News Release Details

MUNSTER, Ind., Nov 19, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Kevin Mowbray, a vice president of Lee Enterprises (NYSE:LEE), has been appointed publisher of The Times in Northwest Indiana.

He succeeds William Monopoli, who has left the company.

Mary Junck, Lee chairman and chief executive officer, said Mowbray will continue to serve as a vice president of Lee, and that a successor will be appointed to assume his corporate responsibilities for sales and marketing.

"Lee's revenue growth is recognized as among the best in the industry, and Kevin has been the architect for much of our success," she said. "He and his talented team have helped our publishers and sales managers put innovative programs into place to keep our focus on continuing to grow revenue creatively and rapidly. In his new responsibilities as publisher of one of our largest newspapers, Kevin will remain a key resource for our sales and marketing initiatives, as well as an essential member of Lee's top management team."

Jim Hopson, Lee vice president for publishing, announced Mowbray's appointment at staff meetings today at The Times. "As you'll soon find out if you don't already know, Kevin is a first class leader in every way. You'll find him to be smart, energizing, caring and someone you'll absolutely feel privileged to work with." He added: "At the same time, I know Kevin will feel very lucky to be working with all of you."

Mowbray, 43, was a veteran of eight newspaper operations in Lee before becoming vice president for sales and marketing in 2002. Under his leadership, The Bismarck Tribune in Bismarck, N.D., was honored in 2001 with Lee's top President's Award, Enterprise of the Year.

"It's a wonderful honor to join the many amazing people at The Times as they continue to make an outstanding newspaper even better," he said, "and I look forward to getting started right away."

He began his career with Lee in 1986 as an advertising sales representative in his hometown of Kewanee, Ill. He advanced to sales positions at Lee newspapers in Helena, Butte and Billings, Mont., before moving to Chicago as Lee's national sales manager for corporate sales and marketing. As national sales manager, he was responsible for coordination of field work crucial to regional and national buys for Lee and the direct supervision of regional field offices in Billings, Davenport and Madison. In 1995, he joined the Lincoln Journal Star as advertising manager, where he served three years before becoming general manager at the Missoulian in Missoula, Mont., in 1998. He became publisher in Bismarck two years later.

He has participated in many civic and industry organizations. He is a journalism graduate of Western Illinois University. He and his wife, Linda, have three daughters and a son.

The Times publishes nine editions for seven counties in Northwest Indiana and the southeast Chicago suburbs. The 51 communities it covers include Munster, Hammond, Merrillville and Valparaiso. Its circulation, as published in the Audit Bureau of Circulations Fas-Fax report for September 2004, is 86,933 daily and 93,463 Sunday.

Lee Enterprises is based in Davenport, Iowa, and is the premier publisher of daily newspapers in midsize markets. Lee owns 38 daily newspapers and a joint interest in six others, along with associated online services. Lee also publishes 200 weekly newspapers, shoppers and classified and specialty publications. Lee stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LEE. More information about Lee Enterprises is available at www.lee.net.

SOURCE: Lee Enterprises

Lee Enterprises, Davenport
Dan Hayes, 563-383-2100
dan.hayes@lee.net