BERTRANGE, Luxembourg, March 30, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Metro International S.A. ("Metro"), Torstar Corporation and CanWest MediaWorks today announced that it has launched an edition in Ottawa. Metro Ottawa is the fourth Metro publication to be launched in Canada, following highly successful debuts in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Metro Ottawa will be distributed free of charge through street samplers and 1,500 boxes situated in high-traffic locations including transit stops, university campuses and highly populated business districts. Initial daily distribution for the Ottawa region will be 60,000. To date, Metro in Canada boasts a weekly readership of 1,295,000, and continues to show double-digit growth each year.
The Metro format has become a favourite choice of readers traveling to and from work, since it can be read cover to cover in less than 30 minutes. In addition, it provides a unique combination of local, national, international, entertainment and sports news to appeal to a broad range of readers within the community
The unique format of the Metro publication and its extensive reach delivers a new generation of premium audience to advertisers. A majority of Metro's readers are between the ages of 18 to 49.
Pelle Tornberg, President and CEO of Metro International S.A., commented: "As the nation's capital, Ottawa represents an ideal market for Metro. It boasts a strong professional and highly educated population that is very tuned into the latest news and events. We are very excited about expanding our global brand in this important market and in further growing our market position in Canada."
For further information, please visit www.metro.lu, email info@metro.lu or contact: Pelle Tornberg, President & CEO tel: +44 (0) 20 7016 1300 Henrik Persson, Corporate Communications tel: +46 (0) 8 562 000 87
Metro is the largest and fastest growing international newspaper in the world. 48 daily Metro editions are published in 70 major cities in 17 countries in 16 languages across Europe, North & South America and Asia. Metro has a unique global reach -- attracting a young, active, well-educated audience of more than 15 million daily readers and over 33 million weekly readers.
Metro has an equal number of male and female readers and 70% are under the age of 45. Metro's advertising sales have grown at a compound annual rate of 47% since the launch of the first edition in 1995.
Metro International S.A. 'A' and 'B' shares are listed on the Stockholmsborsen `O-List' under the symbols MTROA and MTROB.
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