A group of senior managers from Village Voice Media Holdings has acquired Seattle Weekly and its sister papers, launching anew under the name Voice Media Group.

The classified advertising site Backpage.com will not be part of the new company, and Seattle Weekly has ceased running escort ads.

“Voice Media Group will center its attention on the growth of the renowned weekly publications and continue its expansion into new and exciting mobile and online platforms,” said Scott Tobias, who has been Village Voice Media Holdings’ chief operating officer and will be chief executive officer of the new Voice Media Group. Along with Seattle Weekly, 12 other newspapers were part of the sale.