LIVONIA, Mich. -- Valassis, one of the nation's leading media and marketing services companies, announced today that the company was awarded $300 million for compensatory damages in its lawsuit against News America Marketing (NAM), a subsidiary of News Corporation. In the trial, held in Michigan's Wayne County Circuit Court before the Honorable Michael F. Sapala, Valassis claimed unfair competition and tortious interference by NAM. The jury's verdict found NAM liable for both counts.

"We are pleased with the jury's verdict, and we look forward to moving ahead with our two other cases, including the antitrust case in the Eastern District of Michigan where any compensatory damages will be trebled," said Alan F. Schultz, Valassis Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Furthermore, I am very proud of the efforts of our employees who have been competing on this uneven playing field for nearly a decade."

The trial team was led by Greg Curtner of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, PLC and included Michael Palizzi, also of Miller Canfield, David Mendelson of the Law Offices of David Mendelson and Anthony Rusciano of Plunkett Cooney PC.

Valassis has additional lawsuits pending against NAM in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, asserting violations of the Sherman Act, and in the Supreme Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles raising claims under California's Cartwright, Unfair Competition and Unfair Practices Acts. The Eastern District of Michigan case and the California case are currently not scheduled for trial, however, Valassis intends to aggressively pursue both remaining claims. For more information regarding these lawsuits, see Valassis' most recently filed Form 10-Q.

For case information and transcript requests, please contact the court directly at 313-224-5531.