DURANGO, Colo., May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Ballantine Communications Inc., (“Ballantine”) announced today that it has completed a merger with Rio Grande Publishing based in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

“This merger provides the Directory Plus Division of Ballantine Communications with access to rapidly growing markets in Albuquerque and Las Cruces, New Mexico,” said Douglas Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of Ballantine Communications. “Rio Grande Publishing brings to Ballantine a large installed base on loyal print directory listing advertisers located across New Mexico including the communities of Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Alamogordo & Ruidoso, Belen & Los Lunas, Socorro and Truth or Consequences. We plan to integrate our existing Ballantine Digital Media operations in New Mexico with Rio Grande Publishing operations to provide advertisers with a full range of print, digital and video advertising solutions.” Bennett added, “We believe further operational efficiencies can be achieved through volume purchasing agreements with our key suppliers and centralization of our design, development and fulfillment functions in Durango, Colorado.”

About Ballantine Communications, Inc.

Ballantine Communications is the leading local media company serving the Four Corners Market area in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Ballantine publishes daily and weekly newspapers including The Durango Herald, Cortez Journal, Dolores Star, Mancos Times and Pine River Times. Ballantine publishes directory listings through their Directory Plus Division for Southwest Colorado, San Juan County and Grants & Gallup New Mexico. Ballantine provides web content publishing including an online video channel www.4cornersTV.com as well as produces live event shows including the Four Corners Market including the Home & Ranch Show, What a Girl Want Expo, and Two Hearts Wedding Show.

About Rio Grande Publishing

Rio Grande Publishing is a directory listing company serving the communities of Rio Rancho / Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Alamogordo & Ruidoso, Belen & Los Lunas, Socorro and Truth or Consequences.

Contact: Angela Helfrich, 1-970-375-4572, ahelfrich@bcimedia.com

SOURCE Ballantine Communications