Leader Staff
Wolf River Media, which publishes The Shawano Leader, and a Wittenberg publishing company announced this week that they have merged.
The merger of WRM and The Wittenberg Enterprise/Birnamwood News and Your Community Shopper was completed Friday.
Miriam Nelson will remain as editor and publisher of the Wittenberg newspaper, which will continue publishing on Thursdays from its office at 600 S. Webb St.
Paul Bahr, WRM advertising sales manager, will oversee the Wittenberg advertising sales operations.
No changes are planned in the Shawano operation.
“We are very pleased to have The Wittenberg Enterprise/Birnamwood News and Your Community Shopper join the Wolf River Media portfolio of products,” said Paul Seveska, CEO of Wolf River Media. “We also look forward to working with Miriam Nelson to continue her strong commitment to the community and developing a robust and valued local community newspaper.
“We have worked side by side with Miriam since she entered the media business and have always been impressed by her commitment and resourcefulness. This merger will bring additional resources to The Enterprise and The News, as well as Your Community Shopper, and will strengthen them to evolve in the changing media landscape.
“We are fully committed to serving all of Shawano County, and the addition of The Wittenberg Enterprise and Birnamwood News along with Your Community Shopper improves our coverage of western Shawano County. There are several opportunities to bring readers and advertisers greater local content and a more complete information package.”
Nelson purchased the paper from Gordy Boldig and Darlene Block in December 2008.
“Wolf River Media has printed both my publications from the beginning,” Nelson said. “Their willingness to offer help and guidance along the way has been an unexpected and much appreciated bonus. A couple of years ago we joined forces offering cross-sell opportunities for our advertisers. Merging our companies seemed to be the next natural step.”
The merger will create some changes in daily operations that will evolve over the next several weeks.
For general information about the Wittenberg publications, call Nelson at 715-253-2737.
For advertising information, call 715-253-2737.
News releases can be emailed to wittenberg@wolfrivermedia.com.
Sports results and information can be emailed to sports@wolfrivermedia.com.