FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2003

LOS ANGELES — Southland Publishing, Inc., has purchased the assets of the former New Times Los Angeles weekly newspaper and will launch two weekly newspapers early this summer in Los Angeles.

As part of a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, Arizona-based New Times Media was required to sell the assets of their former business to one of a number of bidders.

The new weeklies, titled Los Angeles CityBEAT and ValleyBEAT will serve metropolitan Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley respectively with a combined circulation of 100,000.

Los Angeles newsweekly veteran Steve Appleford will be leading the editorial charge as editor. Former SF Weekly Sales Director Rick Haelig will head up the business and sales departments as associate publisher.

“Appleford isn’t just an editor, he’s an institution. We are lucky to have him,” said former New Times Los Angeles and current San Diego CityBEAT Publisher Charles N. Gerencser, who will be aiding the start-ups.

“With a talented sales team led by Rick and Charles, we hope to replicate our Pasadena, Ventura and San Diego successes here in L.A. This is the greatest opportunity and a formidable challenge,” said David Comden, group publisher for Southland Publishing, Inc.

Southland Publishing, Inc. is parent company to three Southern California alternative newsweeklies: Pasadena Weekly, San Diego CityBEAT and the Ventura County Reporter. The Pasadena Weekly was purchased from the Tribune Company in January 2001 and San Diego CityBEAT was launched in August of 2002.

Press Contact: