KANSAS CITY, Mo. – (Jan. 2, 2018) – Carey Media LLC has acquired The Pitch, the company announced today. Carey Media purchased the assets of The Pitch from SouthComm Inc. in a deal that closed on Dec. 31.

The Pitch launched in 1980 as “The Penny Pitch,” a monthly handout at a record store. It evolved to be the city’s go-to alternative source for local news and events, as well as leading coverage of restaurants, art and local music. The publication was acquired in 1999 by Village Voice Media, which sold it to Tennessee-based SouthComm in 2011.

This transaction means that The Pitch will be owned and operated locally for the first time in nearly 20 years. Carey Media is led by two Kansas City natives, Stephanie (Mitchum) Carey and Adam Carey. Stephanie Carey is CEO of Carey Media and will serve as publisher of The Pitch; she will set the organization’s strategy and oversee its day-to-day business. Adam Carey, the chief operating officer of Carey Media, will provide ongoing operational support.

Buying The Pitch fulfills a long-term dream, said Stephanie Carey, a longtime reader of the publication. She plans to use her background in journalism and media software sales to continue The Pitch’s tradition of independent and investigative reporting, to make the publication a leader in multimedia engagement, and to provide the local business community with new channels for visibility.

“The Pitch is staying the independent voice of the city. More than anything, we are extremely focused on Kansas City journalism,” Stephanie Carey said. “We bring passion and respect for the craft, and our combined experience in local media, news and marketing make us the perfect new home for The Pitch.”

The Pitch will continue to operate at 1627 Main St. Long-term staffer David Hudnall has been named as editor, and Stephanie Carey said she plans to continue – and build upon – the outlet’s ongoing features, such as Bartender’s Notebook and Music Forecast, and its signature events, including Best of Kansas City, Margarita Wars and the Bacon & Bourbon Festival.

Jason Zaragoza, executive director of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, praised the deal, saying his organization was “thrilled that The Pitch is returning to local ownership.”

“We need independent voices in our communities that speak truth to power,” Zaragoza said. “No one knows that more than Stephanie, who has demonstrated through her several years of involvement with AAN that she understands the importance of alternative news. The Pitch will be in good hands under her leadership.”

About Stephanie Carey

Stephanie Carey is the CEO of Carey Media and the publisher of The Pitch. She brings more than 17 years of experience in local media, marketing, digital revenue and promotions. She began her career as a radio and newspaper reporter and most recently served as a sales manager at Second Street, where she consulted media companies on diversifying and increasing digital revenue streams. Active in the community, she has served the American Royal as the chair of cooking demonstrations and a member of the marketing committee. She is a graduate of Blue Valley Northwest High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Milligan College.

About Adam Carey

Adam Carey is the COO of Carey Media. He has 17 years of experience in sales and marketing, in both business-to-consumer and business-to-business settings. He developed the sales and marketing strategy for Cambrian, which was chosen as the first grand prize recipient in LaunchKC history. He has been integral in event planning for niche groups, staging successful events ranging from 10 attendees to several hundred. He is a graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from Western Governors University.

About The Pitch

Emphasizing investigative reporting and long-form journalism, The Pitch covers every aspect of Kansas City life – government and politics, performing and visual arts, music, fashion, books, movies, food and drink – in print each month and online every day. For more information, visit www.pitch.com.