Glacier Inc. is thrilled to unveil — a new division that unites its most trusted publications and services under one brand.
From your morning news scroll to your afternoon business brief, and from exploring weekend events to tracking real estate trends, Lodestar Media is seamlessly woven into the rhythm of your day. The names you already trust — , , Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»is Awesome, and many community news outlets across the province —now operate in harmony to inform, connect and inspire British Columbians, wherever life takes them.
For many readers, Lodestar Media now stands as the parent company behind many respected publications, including the North Shore News, Delta Optimist, Coast Reporter, The Squamish Chief and Whistler’s Pique Newsmagazine. These trusted publications have been keeping communities in the loop with all the local happenings for years. This community-driven “” division will be led by Sarah Strother, general manager and group publisher.
At the same time, Business in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»(BIV) has been the go-to platform for B.C.’s business scene since 1989, offering daily news, expert insights, industry events and must-read reports like the BC500 and Book of Lists. Also part of this pillar are Western Investor—covering commercial real estate across Western Canada—and a recruitment marketing agency. The work pillar is where B.C.’s business leaders come together for news, networking and new opportunities.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» (VIA) rounds out the collection with everything from local history to events in the city and in-depth Canucks coverage—your go-to for lifestyle in Greater Vancouver.
“Lodestar Media brings all our media offerings under one roof,” says Daniel La Porta, the newly appointed president of Lodestar Media. “This is the place where we can truly showcase everything we bring to the table for our communities.”
Additionally, Lodestar Media is home to REW.ca (Real Estate Works), one of B.C.'s leading real estate platforms offering a wide range of property listings and market insights.
Live, Work, Play
The heart of Lodestar Media’s strategy is built around three main pillars: Live, Work and Play, designed to reflect the diverse needs of British Columbians in all aspects of life.
- REW leads the “” pillar, helping British Columbians navigate the property market.
- BIV powers the “” pillar, providing essential business news and industry analysis.
- VIA drives out the “” pillar, connecting people through engaging lifestyle content.
“This structure will allow us to deliver more targeted content and advertising solutions that truly resonate with the varied needs of our audiences,” La Porta explains.
The leadership team includes:
- Kent MacDonald, general manager of REW, leading the “Live” pillar.
- Lara Graham, general manager and publisher of BIV, spearheading the “Work” pillar.
- Matt Blair, general manager of VIA, heading up the “Play” pillar.
- Sarah Strother, overseeing community news publications.
- Ian Smith, vice president of Lodestar Digital.
On the marketing front, Lodestar Media includes , a full-service digital agency focused on helping businesses boost their online presence with everything from website design and sponsored content to social media management and display advertising. This division is lead by Ian Smith, vice president of Lodestar Digital.
The rebranding effort is being driven by Justin R. Melville, vice president of brand experience.
“Our mission was to take a collection of community-based media brands — each rooted in trust and history — and transform them into a dynamic, modern media organization that connects brands with audiences across B.C. through the publications, platforms and events that define how people live, work and play here,” says Melville.
“‘Lodestar’ means a guiding light, and that’s exactly what we aspire to be — the ultimate guide for millions of Canadians navigating news, real estate, business and lifestyle,” he adds.
The internal launch of Lodestar Media took place in February 2025 at the Commodore Ballroom. Now, the brand is stepping into the spotlight with a and is launching fresh social channels very soon—stay tuned.
