COOKEVILLE, Tenn., July 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Reaves & Williams
Publishing Group (RWPG) is excited to announce the acquisition of
Lewis County Press (LCP), reaffirming their commitment to community
journalism. Herbert Williams states,
"The newspaper, whether in print or online, is the soul of the
community." Clarissa Reaves-Williams
adds, "I deeply appreciate our incredible team and am committed to
fostering an environment of honest, transparent journalism. In an
era when credible information is more critical than ever, we strive
to grow our audience and serve our readers with quality community
content sourced from trusted and dependable sources. We understand
that our community needs us, and we need them too — whether as the
living history textbook, or in promoting our local businesses, we
are here for our readers, advertisers, and team."
Announcing the formation of Reaves &
Williams Publishing Group (RWPG), a new force in independent
community media.
A Family-Run Business with Deep Roots
Clarissa Reaves-Williams, a
seasoned media professional with over 35 years of experience, has
built a reputation for excellence. Herbert
Williams, her husband, and business partner has nearly 30
years of business experience. Originally from Williamsburg, KY, and Hyden, KY, respectively, Clarissa and Herbert
met as college sweethearts at Union
Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY. Herbert was the first in his
family to graduate college. Clarissa was a journalism/psychology
major with a minor in business, and Herbert was a psychology major
with a minor in sociology.
Their journey has taken them across several states, living in
Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Delaware, and Florida. They currently own newspapers and
businesses in Tennessee,
Kentucky, Virginia, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, as well as various websites and
podcasts. Clarissa's father, Anthony
Reaves, was her first exposure to the printing industry as
he worked as a pressman and is now retired and enjoying being a
pastor of Red Bird Baptist Church.
Her mother, Dr. Carolyn Reaves, is a
published author of "Who's the Girl in the Mirror." Clarissa and
Herbert believe in a strong work ethic, taking a stand for those
who can't, and always relying on faith in God. Both of their
families taught them that no matter what your background, you can
achieve your dreams with hard work and perseverance.
Clarissa attributes her success to her wonderful team, her
husband, great kids, and gives all the credit to her Lord and
Savior, giving Jesus all the honor, glory, and praise.
Dynamic Leadership and Team Integration
Their son, Cameron, serves as Chief Technology Officer (CTO),
enhancing the group's technological capabilities. Cameron states,
"I am excited to bring innovative technology solutions to the group
and look forward to exploring ways to integrate gaming with
journalism."
Their daughter, Bethany, an accomplished marketing strategist
and owner of Coffee Fueled Marketing, will be the Chief Strategy
Officer (CSO). Bethany comments, "I am thrilled to leverage my
experience in brand strategy and influencer marketing to help our
clients succeed in a competitive market through creative and
innovative solutions."
Greg McNutt, the Chief Financial
Officer (CFO), brings a wealth of financial expertise from his
company, Small Biz CFO Solutions. Greg states, "Joining RWPG
presents a fantastic opportunity to apply my expertise. Clarissa
and Herbert encouraged me to start my own business, and I know we
will make a great team."
Combining Forces with Hometown Digital Marketing
Agency
The integration of Hometown Digital Marketing Agency, with over
9 years of experience, allows the group to offer comprehensive
advertising solutions. Herbert
Williams states, "Digital marketing and print media work
together perfectly to provide a comprehensive solution for our
clients. Hometown Digital Marketing Agency is a leader in the
digital arena, and this merger enables us to offer cutting-edge
advanced digital marketing solutions alongside traditional print
marketing. Their blend of boutique style with in-depth strategy and
unique value propositions helps them position businesses and brands
above the rest."
Commitment to Community and Accountability
Clarissa and Herbert Williams
believe that the most important parts of a newspaper are mirroring
the community it serves, being a watchdog for the readers, and
holding the government accountable, regardless of party
affiliation. Both have long tenures in community involvement. They
also own Shine Messengers, a Christian-based company and Cookeville
Now, which includes a YouTube channel and podcast dedicated to
uplifting content and community stories.
RWPG: A New Era
The group of newspapers includes: The Coalfield Progress,
The Dickenson Star and The Post (Virginia), The Current (Kentucky & Tennessee), Marlow Review and Blackwell
Journal Tribune (Oklahoma), DeWitt
Era Enterprise (Arkansas), Press
News Journal, Monroe County Appeal, Ralls County Herald Enterprise
and Lamar Democrat (Missouri)
This acquisition reinforces RWPG's belief in community
journalism as the heartbeat of America. Clarissa Williams encourages community
journalism newspapers to reach out if they are thinking about
selling their newspaper, especially if they are looking for a
company that values integrity and celebrates community. Former
partners Robert Moulton Ely and
Phil Calian commend the Williams
family for their hard work and determination. Robert Moulton Ely states, "We always knew
Clarissa would be the perfect successor to lead the company
forward. Good luck and best wishes to Clarissa and Herbert. We hope
to read about a media empire built around saved community
newspapers." Phil Calian adds, "The
Williams family exemplifies dedication and vision, ready to embrace
the challenges ahead."
Patrick Schless, former LCP
Partner and CEO of Community Journalism Project (Workbench)
expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition: "As the former CTO
of the newspaper group, I am thrilled to see this come to fruition.
The Williams family has a deep commitment to community journalism,
and their innovative vision will undoubtedly drive the success of
the newspapers and digital platforms."
Innovative Solutions and Future Growth
Reaves & Williams Publishing Group (RWPG) is committed to
combining traditional print media with cutting-edge digital
strategies to remain at the forefront of the industry, helping
businesses achieve their goals through innovative marketing
strategies. Their dedication to preserving the integrity of local
news while embracing new technologies sets a strong foundation for
future growth.
www.reaveswilliams.com
Phone: 800-778-2572
Email: team@reaveswilliams.com
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