Hearst Acquires New Canaan Advertiser & Six Other Weekly Newspaper Brands From Hersam Acorn Newspapers

Hearst today announced it has acquired the print and digital assets of seven weekly newspaper brands from Hersam Acorn Newspapers, LLC in Fairfield County, Connecticut, including The Ridgefield Press, The Wilton Bulletin, New Canaan Advertiser, The Darien Times, The Shelton Herald, The Trumbull Times and The Milford Mirror. The announcement was made by Hearst President and CEO Steven R. Swartz and Hearst Newspapers President Jeff Johnson.

The brands will become part of Hearst Connecticut Media Group. With more than 200 journalists, Hearst Connecticut Media Group is now comprised of eight daily newspapers including the New Haven Register, Connecticut Post, Greenwich Time, Stamford Advocate and The Norwalk Hour, and 20 weekly newspapers including the those listed above and the Darien News, Fairfield Citizen, New Canaan News, The Greater New Milford Spectrum and Westport News. The Group manages 29 websites, including sites for all of its news outlets, as well as TowerDigitalAgency.com, CTHouseHunter.com and InGearCT.com, and four magazines, including Connecticut Magazine.

“As Hearst looks to grow its news brands and coverage across Connecticut to reach some of the most desirable consumers and decision-makers in the nation, these successful weeklies are an excellent fit,” Johnson said. “The acquisition will only strengthen the journalism and services we can offer readers and advertisers in the region. We thank Hersam Acorn Co-Owners Martin Hersam and Thomas Nash for overseeing the growth of these businesses.”

Paul Barbetta, group publisher and president, Hearst Connecticut Media Group and senior vice president, circulation for Hearst Newspapers, will oversee the business and news operations for the new brands. “Hearst Connecticut Media Group is committed to delivering the highest standard of reporting across local communities in our state,” he said. “This acquisition furthers our ability to serve consumers and advertisers in one of the country’s top markets.”

In a joint statement, Hersam and Nash said: “Hersam Acorn Newspapers is grateful to have served the readers of Fairfield County over the years. We are certain Hearst Newspapers’ Connecticut Media Group will continue to provide the same committed service.”

On October 15, Hearst Newspapers announced that Matt DeRienzo was named vice president of news and digital content at Hearst Connecticut Media Group.