Metro International ("Metro"), the world's largest international newspaper, today announced that Metro continues to expand in Latin America by launching a free daily newspaper in Puerto Rico. The newspaper will be launched in the island's capital city San Juan and publication will commence in October, but readers can get a sneak peak copy of the newspaper already on 2 October.

Metro is already the largest newspaper in Latin America[1]:
#_ftn1with nearly 3 million daily metropolitan readers across Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala and Colombia[2]:
#_ftn2. With the addition of Puerto Rico, Metro will be consolidating its presence in Latin America reaching 8 countries in the region. Metro is renowned for its innovative and award winning advertising campaigns across markets and media channels and has the ability to offer pan-regional advertising solutions for Latin America.

Puerto Rico is the 4th largest newspaper advertising market in Latin America. The population of the San Juan metropolitan area, including the inner city and its municipalities, is 2 million. Puerto Rico ranks the highest in the region in terms of GDP per capita[3]:
#_ftn3 and most global brands are present in the country.

Following Metro's successful model in Chile and Mexico, Metro will launch print and online versions simultaneously to fulfil the needs of our readers. The Puerto Rico print edition will be hand delivered by distributors Monday to Friday at strategic locations to reach the target audience. A joint venture company has been created together with PR Media Partners LLC, in which Metro holds 70 percent of the shares. PR Media Partners LLC is formed by local and international investors to pursue investment opportunities in the Puerto Rican media sector.

Ms Johanna Öberg will become Managing Director for Metro Puerto Rico and report to Pablo Mazzei, EVP Latin America. Ms Öberg, a member of the group management team at Metro's headquarters in Sweden, has up until now held the position as EVP Global Commercial Director, responsible for maximizing Metro's sales globally and ensuring that all local sales departments have access to best-in-class sales tools. Ms Öberg has a long career in media and has previously held a number of Sales and Marketing Director roles at MTG, the largest commercial broadcaster in Scandinavia. Ms Öberg holds a Master in Economics and Business Administration from Stockholm School of Economics.

Per Mikael Jensen, CEO and President, commented: "Latin America has grown in importance to Metro and now accounts for over 25 percent our business. Latin America is also core to our strategy for growth and with Puerto Rico in the portfolio we can leverage on Metro's strong position in the market and provide clients and agencies with the best possible advertising solutions and services."

For further information please contact:

Per Mikael Jensen, CEO and President, Tel: +44 78 4167 3230
Pablo Mazzei, EVP Latin America, Tel: +56 9 9158 0700
Johanna Öberg, Managind Director Puerto Rico, Tel: +46 73 50 50 403 

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ABOUT METRO INTERNATIONAL AND METRO

Metro is the largest international newspaper in the world. Metro is published in over 100 major cities in 23 countries across Europe, North & South America and Asia. Metro has a unique global reach - attracting a young, active, well-educated Metropolitan audience of over 18 million daily readers. 


[1]:
#_ftnref1 Audited circulation (2008-09) except new editions

[2]:
#_ftnref2 National Readership Surveys:  (2008-09)

[3]:
#_ftnref3 WARC

Metro launches in Puerto Rico:
http://hugin.info/132142/R/1644587/530141.pdf


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Source: Metro International via Thomson Reuters ONE
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