History - Journal Communications Begun as a pioneering newspaper in 1882 in Milwaukee, Wis., Journal Communications Inc. has grown into one of America's leading independent media and communications companies. With interests ranging from publishing to CD-ROM duplication, Journal Communications employs more than 7,000 people in the United States and Europe. Just 22 days later, it was sold to Lucius Nieman, who, at age 24, was already a veteran journalist. In 1916, Nieman hired Harry J. Grant from The Journal's Chicago advertising agency to serve as the paper's business editor. Three years later, Nieman's health failed and Grant was named publisher.
Editorial matter is the base of it all.
The number of employee-owners tops 1,000. Journal Communications elects Steven J. Smith chairman and Douglas G. Kiel president. Journal Broadcast Group reaches an agreement to purchase Great Empire Broadcasting, which operates 13 radio stations in four states. In 1919, The Milwaukee Journal won the first of five Pulitzer Prizes for its stand against anti-Americanism in Wisconsin. At that time, there were less than 15,000 receiving sets in the Milwaukee area.