EXPERIENCE. INSIGHTS. RESULTS

Trusted media advisors for more than four decades


OUR HISTORY

Company overview

Dirks, Van Essen & April is the leading merger and acquisition firm in the U.S. newspaper industry. Since its inception in 1980, the firm has focused on assisting companies in the sale, acquisition and valuation of daily and weekly newspapers for a variety of purposes. It has thus established itself as the industry’s top authority on transactions and valuations. The firm has successfully closed hundreds of newspaper transactions and has handled many more deals than all other firms combined.

Named Dirks, Van Essen & Murray for many years, the firm was renamed Dirks, Van Essen & April in 2020 to reflect longtime partner Phil Murray’s retirement and the addition of Sara April as a partner in 2018. Sara has been with the firm since 2006 and currently serves as its president.

Lee E. Dirks founded the firm in 1980 after a successful career as a journalist and the nation’s first newspaper-stock analyst. Owen Van Essen joined the firm in 1986, became president in 1998, and serves in an advisory capacity today. Phil Murray came aboard in 1996 after more that 10 years as an award-winning journalist and retired from the firm in 2020. Sara April joined the team in 2006 after working in magazine publishing and earning a journalism degree and was named a partner in 2018. At the end Francis Wick joined the firm as a Partner in 2026.

Over time, Dirks, Van Essen & April has assembled a well-balanced team of professionals with complementary skills in the analysis, negotiation, and execution of transactions. The principals in the firm all have prior experience working at newspapers, providing important credibility with prospective buyers.

Our Misson

To provide independent, experience-driven advisory services

That help media owners make informed decisions protecting legacy, maximizing long-term value, and navigating transitions with clarity and confidence.

Our Vision

To remain the most trusted advisory firm in media transactions

Recognized for integrity, discretion, and insight—while continuing to guide the evolution of media ownership with respect for both tradition and progress.


TRACK RECORD

A record built over time

With hundreds of transactions completed and decades of market insight, our experience spans small, family-owned publications to complex multi-market media groups.

800+

Media Transactions Completed

$12.5B+

in total transaction value advised.

40+

Years of trusted advisory in media

Every engagement benefits from institutional knowledge built over 40+ years.