Carpenter Media Group has acquired M. Roberts Media, a cornerstone of Texas’ media landscape since 1942. M. Roberts Media is the parent company of seven award-winning newspapers and a variety of magazines and publications serving Victoria and East Texas.
Texas-based magazines also include the Victoria Advocate, Tyler Morning Telegraph, The Marshall News Messenger, The Panola Watchman, Kilgore News Herald, and The Henderson News. Its magazine portfolio includes ETX View, Rose Festival, The Zone, Discover 361, Harrison Magazine, Route 259 Magazine, and 40 Under Forty.
Santa Fe, New Mexico-based media mergers and acquisitions firm Dirks Van Essen & April represented M. Roberts Media in the transaction. Terms were not disclosed.
M. Roberts Media is a family-owned company whose roots trace back to Morris Roberts’ role in the conglomerate that acquired Victoria Advocate in 1942. In 1961, Roberts bought out the other owners and became the sole owner of Victoria Advocate. The third generation of family leaders is represented by Roberts’ grandson, Stephen McHaney. He is the publisher of the News Journal and president of M. Roberts Media.
Over the years, the company has grown under the family’s leadership. The company has expanded its portfolio to include six newspapers, multiple magazines and publications, a digital agency, a magazine, and a printing company, highlighting its commitment to providing diverse media and marketing solutions to South and East Texas. did.
Reflecting on M. Roberts Media’s accomplishments, Mr. McHaney said: “Our mission has always been to produce valuable journalistic content that engages audiences and improves the communities we serve, while providing innovative marketing solutions that help our clients grow. We are pleased that Carpenter Media Group will assume leadership of our publication with its commitment to continuing high-quality local journalism.”
Carpenter Media Group, led by Chairman Todd Carpenter, shares this vision and aims to advance it through this acquisition. Mr. Carpenter emphasized the role of quality journalism in fostering strong, connected communities while providing solutions that help businesses grow.
“We are pleased to follow in the footsteps of this wonderful family and all those who built the foundation of this respected media institution,” Carpenter said. “We recognize the importance of the work we are currently responsible for and look forward to joining with small businesses in each community to serve our readers. I promise to work hard to fulfill my obligations to society.”
Mr. Carpenter has decades of experience, including his tenure as CEO and director of Boone News Media, Inc. (BNI), where he oversaw operations across 12 states. Following last year’s separation of CMG from BNI and its subsequent acquisition, Carpenter Media Group now owns and manages more than 250 publications in the United States and Canada. This acquisition marks an important step in CMG’s mission to strengthen community-focused journalism and innovative media solutions.
