Appen Media Group

Appen Media Group is a family-owned local news and marketing company in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. It was founded by Ray and Christina Appen, formerly of The Miami Herald, and is now led by their son Hans Appen as CEO and publisher. Alongside its journalism, it sells print, digital and event marketing to local businesses.

What Appen Media Group does

• Weekly newspapers: seven community titles, among them the Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald, Dunwoody Crier, Forsyth Herald, Sandy Springs Crier and Decaturish INK.
• Online news: its own news website, run since 1996, and the Decaturish news site, bought in 2024.
• Advertising campaigns: multi-platform ad campaigns across print, digital and social channels.
• Marketing services: website services, social media and email management, branding, media buying and creative design.
• Audio and video: the Appen Podcast Network, launched in 2018, and video production.
• Events and guides: event management, community guides such as the Answer Book, and niche publications.

Customers and markets

Local advertisers and readers in Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, south Forsyth County, Milton, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Decatur.

Key facts

• Based in: Alpharetta, near Atlanta
• Founded: 1990
• Owner: the Appen family