Mark and Marsha Olderr, owners of Hattiesburg based M & M Media Group, and publishers of “Here’s Pearl River County!,” have sold the publication to Picayune Newsmedia, LLC, which publishes the Picayune Item, The Poplarville Democrat, their websites and affiliated publications.
“Here’s Pearl River County!” has been in publication since 2006, and is distributed locally to hotels, real estate offices, doctor’s offices, banks, and through state of Mississippi welcome centers in the region.
The Olderrs have been producing local and regionally focused publications since the 80s, and felt they wanted to try something different, but are proud of the magazine they’ve produced for the people of Pearl River County the past 10 years.
“This magazine gave Pearl River County an identity that it didn’t have before this publication began,” Marsha said. “You can find newcomer information in it and can hand this to anybody and they would know what’s going on and where to go.”
Mark said they’d had offers from outside the state to buy the magazine, but felt the magazine’s owner really needed to be someone local who really understood the people and businesses in Pearl River County.
“We had people from outside the state approach us about buying it, but we didn’t want to sell it to them because we wanted someone here who could carry it on,” Mark said.
Marsha said Picayune Newsmedia was the perfect buyer and felt confident they could pick up where she and her husband Mark left off, supplying the people and businesses with a newcomer’s magazine that would be a true reflection of Pearl River County.
“We feel very good that our magazine is in good hands and they will do much more than we were able to do with it,” Marsha said. “We’re pretty pumped that they’ll be able to take it to the next level.”
Picayune Newsmedia President Linda Gilmore said purchasing “Here’s Pearl River County!” was a natural addition to the company’s portfolio of business.
“Marsha and Mark have done an excellent job with this publication through the years, and we’re pleased they have put their faith and confidence in us to continue producing a high quality newcomer’s guide for the people and businesses of Pearl River County,” Gilmore said.
“Here’s Pearl River County!” has in the past published in February, but is being moved to a July publication to ensure a smooth transition of ownership and materials and a continuation of the quality customer service M & M Media has provided customers in the past.
Gilmore said past customers of “Here’s Pearl River County!” will be receiving additional information on the publication soon via personal contact and direct mail.
“We want to make sure everyone’s questions are answered and their ideas on how we can make the most of this publication are heard,” Gilmore said.