Smurfit-Stone Extends Existing Employment Agreement of CEO Patrick J. Moore

CREVE COEUR, Mo. and CHICAGO, Feb. 15, 2011 /CNW/ -- 
    


    

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation (NYSE: SSCC) today announced that the Company has extended the term of Patrick J. Moore's existing employment agreement until the completion of its pending acquisition by Rock-Tenn Company ("RockTenn").

    

    (Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070129/SMURFIT-STONELOGO)

    

Mr. Moore's employment was previously scheduled to terminate no later than March 31, 2011.  The Company expects that the RockTenn transaction will close in the second quarter of 2011.  This extension is intended to provide continuity of executive leadership through the completion of the RockTenn transaction.

    

    About Smurfit-Stone
    

Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation is one of the industry's leading integrated containerboard and corrugated packaging producers and one of the world's largest paper recyclers. The company is a member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®. Smurfit-Stone generated revenue of $6.3 billion in 2010; has led the industry in safety every year since 2001; and conducts its business in compliance with the environmental, health and safety principles of the American Forest & Paper Association.

    

    Additional Information and Where to Find It
    

In connection with the proposed transaction, RockTenn and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation will be filing documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the filing by RockTenn of a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a joint proxy statement of RockTenn and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation that also constitutes a prospectus of RockTenn.  RockTenn and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation stockholders are urged to read the registration statement on Form S-4 and the related joint proxy statement/prospectus when they become available, as well as other documents filed with the SEC, because they will contain important information.  The final joint proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of RockTenn and stockholders of Smurfit-Stone.  Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other documents filed with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or by contacting RockTenn Investor Relations at [phone] or Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation Investor Relations at [phone].

    

    Participants in the Merger Solicitation
    

RockTenn, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the transaction. Information concerning RockTenn's executive officers and directors is set forth in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on December 17, 2010. Information concerning Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation's executive officers and directors is set forth in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which was filed with the SEC on March 2, 2010, and in its current report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2010. Additional information regarding the interests of participants of RockTenn and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the transaction will be included in the above-referenced registration statement on Form S-4 and joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available. You can obtain free copies of these documents from RockTenn and Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation using the contact information above.

    




    




Lisa Esneault, Director, Communications & Public Affairs of Smurfit-Stone, [phone] Web Site: http://www.smurfit-stone.com

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