The Hoffmann Family of Companies (HF Companies) through its Media Division, Hoffmann Media Group acquired Maurer Publishing, LLC, on March 31st, 2023, the publisher of two newspapers and a printing shop in Northern Michigan.
The Mackinac Island Town Crier is a weekly, seasonal newspaper that covers events on and around Mackinac Island. The Town Crier has been owned by the family of Wesley H. Maurer Sr. since 1959, making it one of Michigan’s oldest family-owned and operated newspapers. As of 2019, the Town Crier was published 22 times a year, with weekly issues in the summer and periodic issues in the late fall, winter, and early spring.
The St. Ignace News is a weekly newspaper that covers events in and around St. Ignace and Mackinac County in Michigan. The newspaper’s coverage area includes a substantial portion of the Straits of Mackinac region and the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including the Les Cheneaux Islands
summer resort area northeast of St. Ignace. The St. Ignace News has been owned and operated by the Maurer family since 1975.
“This will be an exciting transition for the newspapers, our staff, and the communities we serve and will ensure a local newspaper presence in this area for years to come,” said Wesley Maurer, Jr., the owner of Maurer Publishing. “I am especially happy to be able to stay on in a leadership and consulting relationship with Pason and Hoffmann Media Group and participate in our growth and service.”
The acquisition of Maurer Publishing, LLC expands Hoffmann Media Group to 13 publications, with 11 in the state of Florida.
“We are thrilled to continue to invest in the Mackinac Island Community and to bring the Town Crier and St. Ignace News into the Hoffmann Family of Companies.” Shared HF Companies Co-CEO Geoff Hoffmann “Local media plays an important role in the community, and we are excited to build off the great traditions of these publications.”
The existing Maurer Publishing, LLC staff of more than 15 editors, writers and employees will all remain under the new company along with Mr. Maurer for a transition period as Publisher Emeritus. In addition to print and news, Hoffmann Media Group also offers digital services such as targeted online advertising, search engine optimization, website design and other services that may be beyond reach for small businesses, an added benefit and offering to smaller communities without access to as many business-to-business services.
“I’m looking forward to continuing quality journalism with these newspapers. We plan to invest heavily in the operations to preserve the legacy of the Maurer family.” J. Pason Gaddis, CEO Hoffmann Media Group.
