PROVIDENCE – Providence Business News on Tuesday announced that it has been acquired by Iowa-based Woodward Communications Inc., an employee-owned company, and that Annemarie Brisson has been promoted to publisher.
Terms of the sale, which closed Nov. 30, were not disclosed. No layoffs are planned, and the publication will continue to be locally led and managed.
Roger Bergenheim, who co-founded PBN with his late father, Robert C. Bergenheim, in 1986 and has since served as the publication’s president and publisher, is retiring but will work as a consultant to the new owners for the next year.
"It's been an honor to serve the business community for the past 37 years," said Bergenheim. "I'm immensely proud of the staff at PBN and am grateful for the support of our loyal readers, advertisers, and contributors, throughout this incredible journey.”
He got his start in the publishing industry as an advertising executive at the Boston Phoenix, before joining his father as general manager of the then-fledgling Boston Business Journal in 1981.
When PBN was launched, it quickly gained the respect of the local business community, Bergenheim recalled in a 2001 interview. Gaining support from advertisers took more time. “You had to barge into the party – uninvited,” he said.
The publication has steadily grown since and now employs 18. It publishes a strong mix of daily news and e-newsletters, a biweekly print publication and a host of special supplements and publications. It also annually produces and hosts 16 business-related events.
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ROGER BERGENHEIM co-founded Providence Business News with his late father, Robert C. Bergenheim, in 1986. On Tuesday, he announced that the paper has been sold to Woodward Communications Inc. Bergenheim is retiring but will continue as a consultant to the new owners for the next year.[/caption]
It has also won dozens of state, regional and national journalism awards, including
being recognized in October for the fourth year in a row as “Newspaper of the Year” among specialty publications by the New England Newspaper & Press Association.
Bergenheim said he agreed to the sale because of Woodward Communications’ commitment to their employees and desire to keep PBN’s staff locally based under the direction of Brisson. She started with PBN in 2015 as director of sales and marketing and was promoted to associate publisher in 2023.
“As I bid farewell to a chapter filled with dedication and success, PBN eagerly anticipates its continued growth and innovation under new leadership. The legacy of excellence and commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content will remain as PBN embraces the future,” Bergenheim said.
Brisson stated, “I am excited at the opportunity to lead PBN as we continue to serve the area business community. The PBN team is second to none in their professionalism and dedication to our journalistic mission, our readers and clients. With our award-winning staff, which will be fully maintained, I am confident that PBN will continue to grow and thrive.”
Woodward Communications is based in Dubuque, Iowa. It owns the daily Telegraph Herald, weekly newspapers, niche magazines and other publications and media services and commercial printing in northeast Iowa and southeast Wisconsin.
Tom Woodward, CEO and president of Woodward Communications, said, “We’re very excited about this opportunity, as it aligns well with our strategy and purpose of providing quality local content and services that support and grow strong communities. Roger, Annemarie and the PBN team have done an outstanding job of servicing the Greater Providence area business community and our core strategy and values align very well, which were important aspects of putting together this opportunity.”
