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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 Sii5jTBEjkT1gxV/73nCLQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-09-002596.txt : 20090114
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-09-002596.hdr.sgml : 20090114
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090114105653
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-09-002596
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090110
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090114
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090114

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SAMPSON MARCELLA A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001222496

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10991
		FILM NUMBER:		09525443

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		221 ALLEN ST
		CITY:			YELLOW SPRINGS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45387
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9377671545

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000883293
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-ADVERTISING [7310]
		IRS NUMBER:				382760940
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		19975 VICTOR PARKWAY
		CITY:			LIVONIA
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48152
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3135913000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		19975 VICTOR PARKWAY
		CITY:			LIVONIA
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48152
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd229656.xml
<DESCRIPTION>01/10/2009:  DIRECTOR GRANT - SAMPSON
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-10</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000883293</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VCI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001222496</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SAMPSON MARCELLA A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>221 ALLEN STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>YELLOW SPRINGS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45387</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-01-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>350</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7586</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Award granted pursuant to Company's 2008 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Linda J. Schalek, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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