Cox Newspapers to Acquire Thomson Newspapers' Southwest Ohio Properties

Posted on July 14, 2000

Cox Newspapers Inc. has announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Thomson Newspapers, Inc. to purchase Thomson's Southwest Ohio Strategic Marketing Group. Under terms of the agreement, Cox will acquire two daily newspapers -- the Hamilton Journal News and the Middletown Journal -- as well as 10 weekly newspapers, 6 specialty publications and a printing facility.

Although a sale of these newspapers to Gannett Co., Inc. was announced in June, Cox exercised a right of first refusal that it held on the Thomson properties. Pending regulatory approvals, Cox expects the deal to close in the third quarter 2000.

The acquisitions will strengthen Cox's presence in the area where the company began its newspaper operations in 1898 and today operates the Dayton Daily News, Springfield News Sun, and the Tri County Shoppers News (Springfield). ``Since the company's founding, Cox has prided itself on publishing newspapers that serve their local communities,'' said Jay Smith, president of Cox Newspapers. ``These newspapers will continue that tradition.''

Cox Newspapers, Inc. publishes 16 daily newspapers and 15 weeklies and shoppers. Other operations include local and national direct mail advertising and customized newsletters. Cox Newspapers is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, a media company and operator of automobile auctions.