FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Jan. 8, 2003 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amy Austin has been named publisher of Washington City Paper in an announcement made January 8 by Chief Operating Officer Jane Levine.

Austin joined City Paper in 1985 and has been general manager since 1989.

We really feel that Washington City Paper will benefit from having a full-time publisher on-site devoting 100 percent of her time to the paper. I also have responsibilities at City Paper’s sister paper, Chicago Reader,” said current Publisher Thomas Yoder. “Our hope is that Amy will take initiatives that are not now being taken, initiatives that will make the paper better and stronger.”

“This shift to having a full-time publisher in D.C. gives City Paper greater flexibility and allows us to be a more ambitious organization. And we get to keep all the advantages of having great owners and resources in Chicago. I’m thrilled to be given the chance to lead the charge,” Austin said.

For further information, contact Jane Levine, (312) 828-0350, jlevine@chicagoreader.com, or Tom Yoder, (312) 828-0350, tyoder@chicagoreader.com.