JNC sells Ravena News-Herald to Vinciguerra

HUDSON  — Columbia-Greene Media Publisher Mark Vinciguerra is leaving the company he has headed up for more than five years to run The Ravena News-Herald, as well as his own consulting company.

Capital Region Independent Media LLC, owned by Vinciguerra, recently purchased the weekly Ravena newspaper from Johnson Newspaper Corporation.

“I have immensely enjoyed my time at Columbia-Greene Media and will miss the staff and the communities who supported us greatly,” said Vinciguerra, 53. “The Ravena community is one that is vibrant and on the upswing, and I believe presents tremendous opportunity for growth of the News-Herald audience and brand.”

The announcement of the sale was made Monday by Johnson Newspaper Corporation CEO John B. Johnson at C-GM's Hudson office.

"This is a great opportunity for Mark and I am pleased that he has decided to stay in the news and media industry," Johnson said. "However, we are all sad to see him go. Under his leadership, Columbia Greene Media has improved business results every year and built a strong digital audience to complement a strong daily print presence. Mark has been an insightful and gracious leader."
In addition to branching out and taking the helm of The Ravena News-Herald, Vinciguerra started up his own consulting company, National Press Institute for Audience Growth, which will be consulting with Johnson Newspaper Corporation.

"I am honored to say that we will be among his first consulting customers and look forward to working with him for the future," Johnson added.

Vinciguerra has worked in the media business in a variety of roles for over 30 years. He has worked for public and commercial radio stations, as well as  newspapers in Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Trenton, New Jersey, and Albany prior to assuming the publisher's role at C-GM in May 2013.

“I believe in the future of local media to such an extent, I have essentially double-downed on it—by forming my own media company and creating a consulting firm to help local publishers grow their audiences," Vinciguerra said.