Augusta, Ga. - Morris Communications has purchased a majority interest in the New York City visitors' magazine, IN New York. Today's announcement was made jointly by Chairman and CEO William S. Morris III and Merrie L. Davis, co-owner and founding publisher, who will continue to operate the free, monthly publication. The previous majority shareholder was Primedia Inc., with whom the magazine will maintain a limited relationship.

IN New York published its debut issue in March 2001 and has been produced in partnership with the Consumer Media & Magazine Group of New York City-based Primedia. IN New York will continue to utilize Primedia's About.com for its interactive Web site, and other promotional services of Primedia.

The glossy, upscale magazine distills the New York experience for visitors by offering organized information on dining, entertainment, neighborhoods, shopping, galleries and theater. Maps and calendars are provided. Distribution channels include hotel rooms and concierge desks, restaurants, transportation companies, merchants and businesses throughout the city. Monthly circulation is 120,000.

"This magazine fits very nicely into our visitor publication division, especially the London group that publishes Londinium, Best Read Guide/LONDON and the 'be IN' series of visitor books that provide travelers with similar information for London and Paris," said Morris.

Additionally, the 'be IN' series has magazines dedicated to Germany, Italy and Spain. The London group also publishes Britain by BritRail, sponsored by the British Tourist Authority and distributed by BritRail. Other Morris visitor publications include Best Read Guides, a series of family-oriented, digest-sized destination magazines serving 22 markets in the Unites States.

"With broad circulation in London, Paris and Milan, and in the U.S., Morris offers an outstanding opportunity for national and international growth for IN New York magazine," said Davis. "Ultimately, our advertisers will benefit through this leveraged advertising environment. Our magazine has made great strides in the past year-and-a-half with Primedia, and I am confident that this new partnership with Morris Communications will allow us to take IN New York to the next level."

IN New York is the leading provider of restaurant, retail and attraction/event information for the affluent visitor traveling to New York City. The full-color publication is found in-room and at the concierge desks at more than 150 leading hotels throughout the city and in the tri-state area.

Other key points of distribution include: Amtrak's Club Acela First Class lounges, VIP lounges for the greater metropolitan airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Westchester), various upscale retailers, restaurants, attractions, travel-related associations and agencies, as well as in the United Kingdom at the Four Seasons, Metropolitan and Savoy hotels in London. For more information, visit, www.in-newyorkmag.com.

Morris Communications 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. For more information, visit www.morris.com.