What began as a small family-run newspaper has become the largest independent newspaper organization in Canada.
David Black purchased the Williams Lake Tribune from his father Alan back in 1975. The company which would become Black Press Community News Media, publishes more than 170 titles in print and online across B.C., Alberta and Washington state, Hawaii, Ohio and California.
“There was never a big plan to get big. It’s just that another opportunity would come over the hill,” said Black, who lives in Oak Bay and continues to play an active role in the company, along with members of his family.
Black Press would expand to Vancouver Island in 1984. Today they operate 19 community publications and their corresponding websites including some of the Island’s most loved media brands like Boulevard Magazine, Monday Magazine, usedvictoria.com and the community’s own Saanich News.
Saanich is home to Black Press’ state-of-the-art press centre, employing 40 staff who operate the manufacturing plant to produce titles including the Sooke News Mirror, Cowichan Valley Citizen, Goldstream News Gazette, Saanich News, Victoria News, Oak Bay News, Peninsula News Review, Real Estate Victoria, Duncan Real Estate, Monday Magazine and many other commercial print products. An additional nine staff located near Uptown publish the Saanich News including editorial, creative, circulation and sales. Together the team serves the resident and business community through the creation and delivery of 31,204 Saanich News twice weekly in print and online 24/7.
