BERTRANGE, Luxembourg, Feb. 3, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Metro International S.A. ("Metro") (Nasdaq:MTROA) (Nasdaq:MTROB), the international newspaper group, today announced that its Hong Kong edition has been elected in its first year to the group of Hong Kong "Superbrands" for 2002/2003. The Brand Council is a world-recognized, independent authority on global branding and ranks brands in 17 countries around the world. In each country the council is formed from the leading advertising agencies' top executives. Other international brands recognized under the criteria of market dominance, longevity, goodwill, customer loyalty and overall market acceptance included Yahoo!, McDonalds, Heinz, American Express, Kodak, HMV, Ikea, Mercedes Benz and Virgin Atlantic.
According to the Brand Council's report published with the award, Metro's ability to "reach the consumers so beloved of advertisers -- women, young professionals, etc. -- is what makes Metro stand out from other publications." The report added, "any publication that is able to offer agencies and their clients that target audience is always going to be one step ahead of the competition." Metro was also chosen for its rapid development in a highly competitive market and a challenging advertising climate.
Pelle Tornberg, President & CEO of Metro International, commented: "Metro is an established global brand and we welcome the recognition of this international brand authority. We launched in Hong Kong less than a year ago and have already established a strong, local brand in this exciting market place."
For further information, please visit www.metro.lu, email info@metro.lu or contact: Pelle Tornberg, President & CEO tel: +44 (0) 20 7016 1300 Matthew Hooper, Investor & Press Relations tel: +44 (0) 20 7321 5010
Metro is the world's largest free newspaper, publishing and distributing 25 editions in 16 countries in 14 languages: Stockholm, Prague, Gothenburg, Hungary, the Netherlands, Helsinki, Malmo, Santiago, Philadelphia, Toronto, Rome, Milan, Warsaw, Athens, Montreal, Barcelona, Boston, Madrid, Copenhagen, Aarhus, Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Hong Kong and Seoul.
Metro International S.A. "A" and "B" shares are listed on Nasdaq and the Stockholmsborsen under the symbols MTROA and MTROB.
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" with respect to our expectations and plans, strategy, management's objectives, future performance, costs, revenues, earnings and other trend information. It is important to note that our actual results in the future could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements depending on various important factors. Please refer to the documents we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including our most recent annual report on Form 20-F, for a discussion of certain of these factors.
All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Metro International S.A, any Metro International S.A. members or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors referred to above. We do not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
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