Gannett purchases Wahiawa publishing company
By Frank Cho
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Honolulu Advertiser's owner, Gannett Pacific Corp., said yesterday that it has purchased publishing company PMP Co. Ltd. of Wahiawa in a move aimed at gaining a foothold in Hawai'i's community newspaper business.
PMP publishes three community newspapers, Ka Nupepa, Leeward Current and the West Oahu Current.
The papers have an average monthly combined circulation of roughly 100,000 and are distributed free to Leeward, Central and West O'ahu residents, according to PMP.
The value of the deal was not disclosed.
"This purchase provides Gannett Pacific with the opportunity to enter the fast-growing community newspaper field without having to start from scratch," said Mike Fisch, president of Gannett Pacific.
Fisch said the papers will remain free, but some content may change.
"I suspect there may be some enhancements to the product over time," Fisch said.
The move by Gannett is the most recent in a spate of Island newspaper deals which include Canadian publisher David Black's purchase of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin from Liberty Newspapers LP and of MidWeek magazine owner RFD Publications.
PMP will continue to operate as an independent company, Fisch said. The papers will continue to be printed at Hawaii Hochi Ltd.
PMP was created in 1978 by Peggi Murchison and her husband John, a longtime Castle & Cooke executive, to publish Builders News Hawaii. In 1999, John died and Peggi moved to Boston.
"Since I am planning to live on the Mainland permanently now, it made sense to sell the company to someone who offered an opportunity for growth for both PMP and our employees," Murchison said in a statement yesterday.
PMP Publisher Jamie Kemp and all 15 employees were offered jobs with the new owner.
"We are honored that Gannett Pacific recognizes the value of community newspapers and are excited to take this company to the next level," Kemp said.
PMP also publishes Agriculture Hawaii, a directory of Hawai'i architects, Parade of Homes Magazine, Building Industry Association Membership Directory, Hawaii Landscape, Hawaii Realtor Journal and the BIA Home Building & Remodeling Show Guide.
Frank Cho can be reached by phone at 525-8088, or by e-mail at fcho@honoluluadvertiser.com.
