Engaging. Compelling. Entertaining.
Those are just some of the attributes the Richmond News’new publisher, Pierre Pelletier, is looking forward to bringing to the pages of the paper and its website.
Pelletier, whose first, official day in the new job was Jan. 19, comes from the editorial side of the business.
The graduate of the University of Alberta, where he majored in history and political science, began his career in journalism as a magazine writer for titles such as the Financial Post. He also worked as a reporter in community newspapers in Alberta, quickly moving up the chain of command to become an editor and publisher.
He’s been with Glacier Media Group, the News’ parent company, since 2004 and takes over from Peter Kvarnstrom, Glacier's President, Community Media who served as the News' interim publisher.
Since then, he’s been responsible for a variety of publications including Glacier’s Visitors’ Choice Publications, which he oversaw as group publisher for 21 magazines.
Most recently, he was publisher of the Courier-Islander in Campbell River.
In between postings, Pelletier took a sabbatical to embark on an 18-month cycling tour of North America and Europe with his wife.
“It certainly opens your eyes, and makes you appreciate what you have. There’s a lot of things to see out there,” Pelletier said.
As for his philosophy on what a paper should be to its readers, Pelletier said he definitely has a traditional approach.
“To me, I really believe in the old school of newspapers and informing the public, and making them (readers) think, also,” Pelletier said. “But there’s also a trust that we have with the public.
“We’re still one of the bricks and mortar businesses where people can come down and talk to us.”
As for what type of stamp he intends to place on the News, Pelletier said he wants to create a package that can be considered the community’s paper of record.
“I really want us to be the place where people go to when something has happened. Or, we can inform them about something that will happen.”
In short, Pelletier said he wants the News to be the definitive source of information for Richmond.
“That’s vital to me.”
So is the creative process that goes into each edition of the News — something which sets journalism apart from most other businesses.
“A newspaper is a blank slate, and we create something that people are actually interested in,” he said. “That’s something we do every single day — we create a new product.
“There’s not many businesses out there that do that today. Every single issue is brand new.”
And with each edition, the paper’s mandate is to be, “as relevant to the readers as possible, while making sure we are engaging, compelling and entertaining.”
With Pelletier at the helm, the News is moving in the right direction, said Glacier Media management.
“He’s made a difference everywhere he’s been, both in terms of improving the newspaper and growing the business,” said Alvin Brouwer, president of Glacier Media’s Lower Mainland Publishing Ltd. and Community Digital Media. “He’s got excellent people skills and is very much looking forward to working with people in the community and with staff.”
