Black Press Media

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).

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

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

• Community newspaper publishing
• Local news media
• Digital advertising solutions
• Hyperlocal journalism
• Print advertising services

Headquarters

HQ city

North Surrey

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Paid Digital Subscriptions: Canadian operations launched paid digital subscriptions in 2022, generating recurring subscription revenue from readers accessing digital content.
3. Content Licensing (Big Tech): In 2021, big tech partners began paying Black Press Media for content, creating a revenue stream from technology platforms.
4. Printing Services: Commercial web offset printing operations across North America, offering full-color printing and direct mail solutions to external customers.
5. Flyer and Distribution: Door-to-door flyer, insert, and door hanger distribution across Western Canada, reaching households weekly.
6. Event Services: Organizing and hosting events such as career fairs and wedding shows, connecting employers with job markets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core 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

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Village MediacoreTechnology or Integration · 28 April 2023Black 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.
• LCNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCN is listed as a content sharing partner working with Black Press Media to deliver information to readers.
• LMC (LMC Building Business Together)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLMC (LMC Building Business Together) is listed as a partner involved in community-building and business development initiatives.
• OpsCominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpsCo is listed as a partner in the Black Press Media ecosystem for operational solutions.
• Do Some GoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlack 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

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BlackPressMedia
• LinkedInca.linkedin.com/company/blackpressmedia
• TikToktiktok.com/@blackpressmedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/BlackPressMedia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black Press Media