Gannett Joins InfiNet Partnership
ARLINGTON, Va. — Gannett Co., Inc., the nation’s largest newspaper
publisher, has joined Knight-Ridder Inc. and Landmark Communications Inc. as
partners in InfiNet, a fast-growing Internet access and service venture
designed to help put newspapers online.
InfiNet was established by Norfolk, Va.-based Landmark Communications
Inc. in 1994 to help bring its various media interests online. Knight-Ridder
became a partner in June 1995.
In addition to its current access and publishing ventures with 21
newspapers, two television stations and two magazines, InfiNet has also built
relationships with industry organizations such as the Newspaper Association
of America, the International Newspaper Marketing Association, the
Organization of News Ombudsmen, the American Society of Newspaper Editors and
the National Conference of Editorial Writers. InfiNet expects to be in
approximately 100 markets by mid-1996.
“We are extremely excited that Gannett is joining us as a partner,” said
David Richards, president of InfiNet. “It is very flattering that Gannett
feels InfiNet can best address the Internet service needs of most of its many
newspapers, and is willing to invest in the long-term vision we share.”
Richards said that InfiNet will continue to focus on establishing
Internet access in the cities where its newspaper affiliates operate, and
will also place more emphasis on the development of other Internet services
and products for those affiliates. Those products include web-based
applications for real estate, automotive, classified ads and other ideas
generated by the newspapers.
“We are seeing a strong demand for additional services,” Richards said,
“and newspapers are asking us to help deliver these applications to them.
It’s exciting to see such a large group of newspapers move forward together.”
“We believe InfiNet offers the best immediate solution for newspapers
wanting to offer local content services on the Internet,” said Bob Ingle,
Knight-Ridder vice president for new media. “Knight-Ridder and Gannett
represent two of the nation’s largest media companies, and both believe that
the combination of affiliation with InfiNet and New Century Network allows
the strongest possible strategy for both metropolitan newspapers and smaller
ones to bring to their customers unsurpassed Internet access along with the
strong traditions in local content and journalistic excellence that we value
so highly. In addition, both local and national advertisers will be the
beneficiaries of these new Internet services.”
“We are pleased to be joining two quality companies like Landmark and
Knight-Ridder in this venture,” said John J. Curley, chairman, president and
CEO of Gannett. “We obviously feel InfiNet is a great match with the Internet
strategies of our newspapers.”
Tony Ridder, chairman of Knight-Ridder, said: “The InfiNet team is one
of the best in the business, and it’s well on the way to establishing a
thriving new enterprise.”
“Gannett is a leader in developing innovative news and information
services,” said Frank Batten, chairman of Landmark. “We are delighted
Gannett has become a partner in making InfiNet the leading provider of
Internet services.”
Gannett is a nationwide news and information company that publishes 92
daily newspapers, including USA TODAY, and USA WEEKEND, a newspaper
magazine. Gannett also has entertainment programming, operates 15 television
stations, 13 radio stations, cable television systems in five states, alarm
security services and the largest outdoor advertising company in North
America.
Landmark Communications is a privately held media company based in
Norfolk, Va. It owns The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot; the News & Record in
Greensboro, N.C.; The Roanoke (Va.) Times; more than 30 community newspapers
and other specialty publications; two television stations; and The Weather
Channel and The Travel Channel.
Knight-Ridder Inc. is a publicly-traded (NYSE, KRI) international
communications company engaged in newspaper publishing, business news and
information services, electronic retrieval services, news, graphics and photo
services, cable television and newsprint manufacturing. The company
publishes 32 daily newspapers.
| Contacts: | InfiNet (804) 628-1020 David Richards, President Tom Manos, President/Network Services Peter Ill, VP/Affiliate Services Bob Gilbert, Executive Vice President |
| Gannett (703) 284-6038 Mimi Feller |
|
| Knight-Ridder (305) 376-3839 Lee Ann Schlatter |
|
| Landmark (804) 446-2577 Connie Sage |