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21ST CENTURY NEWSPAPERS, INC. John Bailey & Associates Public Relations 755 West Big Beaver, Suite 1100 Troy, MI 48984 Voice 248.362.4200 ext. 295 Fax 248.362.3428 BMiller@baileypr.com www.baileypr.com Wednesday, October 9, 2002 21st Century Newspapers showcases overall excellence with multiple honors in 2002 Michigan Press Association Better Newspapers ContestPONTIAC, Mich., Oct. 9, 2002 -- 21st Century Newspapers Inc. cluster of papers received 115 awards in the 2002 Michigan Press Association (MPA) Better Newspaper Contest, tops in the state. Three of its publications, The Oakland Press (Class B daily), The Morning Sun—Mt. Pleasant (Class D daily) and The News-Herald Newspapers (Class A weekly), earned distinction as "Newspaper of the Year." The Georgia Press Association reviewed approximately 3,600 total entries submitted by 147 Michigan newspapers. In all, 21st Century Newspapers earned 37 first-place, 27 second-place, 29 third-place and 22 fourth-place awards. President and Chief Executive Officer Frank H. Shepherd founded 21st Century Newspapers in 1995. The company acquired The Oakland Press in 1997, The News Herald (Heritage Newspapers) in March 2002 and The Morning Sun in August of this year. "It is extremely gratifying to see the range of categories where our reporters, editors and papers were considered best," said Shepherd. "From our daily, weekly and bi-weekly papers to our shopping guides and trade publications, we pursue excellence that our readers deserve and appreciate." 21st Century Newspapers took top prize in several categories, including General Excellence, Local News Reporting (Staff), Enterprise Feature (Reporter), Human Interest Feature (Reporter), Local Column (Reporter), Editorial Pages (Staff), Editorial Writing (Individual), Picture Story, Feature Picture, Sports Picture, Sports Writing (Reporter), Sports Feature (Reporter), Sports Coverage (Staff), Lifestyles Section (Staff) and Special Section (Staff). The Oakland Press extended its streak of "Newspaper of the Year" honors to three successive years and four times in its five years as a 21st Century Newspaper. The Morning Sun gained top honors for the second consecutive year and the fourth time in the past eight years. The News-Herald earned its distinction for an impressive 13th consecutive year. "Recognition by your peers is an exceptional honor and it speaks to 21st Century Newspapers’ commitment to bringing top-notch journalism to their communities," said Michael MacLaren, executive director of the MPA. "I was fortunate enough to know what it takes to win one of these awards (as a sportswriter in North Carolina slightly more than a decade ago). It takes support from everyone, especially management and owners. Frank realizes that and it reflects on the quality of the 21st Century Newspapers." 21st Century Newspapers, Inc. is Michigan’s largest and most comprehensive newspaper cluster, and one of the largest in the United States, with four daily, nearly 100 weekly and bi-weekly newspapers, shopping guides, trade publications and magazines. 21st Century Newspapers readership extends from Lake Erie to the Straits of Mackinac and serves 69 percent of the Lower Peninsula’s counties. Overall circulation of all 21st Century properties is more than two million in northern, eastern and southeastern Michigan. 21st Century Newspapers took top prize in several categories, including:
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