AUGUSTA, Ga.— Morris Communications Co., LLC has named MaryEllen "Mel" Ullrich to the newly created position of president of Morris Visitor Publications, the company's travel publication division. The announcement was made by MCC President William S. Morris IV and is effective October 5.

Previously, Ullrich spent 12 years with RCI Media Group, publisher of travel magazines such as Endless Vacation and Ventures. Ullrich joined RCI in 1993 and served in creative, marketing and sales leadership roles before becoming associate publisher in 2001. Prior to RCI, Ullrich spent seven years in copywriting and broadcast production positions for companies such as Melvin Simon & Associates and Communico. She holds a master's degree in business administration from Indiana Wesleyan University and a bachelor's degree in business-journalism from Franklin College of Indiana.

"MaryEllen brings with her a wealth of experience with magazine publishing in the travel industry," Morris said. "She is a proven leader with a solid financial understanding of our business. We are confident that MaryEllen is the ideal person to take Morris Visitor Publications to the next level."

Morris Visitor Publications has experienced significant growth over the past two years with the acquisition of Where magazines and Guest Informant publications. Currently, the company's visitor publications are in more than 500,000 hotel rooms around the world with a combined annual circulation of more than 53 million.

Morris Visitor Publications, a division of Morris Communications Co., LLC, publishes the Guest Informant in-room visitor books, Where magazines, Best Read Guides, In New York, In London and The London Guide magazines, and a host of other maps, guides and directories for business and leisure travel, and owns the Hospitality Industry Association.

Morris Communications Co., LLC 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:
Karen F. Randall
706-823-3403
karen.randall@morris.com