Letter to Community Readers

Dear community members,

You have been an important part of our amazing 12-year journey to build a market-leading publication that reflected the values of our community, one that educated, informed, and entertained readers. With your support and encouragement, we promoted and recognized people and organizations who work every day to make our region safer, friendlier, and generally a better place to live.

We are pleased to share the news that the leadership team of Morgan Hill Life and Gilroy Life have joined forces with NewSV Media, publishers of the Morgan Hill Times, Gilroy Dispatch and Hollister Free Lance. As the longest-running business in Morgan Hill and San Benito County, they represent a deep heritage in our area. Together, we will give our communities the qualityjournalism they deserve.

After Marty Cheek’s untimely passing in September, we tried to make a go of it. However, itbecame clear to Mark Fenny” Fenichel and me, that we cannot continue to publish as we had. We believe by bringing talents and strengths of two media organizations together, we can honor Marty’s legacy and deliver the best possible local coverage and media services available in South valley.

The opportunity to combine into one dynamic publishing organization was too fortuitous to pass up. I will be leading the media group as Publisher and Mark will be its Advertising Manager. We will work diligently to keep our publications trusted and valued as assets to the communities they serve.

On Jan. 22, the Morgan Hill Times will convert to the tabloid format used by Morgan Hill Life and preferred by local readers. With a fresh, new design and increased distribution around town, Morgan Hill’s 130-year newspaper will enter a new era.

The three print publications will publish and distribute more than 30,000 issues each two-week period, a 50 percent increase over the bi-weekly press run of Morgan Hill Life. With 60,000 copies a month and an estimated readership of 150,000, itwill be the strongest publishing presence in South Santa Clara County and San Benito County. In addition, there will be a powerful digital

marketing suite, including e-editions,  email newsletters, e-Blasts, an online events calendar, social media channels, and websites updated throughout the week.

We hope you give us a chance and join us on this new journey.

Sincerely,

Robert Airoldi