AUGUSTA, Ga. - Lea Cockerham has been named publisher of Destination Alaska, a buyer's guide to Southeast Alaska distributed to more than 500,000 cruise ship patrons annually. The announcement was made jointly by William S. Morris III, chairman and CEO of the parent company, and David C. Foster, general manager of Morris national magazines.

In addition to the new role as publisher, Cockerham will retain her present position as director of advertising for the magazine group, based in the Morris corporate offices in Augusta.

Cockerham joined Morris in 1978, while still in college, as a sales representative for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, one of the company's daily newspapers. She worked other positions outside of Morris before returning to the company in 1992. She moved into the magazine division in 1992 and worked for Gray's Sporting Journal as advertising coordinator and sales person for sporting travel advertising. Cockerham was named a sales manager for Gray's in 1994 and was promoted to director of advertising for the entire national magazine group in 1998.

"We are delighted for Lea to take on this extra responsibility," said Morris. "She has done an excellent job directing our overall magazine advertising program for almost seven years and under very competitive circumstances."

"Lea has more than proven her talent and abilities through her creative leadership of advertising for several publications in our group," Foster said. " look forward to her building on the success of Destination Alaska."

The Morris national magazine group publishes two other Alaska titles: Alaska magazine and The MILEPOST, a mile-by-mile guide to the Alcan Highway. The group also publishes a cluster of sporting magazines: Gray's Sporting Journal, American Angler, Saltwater Fly Fishing and Fly Tyer.

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.

Contact:Jo Ann S. Hoffman
Corporate Communications
706-828-3821
joann.hoffman@morris.com