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It's not been the most wonderful time of the year for the poor children of the Daily News, as EIC Michael Cooke departed earlier this month, leaving editorial director Martin Dunn to play editor in the interim. And because you always kick 'em when they're down and fetal, News Corp has proudly announced the hiring of Les Goodstein, formerly the COO and president of the Daily News, as their shiny new Senior Vice President. We do admire Rupert Murdoch's restraint, however, in not stealing columnist Lenore Skenazy's lunch money.

Full press release after the jump.

FROM: NY POST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LES GOODSTEIN, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF THE DAILY NEWS,
JOINS NEWS CORP AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
REPORTING TO PAUL CARLUCCI, PUBLISHER OF THE NEW YORK POST

Paul Carlucci, Chairman and CEO of News America Marketing, and publisher, New York Post, announced today that Les Goodstein, President and COO of the Daily News, has joined News Corporation as Senior Vice President. Mr. Goodstein, a 28-year veteran of the News, will be responsible for new business development, News Corporation, and serve as advisor to the Post and other News Corporation divisions. He will report to Mr. Carlucci. The appointment is effective January 3, 2006.

In making the announcement, Mr. Carlucci said, "Les has enjoyed an extraordinary career in the newspaper business. Not only is he a superb businessman and manager, but his marketing and promotional abilities have stood out above the rest in a very tough New York media market - the most competitive in the world. I am absolutely delighted that he will be working with me and the rest of our management team to maximize our visibility here in New York, on the Internet and in other platforms of strategic interest to the Post, News America and News Corporation."

Mr. Goodstein said, "I could not imagine a more exciting time to join News Corporation, one of the most interesting companies in the world and whose leader, Rupert Murdoch, I greatly admire and respect. The challenges in the media business are many, and the opportunities for this bold, savvy, innovative organization are limitless. I look forward to working with Paul to seize the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead, give our customers what they want, and further accelerate our growth."

Mr. Goodstein, 54, served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the News since January 2000. He joined the News in 1977 and moved up through the advertising sales ranks, holding a series of increasing leadership positions including as Executive Vice President/Associate Publisher, where he oversaw all advertising and circulation initiatives. He ultimately was responsible for running most operations at the newspaper.

Mr. Goodstein, a native New Yorker, is also credited with developing many successful community service programs over the years that have touched the lives of thousands of city residents. These include a major fund-raising initiative to help 9/11 families and a prostate cancer screening program, and he recently spearheaded a campaign that raised close to $1 million for tsunami relief. Mr. Goodstein lives in Manhattan with his son, Steven.

"The Post has a rich history with New York and is energized by our readers every day," added Mr. Carlucci. "What Les does so well is match his love of this city with his innate instincts for what will resonate with New Yorkers. I am confident that this combination will greatly benefit the people we serve as well as our organization."

Over the last five years, the New York Post has been the fastest growing newspaper in America.

News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) had total assets as of September 30, 2005 of approximately US$55 billion and total annual revenues of approximately US$24 billion. News Corporation is a diversified international media and entertainment company with operations in eight industry segments: filmed entertainment; television; cable network programming; direct broadcast satellite television; magazines and inserts; newspapers; book publishing; and other. The activities of News Corporation are conducted principally in the United States, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Asia and the Pacific Basin.