sized businesses, nonprofits, event organizers, and government/institutional advertisers, with pricing typically structured on per-impression, per-column-inch, or campaign basis.
Post-restructuring, Black Press Media is controlled by a consortium of Canso Investment Counsel, Deans Knight Capital Management, and Carpenter Media Group. The company operates subsidiaries including Carpenter Media Group, Sound Publishing, Oahu Publications, and Used.ca, and has pursued aggressive U.S. expansion through successive acquisitions of regional community newspaper publishers (Phillips Media Group, EO Media Group, Enterprise Media Group).
Black Press Media firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Black Press Media
- Legal name
- Black Press Media Ltd.
- Website
- https://blackpressmedia.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Black Press Media is Canada's largest private newspaper publisher, operating 150+ daily and weekly newspapers across 80+ communities in Canada and the U.S., with 19+ million monthly online users and 185+ journalists, serving local advertisers, subscribers, and event organizers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Black Press Media industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Newspaper Publishing
- NAICS
- Newspaper Publishers (51311)
- SIC
- Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Local & Regional Newspapers (Print & Digital) (MPAJADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Digital Magazine & Newspaper Subscription Platforms (Paywalls, Membership) (MPAJAMAD)
Keywords
Where Black Press Media is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North Surrey
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Black Press Media business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Print and Digital Advertising: Primary revenue stream from local businesses purchasing advertising across print newspapers, digital display ads, social media ads, and programmatic advertising. The company offers a comprehensive suite of marketing solutions including display advertising, classifieds, legal notices, and recruitment ads.
- Paid Digital Subscriptions: Canadian operations launched paid digital subscriptions in 2022, generating recurring subscription revenue from readers accessing digital content.
- Content Licensing (Big Tech): In 2021, big tech partners began paying Black Press Media for content, creating a revenue stream from technology platforms.
- Printing Services: Commercial web offset printing operations across North America, offering full-color printing and direct mail solutions to external customers.
- Flyer and Distribution: Door-to-door flyer, insert, and door hanger distribution across Western Canada, reaching households weekly.
- Event Services: Organizing and hosting events such as career fairs and wedding shows, connecting employers with job markets.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Silver Business Resilience Plan (BRP) |
| Subscription | Annual | Gold Bulk Resale Program (BRP) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
Black Press Media product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Black Press Media is the largest private newspaper publisher in Canada, publishing a portfolio of more than 150 daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and websites that deliver hyperlocal journalism to 80+ communities across Canada and North America. The company sells a comprehensive integrated marketing suite to local businesses — including digital display, programmatic, social media management, branded content (Impress), video, print display, flyer distribution, events, and commercial printing — alongside paid digital subscriptions and content licensing to technology platforms.
Product overview
Black Press Media operates as a multimedia news and advertising platform offering a unified portfolio of products and services. The core offering consists of local newspapers and publications (150+ titles across Canada and the US) delivered through the BlackPressMedia.com digital platform, supplemented by a comprehensive suite of marketing solutions including digital advertising (programmatic, display, video), social media management, branded content (Impress), lead generation, print advertising, flyer distribution, events, and commercial printing services. The company serves more than 80 communities with a combined print audience of 4.5 million readers and digital reach exceeding 19 million monthly users, powered by over 1,500 employees and 185+ journalists. The platform is enhanced through the Village Media Villager CMS partnership and expanded through acquisitions including Carpenter Media Group (US operations), EO Media Group, and Enterprise Media Group.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Local Newspapers and Publications
- BlackPressMedia.com Digital News Platform
- Integrated Marketing Solutions (Digital + Print + Social)
- Printing Services
- Flyer and Household Distribution
- Events Services
- Used.ca Classifieds
- Paid Digital Subscriptions
Quantifiable outcome
- Sylvan Lake Chamber of Commerce achieved 900% increase in app downloads using Black Press Media's social media, print ads, and branded content
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Black Press Media
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Black Press Media technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Black Press Media partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Village MediacoreBlack Press Media partnered with Village Media, an industry-leading digital media company, to license Village Media's custom content management system 'Villager.' The partnership enables Black Press Media to enhance digital publishing capabilities, provide state-of-the-art digital publishing and community-based marketing programs, and expands the combined Canadian network to 145 communities. The collaboration enables national advertising campaigns and market research capabilities.
- LCNminorLCN is listed as a content sharing partner working with Black Press Media to deliver information to readers.
- LMC (LMC Building Business Together)minorLMC (LMC Building Business Together) is listed as a partner involved in community-building and business development initiatives.
- OpsCominorOpsCo is listed as a partner in the Black Press Media ecosystem for operational solutions.
- Do Some GoodminorBlack Press Media is partnered with Do Some Good to help bring awareness to causes within the communities they serve, supporting charitable initiatives and community engagement.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Black Press Media competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Black Press Media social profiles
Digital presenceBlack Press Media financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Black Press Media leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Black Press Media subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Black Press Media funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Black Press Media M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Black Press Media
What does Black Press Media do?
Black Press Media is the largest private newspaper publisher in Canada, publishing a portfolio of more than 150 daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and websites that deliver hyperlocal journalism to 80+ communities across Canada and North America. The company sells a comprehensive integrated marketing suite to local businesses — including digital display, programmatic, social media management, branded content (Impress), video, print display, flyer distribution, events, and commercial printing — alongside paid digital subscriptions and content licensing to technology platforms.
Is Black Press Media a public or private company?
Black Press Media is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Black Press Media founded?
Black Press Media was founded in 1975. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Black Press Media based?
Black Press Media is headquartered in North Surrey, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Black Press Media make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Print and Digital Advertising is the primary driver. The others are paid Digital Subscriptions, content Licensing (Big Tech), printing Services, flyer and Distribution and event Services.
Does Black Press Media have an API?
No public API is recorded for Black Press Media.
What industry is Black Press Media in?
Black Press Media's product category is Community Newspaper Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJADAB, Local & Regional Newspapers (Print & Digital), with a secondary code of MPAJAMAD, Digital Magazine & Newspaper Subscription Platforms (Paywalls, Membership). Its NAICS code is 51311 and its SIC code is 2711.