Journal Newspapers Consolidate VA Editions, End ABC Membership

Company officials said some of the decisions were made to save the company money and "save jobs," but the consolidation of the Virginia papers was a strategic decision.

The Northern Virginia Journal was sent to subscribers of four papers, the Journals of Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria and Prince William, beginning Jan. 2. The company said its two Maryland papers, The Journals in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties will remain separate.

The company said there would be no layoffs as a result of the consolidation.

"We just got to the point now where we need to become a regional newspaper," said Ryan Phillips, publisher and president of Journal Newspapers.

In December Journal Newspapers stopped having their circulation verified by the ABC. Advertisers are given copies of the forms submitted to the Postal Service. Phillips said later he is reconsidering the decision to end the company’s ABC membership.

Journal Newspapers also laid off two executives in December: Circulation Director Lil Hoover and Karl Spain, who had served as the company’s president and chief operating officer until April, when he was sent to Southern Maryland as publisher of the Montgomery and Prince George’s editions.

Phillips declined to comment on the staff changes, calling them a personnel matter.

Alan Portner, chief operating officer for Journal parent company Newsco, said Journal Newspapers has fewer employees than it did a year ago, but that cuts were never "Draconian" or widespread. He said the company plans to be more aggressive next year to expand its circulation. "We’re all going through some tough times," he said. "But this newspaper is going forward. The people are smiling."