Versa Capital Management Buys Ohio Community Media

Versa Capital Management affiliate OCM has acquired Ohio Community Media, which owns and operates newspapers, publications and websites that serve communities in northern and western Ohio. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Versa is private equity investment firm with $950 million of committed capital.

PRESS RELEASE
OCM, LLC (OCM), an affiliate of Versa Capital Management, Inc. today announced that it has acquired substantially all assets of Ohio Community Media, LLC. Ohio Community Media owns and operates newspapers, publications and websites that serve communities in northern and western Ohio. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

“The future of news is local, and these media outlets have a long tradition of serving their communities with locally-focused content,” said Scott T. Champion, President and CEO of OCM and a community newspaper veteran, who has joined OCM effective with the closing. “We see great opportunity in OCM and the community newspaper industry, and are pleased to conclude this transaction,” Mr. Champion added.

Mr. Champion has spent his career in the industry and has a history of driving positive financial and editorial results from community newspapers, even during difficult economic times.

Gregory L. Segall, CEO of Versa Capital added, “We are excited to partner with Scott Champion as OCM now moves forward as a well-capitalized, independent community newspaper chain continuing to serve its core base of readers in northern and western Ohio.”

Dechert LLP provided legal counsel to Versa Capital Management during the transaction.

About Ohio Community Media
Ohio Community Media owns and operates 14 daily newspapers, 30 weeklies and a collection of shoppers and niche publications, as well as various online applications. The company serves communities in northern and western Ohio.

About Versa Capital Management
Versa Capital Management, Inc. is private equity investment firm with $950 million of committed capital focused on control investments in special situations involving middle market companies in a wide variety of industries throughout the United States. More information can be found at www.versa.com.