The North Bay Business Journal is a leading business news publication covering the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 1986 by entrepreneur Bob Johnston, the North Bay Business Journal has provided insightful coverage on the local business community in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties for over 35 years.
With a print circulation of around 9,000 and over 63,000 monthly web visitors, the North Bay Business Journal reaches a loyal audience of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the North Bay. The publication is well-regarded for its local business news reporting as well as its lists, rankings, and awards programs highlighting top companies and businesspeople in the region.
Over its history, the North Bay Business Journal has grown into an authoritative voice on the regional economy and an important platform for businesses to reach key decision makers. Its coverage provides great value for local executives and organizations looking to understand trends, opportunities, and news impacting the competitive North Bay business landscape.
About North Bay Business Journal
The North Bay Business Journal is a free weekly business newspaper focused exclusively on business and economic news in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The publication was founded in 1986 and covers Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Solano, Mendocino and Lake counties.
The North Bay Business Journal publishes 50 issues per year every Monday and has a circulation of over 10,000 copies. It provides coverage of local business news, analysis of business trends, executive profiles, industry reports, real estate news, new hires and promotions, business calendar listings and more. Topics regularly covered include wine, hospitality, healthcare, banking, technology, manufacturing and professional services.
Ownership History
The North Bay Business Journal was founded in Santa Rosa in 1986 by newspaper veteran Bob Johnston. Johnston served as the publisher and editor for the first 21 years of the publication’s existence, building it into the leading source of North Bay business news (“Sonoma Media Investments, owner of North …”).
In 2007, the publication was acquired by American City Business Journals, the business journalism division of Advance Publications. Under this ownership, the North Bay Business Journal continued operations with Johnston remaining as editor. Advance operated the publication for the next 7 years (“Sonoma Media Investments, owner of North …”).
In 2014, Sonoma Media Investments, a newly formed local group of investors, purchased the North Bay Business Journal along with other Santa Rosa Press Democrat holdings from Advance Publications. This returned local ownership to the publication after 7 years under a national media company (“Sonoma Media Investments, owner of North …”).
Current Publisher
The current Publisher of the North Bay Business Journal is Lorez Bailey. Bailey has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 20 years, most recently serving as the Executive Director of Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) in Santa Rosa for 5 years (Sonoma County nonprofit leader named North Bay Business Journal publisher).
Before joining the North Bay Business Journal, Bailey oversaw a $12 million budget and 160 employees at SAY. She has extensive experience managing finances, facilities, human resources, fundraising, and communications. Her background providing leadership for a major nonprofit makes her well-qualified to steward the North Bay Business Journal in its next phase of growth and community service.
Editorial Mission
The North Bay Business Journal aims to provide “comprehensive information and analysis, best practices, executive insights and other news of significance to companies doing business in the North Bay Area” (https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/about-us/). Its stated editorial mission is to be the leading source of business news and information for the region, with a focus on in-depth reporting and insightful commentary to inform and connect the North Bay business community.
As outlined on its website, the publication strives to highlight important business trends, cover emerging companies and industries, provide resources and recognition for fast-growing firms, and showcase innovative leaders and ideas shaping the North Bay economy. It aims to serve executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals with news and analysis tailored to their needs and interests.
Content and Focus
The North Bay Business Journal focuses primarily on business news, issues and trends impacting the North Bay region of California, including Sonoma, Napa, Solano and Marin counties. The publication covers a range of business topics including manufacturing, real estate, banking, technology, healthcare, wine and more.
Some of the signature sections and regular features in the North Bay Business Journal include:
- Industry News – Breaking news on companies and industries in the region (https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/news/)
- “CEO Spotlight” – Profiles of business leaders in the North Bay (https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/specialsections/ceospotlight/)
- Special industry reports – Recent topics have included “Women in Business” and “Next Generation in Wine”
- Rankings and lists – Such as the “Best Places to Work”
The publication focuses on thoroughly covering the local business community and providing insightful analysis of trends and issues impacting the region.
Awards and Recognition
The North Bay Business Journal has won numerous awards for its high-quality journalism and coverage of the North Bay business community. Some of the major awards include:
In 2022, the North Bay Business Journal won a National First Place award from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers for an in-depth report on diversity in the North Bay workforce (https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/industrynews/north-bay-business-journal-wins-national-award-for-diversity-in-business-coverage/4/).
The publication has won the ABBY Award from the San Francisco Press Club multiple times, including first place for an investigative news story in 2021 ().
In 2020, North Bay Business Journal journalists took home 11 awards from the California News Publishers Association, including first place for an investigative news story ().
The publication has also won honors from the Society of Professional Journalists and American Society of Business Publication Editors over the years.
Readership and Circulation
The North Bay Business Journal has a total circulation of around 13,000 and a readership of nearly 50,000 people across the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, according to the North Bay Business Journal’s own reporting[1]. The newspaper primarily serves Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties.
In terms of reader demographics, nearly 75% of readers hold senior management positions, with an average household income of $250,000. Over 85% of readers own their own home. Further, around two-thirds of readers are male. The typical reader is between the ages of 35-64.[2]
According to audited statements, the North Bay Business Journal has a total paid and verified circulation of 10,076 as of 2021.[3] This positions it as one of the leading business publications in the North Bay region.
Influence and Impact
The North Bay Business Journal has had a significant influence on the local business community and economy in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area since it was founded in 1986 (https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/events/discover-why-these-105-north-bay-companies-are-best-places-to-work-in-2023/). As the leading source for business news, the publication reaches over 6,500 business owners, executives and community leaders each week across Marin, Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties.
The journal has highlighted growing companies and burgeoning industries in the area, bringing attention to new economic opportunities. Its annual awards and rankings, such as the Best Places to Work awards, have motivated businesses to improve their workplaces and reputations. The publication also works to strengthen the nonprofit sector, recognizing impactful organizations through its North Bay Gives awards (https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/article/santa-rosa-teen-help-nonprofit-leader-wins-north-bay-influential-women-awar/).
Overall, the North Bay Business Journal has empowered entrepreneurs, facilitated connections, and raised the profile of North Bay businesses. Its insightful coverage of companies, leaders, and trends has made it an authoritative voice on the regional economy for over 35 years.
The Future
The North Bay Business Journal has plans to expand its coverage and grow its readership in the years ahead. According to the publisher, there are plans in place to increase reporting on the wine industry, add more lifestyle content to appeal to a broader audience, and enhance the digital and mobile experience (North Bay Business Journal – Construction). The publication hopes to attract more readers from outside the North Bay region as it cements its position as the leading source of business news for Northern California.
Experts predict continued growth and success for the North Bay Business Journal. As the premier business publication in the region, it is well-positioned to benefit from the area’s economic expansion. The North Bay economy is thriving, with low unemployment rates and job growth across key sectors like technology, manufacturing, healthcare, tourism and more. This expanding business community represents an opportunity for the North Bay Business Journal to increase its readership and relevance (North Bay Business Journal – Excellence in Construction).
With its focus on insightful analysis and comprehensive local business coverage, the publication is expected to maintain its stature as the leading source of news and information for the North Bay. As it continues to evolve and expand both digitally and in print, the North Bay Business Journal seems poised for a bright future.
