FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 14, 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY — Heralding a transformation of its business publications, Tierra Media Group President and CEO Bill Bleakley is announcing plans to merge the monthly print version of okcBIZ into the company’s largest publication, Oklahoma Gazette, after publication of the March issue of the magazine.

The company will enhance and enlarge the magazine’s website, okc.biz, to reflect current trends and news in the Central Oklahoma business sector. To serve its younger, increasingly mobile and digitally engaged readership, the website will report more hyper-local breaking items of interest.

“Five years ago, the conversion of our business newspaper, OKCBusiness, into our monthly magazine, okcBIZ, was highly successful,” Bleakley said. “We’ve determined in our strategic planning that our print readers can now be best served by combining the print publications and further developing the web presence of our publications.”

The changes do not result in a reduction in staff. The okcBIZ print staff roles have been redefined to fit into the company’s new directions.

“The exciting plans for expansion of our media platforms adds to the celebration of the company’s 35th anniversary in 2014. Oklahoma Gazette, the state’s largest Oklahoma-owned newspaper, provides a firm foundation on which to further strengthen our presence in the market with these changes,” Bleakley reflected.

“Our business content in okcBIZ has evolved through the participation of readers, advertisers and staff, and we plan to incorporate selected popular content and events from the magazine into the newspaper and websites,” Bleakley said.

Oklahoma Gazette’s strategic plan for 2014 also includes expanding and enhancing its digital presence with multimedia projects across a variety of platforms online and throughout social media.

The company will combine selected popular content of okcBIZ magazine into Oklahoma Gazette this spring. Continuing rollouts of digital and social media developments will occur throughout 2014.

The final print issue of okcBIZ, publishing March 1, 2014, will showcase okcBIZ’s 2014 Fittest Execs awards program. The companion Fitness Expo, held Thursday, February 27, 2014 at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel from 4-7 p.m., is open to the public.

For further information, please contact Dave Rhea, General Manager of Tierra Media Group, at 405-605-6710 or drhea@tierramediagroup.com.