Gannett's Taps David Payne as Chief Digital Officer.

Gannett Co., Inc. announced that David A. Payne has been named senior vice president and chief digital officer, Craig A. Dubow, chairman and chief executive officer, and Gracia C. Martore, president and chief operating officer. jointly announced.

Payne will be a member of the Gannett Management Committee.

The Company said Payne joins Gannett from ShortTail Media, Inc., where he was president and CEO of the video ad technology start-up he co-founded in 2008. From 2004-2008 he was senior vice president and general manager of CNN.com, which produced and distributed all of CNN's digital services, including CNN.com, CNN Mobile, CNN.com Live, and CNN Video on Demand.

"David has an incredible track record developing and leading digital operations in the media industry. He has tremendous digital content and advertising experience and understands media distribution, sales and marketing. He clearly has his finger on the pulse of what consumers and advertisers want in today's digital world," Martore said. "As consumers and advertisers continue to embrace new ways to engage with and share content on any platform and device, Gannett will continue to be a leader in developing new digitally delivered services. David will help us grow and innovate even faster and help us chart a new and exciting direction for our company and the many audiences we serve."

According to a release, Gannett is a digital company focused on newspaper, TV and national Web sites that reach 52 million users monthly, or about 24 percent of the Internet audience, as measured by comScore Media Metrix. The company's digital portfolio includes PointRoll. The company's digital business has grown 44 percent in the last two years and, with revenue of almost $1 billion, makes up 18 percent of Gannett's total revenue.

During his career at Turner Broadcasting, the Company noted that Payne also served as senior vice president of business operations and development at CNN (2001-2004); senior vice president and general manager of CNN/Sports Illustrated Interactive (2000-2001); vice president of legal and business affairs for Turner Sports and vice president and team counsel for Turner Sports Teams (1994-2000); and as counsel for Turner Entertainment Group (1993-1994). Prior to joining Turner, Payne was an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, DC; an associate of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Washington, DC; and a producer and weekend assignment editor at KUTV in Salt Lake City, UT.

Gannett Co., Inc. is an international media and marketing solutions company that informs and engages more than 100 million people every month through its network of broadcast, digital, mobile and publishing properties.

More information:

www.gannett.com

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