Lafayette (IN) Journal & Courier launches first ''Berliner'' press in U.S., Newspaper's compact size is reader and advertiser friendly.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The Lafayette Journal & Courier today became the first newspaper in the United States to publish in the compact, customer-friendly "Berliner" format.

The Journal & Courier front page now will be 12 inches wide and 18 inches in length. Berliner format is similar to a tabloid, but unlike a tabloid, has sections like a traditional broadsheet newspaper. It is nicknamed Berliner because the size is more common in Europe.

"With this first in the U.S. publishing industry, Gannett again is demonstrating our commitment to innovation and to pleasing our customers," said Craig A. Dubow, chairman, president and CEO of Gannett. "Readers and advertisers love this new, handy size and ability to provide color."

"Importantly, this new press facility also proves our abiding belief in the value and significance of newspapers," Dubow said. "This launch is a win for everyone involved - our customers, the community and the future of our industry."

The Lafayette Journal & Courier is a 36,155-circulation Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) newspaper. Located in a new, 47,000-square-foot production facility in Lafayette, the Berliner format press is a MAN Roland Geoman. It replaces a 46-year-old Goss press. To create the new size publication, the press has a 48-inch wide web, which is the device that feeds the paper through the press. Most broadsheet newspapers have a 50- to 54-inch web.

"Two years of planning, including talking to our customers, has paid off with this popular step," said Journal & Courier President and Publisher Gary Suisman. "In all our focus groups, readers of all ages said they preferred this size. And our advertisers couldn't be happier. We are pleased to provide it."

Gannett Co., Inc. is a leading international news and information company that publishes 90 daily newspapers in the USA, including USA TODAY, the nation's largest-selling daily newspaper. The company also owns nearly 1,000 non-daily publications in the USA and USA WEEKEND, a weekly newspaper magazine. Gannett subsidiary Newsquest is the United Kingdom's second largest regional newspaper company. Newsquest publishes more than 300 titles, including 17 daily newspapers, and a network of prize-winning Web sites. Gannett also operates 22 television stations in the United States and is an Internet leader with sites sponsored by its TV stations and newspapers including USATODAY.com, one of the most popular news sites on the Web.