EAST END, New York — Two longtime East End news organizations are joining forces.
According to an announcement Thursday, Dan's Papers and The Independent announced they are joining forces to create a new company called Dan's Independent Media.
Dan's Independent Media will bring together Dan's Papers — “the iconic multi-platform news, entertainment, events and digital media company — with The Independent,” the announcement said.
The new combined company's newspaper will be published weekly, effective immediately, in a Dan's Papers format, incorporating The Independent's news and specialist content and will include a range of digital and social content, the announcement said.
“We began our discussions at the end of the year, well before the COVID-19 lockdown, knowing that if we came together, we could become a real multi-channel media powerhouse,” said Richard Burns, president of Dan's Independent Media. “There are great synergies between the companies, and this combination allows Dan's to join a groundbreaking news franchise, as well as the amazing people and clients at The Independent. Ultimately, this joining of forces will serve our readers and our clients exceptionally well. “
Dan's Papers was founded by Dan Rattiner of Montauk in 1960 as a summer-only weekly and was purchased by Manhattan Media 10 years ago. Independent, born 27 years ago, was bought by Ronald O. Perelman in 2017.
“I'm so proud of what we've accomplished at The Independent,” Perelman said. “I look forward to working with Dan to continue to expand our reach and serve our community.”
Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed.
When asked about the future of the Traveler-Watchman name — the North Fork publication was acquired by The Independent in 2005, and there has been a Traveler-Watchman section in the print edition ever since — there was no immediate answer.
