Cowles Company Family Legacy and Media Empire

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The Cowles Company has a rich family legacy that spans over a century. The company was founded by John H. Cowles Sr. in 1937.

John H. Cowles Sr. was a newspaperman and entrepreneur who started the Des Moines Register and the Des Moines Tribune. He was a pioneer in the media industry.

The Cowles family has a long history of innovation and leadership in the media sector. They have owned and operated several newspapers, magazines, and radio stations.

John H. Cowles Sr.'s son, John H. Cowles Jr., took over the company and continued to expand its media empire.

Family

The Cowles family has a rich history that spans over 100 years. They are a family business that has been in operation since 1894.

The family's roots can be traced back to Elizabeth and Sarah Hutchinson, two sisters from Cayuga County, New York, who married two brothers, Alfred Cowles Sr. and Edwin Cowles of Cleveland, Ohio.

Family Looking At Their Instant Photos
Credit: pexels.com, Family Looking At Their Instant Photos

Betsy and Stacy Cowles, brother and sister, are part of the fourth generation of Cowles in the business. They are the Chairman of the Board and President of the Cowles Company, respectively.

The Cowles family has a strong tradition of entrepreneurship, with Alfred Cowles Sr. publishing the Cleveland Leader and Alfred Cowles, 3rd, founding the Cowles Commission for Research in Economics following the Great Depression.

Here are some notable family members:

  • Alfred Cowles Sr. of the Chicago Tribune, father of William H. Cowles
  • Edwin Cowles of the Cleveland Leader, brother of Alfred Cowles Sr.
  • William H. Cowles III, grandson of William Hutchinson and Harriet Bowen Cheney

The family's commitment to education and entrepreneurship is evident in their policies, such as requiring family members to have at least three years of work experience outside of the company before being considered for a full-time management position.

History and Affiliations

The Cowles Company has a rich history that spans over eight decades. The company was formed in 1935 when the Cowles family purchased the Minneapolis Star.

The family's patriarch, Gardner Cowles Sr., handed control of the family's media business to his sons John Cowles Sr. and Gardner "Mike" Cowles Jr. in 1935. This marked the beginning of the Cowles Media Company.

Here are some notable affiliations of the Cowles Company:

  • Basic Financial Solutions
  • Citizens Realty
  • Inland Empire Paper Company
  • Spokane Journal of Business
  • River Park Square
  • Nickels Worth Publications
  • Northwest Farmer-Stockman
  • Print Marketing Concepts
  • The Spokesman-Review
  • SWX Right Now

Donate Spokesman Review to Nonprofit

Credit: youtube.com, The Spokesman-Review to be donated to nonprofit

The Cowles Company, owner of The Spokesman-Review, is exploring a unique transition by donating the 132-year-old newspaper to a nonprofit organization.

The nonprofit, Comma Community Journalism Lab, will partner with the newspaper to create a sustainable model for local journalism. This involves transferring the newspaper's assets and providing a $2 million gift to Comma, contingent on the nonprofit raising a matching $2 million.

Comma is a nonprofit founded in 2022 by Spokesman-Review Executive Editor Rob Curley, with the goal of incubating community-centered journalism and amplifying diverse voices.

The Cowles family, who have been the stewards of the newspaper for generations, has mixed emotions about the transition. However, they are committed to seeing the brand and mission flourish for another century.

This innovative approach aims to address the challenges facing local journalism, including the decline of print advertising and the reluctance of readers to pay for digital subscriptions.

On a similar theme: Jared Kushner Newspaper

Other Affiliations

My friend, let's take a look at the affiliations of this individual. Other Affiliations include connections with various organizations.

Exterior of stone apartment and glass office buildings located in urban city district in daylight
Credit: pexels.com, Exterior of stone apartment and glass office buildings located in urban city district in daylight

Basic Financial Solutions is one of the notable affiliations. Citizens Realty is another notable affiliation. Inland Empire Paper Company is also worth mentioning.

Here's a list of some of the other notable affiliations:

  • Citizens Realty
  • Inland Empire Paper Company
  • Spokane Journal of Business
  • River Park Square
  • Nickels Worth Publications
  • Northwest Farmer-Stockman
  • Print Marketing Concepts
  • The Spokesman-Review
  • SWX Right Now

Media and Publications

The Cowles Company has a notable history in the media and publishing industry. They owned several newspapers across the United States.

One notable example is the Des Moines Register, which they owned from 1903 to 1985. The Des Moines Tribune was another newspaper owned by the company, but it was subsumed into the Des Moines Register in 1982. The Des Moines Register was eventually acquired by the Gannett Company.

The Cowles Company also owned the Star-Tribune in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 1935 to 1998. This newspaper was later acquired by The McClatchy Company.

Broaden your view: Tribune Publishing

Family Donates Spokesman Review to Nonprofit

The Cowles family, owners of The Spokesman-Review, have made a groundbreaking decision to donate the 132-year-old newspaper to a nonprofit organization called Comma Community Journalism Lab.

Credit: youtube.com, Gregoire and Brown visit Ed Board 3

The Cowles Company will transfer the newspaper's assets and provide a $2 million gift to Comma, contingent on the Spokane-based nonprofit raising a matching $2 million. This move is aimed at creating a sustainable model for local journalism by partnering with school districts, universities, and nonprofit news organizations.

Comma, founded in 2022 by Spokesman-Review Executive Editor Rob Curley, is a nonprofit designed to incubate community-centered journalism, amplify diverse voices, and share best practices with independent news organizations nationwide.

The Cowles family has a long history of involvement in journalism, dating back to Alfred Cowles Sr., who purchased one-third of the Chicago Tribune. His brother, Edwin Cowles, published the Cleveland Leader.

Here's a brief family tree to illustrate the connection:

  • Alfred Cowles Sr. of the Chicago Tribune, father of William H. Cowles
  • Edwin Cowles of the Cleveland Leader, brother of Alfred Cowles Sr.

The Cowles family's decision to donate The Spokesman-Review to a nonprofit organization is a significant step towards preserving local journalism and creating a sustainable model for the future.

Television

Cowles' television operations are centered around the two NBC affiliates in eastern Washington.

Credit: youtube.com, 1994 Consumer Reports magazine television commercial

The flagship is KHQ-TV in Spokane, which was founded by Cowles as Washington's second television station.

KHQ-TV is joined by KNDO in Yakima and its Tri-Cities semi-satellite KNDU (licensed to Richland).

Cowles also had plans to acquire two CBS affiliate television stations for US$41 million from Newport Television in 2007.

The stations were KCOY-TV in Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo, California and KION-TV in Monterey, California.

KION carries The CW on a separate digital channel.

However, in 2013, News-Press & Gazette Company announced that it would purchase Monterey stations, KION-TV and KMUV-LP, as well as San Luis Obispo station KKFX-CA.

Cowles retained KCOY-TV under a shared services agreement.

In the same year, Cowles acquired Max Media's Montana television station cluster for $18 million.

Today, all of Cowles' stations use the standardized branding "NonStop Local" for their news programming.

Media Company Newspapers

The Cowles Media Company had a significant presence in the newspaper industry, owning several publications across the United States. The Des Moines Register was one of its most notable assets, being owned by the company from 1903 to 1985.

Credit: youtube.com, On the future of newspapers and publishers / Matt Rogerson, Martin Jönsson

The Des Moines Register was eventually acquired by the Gannett Company, marking a significant shift in ownership. The newspaper has since continued to thrive under new management.

The Cowles Media Company also owned the Des Moines Tribune, which was subsumed into the Des Moines Register in 1982. This merger likely had a significant impact on the local media landscape.

Here's a list of some of the notable newspapers owned by the Cowles Media Company:

Specialty Magazines

Specialty Magazines are a great way to dive deeper into a specific topic. The magazine "The New Yorker" is a prime example, with its focus on politics, culture, and in-depth reporting.

It has a circulation of over 1 million copies per week, making it one of the most widely read publications of its kind. Many people rely on "The New Yorker" for its thought-provoking articles and commentary.

Some specialty magazines cater to niche audiences, such as "Hemispheres" which targets frequent flyers with in-flight reading material. Its content is designed to be engaging and entertaining for travelers.

Its articles often feature local culture, history, and travel tips, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to explore new destinations.

For another approach, see: Coaction Specialty Insurance

Former Ventures

Credit: youtube.com, Cowles Ventures Podcast Episode 9: Danny Porter, Founder - CoPort

The Cowles Company has a rich history of innovation and entrepreneurship, with several notable ventures under its belt.

One of its most significant former ventures is the Des Moines Register, which the company sold to Gannett in 1985 for $300 million.

The Cowles Company also experimented with television broadcasting through its affiliate, WMT, which was established in 1949.

In addition to its media ventures, the company has a long history of investing in real estate, including the development of the East Village in Des Moines.

The Cowles Company's former ventures demonstrate its adaptability and willingness to take calculated risks in pursuit of growth and innovation.

The company's investment in the Des Moines Register paid off, but it also showed that the company was not afraid to let go of a successful business when the time was right.

The Cowles Company's experience with WMT highlights its early adoption of new technologies, including television broadcasting.

Credit: youtube.com, Cowles Ventures Podcast Episode 5: Bill Kalivas, Co-Founder - LaunchPad INW

The company's real estate ventures have had a lasting impact on the city of Des Moines, shaping the urban landscape and contributing to its growth and development.

The Cowles Company's willingness to experiment and innovate has allowed it to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to changing market conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Stacey Cowles spokesman-review?

Stacey Cowles is the president of the print media division at The Spokesman-Review, overseeing the daily newspaper and associated publications. He has been Publisher of The Spokesman-Review since 1992.

Wilbur Huels

Senior Writer

Here is a 100-word author bio for Wilbur Huels: Wilbur Huels is a seasoned writer with a keen interest in finance and investing. With a strong background in research and analysis, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, making complex topics accessible to a wide range of readers. His articles have been featured in various publications, covering topics such as investment funds and their role in shaping the global financial landscape.

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