Transcontinental Has Strong Profitability Gain on Lower Revenue in Q1

MONTREAL—March 17, 2010—Transcontinental’s profitability was up substantially in first quarter 2010 compared to first quarter 2009, for the third quarter in a row. Adjusted operating income before amortization rose 5% and 15% in the third and fourth quarters of 2009, and 41% in the first quarter of 2010. This growth is directly related to the measures implemented in 2009 to rationalize costs and improve efficiency, the reorganization and divestiture of certain operations and, to a certain extent, the stabilization in customer advertising spending.