AUGUSTA, Ga. - As a result of the recent purchase of the Charleston, S.C., magazine Skirt! by Morris Communications Co. LLC, several properties of Morris Publishing Group LLC will begin publishing the magazine tailored to their local markets. The announcement was made by William S. Morris IV, CEO of Morris Publishing Group and president of Morris Communications, Morris Publishing Group1s parent company.

Morris said the magazine has established a successful track record in Charleston for nearly 10 years by attracting women with its simultaneously edgy and elegant content — essays, articles and artistic advertising.

"We see enormous potential with Skirt! It's a classy, intelligent magazine that really connects with a large population of female readers. Our markets are primed for this type of publication," Morris said.

Executive Vice President James C. Currow said the Charleston staff would continue to publish the original edition in Charleston while also making publishing decisions as Morris releases the magazine in other markets.

Currow said he has high expectations for Skirt! and looks forward to the positive influence its staff will have as Morris introduces the magazine in several markets following its initial Morris launch in Augusta.

"Skirt! is simply the best of all such publications we have seen," Currow said. "It surely is the model that most of them copied. We are thrilled to have it in our family of publications."

Morris Publishing Group LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morris Communications Company LLC, a privately held media company based in Augusta, Ga.. Morris Publishing Group was formed in 2001 and assumed the operations of the newspaper business segment of its parent, Morris Communications. Morris Publishing publishes 26 daily, 10 nondaily and 23 free community newspapers in the United States.

Morris Communications Company LLC is a privately held media company with diversified holdings that include newspaper and magazine publishing, outdoor advertising, radio broadcasting, book publishing and distribution, and online services.