For immediate release

Seattle, W.A. -- August 26, 2002? David Schneiderman, Chief Executive Officer of Village Voice Media, today announced a new editorial leadership team for Seattle Weekly, naming Knute "Skip" Berger Editor-in-Chief and Chuck Taylor Managing Editor.

Knute "Skip" Berger, the former editor-in-chief of Seattle Weekly, is returning to the post on August 28th after a two-year sabbatical. From 1990-2000, Berger served in a number of capacities at Seattle Weekly, including Editor-in-Chief 1993-95 and 1997-2000, Editor-in-Chief of Eastsideweek 1990-97 and Creative Director of Sasquatch Publishing 1995-96. Since he left the paper in 2000, Berger has been a regular commentator on public radio's KUOW-FM and political columnist for Washington Law & Politics magazine.

Joining Berger at the paper as Managing Editor will be Chuck Taylor, a 16-year veteran reporter and editor at the Seattle Times. Taylor was also founder and managing editor of the newspaper strike paper and website, the Seattle Union Record from 2000-01. More recently, he was a writer/producer for MSNBC during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. At the Times, Taylor was an assistant metro editor and covered aerospace and media for the paper.

Schneiderman, VVM's CEO said, "I am thrilled that Skip is returning to the helm of Seattle Weekly. Our goal is to make the Weekly Seattle's essential newspaper. Skip's passion for the city, his deep roots in the community and his journalistic vision make him a dynamic leader who can make this possible. The addition of Chuck Taylor will strengthen our news coverage and help make the Weekly Seattle's best source for news, commentary and criticism."

Referring to former Seattle Weekly Editor-in-Chief Audrey Van Buskirk, Schneiderman said, "She has succeeded in bringing impressive talent and a clean new design to the Weekly during her tenure. She has also made significant improvements in the quality of the paper. I enjoyed working with her and I expect her to be equally successful in her next venture."

Terry Coe, Seattle Weekly Publisher said, "Skip's return to Seattle Weekly will be a significant and major event in the expanding role this paper plays in the future of our readers and advertisers. I am looking forward to his return."

Berger said, "The last two years have really helped me see the importance of Seattle Weekly's role. People in this city and region are desperate for real, intelligent and independent journalism. I think the audience for that type of paper is bigger and broader than we've imagined, and I'm thrilled at the opportunity to help the Weekly reach its full potential."

Berger holds a Bachelors Degree from Evergreen State College in Olympia, and currently lives in Kirkland. Taylor received a Bachelors Degree from Whitman College in Walla Walla, and currently lives in Seattle.

About Seattle Weekly:

Seattle Weekly has been a significant and respected journalistic force in the Seattle community over its 26-year history. The paper's award-winning coverage and independent voice have made it the definitive guide to the Seattle region's civic and cultural life, providing readers with intelligent, provocative, and challenging insights on local politics, entertainment, media and culture.

The Weekly is Seattle's largest alternative weekly newspaper and a member of Village Voice Media. VVM properties include The Village Voice, LA Weekly, Seattle Weekly, City Pages (Minneapolis-St. Paul), Cleveland Free Times, OC Weekly (Orange County, CA), and the Nashville Scene.

CONTACT: David Schneiderman, 206-623-0500