WILMINGTON – Today Media, the parent company of Delaware Business Times and Delaware Today, cut the ribbon on its new headquarter offices in downtown Wilmington on Thursday evening.
It moved its administrative, editorial, sales and production operations from offices at The Cannery off Lancaster Pike outside of city limits to about 6,000 square feet of office space at 1000 N. West, formerly known as the Brandywine Building, owned by Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG).
“We’re really thrilled to be in the city of Wilmington. Everybody is in competition today to attract new employees and to keep talent, so we really love being down here in the city. We think it really enhances us,” said Robert Martinelli, president of Today Media, in remarks to more than 100 guests and staff on hand.
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said he was thrilled to see Today Media return to the downtown, noting that more than a decade ago it had downtown offices and has long been a fixture in the city’s social scene, especially through the annual Delaware Today “Best Of Delaware” party that returns to the Chase Center on the Riverfront on July 13.
“You’ve done a fabulous job with this periodical over the years and in all the publishing you do, and you’re doing it in a universe that’s really pretty challenging,” he said.
Purzycki noted that Today Media was another example of the type of business that Wilmington has been able to attract back downtown.
“The big elephant hunting days are gone. You’re not going to get the 1,000-employee company to come into your city. The way we’re going to do it and be successful is with the 20s, the 30s, the 40s and the 50s. That’s what’s going to bring Wilmington back economically,” he said.
New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer also applauded the success of Today Media’s publications during a time of adversity for the industry, and noted the important role that its products have in the community.
“One thing that frustrates me is the challenge of just getting out news [to the public]. Whether the good, the bad, or the ugly, we can’t get out information,” he said. “So [Today Media’s publications] really provide a critical public service to our democracy and to our local community.”
Meyer said he was also thankful to see a homegrown company stay close to its roots and invest in Wilmington.
“I think companies that are homegrown are about something more than just a paycheck … There’s a commitment to community, there’s a sense that we all owe each other something and that we have to work together to build this community,” he said. “So, the fact that you’ve come back into the city, in this beautiful place thanks to BPG, is really a gift.”
Chris Buccini, co-founder and commercial leasing lead for BPG, said that he considered Today Media to be a “meaningful tenant” despite its small size compared to others like WSFS Bank, Chemours or Citibank.
“In a very complicated media market in Delaware, there aren’t a lot of places to go for news. So, more and more we need you,” he said. “To have you right here in the middle of the city, where everything is going on, we feel it every day … I come to you for my news more so now than ever.”
