AUGUSTA, Ga.— Morris Visitor Publications has expanded its services in Hawaii with the acquisition of Network Media, a visitor-oriented publishing and broadcast firm based in Honolulu. The purchase was announced by William S. Morris IV, president of Morris Communications, the parent company of MVP.

"We are pleased to bring these added media to our customers in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands and excited to increase our services to the state's visitors," Morris said. "This acquisition represents Morris' first foray into the television medium and strengthens our position in a dynamic tourism market."

Network Media's Hawaii Hotel Network, a statewide system of customized hotel publications, has received more awards for excellence in graphics and photography than any other magazines in the history of the state. Its compact visitor guide, Best of Oahu, received the first-place award as "Hawaii's Best Visitor Publication" in the 2004 Hawaii Publishers Association's Pa'i competition (first place). This year alone, its television programs have been saluted with seven Telly awards.

"Joining the Morris family feels very natural, very right," commented Peter Gellatly, who remains as Network Media president. "The company and its owners care about the same things we honor: quality, service, relationships. The real beneficiaries of this move will be our customers, our hotel partners - and the community."

Morris entered Hawaii in 2003 with the acquisition of Guest Informant, publisher of hardbound books featured in hotel rooms across the country. Other Morris Visitor Publication products in the 50th State include the award-winning Oahu Guest Informant, Maui Guest Informant, Kauai Guest Informant, The Big Island Guest Informant, Maui Quick Guide, and Wailea magazine.

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

Morris Communications Company, LLC is a privately held media company with diversified holdings that include newspaper publishing, visitor guide publishing, outdoor advertising, magazine publishing, radio broadcasting, book publishing and distribution and online services. For more information, visit morris.com.

CONTACT:
Karen Randall
706-823-3403
karen.randall@morris.com