News
July 13, 2021Daily Gazette Acquires The Leader-Herald
The Daily Gazette is pleased to announce that it will be acquiring The Leader-Herald in Gloversville, N.Y., part of The Ogden Newspapers, from the Nutting Company – a diversified holding company that operates a number of media, hospitality, and entertainment businesses.
The newspaper acquisition is part of The Daily Gazette’s ongoing effort to make smart investments in local news publications and cutting-edge technology to expand its print and digital platforms while remaining true to its mission, which is to ensure local communities have access to the highest-quality journalism.
“First and foremost, the acquisition of The Leader-Herald means the residents of Gloversville and the surrounding areas will continue to have access to their hometown newspaper with local reporters covering local news,” said The Daily Gazette publisher John DeAugustine. “The Leader-Herald will be fully supported by the Gazette’s robust journalistic, advertising and logistical resources while remaining an independent newspaper.”
The acquisition will allow the Gazette to enhance The Leader-Herald’s offerings by leveraging the Gazette’s resources, such as advertising services, the latest media technology, and content assets. In addition, it will create an opportunity for growth by eliminating certain fixed costs and allowing The Leader-Herald to offer a more robust news platform along with broader market opportunities and more resources for advertisers.
“As a family-owned newspaper, it gives everyone at the Gazette great pride knowing that we are continuing the mission and legacy of another family-owned newspaper like The Leader-Herald,” said Daily Gazette board chairwoman Elizabeth “Betsie” Hume Lind. “Local newspapers help form the foundation of our communities, so making sure we preserve and enhance the journalistic offerings of The Leader-Herald for future generations is vitally important to us.”
The Leader-Herald, which serves the greater Gloversville region including Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery counties, will continue to focus on local news using reporters and photographers who cover things such as government, education, sports, business, and the area’s renowned tourist industry.
One of the most noticeable changes that will result from the new ownership will be a transition, within 60 days, from afternoon publication of the newspaper to morning delivery.
Part of the ownership transition includes The Daily Gazette naming Cailin Brown, Ph. D., editor of The Leader-Herald. Cailin is the managing editor of the Gazette and a longtime associate professor and chair of the communications program at The College of St. Rose.
“The Daily Gazette has become a highly diversified media company with a deep bench of award-winning and talented people all striving for journalistic excellence and we couldn’t be happier to have Cailin help lead our efforts at The Leader-Herald,” said DeAugustine. “The acquisition of The Leader-Herald means we are continuing to grow as a company, and it’s not just for the sake of growing, we are growing so that we can bring greater value to our readers and our advertising customers.”
The Leader-Herald acquisition is a continuation of The Daily Gazette’s business growth and diversification strategy, which began a few years ago with the purchase of an Image360 franchise. Image360 is a full-service sign and graphics company owned by the Gazette and based in The Daily Gazette building.
More recently, the Gazette purchased the Amsterdam Recorder, along with two of its weekly newspapers – the Courier-Standard-Enterprise and the Fulton County Express. The Gazette became a member of the Fed Ex family of companies when it purchased a Fed Ex Ground franchise and its assets from RM Logistics of Rotterdam, N.Y., at the end of 2019. The Gazette also operates an events business, which plans and hosts high quality lifestyle events including weddings, signature community events, and events for people 50 and older.
The Gazette has been successful in creating a new commercial hub in the City of Schenectady by attracting a number of business tenants to its Schenectady facility. The Gazette building on the city’s Northside is also home to companies like Logical Net, Livingston Energy, Edison Tech Center, Image360 Schenectady, Fed Ex Ground and others.
Gazette President and Publisher John DeAugustine will be named publisher of The Leader-Herald.
