The North Shore News has announced that Matt Blair has joined the publication as its new publisher.
Blair has nearly 20 years in the newspaper industry, including time in classifieds, sales and production. He was most recently the publisher of the Delta Optimist and is a current board member for the B.C. & Yukon Community News Media Association.
He succeeds Peter Kvarnstrom, who held the top job for seven years but whose tenure stretches back 31 years to when News founder Peter Speck brought him onboard as sales manager.
Under Kvarnstrom’s leadership, the News was named the Canadian Community Newspaper Association’s “Newspaper of the Year,” in 2019, and won gold for overall excellence at the 2017, 2018 and 2019 BCYCNA Ma Murray Awards. Kvarnstrom will continue in his executive role with the News’ parent company, Glacier Media, overseeing Glacier’s community media group, which includes print and digital news media across Western Canada.
“Matt is uniquely suited for the role as publisher with his strong commitment to publishing in print and online, kind and caring demeanour, and his strong connection to the community we both call home,” Kvarnstrom said. “I couldn’t be happier to have Matt take over the day-to-day operations of one of our most successful newspaper operations.”
Blair, who moved from Kitsilano to North Vancouver 11 years ago to marry his wife, Casey – longtime manager at North Shore Girl (North Shore Ski & Board) – said he is strongly rooted to the North Shore by his passion for the ocean and mountains. You can read more about him here.
