05/22/2019

AIM Media Midwest names Kirk Dougal as publisher in Lima and regional VP & group publisher in Ohio

AIM Media Midwest, LLC (“AIM” or the “Company”) announced today the appointment of Kirk B. Dougal as Publisher at The Lima News in Lima, Ohio and as Regional Vice President & Group Publisher with responsibility for a group of AIM media properties in Ohio.  The announcement was made jointly by Jeremy L. Halbreich, Chairman and CEO and by Rick Starks, President and COO and it is effective June 10, 2019. 

In this new role, Dougal will be responsible for the daily newspapers in Lima, Bowling Green and Delaware; weekly newspapers in Galion, Mt. Gilead, Swanton and Wauseon; DigitalAIM, a digital marketing services agency; special publications; and all affiliated websites and digital assets.

Most recently, Dougal served since 2016 as Digital Solutions Director and Operations Manager for Adams Publishing Group (“APG”) of Ohio where he was responsible for the creation and management of Brick Street Agency, the in-house digital sales and marketing division serving nine publishing units across Ohio, West Virginia and southern Michigan. 

Dougal developed and implemented the full product suite including programmatic advertising, targeted video advertising, native advertising, content marketing and social media marketing.  In addition, he hired staff members, provided ongoing training and development and served as project manager for new product lines.

Earlier in his career, Dougal served from 2004-2016 as Group Publisher for Brown Publishing Company, Inc. and also for DHI Media, Inc. with responsibility for multiple publishing markets in northwest Ohio.  At various times, his service included Group Editor, direct responsibility for all sales and marketing, direct responsibility for various IT and HR functions, and he introduced a digital marketing program.         

“It is a great privilege for us to welcome Kirk to Lima and to join our team in Ohio,” said Halbreich.  “With his experience as editor, sales leader, publisher and digital pioneer, he is an accomplished and successful publishing executive and he is uniquely qualified for today’s publishing industry.  He will bring a great deal of energy, enthusiasm and strong leadership to The Lima News and to the other Ohio communities.” 

“As a native and long-time resident of nearby Van Wert, Kirk is deeply committed to the communities he serves.  He is very approachable and a real people person,” Halbreich added. 

Prior to his experience in the publishing industry, Dougal served from 1999-2004 as President at Diamond Seven, Inc., a finance and accounting consulting group, from 1998-1999 as VP at Athletic Risk Services, Inc., with responsibility for accounting and HR, and from 1994-1998 as CFO/VP at First-Tel Communications, with responsibility for accounting and HR in U.S. and overseas markets. 

Dougal currently serves on the Board of Trustees at the Ohio News Media Association and previously served as an officer at the Ohio League of Home Dailies.  He is also a prolific author specializing in the sci-fi, horror and epic fantasy genres with his works marketed under the Goodreads Author platform.   

Dougal is a graduate of Huntington University in Huntington, Indiana with a B.S. in Business Education-Accounting/Business Law and he began his college education at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio.  

Dougal’s appointment follows the announcement last week by Doug Olsson, his predecessor in these roles, resigning to take a new position with Greater Lima Region, Inc. 

About AIM Media Midwest, LLC

AIM Media Midwest, LLC is an affiliate of AIM Media Texas, LLC and AIM Media Indiana, LLC and all entities are managed by AIM Media Management of Dallas, Texas where Halbreich serves as Chairman and CEO and Starks serves as President and COO.  Both are 40+ year veterans of the digital and print publishing industry.  

The Company focuses on local content across all forms of media including print, digital, direct mail and video.

The Company recognizes the value and benefits that local news, information and advertising services bring to local communities and regional markets.

We are the leading information source in our communities.  Through our demonstrated integrity and our dedicated and comprehensive approach to balanced and credible journalism, we earn the trust and support of local readers, viewers, businesses and advertisers.

For more information, please contact Jeremy L. Halbreich, Chairman and CEO, AIM Media Management, LLC at 214-697-9779 or halbreich@amercomm.com.