AUGUSTA, Ga.— Lee Leschper has been named regional advertising director for Alaska newspapers owned by Morris Publishing Group and its parent company, Morris Communications. He will serve concurrently as advertising director of the Juneau Empire. The announcement was jointly made today by William S. Morris IV, president, and James C. Currow, executive vice president for newspapers, and is effective Sept. 11.

In this newly created position, Leschper will be based in Juneau. In addition to his responsibilities for the Juneau Empire, he will work to develop new print and online revenue opportunities for the Homer News ; the Peninsula Clarion , in Kenai; and the Alaska Journal of Commerce and the Alaska Star , both in Anchorage. The Journal of Commerce and the Star are owned by Morris Communications but are not part of Morris Publishing Group.

Leschper joined Morris in 1998 as the classified advertising manager of the Amarillo Globe-News. Previously, he was publisher of the Stephenville (Texas) Empire-Tribune; associate publisher/advertising director of the Brownwood (Texas) Bulletin; and assistant advertising director of The Eagle, Bryan-College Station, Texas. After earning a journalism degree from Texas A&M University in 1979, he spent six years with a Texas advertising agency as an account executive.

"Lee is an outstanding newspaper executive with an impressive background in all aspects of advertising," said Currow. "I expect his combination of advertising experience and business savvy to make a significant contribution to all our Alaska newspaper properties."

Morris Publishing Group was formed in 2001 and assumed the operations of the newspaper business segment of its parent, Morris Communications Co. LLC. Morris Publishing Group publishes 26 daily, 12 nondaily and 23 free community newspapers in the United States.

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

CONTACT:
Michael Parsons
706-823-3533
michael.parsons@morris.com