Observer Media Group

{{Infobox company

| name = Observer Media Group

| logo = Observer-Media-Group-Logo.png

| type = Private

| industry = Online and Print media

| fate =

| predecessor =

| successor =

| founded = {{start date and age|1995}}

| founders = Matt Walsh
Lisa Walsh

| defunct =

| hq_location_city = Sarasota, Florida

| hq_location_country = United States

| area_served = Southern Florida

| key_people = David Beliles, chairman
Matt Walsh, CEO

| products =

| owner =

| num_employees = 120

| num_employees_year =

| parent =

| website = {{URL|https://www.yourobserver.com/}}

}}

Observer Media Group, Inc. (OMG) is a media company that publishes local newspapers and magazines in the U.S. state of Florida. The company publishes seven newspapers, nine quarterly magazines and maintains four news websites.

History

Observer Media Group started when Matt Walsh and Lisa Walsh purchased the Longboat Observer in 1995 from Ralph and Claire Hunter, with the help of Lisa's parents and a small group of other investors. The Hunters had started the Longboat Observer in 1978.{{cite web|url=https://www.yourobserver.com/about-us|title=About Us|author=Observer Media Group|access-date=December 18, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222104842/https://www.yourobserver.com/about-us|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=37187561|title=Company Overview of Observer Media Group, Inc.|access-date=December 18, 2017|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222055318/https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=37187561|url-status=live}}

Since then, Observer Media Group established new local newspapers, such as the Sarasota Observer in 2004, and acquired other older newspapers, such as the 100+ year-old West Orange Times in 2014 and Financial News & Daily Record in 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/daily-record-has-new-owner-jim-bailey-sells-104-year-old-family-newspaper-matt-walsh|title=Daily Record has new owner|newspaper=Financial News & Daily Record|date=January 18, 2017|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222050956/https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/daily-record-has-new-owner-jim-bailey-sells-104-year-old-family-newspaper-matt-walsh|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://jacksonville.com/business/2017-01-18/financial-news-daily-record-sold-after-104-years-same-family|title=Financial News & Daily Record sold after 104 years in same family|first=Roger|last=Bull|newspaper=The Florida Times-Union|date=January 18, 2017|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051852/http://jacksonville.com/business/2017-01-18/financial-news-daily-record-sold-after-104-years-same-family|url-status=live}} OMG maintains journalistic offices in Tampa, Clearwater, Lakeland, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples, New Port Richey, Winter Garden, Lakewood Ranch and Port Charlotte. The name was changed to Observer Media Group in 2012 from The Observer Group.{{cite news|url=http://insiderealestate.heraldtribune.com/2012/12/27/observer-media-group-borrows-2-75-million/|title=Observer Media Group borrows $2.75 million|first=Michael|last=Braga|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=December 27, 2012|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052351/http://insiderealestate.heraldtribune.com/2012/12/27/observer-media-group-borrows-2-75-million/|url-status=live}}

Observer Media acquired Pelican Press from Wisconsin-based Journal Media Group in 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20110610/observer-buys-the-pelican-press|title=Observer buys the Pelican Press|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=June 10, 2011|access-date=December 26, 2017|archive-date=December 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226073927/http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20110610/observer-buys-the-pelican-press|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.communitypapersofflorida.com/news/pelican-press-pelican-marketplace-change-hands|title=Pelican Press & Pelican Marketplace Change Hands|publisher=Community Papers of Florida|date=July 28, 2011|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053417/http://www.communitypapersofflorida.com/news/pelican-press-pelican-marketplace-change-hands|url-status=live}} Pelican Press serves the Siesta Key area of Florida and in 2013, OMG renamed the paper to Siesta Key Observer to fit its overall branding.

In 2012, The Observer attempted to publish the Palm Coast Observer twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. With a circulation of 25,000, OMG abandoned the idea and returned to a Thursday-only publishing schedule. The move, however, saw circulation increase to 30,000. "At first glance it looks like we may have an overall increase in ad revenue. And lower delivery cost," observed CEO Matt Walsh at the time. "In any business manual it is a wonderful thing to increase revenue and reduce cost at the same time."{{cite web|url=https://flaglerlive.com/59428/palm-coast-observer-cutback/|title=Eighteen Months In, Palm Coast Observer Retrenches Back to Once a Week|publisher=Flagler Live|first=Pierre|last=Tristam|date=September 25, 2013|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051756/https://flaglerlive.com/59428/palm-coast-observer-cutback/|url-status=live}} August 1, 2013, saw the launch of the Plant City Times & Observer with an initial run of 15,000 copies, the publication was sold to a group of local investors in December, 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/plant-city-times--observer-to-debut-aug-1/2132979/|title=Plant City Times & Observer to debut Aug. 1|newspaper=Tampa Bay Times|date=July 24, 2013|access-date=December 19, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222060835/http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/plant-city-times--observer-to-debut-aug-1/2132979|url-status=live}}

In 2016, Emily Walsh was named publisher of several of OMG's assets, including East County Observer, Longboat Observer, Sarasota Observer, Siesta Key Observer, YourObserver.com, Season magazine and LWR Life magazine. As the daughter of the founders, Emily Walsh has worked most of her career for OMG.{{cite web|url=https://www.cision.com/us/2016/07/new-publisher-at-observer-media-group/|title=New Publisher at Observer Media Group|publisher=Cision|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051554/https://www.cision.com/us/2016/07/new-publisher-at-observer-media-group/|url-status=live}} Ms. Walsh became president in 2021.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-27 |title=Emily Walsh named president of Observer Media Group |url=https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2021/jul/27/emily-walsh-named-president-observer-media-group/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=Your Observer |language=en}}

Altogether our newspapers, magazines and websites reach more than 412,400 readers a week.{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.observermediagroupinc.com/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=www.observermediagroupinc.com}}

Publications

{{as of|2025|post=,}} Observer Media Group owns seven newspapers (directly or indirectly), nine magazines and four websites in support of the print editions, reaching more than 412,400 readers per week. OMG works with [https://www.pressreader.com/ Press Reader] the largest digital newsstand, to publish online digital copies of its print material.

Name	Since	Format	Frequency	Area served	Paid or free	Circulation	Website	Notes
class="wikitable sortable"
Business Observer{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/17\|title=Business Observer\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052201/http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/17\|url-status=live}}	1997	Tabloid	Weekly	Southwest Florida	Paid	5,222	https://www.businessobserverfl.com/	Formerly known as Gulf Coast Business Review
East County Observer{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/41\|title=East County Observer, The\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053653/http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/41\|url-status=live}}	1998	Broadsheet	Weekly	Sarasota-Bradenton	Free	18,161	https://www.yourobserver.com/east-county
Jacksonville Daily Record{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/35\|title=Daily Record, The\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051945/http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/35\|url-status=live}}	1912	Tabloid	Daily	Jacksonville	Paid	4,895	https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/
Longboat Observer{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/83\|title=Longboat Observer, The\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052547/http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/83\|url-status=live}}	1978	Broadsheet	Weekly	Longboat Key	Free	10,573	https://www.yourobserver.com/longboat-key	First publication owned by OMG
LWR Life{{cite web\|url=http://www.gaebler.com/LWR+Life-magazine-advertising-costs++28952\|title=LWR Life - Magazine Advertising Costs\|work=Resources for Entrepreneurs\|publisher=gaebler.com\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222060129/http://www.gaebler.com/LWR+Life-magazine-advertising-costs++28952\|url-status=live}}	2014	Magazine	Quarterly	Lakewood Ranch	Free	24,000	None, but digital editions available [https://www.yourobserver.com/e-editions?publication=341&date%5Bvalue%5D%5Byear%5D= here]	Partnership with [http://www.smrranch.com/ Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc.], a land management company
Ormond Beach Observer{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/947\|title=Ormond Beach Observer\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053705/http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/947\|url-status=live}}	2013	Broadsheet	Weekly	Ormond Beach	Free	6,000	https://www.ormondbeachobserver.com/	The newspaper was sold to the McMillan Group in 2023.{{Cite web \|date=2023-08-29 \|title=McMillans acquire Palm Coast and Ormond Beach Observers \|url=https://www.observerlocalnews.com/news/2023/aug/29/mcmillans-acquire-palm-coast-and-ormond-beach-observers/ \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Observer Local News \|language=en}}
Palm Coast Observer'{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/118\|title=Palm Coast Observer\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053730/http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/118\|url-status=live}}	2010	Broadsheet	Weekly	Palm Coast	Free	12,000	https://www.palmcoastobserver.com/ \|The newspaper was sold to the McMillan Group in 2023.
Plant City Times & Observer{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/126\|title=Plant City Times & Observer\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052401/http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/126\|url-status=live}}	2012	Tabloid	Weekly	Plant City	Free	13,500	https://www.plantcityobserver.com/	Joint venture with Times Publishing Company The paper was sold in 2019 to local ownership.{{Cite web \|date=2019-01-03 \|title=Plant City Observer now 100 percent locally owned \|url=https://www.plantcityobserver.com/plant-city-observer-now-100-percent-locally-owned/ \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Plant City Observer \|language=en-US}}
Port Orange Observer{{cite web\|url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87001974/\|title=About Port Orange Observer\|work=Chronicling America\|publisher=Library of Congress\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222104936/https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87001974/\|url-status=live}}	1987 or 2017	Tabloid	Monthly	Port Orange	Free	2,500	https://www.portorangeobserver.com/	July 13, 2017 edition is called "Volume 1, No. 1" so it may be titled same as a defunct paper{{cite web\|url=https://issuu.com/maureenwalsh/docs/ptoo_07_13_17\|title=Ptoo 07 13 17\|publisher=issuu\|date=July 12, 2017\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=March 7, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307150708/https://issuu.com/maureenwalsh/docs/ptoo_07_13_17\|url-status=live}}
Siesta Key Observer{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/121\|title=Pelican Press\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053632/http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/121\|url-status=live}}	1969	Broadsheet	Weekly	Siesta Key	Free	5,520	https://www.yourobserver.com/siesta-key	Formerly known as Pelican Press
Season	2000	Magazine	Quarterly	Sarasota area	Free	53,600	None, but digital editions available [https://www.yourobserver.com/e-editions?publication=223&date%5Bvalue%5D%5Byear%5D= here]
Sarasota Observer{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/139\|title=Sarasota Observer, The\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017}}	2004	Broadsheet	Weekly	Sarasota	Free	21,891	https://www.yourobserver.com/sarasota
West Orange Times & Observer{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/165\|title=West Orange Times & Observer\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053642/http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/165\|url-status=live}}	1904	Broadsheet	Weekly	Western Orange County	Free	8,846	https://www.orangeobserver.com/west-orange-times-observer
Southwest Orange Observer{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/1781\|title=Windermere Observer\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051847/http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/1781\|url-status=live}}	2015	Broadsheet	Weekly	Windermere	Free	7,240	https://www.orangeobserver.com/windermere-observer
Winter Park-Maitland Observer{{cite web\|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/168\|title=Winter Park-Maitland Observer\|publisher=Florida Press Association\|access-date=December 19, 2017\|archive-date=December 22, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053719/http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/168\|url-status=live}}	1989	Tall tabloid	Weekly	Suburbs of Orlando	Free	12000	https://www.orangeobserver.com/winter-park-maitland-observer \|This paper was closed permanently after the May 17, 2019 issue, marking the end of its 30-year run.{{Cite web \|date=2019-05-16 \|title=Winter Park/Maitland Observer says ‘good-bye' after 30 years of local news \|url=https://www.orangeobserver.com/news/2019/may/16/winter-park-maitland-observer-says-good-bye-after-30-years-of-local-news/ \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=West Orange Times & Observer \|language=en}}

References

External links

{{Official website|url=https://www.yourobserver.com/}}
[https://issuu.com/yourobserver.com The Observer Group] at issuu

Category:Newspapers published in Florida

Category:Companies based in Sarasota, Florida

Category:1995 establishments in Florida

Category:Mass media companies established in 1995

Category:Mass media companies of the United States

Category:Newspaper companies of the United States