Longtime local publication Wrightsville Beach Magazine has a new owner.

Leland-based Carolina Marketing Company (CMC) acquired Wrightsville Beach Magazine from founder and publisher Pat Bradford on Tuesday, according to a news release. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

"After 25 years of publication under Bradford, Wrightsville Beach Magazine will join CMC’s impressive collection of quarterly publications and titles, including North Brunswick Magazine, South Brunswick Magazine, SPT OKI Magazine and Topsail Magazine, among other annual publications," the release stated.

CMC will make the publication quarterly and implement digital counterparts for Wrightsville Beach Magazine, including e-newsletters, according to the release. The magazine will remain free of charge.

"Wrightsville Beach Magazine was the first magazine I picked up in the area when I visited southeastern North Carolina in 2004,” stated CMC CEO and publisher Justin Williams in the release. “It has been a longtime staple in the community, and it is an honor to continue it on its journey.”

According to the release, CMC will take a few weeks to implement the transition with a return to publishing Wrightsville Beach Magazine in the spring.

"CMC will transition Wrightsville Beach Magazine to quarterly publication starting in May 2025 with the re-launch of Wrightsville Beach Magazine’s summer edition," the release stated.

The new owner will also increase the number of copies printed per issue.

Bradford, who founded Wrightsville Beach Magazine in October 2000 and served as publisher for 25 years, will continue to write for Wrightsville Beach Magazine, according to the release. Many of her staff members will participate in the new Wrightsville Beach Magazine, the release stated.

CMC has published community lifestyle print publications in southeastern North Carolina since 2005.