AUGUSTA, Ga.— Morris Communications Company has acquired BluMunKee Software, creators of BluMunKee ImageLightning and ImageThunder automatic image correction software, from Avail Technologies. The announcement was made today by Morris Communications President William S. Morris IV and Morris Vice President and Chief Information Officer Steven B. Strout.

BluMunKee's software suite automates the process of correcting photos for print and Web publishing. It integrates tightly into work flow, routes files, manages naming conventions, delivers appropriate file formats depending on use and simultaneously delivers multiple versions of the same image for different media.

"The acquisition of this innovative software will not only streamline the production process at many Morris properties, but will also ensure that the company as a whole remains on the cutting edge of media technology," Morris said.

Russell W. Leseberg, author of BluMunKee and now director of publishing technologies for Morris Communications, said the software's success necessitated that its parent company be large enough to allow for the software's continued growth. "As BluMunKee has taken off, it quickly outgrew Avail's ability to serve its customers, to the point that it now requires the support infrastructure an organization the size of Morris Communications can provide," Leseberg said.

"This is just the beginning of the BluMunKee automation tools for the publishing industry and for us it is the next step in the evolution of automation solutions," Strout said. "By combining the innovation, quality and operational efficiencies Avail customers have come to expect with the size and creative resources of Morris Communications, we are poised to bring even more tools and solutions to our industry, while also being able to serve a larger customer base."

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

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