AUGUSTA, Ga.— Julian Miller has been promoted to publisher of the Savannah Morning News and Donald W. Bailey will replace him as president of The Augusta Chronicle. The announcement was made jointly today by William S. (Billy) Morris III, chairman, and W.S. (Will) Morris IV, C.E.O. of Morris Publishing Group LLC. The changes will take effect in January.

Miller will succeed Frank Anderson, who announced his retirement as publisher Nov. 7 after 13 years at the helm of the Morning News and its other publications. Anderson will retire March 31 but will remain with Morris Publishing Group for the rest of 2005, developing a new initiative for the company.

Billy Morris described Miller and Bailey as visionaries and achievers who have developed people as well as newspapers and other publications throughout their careers with Morris.

"They understand the importance of the people who work daily to make our publications essential to our readers and advertisers and each has worked tirelessly to build the teams that make our operations run smoothly," he said. "Will and I have tremendous respect and confidence in each of them."

Will Morris echoed his father's sentiments. "We are fortunate in this company to have two executives at this level and we have the utmost certainty that they will continue to improve our publications in these new positions," he said. "In the 24 years that Julian Miller has been with The Augusta Chronicle, the newspaper doubled in circulation, spawned three weekly or bi-weekly subsidiaries and one of our company's strongest Internet operations, and we developed Augusta Magazine, Lounge magazine, and Deals Direct, a direct mail coupon magazine. More importantly, the Chronicle has continued to be a voice highly regarded by local, state and national officials.

"And as general manager, Don Bailey, in two years directing the day-to-day operations of the Chronicle and its subsidiaries, has shown the leadership and business acumen we will need in Augusta to serve the emerging needs of our readers and advertisers alike. He has led the development of The McDuffie Mirror in Thomson and the establishment in the Augusta area of Skirt! magazine."

Will Morris also complimented the outgoing publisher of the Morning News. "Under Frank Anderson, our Savannah newspaper has captured the top awards in state contests four of the past seven years, placing second in most of the others. He has been a tremendous leader and we are proud that he will remain on the team for another year."

James C. Currow, executive vice president of Morris Publishing, who oversees both the Augusta and Savannah operations, said the promotions illustrate the strength of the company and the success of its personnel development programs.

"It's always tough to replace a leader like Frank," he said, "But when you have two long-term executives like Julian and Don ready to move up simultaneously, it shows both the caliber of our work force and the dedication of the company to build from within."

Miller, 54, joined the Chronicle in 1979 as city editor and rose through the ranks as news editor over the Chronicle and its sister paper, the Augusta Herald, becoming assistant managing editor for features over both papers and, later, assistant general manager. He took over the helm as general manager in 1988. His title was changed to president in 2002.

A native of Valdosta, Ga., he started working for his hometown newspaper, The Valdosta Daily Times, as a sportswriter in high school and worked his way through college as a reporter, sports editor and finally investigative reporter before moving to Thomasville, Ga., as managing editor of the Thomasville Times-Enterprise. He is married to the former Judy Latimer of Carrollton and they have a son and daughter. He is a member of Adas Yeshurun Synagogue.

Bailey, 43, has served as general manager of the Chronicle and its other publications since 2002. He started his career with Morris as classified manager of the Chronicle in 1992, assumed responsibilities as retail advertising director in 1993 and moved to Savannah as advertising director of the Morning News in 1996.

A native of Thomaston, Ga., he received his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in 1984 and his masters in business administration from Georgia College in 1989. He started his newspaper career as an advertising intern with the Macon Telegraph and rose to the position of marketing manager before moving to the Chronicle. He is married to the former Chelle Yarbrough of Gainesville, Ga., and they have two sons and a daughter. They attend Trinity United Methodist Church.

Before taking command of the Savannah division, Anderson served five years as publisher of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in Lubbock, Texas. Prior to that, he had served as circulation director of the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. He began his newspaper career with the Washington Star in Washington, D.C.

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 Publishing Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morris Communications Company LLC, 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:
W.S. Morris IV
CEO, Morris Publishing Group
706-823-3774
morris@morris.com