Clint Reilly Expands Media Holdings

Legendary political strategist, real estate mogul and philanthropist Clint Reilly this week expanded his growing media holdings with the purchase of the struggling San Francisco Examiner and SF Weekly. The Chairman and President of Clint Reilly Holdings, which includes regional media and publishing business Clint Reilly Communications, and Bay Area Council Board member added the two newspapers to a portfolio that also includes the Nob Hill Gazette and Gentry Magazine.

“My father grew up in the Mission District selling newspapers on the corner in the 1930s and newspapers have always been an integral part of my life,” Reilly said in a story in the Examiner announcing the purchase. “I learned during my 25 years as a political consultant how important strong journalism is to a functioning democracy, and it has never been more critical than it is today. The pandemic has brought an avalanche of challenges to the region, and we look forward to The San Francisco Examiner and SF Weekly being positive forces in the community as we rebuild.”

Reilly began his career as a groundbreaking political consultant, running successful campaigns for Sen. Dianne Feinstein, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former Sen. Barbara Boxer and former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, among many others, leading numerous winning state ballot measure campaigns and advising top political leaders at the state and federal level.

He later launched a highly successful real estate and hospitality business, including transforming the iconic Merchants Exchange building and Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco’s Financial District into an elegant meeting and conference facility and opening restaurant Credo. Deeply committed to giving back, Reilly and his wife, Janet, have leveraged their success to support a wide range of philanthropic causes, including education, social services, healthcare and the arts. Reilly has contributed his leadership on numerous non-profit boards, including as Chair of Catholic Charities/Catholic Youth Organization and Board President for former Gov. Jerry Brown’s Oakland Military Institute. Janet also serves on the UC Board of Regents and has served on the boards of the Presidio Trust and Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District.

Featured image courtesy of Clint Reilly Communications.