Peter Kvarnstrom, the president of community media at Glacier Media Group, the parent company that publishes The Squamish Chief and Pique Newsmagazine, among other publications, has been named one of the country’s top advocates for news in a new book titled simply, Champions.
News Media Canada, the industry organization representing hundreds of print and digital news publishers in the country, is publishing the book in time for National Newspaper Week, which started on Oct. 1.
Kvarnstrom, who immigrated from Sweden as a child, started in the news business in 1991, selling classified ads for the North Shore News. He quickly rose up through the ranks, eventually becoming advertising director, before leaving in 1997 to start a new print newspaper, the Coast Reporter, in Sechelt. He remains publisher of that media outlet.
Kvarnstrom said his inclusion in the book comes as a big honour.
“I am humbled to be part of that class of great people that have devoted their life and energies to Canadian journalism and local news in many ways,” he said. “It’s been my distinct privilege to serve communities here in North Vancouver, West Vancouver and on the Sunshine Coast over the last 25 years, and to be recognized by my peers in this way is indeed a special time for me.”
Kvarnstrom has been equally active at the industry level, serving in leadership roles with the B.C. and Yukon Community News Media Association, News Media Canada, Canadian Community Newspaper Association, the Canadian Daily Newspaper Association, the National Newspaper Awards Program and Vivadata, a consumer research organization.
While there’s no secret about the challenges the news publishing industry faces, Kvarnstrom continues to exude positivity.
“What we are doing is building communities by connecting audiences with our sponsors and advertisers through quality journalism that truly impacts the quality of life that we all enjoy,” he said. “We will find a way for us to exist for many, many years and serve communities with the type of journalism that they deserve and need to really help their community and support democracy.”
Champions went on sale on Oct. 1 at championsofthetruth.ca. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the charity First Book Canada.
~With files from Jennifer Thuncher/The Squamish Chief
