New Publisher for the Sun

LEAMINGTON — The winds of change are blowing through the halls of Southpoint Publishing.

The Southpoint Sun was launched in 2010 by Jim Heyens and Sheila McBrayne. Heyens had originally purchased his hometown paper, the Wheatley Journal, before introducing the Sun to Leamington. Over the years, the River Town Times in Amherstburg was also added into the fold.

JIM HEYENS

The community newspaper business is a challenging one and the Southpoint Sun continues to flourish in an industry that has seen many changes over the years. We are grateful to our readers and advertisers for that.

With that, we are announcing some changes at the Southpoint Sun.

Effective Monday, March 28, Melissa Hopper took the reins as the new Publisher of the Southpoint Sun and its specialty publications.

MELISSA HOPPER

Melissa has been with Southpoint Publishing for 11 years, starting out in advertising, then becoming the office manager and most recently serving as Creative Director where she oversees the specialty products, such as magazines and visitor guides. She will continue as Creative Director in addition to her new role as Publisher.

She takes the reins from company owner Jim Heyens, who will remain involved in the paper as owner but is stepping away from the Publisher’s desk to pursue a new venture – he and soon-to-be wife Erin Squance have spent the past year renovating the century old bank in Cottam and will be opening a craft beer pub in May.

In addition to that announcement, Mallory Wright is overseeing the expansion of Southpoint Creative Group, the division of Southpoint Publishing that handles marketing, social media management, website design, branding and commercial printing.

MALLORY WRIGHT

Southpoint Creative Group will be opening a separate office the first of May at 24 Oak Street East.

The Sun office at 194 Talbot Street East remains unchanged and is open for business Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Fridays from 8:30 am to noon.