Sir Richard Branson to Guest Edit Metro in October

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Metro US, the 4th largest daily newspaper in the nation, today announces that one of the world's most legendary businessmen, Sir Richard Branson, will be the Global Guest Editor on Oct. 4, 2012. Sir Richard is the latest in Metro’s series of global guest editors, which has previously included pop superstar Lady Gaga and fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld.

“He is one of the business icons of the late 20th century.”

"The Global Guest Editor provides a huge opportunity to Metro’s advertisers and partners," says Yggers Mortensen, CEO and Publisher of Metro US. "Through this unique event we can deliver a massive reach and impact to our clients, and provide an opportunity to communicate and interact with our highly interesting target group."

The Lady Gaga campaign reached an astonishing 800 million people, and the Karl Lagerfeld edition, campaign and surrounding PR reached more than 1 billion people; the same impact is expected with Sir Richard’s special issue. The events were broadcast on most major news stations around the world in both previous cases.

Metro is the meeting point between readers and advertisers, and the Global Guest Editor initiative provides a unique opportunity for advertisers to receive the attention of millions of Metro readers and be associated with a true business and lifestyle mogul. It is a great opportunity for new brands to reach our global audience.

"We are honored to host such a prestigious, global figure, and fascinated to see what insight he can give," says Metro US Editor-in-Chief Tony Metcalf. "He is one of the business icons of the late 20th century."

Sir Richard Branson is the founder of Virgin Group, which has created more than 300 branded companies ranging from airlines, mobile, financial services, clean tech and space travel; and employs approximately 50,000 people in 30 countries with over $21B in revenues. "SCREW NEWSPAPERS AS USUAL" is a continuation of the ideas he championed in his recent book, SCREW BUSINESS AS USUAL, where he shares his and others’ exciting vision for doing business, a vision that turns capitalism on its head and shifts values from a solely profit focus to a focus on people, communities, the planet, along with profits.

As Global Guest Editor, Sir Richard will spend the day in the Metro US newsroom, where he will work with editors, guide the news coverage and comment on the day's news for the edition along the theme of “Risky Business”. All content will run in Metro newspapers around the world.

As part of Sir Richard’s edition, Metro will also give its readers a chance to be Sir Richard’s deputy editor on the edition, and be his personal guest at the World Business Forum at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Oct. 3. The competition requires that readers submit a video CV, explaining why they should be Sir Richard’s deputy editor for his editorship, and nominating an example of an unknown business or entrepreneurial endeavor “screwing” the usual way of doing things, and making change for the better.

For further information, please visit www.metro.us

About Metro

Metro US is the #1 free daily newspaper in America with over 1.1 million daily readers. Metro targets the most active, high-spending young professional in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia and delivers the highest % of readers 18-49. Concise, contemporary and colorful, Metro provides news/entertainment to captive, attention-hungry commuters. Metro offers innovative multi-platform/geo-targeted campaigns; print, out-of-home, and on-line.

Metro is the largest international newspaper in the world. Metro is published in over 100 major cities in 21 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.