Media update: Shoprite exec Kenny snaps up TownSquare Delaware; Pro-Business Delaware group buys ad space in News Journal

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Supermarket executive  Chris Kenny has acquired the TownSquare Delaware website.

Kenny, DuPont Country Club co-owner Ben duPont and state legislator Bryan Shupe earlier launched DelawareLive, a media site that offers a Sunday replica newspaper. 

Shupe, a state representative and former mayor of Milford owns  MilfordLive, a hyperlocal news website covering the fast-growing city on the Kent-Sussex County line.

(For more info, click on the headline below).

Shupe, DuPont and Kenny roll out website designed to combat a ‘national takeover of Delaware news’

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The announcement of the sale was made by Michael and Christy Fleming, who launched the community news website nine years ago.

“As a mom and partially pop shop, we always expected that once TSD achieved a certain scale, ensuring momentum and the next level of growth would require a partner; a partner with the resources to invest in, nurture and expand a robust business,” the Flemings wrote. 

They continued, “Delaware Live’s vision for a locally-owned, statewide media business is exciting, and joining those efforts is clearly the right move for the long-term sustainability of TSD’s mission.”

The website will remain in operation, with a press release next week announcing further details.

The sale comes as Michael Fleming takes over as the new president of the Delaware Bioscience Association after holding down management positions at GSK SmithKline. Day to day reporting and editing was done by Christy Fleming.

Over the years, TownSquare focused on the affluent suburbs of Wilmington, private schools, sports, and small businesses. Of late, it has delved into issues such as the recent protests and the removal of statues in the city.

Kenny, meanwhile, has expanded his presence beyond his family’s successful group of Shoprite stores.

Partnering with Ben duPont, Kenny formed “A Better Delaware,” a public policy group that has been critical of spending and tax policies in Delaware. It occupies some of the conservative space of the Caesar Rodney Institute, minus CRI’s skepticism over climate change.

Kenny also launched his own personal website, leading to speculation that he might make a run for governor.

Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware buys ad space

Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware is kicking it old school by buying some print ads.

The firm is buying ads in the News Journal taking the law firm of Skadden Arps to task over what it views as ethically dubious behavior and allegations of a lack of diversity at its Wilmington office. 

Citizens was formed during the battle over control of the business services company TransPerfect.

The actions of a Skadden lawyer to serve as custodian angered TransPerfect co-owned Philip Shawe. Shawe prevailed in the ownership tussle with co-founder and former fiance Elizabeth Elting.

Of late, TransPerfect has been battling over invoices related to the services of the custodian.

The ad, in part, reads, “over the past 3 years, Skadden Arps has named 38 new partners, only two of whom are African-American. Of 66 attorneys in Skadden’s Wilmington office, there is just one Black partner and one Black associate.”

Citizens enlisted civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton to call for more diversity at the Delaware law office. 

“Lacking diversity in our justice system is a national and systemic issue. But in a state that’s home to the country’s busiest corporate courts, where judges are handpicked to join an old boys’ club from top firms like Skadden, it’s critical we end the status quo, and Skadden needs to answer for their role in this corrupt system,” Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware Campaign (CPBD) Manager Chris Coffey stated.

Skadden has not commented on the many allegations made by Citizens and Shawe.

 

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