MINNEAPOLIS, MN. June 28, 2000 - Utne Reader magazine announced today that Jay Walljasper, a key player on the Utne editorial team for more than fifteen years, has been named Editor. He replaces Cathy Madison, who left at the end of May. Walljasper, who has been serving as Editor-at-Large at Utne Reader, will also assume the title of Editorial Director and oversee editorial content of Utne Reader Online and Utne Reader Books.

'I am delighted to name Jay the Editorial Director of Lens Publishing,' said Nina Utne, Chair and CEO of Utne Reader and Lens Publishing, Inc. 'In addition to his experience editing Utne Reader magazine, he has been involved with the conception and writing of our books, editing Utne Reader Online's content and, increasingly, shaping the company's image and message. At a time when our challenge is to realize the synergies between these diverse projects, Jay is uniquely qualified.'

Walljasper started with Utne Reader as Executive Editor in 1985, when the magazine was less than a year old and had a circulation of just 8,500. In 1990 he assumed the title of Editor, a position in which he stayed until 1995. During his tenure in those positions, Utne Reader was nominated three times for National Magazine Awards in the General Excellence categories. For the past five years, he has been Editor-at-Large for the magazine and Utne Reader Books, devoting himself to special writing and editing projects. He was editor of the 'Utne Reader Almanac', co-editor of 'Good Life: Mastering the Art of Everyday Living', and co-author of the forthcoming book 'Visionaries: People and Ideas That Can Change Your World.' His cover story for the magazine, 'What's Worth Saving From the 2Oth Century?', won a Minnesota Magazine Publications Award last year for Best Feature Article.

'I'm very excited about the prospects for Utne Reader at this point in history,' Walljasper states. 'We have a long track record in introducing readers to the most compelling and inspiring ideas emerging out of the crazy quilt of American culture - and this mission keeps the magazine fresh and interesting. People turn to Utne Reader as a source of new ideas and visions. And Utne Reader Online brings these strengths into the new frontiers of the World Wide Web, where we are a leader in using new technology to engage readers in stimulating discussions.'

Prior to joining Utne Reader, Walljasper was Travel Editor at Better Homes & Gardens magazine and Culture Editor of the alternative newsweekly In These Times.

With a paid circulation of 225,000, Utne Reader magazine was launched in 1984 and is now the nation's leading digest of alternative ideas. Utne Reader Online <<a href='/'>http://www.utne.com> offers Utne Reader magazine archives; current book, magazine, music, web site and product reviews; and Caf? Utne, one of the nation's most active online discussion communities and winner of the 2000 Webby Award for Best Online Community.