Cox Enterprises Announces Year-End Executive Leadership Changes

Cox Enterprises Announces Year-End Executive Leadership Changes

Dennis Berry to Retire as President and COO of Cox Enterprises - to Become Vice Chair

Jimmy Hayes Named Executive Vice President - to Become President & COO of Cox Enterprises

Jim Robbins to Retire as President and CEO of Cox Communications

Pat Esser to Become President of Cox Communications

ATLANTA, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Enterprises, Inc. announced today that Jimmy W. Hayes, 52, has been named executive vice president and will assume the role of president and chief operating officer at the end of 2005.

Hayes will succeed Dennis Berry, who at year end will become vice chair of Cox Enterprises succeeding David Easterly who will retire from that position while remaining a member of the board. In his role as president and chief operating officer, Hayes will be responsible for Cox Communications, Manheim, Cox Newspapers, Cox Television, Cox Radio, AutoTrader.com, as well as finance, administration and business development.

"Jimmy's extensive knowledge of the Cox culture and its companies is an extremely valuable asset as we make strategic decisions to grow our business," said James C. Kennedy, chairman and chief executive officer of Cox Enterprises.

Hayes rejoins Cox Enterprises after having spent the past 16 years of his career in various leadership roles at Cox Communications, Inc., most recently serving as executive vice president of finance and chief financial officer, a position he's held since 1999. Hayes began his career at Cox in 1980, and in 1982 was named a corporate officer. Hayes earned bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from the University of Georgia, and in 1989 completed the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School. In 2005, Hayes was recognized as one of the media industry's best CFOs by Institutional Investor Magazine.

"Jimmy brings a wealth of experience to his new role and will make a great addition to the Cox Enterprises senior leadership team," said Dennis Berry, president and chief operating officer of Cox Enterprises. "I look forward to working closely with him over the next several months."

Also taking place at year end, James O. Robbins, president and chief executive officer of Cox Communications, will retire after leading the company for two decades. He will be succeeded by Patrick J. Esser, 48, who will become president of Cox Communications. Robbins, who will continue serving as a member of the Cox Communications board of directors, will become a member of the Cox Enterprises board of directors in early 2006. Esser joined Cox in 1979 as director of programming for the company's system in Hampton Roads, VA, and in 1981 was part of the original management team that pioneered Cox's local advertising sales division, CableRep Advertising. In 1991, he was promoted to vice president of advertising sales, later being named senior vice president of operations for the Western Division before serving most recently as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

"Pat's extensive experience in all facets of operations, coupled with his commitment to service excellence makes him the perfect choice for this position," Robbins said. "I wish him the very best as he continues making his mark at Cox."

Esser is a recipient of the Cable Television Advertising Bureau President's Award and serves on the board of directors for the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing Educational Foundation. A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Esser earned bachelor's and master's degrees in communications media.

"Jimmy and Pat are talented executives who will provide strong leadership continuity and direction as we focus on our long-term objectives," continued Kennedy. "I'm excited as we put in place our next generation of Cox senior leadership and at the same time, pleased to be able to call on Dennis Berry and Jim Robbins for their continued leadership as they serve as members of the Board of Cox Enterprises."

Cox Enterprises, Inc. (www.coxenterprises.com)

Cox Enterprises is one of the nation's leading media companies and providers of automotive services, with 2004 revenues of $11.6 billion and 77,000 employees. Major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications, Inc. (cable television distribution, telephone, high-speed Internet access and other advanced broadband services); Cox Newspapers, Inc. (newspapers, local and national direct mail advertising and customized newsletters); Cox Television (television and television sales rep firms); Cox Radio, Inc. ((NYSE:CXR) broadcast radio stations and interactive Web sites); and Manheim Auctions, Inc. (vehicle auctions, repair and certification services and web- based technology products). Cox Enterprises also owns an equity stake in AutoTrader.com, the world's largest and most visited online source of vehicle listings for dealers and consumers.

Cox Communications (www.cox.com)

Cox Communications Inc., a Fortune 500 company, is a multi-service broadband communications company with approximately 6.7 million total customers, including approximately 6.3 million basic cable subscribers. The nation's third-largest cable television provider, Cox offers analog cable television under the Cox Cable brand as well as digital video service under the Cox Digital Cable brand, featuring advanced services including digital video recording, high-definition television and video-on-demand. Cox provides an array of other communications services including local and long-distance telephone under the Cox Digital Telephone brand, high-speed Internet service under the Cox High Speed Internet brand, and home networking. Commercial voice and data services are offered via Cox Business Services. Local cable advertising, promotional opportunities and production services are sold under the Cox Media brand. Cox is an investor in programming services including Discovery Communications Inc. Cox Communications is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc.

Source: Cox Enterprises, Inc.

CONTACT: Bob Jimenez, +1-678-645-0070, or bob.jimenez@coxinc.com ; or
Ellen East, +1-404-843-5281, or ellen.east@cox.com, both of Cox

Web site: http://www.coxenterprises.com/
http://www.cox.com/

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