Frank Batten Jr. (left) told his company's flagship newspaper that privately held Landmark Communications would steer clear of "inappropriate buyers" as it seeks new owners. Batten did not elaborate on what he meant by inappropriate, and The Virginian-Pilot apparently didn't press him on that point.I mention this because I vaguely recall that the Cowles family in Minneapolis or the Taylors in Boston disinvited Gannett from bidding when those publishing clans sold the Star Tribune, and the Boston Globe.
Landmark, which owns The Weather Channel, announced yesterday that it had put itself up for sale. I speculated that Gannett might be interested in some of Landmark's newspapers, especially those near existing GCI ones.
Use this link to e-mail feedback, tips, snarky letters, etc. See Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the sidebar, upper right. Or leave a note in the comments section, below.
[Photo: Virginian-Pilot]
Hum.. what would be your thoughts on why Gannett might be an inappropriate buyer? Or, maybe otherwise...
ReplyDeletePersonally, I have lots on thoughts on a Landmark purchase (by Gannett or otherwise). I'd like to hear you opinion!
I don't know whether Gannett would be an appropriate or inappropriate buyer for any of Landmark's businesses. I can only imagine that the Battens might think a purely financial investor -- like a private equity firm -- would be inappropriate because they might not respect public-service journalism traditions. Then, too, they might think Gannett wouldn't respect those traditions enough, either. In any case, Gannett may well take a pass.
ReplyDelete