AUGUSTA, Ga.— Frank T. Anderson, publisher of the Savannah Morning News since 1991, has announced his retirement, effective March 31, 2005.

A veteran of more than 46 years in the newspaper business, Anderson, 67, came to the Morning News from Lubbock, Texas, where he was publisher of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. After nearly five years at the Avalanche-Journal, Anderson was tapped for the publisher's position in Savannah, a city he now considers home.

In addition to his duties with the Morning News, Anderson also serves as publisher of the Carolina Morning News, Savannah Magazine, Coastal Arts & Antiques, Coastal Senior and Coastal Parent. He oversees publication of the Jasper Sun-Times, the Best Read Guide, skirt! magazine and six weekly Close-up newspapers. He is a member of the Newspaper Association of America, the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association and the Georgia Press Association.

"I have been privileged to know and work with Frank Anderson for more than 20 years," said William S. Morris III, chairman and CEO of Morris Communications, parent company of the Savannah Morning News.

"Frank was an executive with The Florida Times-Union when we became the new owners of that newspaper in January 1983. We quickly recognized his exceptional managerial talents. He continued his career with our company, holding many important jobs. He distinguished himself in every job and brought credit to the newspaper and to the community. But the greater reward of working with Frank has ever and always been the man himself - a man of integrity and kindness."

William S. Morris IV, president and CEO of Morris Publishing Group and president of the parent company, echoed those sentiments. "Frank Anderson has been a tremendous force for good in our company and in the city of Savannah. He is a respected leader in the newspaper industry as well," he said. "We will all miss Frank's wisdom and steady hand in our daily operations. He deserves the best of everything in the years ahead."

During Anderson's tenure with the Morning News, the paper has won the Georgia Press Association's top award - first place in General Excellence - four times, besting the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2003. National awards include Presbyterian College's Hammet Award, which recognizes "responsible, ethical and courageous work in broadcast or print journalism," and the James K. Batten Award for Excellence in Civic Journalism.

However, Anderson's greatest contribution is perhaps the number of staff members under his tutelage who have gone on to other corporate positions within Morris, said Morris Executive Vice President of Newspapers James Currow.

"I will deeply miss Frank, but he has left this company a tremendous legacy," he said. "At the Morning News alone, two of his staffers have been named publishers at other papers, one is a general manager and another is now a corporate vice president of newspapers."

His departure from the Morning News will be a gradual one, Anderson said. For the past seven years, he has been involved in the design and building of the new Savannah Morning News complex and looks forward to being the first publisher to serve there.

"I'll stay on to help the new publisher make a smooth transition and continue to serve in a consulting capacity for a while," he said. "I also plan to travel with my wife, Florence, play golf and spend more time with our five children and 12 grandchildren."

Morris Communications 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.

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