Star Local Media, which has more than 750,000 readers through different websites and papers, was acquired by a Frisco couple, Rick and Elizabeth Rogers, according to a Dallas Morning News article from January 27. They say,
“Rick and Elizabeth Rogers will celebrate their 25th anniversary this year. Instead of a trip to Hawaii, the couple decided to buy a media company, they said in a news release.
Star Local Media serves more than 750,000 readers with print and online content, according to the company. Some of the newspapers have served their respective cities for more than a century.
121 Media, founded by Rick and Elizabeth Rogers, acquired the company from S.A.W. Advisors, owned by former Star Local Media CEO and Publisher Scott Wright. Wright purchased the 14 weeklies back in Oct. 2016, after serving as publisher for eight months.”
The couple is already looking forward to their new venture and they have already set out their sights for this year in accessing more stories and more people in different communities according to a Star Local Media article from January 27 which reports,
“We are extremely excited and blessed to carry the torch for the publications of Star Local Media,” said Rick Rogers, president and CEO of 121 Media, LLC. “Scott Wright, past president and publisher of Star Local Media, and his team have done a tremendous job of serving the communities in the Star Local Media network since 2016, and it is the goal of 121 Media to ensure that these publications remain relevant and integral to the readers and local businesses they serve. Scott has been a mentor and friend of mine for more than eight years, and I can’t think of a better person to inherit the responsibility of publishing these newspapers and websites than Mr. Wright.”
“Quality local news is more important than ever,” added Elizabeth Rogers, co-founder of 121 Media, LLC. “The news we will provide is information that will directly impact the lives of our readers. We will provide a mix of informational news, stories that will make you smile and are eager to continue the quality city, school and sports coverage that our readers expect.”
“Being visible and accessible to our readers and advertisers is very important to us,” Rick said. “Over the course of the next few months, we plan to visit each community and spend time with readers, advertisers, city leaders and school officials to get a sense of what they want to see in a community media company. All of the communities the Star Local Media brand serves are unique, diverse and growing and that is very exciting.
“Elizabeth and I have to say a big thank you to the hard-working, dedicated staff of Star Local Media. We have really enjoyed getting to know them over the past several weeks in advance of this transition, and their passion is evident. And, good news, we are looking to add to our sales and marketing team immediately to help us achieve our goal of growing Star Local Media to be a reflection of the communities we serve and be integral in the lives of our readers.”
Currently the Rogers own the following papers and websites: Allen American, Carrollton Leader, Celina Record, Coppell Gazette, Flower Mound Leader, Frisco Enterprise, Lake Cities Sun, Lewisville Leader, Little Elm Journal, McKinney Courier-Gazette, Mesquite News, Plano Star Courier, Rowlett LakeShore Times and The Colony Courier-Leader.
