09/10/2009

Statement:

Associated Press Statement on the Death of Frank Batten Sr.

Frank Batten Sr., the retired chairman of Landmark Communications and chairman of The Associated Press board of directors from 1982-87, died Sept. 10. He was 82.

AP CEO and President Tom Curley said: "Frank was both an inspirational and innovative leader, who was a willing mentor to many. He came to the AP at a critical moment in its history, and played a pivotal role in helping AP transition into a modern organization, equipped for a more competitive, global era of news-gathering."

"The organization has lived up to its vision," Curley told AP Radio. "It has become a global powerhouse. It really has implemented the technology necessary to compete and it's kept its systems state of the art."

Curley added: "There's also a marvelous quote from Frank that resonates and has been with us the entire time, so in a way he's really never left us and will be with us forever. He called the AP people 'honest messengers, mostly anonymous, far from the limelight, often at risk and always committed to getting out the news as thoroughly and accurately as possible.' That remains as true today as it did in his era."

The AP obituary is posted at http://www.ap.org/pages/about/whatsnew/wn_091009a.html

Paul Colford
Director of Media Relations
The Associated Press