LIVONIA, Mich., Jan. 15 - Valassis announced today that Barry P. Hoffman has been elected to its board of directors. Hoffman, a 19-year veteran of Valassis, is the company's executive vice president and general counsel. In addition to legal services, Hoffman's responsibilities and experience also include the corporate communications center, corporate human resources, the Valassis Diversity Council and Promotion Watch, Inc., the company's promotion security subsidiary. "I am very proud to join our distinguished board of directors, and I am looking forward to bringing my experience with the company and its employees to the board,'' said Hoffman. Hoffman has been actively involved over the years with the growth of Valassis and the promotion marketing industry. He served as chairperson of the Promotion Marketing Association (PMA) Annual Law Conference and consults throughout the industry in the fields of promotion law and promotion security. "Barry's length and breadth of experience with our business and the promotion industry in general will make him an invaluable addition to our board of directors,'' said Alan F. Schultz, Valassis Chairman, President and CEO. Prior to joining Valassis, Hoffman served as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia, a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and an officer in the United States Army.