AUGUSTA, Ga.— Lucy Talley has been named vice president of newspapers for Morris Publishing Group. The announcement was made today by William S. Morris IV, president and CEO of Morris Publishing Group, and is effective July 12.

Talley will be based in Augusta and manage the company's Eastern Group, which includes 10 newspapers and shoppers, for Morris Publishing Group.

"Lucy is an outstanding publishing executive who knows the newspaper business inside and out," Morris said. "Her experience and leadership skills will be a great asset to our newspapers."

Talley began her newspaper career in 1979 as a sales representative at The Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger and eventually became advertising director. She moved to The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C., in 1995, as director of advertising, and in 2000 she was promoted to general manager. In 2004, Talley became president and publisher of The Salisbury (N.C.) Post, a newspaper owned by The Post and Courier's parent company, Evening Post Publishing.

"I have known Lucy for many years and have always been impressed with her leadership skills, energy and business acumen," said James C. Currow, executive vice president for newspapers. "She is a tireless worker, with a warm, engaging personality and is known for her collaborative management style."

Talley also has been active in the newspaper industry and is currently on the advertising advisory board at the American Press Institute. She is past president of the Mid-Atlantic Newspaper Advertising and Marketing Executives and the Florida Newspaper Advertising and Marketing Executives. Talley has also served in various leadership roles with the Newspaper Association of America and the Florida Newspaper Advertising Network.

Morris Publishing Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morris Communications Company, LLC, a privately held media company based in Augusta, Ga. Morris Publishing owns and operates 27 daily and 12 nondaily newspapers, four city magazines and numerous other free community publications in the Southeast, Midwest, Southwest and Alaska. For more information, visit www.morris.com.