For Release on Tuesday, March 27

The Davis Islands Community News to Change Owners

For seven years the residents of Davis Islands have received DI Community News in their own mail boxes.  Founded in 2001 by Mr. Sevier who also owned three other community papers in Pinellas County.  The current Editor and Publisher, Lee Medart, took over in 2003 when he decided to retire.  During that time, local issues and events have been a mainstay of the Community News.  With her planned retirement, many Davis Islands residents have feared that their local identity might be sacrificed.

Today, Community Publications is announcing the sale of the Davis Islands Community News to the Tampa Marketing Company.

The Tampa Marketing Company is best recognized as an internet and web marketing company with the many sites they own or provide advertising sales for including: TampaForums.com, TampaRacing.com, TampaGold.com, SOHOTampa.com, and SticksofFire.com.

SOHOTampa.com and SticksofFire.com were recognized by Creative Loafing as the “Best of the Bay for 2006”.

TampaGold.com recently provided webcasts of candidates’ forums in several Tampa City Council races.

The top 5 Tampa Marketing Company sites achieved over 108 million page views with over 1.2 million unique visitors in 2006.

"DavisIslands is a perfectly located Tampa community that is frequently forgotten due to it's “destination” geography. With Tampa's downtown airport, Tampa GeneralHospital, HCCVisionCenter and the DavisIsland Yacht Club, and great restaurants and businesses, the needs of DavisIslands are very unique for the City of Tampa. With the great community identity and discussions that Lee has helped to create, we look forward to following her efforts through the continued publication of the Davis Islands Community News.",  Said Bill Sharpe, President, Tampa Marketing Company.

"Davis Islands businesses are frequently forgotten by the mainland residents, we hope to help increase their awareness." said Bill Sharpe

"I have known Bill for over two years and he has done tremendous things to build a greater awareness of the SOHO (South Howard Avenue) area.   He has been a member of our Chamber of Commerce and knows Davis Islands and will help to continue the Davis Islands Community News responsiveness to our local neighborhood issues.  Input from our residents are welcomed!”, said Lee Medart.

The Davis Islands Community News is a monthly publication that is mailed to all of the residents of Davis Islands.  Total current distribution is approximately 3,000.  Tampa Marketing Company plans call for a significant increase of distribution to more surrounding neighborhood areas.  While the April issue with Lee Medart as Editor is in the mail, Bill Sharpe and Tampa Marketing Company's first edition will be the May 2007 issue.