Hearst Ranch Named 2008 California Beef Cattle Improvement Association Commercial Producer of the Year

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - December 9, 2008) - The California Beef Cattle Improvement Association (CBCIA) named Hearst Ranch 2008 Commercial Producer of the Year. Spanning 153,000 acres, Hearst Ranch is one of the largest cattle ranching operations on the California coast and is the nation's largest single-source supplier of free-range, all-natural, grass-fed beef. The CBCIA award recognizes progressive beef cattle breeders who use practical, scientifically accepted selection and management methods and integrate them into successful ranching operations. Stephen T. Hearst, vice president and general manager of the Sunical Land and Livestock division of Hearst Corporation, made the announcement.

"We are honored to be recognized by the CBCIA," Hearst said. "Hearst Ranch, which my great, great grandfather George Hearst began in 1865, remains committed to sustainable agriculture, social and environmental responsibility and humane animal treatment. We continue to preserve the lifestyle and flavor of the American West through our ranching operation and our beef program. I'm grateful to work with a talented team of professionals, including Ranch Manager Cliff Garrison, who are steadfast in their focus on providing management that respects the land, the livestock and our beef industry."

"Survival in today's beef industry demands innovation, progressive thinking, a keen understanding of the market place and a strong customer orientation," said Terry R. Jochim, executive director of CBCIA. "Hearst Ranch excels in all of these factors and more importantly applies them to all facets of the Hearst Ranch beef operation and land management practices. I congratulate the Hearst Ranch as the well deserved recipient of the 2008 CBCIA California Commercial Producer of the Year award."

Hearst Ranch is comprised of: San Simeon Ranch, 80,000 acres in San Simeon, Calif. surrounding Hearst Castle -- built by William Randolph Hearst -- that maintains a 1,000-head base cowherd; and the 73,000-acre Jack Ranch, 60 miles east of San Simeon in Cholame, Calif., which maintains a base cowherd of 2,500 heads. The cattle are Hereford, Angus and Shorthorn breeds and are 100 percent grass-fed, free-range and hormone- and antibiotic-free. Hearst Ranch is certified by Humane Farm Animal Care and Food Alliance and is a member of the American Grassfed Association.

As one of America's largest publishers, Hearst Corporation believes responsible environmental stewardship is an integral part of doing business. Hearst continually reviews the ways it sources and uses the raw materials that go into the products it produces. In addition to its composting, recycling and energy reduction initiatives inside its Gold LEED-certified headquarters in New York City (the city's first occupied "green" building), Hearst is making many significant accomplishments on the environmental front. Hearst partnered with the State of California, California Rangeland Trust and American Land Conservancy in 2005 to form one of the largest conservation easements in history (Hearst Ranch, 82,000 acres in San Simeon, Calif.). The Corporation led New York City's magazine recycling effort, ReMix, and was honored by Riverkeeper, vice chaired by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., for its support of the organization. In 2007, Hearst launched TheDailyGreen.com, a consumer Web site dedicated to earth-friendly living. Hearst also supports tree planting efforts through the National Arbor Day Foundation and the New York Restoration Project. More on Hearst's green policies can be found at Being Green.

Hearst Corporation is one of the nation's largest diversified media companies. Its major interests include ownership of 16 daily and 49 weekly newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle and Albany Times Union; as well as interests in an additional 43 daily and 72 non-daily newspapers owned by MediaNews Group, which include the Denver Post and Salt Lake Tribune; nearly 200 magazines around the world, including Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan and O, The Oprah Magazine; 29 television stations through Hearst-Argyle Television (NYSE: HTV), which reach a combined 18% of U.S. viewers; ownership in leading cable networks, including Lifetime, A&E, History and ESPN; as well as business publishing, including a minority joint venture interest in Fitch Ratings; Internet businesses, television production, newspaper features distribution and real estate.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Paul J. Luthringer Hearst Corporation 212-649-2540 pluthringer@hearst.com Ranch Contact: Brian J. Kenny Hearst Ranch Beef 415-517-8762 bkenny@hearst.com