Randy Campbell

Publisher

Contact Randy via e-mail

Call Randy at 805-965-5205.

A product of the Santa Barbara Public School system, Randy Campbell has been publishing local newspapers since 1980, and is the co-founder and publisher of The Santa Barbara Independent.

Campbell bootstrapped his publications from an initial $700 investment by showing a commitment to his readers, his staff, and the community. A pioneer in the alternative newspaper movement, of which there are now 127 affiliated newspapers nationwide, Campbell believes in providing a free, high-quality journalistic product. This formula has worked, as his flagship publication, The Santa Barbara Independent, now enters its 27th straight successful year.

As traditional daily newspapers look for ways to stop the retreat of readers and advertisers, Campbell couldn't be happier with the future of his publishing company as the weekly Independent is the largest circulated newspaper in Santa Barbara.

In April, 2007, Campbell headed the creation of Independent.com, a daily dose of local news, arts, and information online. Since that time, Independent.com has been the largest news and information website for the Santa Barbara region both in terms of audience and coverage. The unmatched source of Santa Barbara county news and analysis, an established community emergency update system, and an unrivaled coverage of events and entertainment, place the online and in-print editions of The Santa Barbara Independent as essential community reading.

In 2008, Independent.com was named the nation's "Best Weekly-Affliated Website" by the Editor & Publisher magazine, and the whole company was recognized as one of "Ten That Do It Right" in the U.S. press. In 2010, The Santa Barbara Independent was named "Citizen of the Year" by the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization.