Petri Hakala appointed publisher of Satakunnan Kansa

Alma Media Corporation    Stock Exchange Release   June 22, 2010 at 16.00 (EEST)

PETRI HAKALA APPOINTED PUBLISHER OF SATAKUNNAN KANSA

Editor-in-Chief Petri Hakala (48) has been appointed Publisher of Alma Media’s Satakunnan Kansa newspaper as of September 1, 2010. Mr Hakala works currently as the Editor-in-Chief of Iltalehti. Prior to his current position, which he has held since 1995, Mr Hakala has worked as Journalist at Uusi Suomi and Iltalehti and as News Editor and Managing Editor at Iltalehti.

– The regional newspapers have excellent opportunities to succeed in the era of radical changes the media sector is currently going through. Successful medium is human-sized, breathing the same air its readers and customers, and this is the advantage of regional papers. Together with the skilled professionals and the support of the prosperous Alma Media Group, I consider it is a privilege to continue the work well done to enhance the daily lives of the people living in the Satakunta region, Petri Hakala says.

– Considering the readership, Iltalehti is today the third largest Finnish newspaper and its online service is the most popular in Finland. It has been a privilege to be part of the team that has achieved this. Iltalehti has today a strong position and it has survived well in the turbulence of the media sector, thus, this is the right moment to seek alternative viewpoints and head towards new challenges, he continues.

– Petri Hakala’s long experience and strong evidence of his competence in managerial journalistic positions were deciding factors in the appointment. His strong expertise accumulated in multi-channel publishing will now be utilised in Satakunnan Kansa, which will open up new opportunities in developing all online services of regional newspapers within Alma Media Group, says Mr Kai Telanne, President and CEO of Alma Media.

The current Publisher of Satakunnan Kansa, Mr Jouko Jokinen, has been appointed Executive Editor-in-Chief of Aamulehti as of August 1, 2010.

Alma Media will immediately commence the recruitment process of Petri Hakala’s successor.

 

Alma Media Corporation
Rauno Heinonen
Vice President, Corporate Communications and IR

 

For further information, please contact:

Petri Hakala, tel. +358 10 665 2028
Kai Telanne, tel. +358 10 665 3500

 

Distribution: NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, main media

Alma Media in brief

Alma Media is a profitable and internationally expanding company with a focus on the future of newspapers and online services. Its best known products are the Aamulehti, Iltalehti, Kauppalehti and Etuovi.com.

Alma Media’s net sales in 2009 totalled MEUR 307.8 with an operating margin of 13.5 per cent. The company’s share (ALN1V) is listed in the NASDAX OMX Helsinki Exchange. Read more at www.almamedia.fi

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