ATLANTA - Aug. 28, 2008 - Southern Company today announced that IDG's CIO Magazine named it one of the 2008 CIO 100. The 21st annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT). The 2008 CIO 100 awards were presented August 26 at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"The CIO 100 honors organizations that have used technology in innovative ways to generate value to the business," said Abbie Lundberg, Editor in Chief of CIO Magazine. "Unlike other top lists, it's not just about who's biggest -- it's about who's doing the most interesting and relevant things."

"We are honored to be recognized by CIO Magazine for the CIO 100 award," said Alan Martin, executive vice president, Southern Company and president & CEO, Southern Company Services. "Southern Company's IT organization is an industry leader in using innovative technology to drive business value."

The recipients of this year's CIO 100 award were selected through a three-step process. First, companies filled out an online application form detailing their innovative practices in both business and IT. Next, a team of judges reviewed the applications in depth, looking for unique practices and substantial results. Finally, CIO editors reviewed the judges' recommendations and voted on the final 100.

CIO produces award-winning content and community resources for information technology executives thriving and prospering in this fast-paced era of business, as well as create opportunities for information technology and consumer marketers to reach them. The CIO portfolio includes CIO.com, CIO magazine (launched in 1987), CIO Executive Programs and the CIO Executive Council. CIO properties provide business technology leaders with analysis and insight on information technology trends and a keen understanding of IT's role in achieving business goals. The U.S. edition of the magazine and website are recipients of more than 200 awards to date, including three Grand Neals from the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards and two Magazine of the Year awards from the National Society of Business Publication Editors. CIO websites and magazines appear in more than 25 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France and Germany. CIO, and sister brand CSO, are produced by CXO Media a subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading technology media, research and event company.

About Southern Company

With nearly 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast, one of America's fastest-growing regions. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are significantly below the national average. Southern Company has been listed the top ranking U.S. electric service provider in customer satisfaction for nine consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Visit our Web site at http://www.southerncompany.com/.

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Media Contact: Valerie Holpp, Southern Company Corporate Communications, (+1.404) 506.5333 or (+1.866) 506.5333, media@southerncompany.com