Metro Buys City Paper; Layoffs Ensue

Jennifer Clark becomes associate publisher of both papers.

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[Update 2:35 pm] Jennifer Clark, who will be the associate publisher of both newspapers, said they will continue to operate with separate editorial identities.

“We are very much committed to maintaining separate editiorial style and function … with some obvious sharing of resources in the back office and production,” Clark told Philly Mag. “City Paper is great at investigative journalism, that’s a weekly format. Metro’s great at news you can use, quick bites of information. We plan to continue those unique styles, and the voice that they each have.”

Clark would not comment on the terms of the sale — no word on how much money changed hands — nor would she comment on the layoffs at City Paper that accompanied the sale. Publisher Nancy Stuski was reportedly out as part of the sale, as well as a staff writer, some sales and art staffers. Clark said only: “That was done by the selling party.”

She also declined to describe the process that culminated in the sale, saying discussions proceeded during “a pretty condensed period.”

“I think it’s a great thing for both parties to have a stronger collaboration, potential to work together where it matters, but to maintain two important brands in Philadelphia. It’ll provide a great service to our readers and our advertisers.”

[Original 2:09 pm] As expected, Metro US, owner of the free Metro Philadelphia daily tabloid, has purchased City Paper, an alt-weekly and longtime fixture of the city’s media scene. A number of City Paper staffers were reportedly laid off as part of the deal.

Here’s the press release announcing the deal: