The Gleaner changed hands Wednesday

Julie Voyer, who was the Director General of marketing at TC Media, has gone from employee to owner. The Mercier resident acquired The Gleaner along with six other South Shore newspapers through Gravité Média, a business she founded with investors Francis and Jasmin Picard from the Candiac construction sector.

“The Best in Quebec”

Gravité Média publications cover 250 000 households in a territory that extends from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield to Longueuil. “These are the best newspapers in Quebec! The sense of belonging is so strong in the region,” stated Julie Voyer when she announced the transaction to some 65 employees, Wednesday morning at l’Espace Rive-Sud in La Prairie. “No jobs have been lost and working conditions remain the same,” assured the CEO.

“The seven publications that we’re buying are defined by the quality of their writers and designers. Today, I am making a commitment in my own name and the name of Gravité Média to pursue this business and always focus on the quality of local and regional information,” emphasized

Voyer in a press release. “We would also like to contribute to the success of local businesses thanks to a marketing and publicity offer based on their needs and the new realities of the market. To date, Gravité Média represents almost 12 million dollars in publicity revenue.”

Enjoying work

Time and again, Julie Voyer has insisted on how important she considers human resources. “My great strength is in knowing who to surround myself with,” she remarked about her personnel. “It’s important that employees enjoy their work. Everyone should be happy at work. When you are happy, you perform better!” she said, laughing.

The future of print

A business woman in her thirties, Voyer emphasized her belief in the future of print. “We are happy and proud of this acquisition which will allow us to breathe new life into these publications. We firmly believe in the future of paper, particularly in this region,” she stated in her press release. “At the same time, we will offer a full range of digital products to meet the needs of our readers.”

Julie Voyer pointed out that the “V” at the heart of “Gravité” stood for victory. Gravity for her is also a symbol of the strength that unites the web and paper media.

A business and a family

Transcontinental announced in April that it was selling its weekly newspapers across Quebec. Sam Bendavid, Director of Mergers and Acquisitions at Transcontinental, indicated that the company hoped employees would take up the torch.  “The most important thing for us was choosing the best to purchase the newspapers,” he indicated.

After an 11 year career during which she rose through the ranks and worked in various managerial positions at TC Media, Julie Voyer admitted she was leaving with a little twinge of regret. “I am fulfilling a dream but it hurts to leave TC which I have tattooed on my heart. I loved the business and it’s like a big family to me,” she said.

She will maintain a connection with the company since Transcontinental will continue to print and distribute the Gravité Média newspapers.

Proud parents

Julie Voyer’s parents, who attended the announcement, were moved. “I feel very proud watching my daughter. This is great,” commented her father, Marcel Voyer. “We are truly proud of our daughter!” pronounced her mother, Micheline Voyer.

The seven newspapers purchased

Le Courrier du Sud de Longueuil;

Le Brossard Éclair;

Le Reflet de Delson;

The Gleaner

Le Journal Saint-François de Valleyfield;

Le Soleil de Châteauguay;

L’information d’Affaires Rive-Sud (monthly)