# Longboat Observer

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{{Short description|Newspaper in Longboat Key, Florida, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox newspaper
| image = Longboat Observer 14 April 2016 Front Page.jpg
| name = Longboat Observer
| type = [Weekly newspaper](/source/Weekly_newspaper)
| format = Tabloid<ref name=FLPA>{{cite web|url=http://www.flpress.com/member/directory/83|title=''Longboat Observer, The''|publisher=Florida Press Association|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}</ref>
| founded = 1978<ref name=OMG />
| owner = [Observer Media Group](/source/Observer_Media_Group)
| founders = Ralph Hunter<br/>Claire Hunter<ref name=OMG />
| president = Emily Walsh
| chief_editor = Kat Wingert<ref name=OMG />
| headquarters = [Sarasota](/source/Sarasota), [Florida](/source/Florida)
| circulation = 10,573
| circulation_ref = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Member Directory |url=https://flpress.com/members/member-directory/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=Florida Press Association |language=en-US}}</ref>
| oclc = 31467412
| website = [https://www.yourobserver.com/longboat YourObserver.com]
}}
The '''''Longboat Observer''''' is an American [free newspaper](/source/free_newspaper) published by [Observer Media Group](/source/Observer_Media_Group). It is distributed primarily in [Longboat Key, Florida](/source/Longboat_Key%2C_Florida) as well as other parts of the [Sarasota-Bradenton area](/source/Sarasota_metropolitan_area). It was founded and first published by Ralph and Claire Hunter in 1978.

==History==
The '''''Longboat Observer''''' was founded in 1978 by Claire and Ralph Hunter.<ref name=FLPA /><ref name=OMG /> The first issue was published July 28, 1978 in seven copies and had only four pages. The 1980s saw the paper grow in step with a real estate boom in the area and the Hunters added staff.<ref name=longboat>{{cite web|url=https://www.yourobserver.com/article/claire-hunter-mother-longboat-observer|title=Claire Hunter: 'Mother' of the Longboat Observer|first=Robin|last=Hartill|publisher=Longboat Observer|date=December 18, 2013|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}</ref><ref name=HeraldTribune>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20030210/4-people-who-truly-make-a-difference|title=4 people who truly make a difference|first=Jim|last=Brown|newspaper=[Sarasota Herald-Tribune](/source/Sarasota_Herald-Tribune)|date=February 10, 2003|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}</ref>

In 1995, Matt and Lisa Walsh, with the assistance of a small group of investors including Lisa's parents, bought ''Longboat Observer'' to form the private company which became [Observer Media Group](/source/Observer_Media_Group) (OMG).<ref name=OMG>{{cite web|url=https://www.yourobserver.com/about-us|title=About Us|publisher=[Observer Media Group](/source/Observer_Media_Group)|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}</ref>

OMG is headquartered in [Sarasota](/source/Sarasota), [Florida](/source/Florida), and ''Longboat Observer'' is now part of a family of seven community and business publications in Florida, some of which were founded by the Walshes and OMG, others were established papers which were acquired by OMG. Most of them utilize the corporate brand of "Observer" in the title which came from ''Longboat Observer''.<ref name=OMG /><ref name=CPOF>{{cite web|url=http://www.communitypapersofflorida.com/news/pelican-press-pelican-marketplace-change-hands|title=Pelican Press & Pelican Marketplace Change Hands|author=|publisher=Community Papers of Florida|date=July 28, 2011|accessdate=December 19, 2017}}</ref>

In 2016, Emily Walsh was named publisher for the ''Longboat Observer'' and sister-papers ''[East County Observer](/source/East_County_Observer)'', ''[Siesta Key Observer](/source/Siesta_Key_Observer)'', and ''[Sarasota Observer](/source/Sarasota_Observer)''.<ref name="FLPA" /><ref name="Cision">{{cite web|url=https://www.cision.com/us/2016/07/new-publisher-at-observer-media-group/|title=New Publisher at Observer Media Group|publisher=[Cision](/source/Cision)|date=July 8, 2016|accessdate=December 18, 2017}}</ref> Ms. Walsh was named president in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-27 |title=Emily Walsh named president of Observer Media Group |url=https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2021/jul/27/emily-walsh-named-president-observer-media-group/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=Your Observer |language=en}}</ref>

As of 2024, the ''Longboat Observer'' has a circulation of 10,573 and is distributed weekly on Thursdays.<ref name=FLPA /> The [Longboat Key Historical Museum](/source/Longboat_Key_Historical_Museum) maintains a collection of printed and bound copies of ''Longboat Observer'' going back to 1978.<ref name=AmericanHeritage>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.americanheritage.com/content/longboat-key-historical-museum|title=Longboat Key Historical Museum|magazine=[American Heritage](/source/American_Heritage_(magazine))|accessdate=December 21, 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|url=https://www.yourobserver.com/longboat}}

{{Observer Media Group}}

Category:Newspapers published in Florida
Category:Newspapers established in 1978
Category:Sarasota County, Florida
Category:1978 establishments in Florida
Category:Weekly newspapers published in the United States

{{Florida-newspaper-stub}}

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Longboat Observer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longboat_Observer) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longboat_Observer?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.