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Philly Newspaper Bidders Hire Campaign Advisors

Some bidders hoping to win control of McClatchy Co.‘s Philadelphia newspapers that are up for sale -The Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News - have hired experienced campaigners to consult with them in their battle, writes The Philadelphia Inquirer.

In search of consultants and advisors, a group of Philadelphia investors headed up by public relations executive Brian P. Tierney has called upon former Inquirer and Daily News labor relations head Louis William Sabatino, former Knight Ridder advertising director Jerome Tilis, and investment banker Andrew Buchholtz of New York-based Veronis Suhler Stevenson to help its case.

Tierney said he wouldn’t make The Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News partisans for any particular interest if they did buy the newspapers. He would like to give The Inquirer more personality, making it more “fun” to read. So far, Tierney has $240 million to support a bid, with four additional banks agreeing to lend more if financial data supports an offer.

Another bidder signing professionals to help with its campaign is Yucaipa Cos., a union-supported California investor that wants all 12 Knight Ridder Inc. newspapers that McClatchy has up for sale. The investor hired former Inquirer executive editor James M. Naughton to advise “on editorial and newsroom issues, and quality.”
 
McClatchy is expected to announce buyers as deals close over the coming weeks.