About Us
Throughout our century-long journey, Advocate has remained dedicated to our clients, evolving alongside changes in printing, media, and digital landscapes. Our focus has always been on delivering quality services and innovation to help you succeed.
A Century of Innovation and Community Support

For over 100 years, Advocate Printing has been at the heart of Atlantic Canada, blending innovation with dedicated service. Our commitment to supporting communities has never wavered, rooted in our deep history and purpose. We continue to transform and serve, always with our communities in mind.

Meet the Leadership Team

Advocate is proud to partner with businesses and organizations who share our values and vision for more inclusive, compassionate, innovative and healthy communities. For over 130 years Advocate has nurtured a commitment to the communities where we live, work and play. We believe in corporate responsibility and continue to respond to a vast number of needs and initiatives big and small that have lasting impacts. Our corporate sponsorship extends to the Bruce F. Murray Foundation with a mandate to support health and wellness and projects to make lives better for families and children in northern Nova Scotia.

Sean Murray

President and CEO Advocate Printing and Publishing Ltd.

Sean Murray has been President and CEO of Advocate Printing & Publishing and seven other related companies since 2004. His father Bruce F. Murray preceded him. They enjoyed many years working together and building a unique business in Atlantic Canada.

Sean believes in growing business for succession and the ability to leave a legacy for future generations. With this philosophy in mind, Sean, Advocate and many team members have been celebrated for their leadership in industry and community.

For five consecutive years he was recognized as one of the Top 50 CEO’s in Atlantic Canada and in 2011 inducted into the Atlantic CEO’s Hall of Fame. He was also celebrated as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2005.

Most recently Sean dedicates time and energy as a Director of Nova Scotia Business Inc and serves as the Chair of the organization's Investment Committee. He is also a Director of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and more locally the Aberdeen Hospital Foundation.

Sean is a graduate of St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree. He is also a graduate of the YPO Presidents Program at Harvard Business School and the Directors Education Program at the Rotman School of Business receiving the ICD.D in 2015.

Some of Sean's Community Involvement:
- The Bruce Murray Family Foundation
- Director Aberdeen Health Foundation
- National Director Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
- Director Nova Scotia Business Inc
- Past Chair Canadian Printers Association
- Past Chair Newspapers Atlantic

Crystal Murray

President and Editor-In-Chief Advocate Media

Crystal is President of Advocate Media and Metro Guide Publishing, part of the Advocate group of companies. She is also the award-winning Editor in Chief of Saltscapes Magazine, In December 2021 the family-owned business expanded south of the border purchasing an established media group rebranded as Advocate Media USA Inc. The media group is headquartered in Portland, Maine and publishes Maine Home & Design (@mainehomedesign) publication with a readership throughout the United States.

Through her editorials as well as her corporate and community leadership, Crystal has been a passionate champion for the community, giving a voice to issues, individuals and ideas that would otherwise go unheard.

However, her passion for community extends well past her writing. She is currently board chair of the deCoste Performing Arts Centre and co-chair of the Pictou Cultural Hub fundraising committee. She is an executive member of the Atlantic Journalism Awards and past executive member of Newspapers Atlantic. She served as President of the former Children’s Aid Society of Pictou County where she led the initiative to create what is now the Children’s Aid Endowment at the Aberdeen Health Foundation. She was Vice-President of the YMCA of Pictou County, a founding member and past Chair of 100 Women Who Care Pictou County as well as many other charities, non-profits and sporting organizations. She is an advocate for the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, social justice and the arts.

But most importantly she is the proud mum to four amazing young adults, Ben, Mac, Georgia and Tess and partner and best pal to husband Sean Murray.

Fred Fiander

Vice President Sales & Marketing Advocate Printing and Publishing Ltd.

Fred Fiander is our Vice President Media Operations and also the senior leader for Metro Guide Publishing and Flyer Services Ltd.

Fred Fiander started in the print industry over 40 years ago. Much of that time has been spent in rural Nova Scotia, helping businesses communicate and grow.

In 2014 Fred started with Advocate and worked with our leadership team through several iterations of growth and refinement of Advocate Printing and Publishing.

Fred now leads our sales and marketing teams as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, with a focus on creative solutions, quality, and customer satisfaction. He has served on regional and national association boards of directors.

Outside of work, Fred supports many local and regional causes, and has worked with many organizations over the years. He currently serves on the board of the Halifax Jazz Festival.

History

Advocate Printing has deep roots in Atlantic Canada, where our story began over a century ago. Since then, we’ve remained committed to innovation, service, and transformation. But beyond business, our true passion lies in supporting our communities.

“If we can help our customers succeed in their business, we will succeed in ours.”
-Bruce Murray

1890s to 1918

At just 18, John D. MacDonald dreamt of his own printing press. In 1891, he opened a small print shop in Pictou, Nova Scotia, and in 1893, launched The Pictou Advocate. Despite a devastating fire in 1900, with community support, MacDonald rebuilt his business, which later found its home on George Street.

1919 to 1961

In 1919, journalist John Andrew Fisher took over, infusing humor into The Pictou Advocate until his passing in 1935. The business then passed to George Carson Murray, who modernized it over 26 years. His legacy lives on through his family's involvement, including son Bruce Murray, who began as a paperboy at age 6.

1980s

Under Piet VanVeen's leadership and with Ted Tieman as a partner, Advocate expanded its commercial printing in the early '80s. Despite challenges, Advocate flourished under Bruce Murray and Dirk VanVeen's partnership, evolving into a revolutionary communication company.

1990s

The '90s marked unprecedented growth for Advocate. Bruce Murray's sole ownership allowed for continued success. Technological advancements, creative divisions, and strategic acquisitions propelled Advocate to the forefront of Eastern Canada's print industry.

2000s to Present

Bruce Murray's passing in 2004 led to Sean Murray assuming the role of CEO. Advocate continued to innovate, introducing wide format digital printing in 2006 and launching the Digital Solutions Group in 2007. Acquisitions, including Metro Guide Publishing and Lighthouse Publishing, further solidified Advocate's position as Atlantic Canada's largest independent printer.

Today

Advocate remains deeply rooted in Atlantic Canada, serving communities and celebrating East Coast traditions. With a portfolio of newspapers, magazines, and events, we're proud to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit that has defined us for over a century.

Sustainability at Advocate

At advocate we believe good environmental decisions are good business decisions.

Why Are We Here

We’re based in Atlantic Canada, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, because we love it here. The natural beauty that inspires us daily drives our commitment to preserving our communities and forests for future generations.

Our commitment

Advocate has embraced recycling and waste reduction for over 50 years. We are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, ensuring that at all our paper comes from sustainable forests. We partner with like minded suppliers and invest in pollution prevention actively supporting environmentally progressive projects in our communities.

Our Environmental Policy

– Integrate environmental considerations into all business decisions, including materials, processes, and facilities.
– Promoting environmental awareness and responsibility among our employees.
– Optimize the use of materials and resources efficiently.
– Purchase and use environmentally responsible products.
– Offer sustainable, forest-friendly product to clients.
– Reduce waste through comprehensive reuse and recycling programs.
– Continuously improve our environmental performance through ongoing reviews.
– Minimize waste and emissions by using resources efficiently.
– Prioritize pollution prevention at the source.
– Be an environmental responsible neighbor in our operating communities.
– Ensure every employee and contractor adheres to our environmental policies and reports any concerns.

Together, let’s make a difference for our planet and future generations.

Community

Building a Better Community

We’re committed to fostering economic growth, social progress, and environmental protection sustainably. Here’s how we make a difference:

– Funding & Participation: Supporting local community organizations.
– Active Engagement: Partnering in initiatives that drive positive change.

Join us in making our world a better place for future generations.

Community organizations we support through funding and participation:

Partnership

Advocate is proud to partner with businesses and organizations who share our values and vision for more inclusive, compassionate, innovative and healthy communities. For over 130 years Advocate has nurtured a commitment to the communities where we live, work and play. We believe in corporate responsibility and continue to respond to a vast number of needs and initiatives big and small that have lasting impacts. Our corporate sponsorship extends to the Bruce F. Murray Foundation with a mandate to support health and wellness and projects to make lives better for families and children in northern Nova Scotia.

Some of our current and past and ongoing partnerships

  • Pictou Antigonish Regional Library and Pictou Cultural Hub – Murray Family Library
  • DeCoste Performing Arts Centre
  • TD Advocate Diversity Awards Atlantic
  • Pictou County S.P.C.A
  • Y.M.C.A of Pictou County
  • Healthy Pictou County
  • George Dumont Hospital, Moncton, N.B.
  • Race on the River