A history of capitalizing on opportunity.

Based in Fargo, N.D., Gen7 is built on over a century of experience in creating value for businesses and investors.

The Fargo Forum
was purchased

In 1917, Norman B. Black wrote a 100-dollar check for an option to buy the Fargo Forum for $100,000. That check marked the beginning of a multi-generational business journey.

Other media

Forum Communications began its rapid growth in 1926 with the purchase of a 48-page printing press, twice the size of the original press. In 1935, The Forum bought minority ownership of WDAY radio, purchasing the remainder of the station in 1958, and from 1980-2006, The Forum added 35 newspapers to span four states.

New media

Forum Communications has always been a leading force in media, debuting one of the nation’s first multi-media websites in 1997. The company formed Gen7 Investments as it prioritized efforts to connect with new generations and diversify its portfolio. Today, Gen 7 manages and elevates a portfolio featuring consumer goods, media companies, and brand agencies.

Our Leadership
Team

Bill Marcil Jr.
President & CEO

Bill Marcil Jr. is the fifth generation of his family to be publisher of The Forum of Fargo Moorhead, North Dakota’s largest daily newspaper. Bill began working at The Forum in 1991 and has worked at the newspaper over 27 years in various departments…

full bio

He was named publisher in 2010 and was named Chief Operating Officer of Forum Communications Company in December, 2012.Born William Christ Marcil, Jr. in Fargo North Dakota. Bill grew up in Fargo, going to Shanley High School and graduating from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Over the last 27 years, Bill has served on numerous boards and committees including: Fargo Moorhead Advertising Federation, YMCA, Fargo Moorhead Chamber of Commerce, Trollwood Performing Arts School, Rourke Art Museum, Plains Art Museum, North Dakota Committee to Prevent Child Abuse and North Dakota’s 2020 and Beyond. Bill also sits on the board of directors of the Forum Communications Company, the Forum Communications Foundation, and the William and Jane Marcil Family Foundation.

Bill Rouse
COO

Bill Rouse is the Chief Operating Officer of Forum Communications and has been with the company for 4½ years. Bill is responsible for day-to-day operations of all the businesses across the company…

full bio

Bill was named Chief Operating Officer in 2019, after spending time with both public and privately owned companies. Most recently, he spent over 10 years in a family-owned company in the education publishing and technology space. This included a significant print to digital transformation, as well as a new business technology platform that was launched in the education space. After leading the sale of this platform to a private equity firm, Bill left the business in 2019. Throughout his career, he has led numerous mergers and acquisitions, strategic capital investments, as well as leading organic growth within the core businesses. Bill grew up in northwest Iowa, and graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. Bill currently sits on the board of directors of Forum Communications Company.

Based in Fargo, N.D., Gen7 is built on over a century of experience in creating value for businesses and investors.

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