MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
USA TODAY, part of Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), announced today that Maribel Perez Wadsworth will become the publisher of USA TODAY effective immediately. Wadsworth will continue to lead the USA TODAY NETWORK’s $1 billion consumer division, overseeing content strategy and operations, following the retirement of John Zidich. Wadsworth is also the president of the USA TODAY NETWORK.
Wadsworth is a champion of journalistic excellence, with a strong commitment to investigative and enterprise reporting. She has been a driving force behind the Network’s investments in emerging technologies to create groundbreaking storytelling, such as the launch of the first weekly news program in virtual reality and the recent award-winning explanatory series “The Wall.”
Kevin Gentzel will continue to lead all advertising for USA TODAY, as well as marketing solutions for USA TODAY NETWORK North America under Sharon Rowlands. Under Gentzel’s leadership, USA TODAY has successfully transitioned to a premier destination for national brands and agencies. USA TODAY digital advertising revenue now represents two-thirds of its total advertising business. Wadsworth and Gentzel will partner to drive the digital transformation of one of the nation’s most widely known news brands.
“Maribel’s passion for creating great experiences for our audiences as well as her commitment to constant innovation make her the ideal leader for USA TODAY,” said Robert Dickey, president and CEO of Gannett. “In her more than two decades with Gannett, Maribel has gained a unique perspective on the strong and important relationship between USA TODAY and our local Network properties and their unmatched ability to together drive nationwide journalistic impact. I am confident that our leadership is well positioned to execute our refreshed business strategy and drive toward our goal of being essential for consumers and businesses on a daily basis. I also want to take a moment to again thank John Zidich for 40 incredible years at Gannett and wish him well in his retirement.”
“I am so proud and honored to lead such an iconic brand as USA TODAY, building upon its core commitments to trusted, award-winning journalism and role as an industry innovator,” said Maribel Perez Wadsworth, incoming publisher of USA TODAY. “I could not be more excited to work with this incredibly talented team, whose passion and enthusiasm consistently creates excellent experiences for our readers and our advertisers.”
Wadsworth joined Gannett more than 20 years ago, when she worked as an agriculture beat reporter at the Rockford Register Star. She went on to work for The News-Press in Fort Myers where she held reporting and editing roles, eventually serving as general manager for custom publications and managing editor for digital. She joined the corporate team in 2009, leading digital strategy for all of Gannett’s local newsrooms. In 2015, Wadsworth became Gannett’s first chief strategy officer and in November of 2017, she became president of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Wadsworth serves on the board of the News Media Alliance (NMA) and International News Media Association (INMA).
About USA TODAY
Founded in 1982, USA TODAY reflects the pulse of the nation, serving as host of the American conversation by delivering high-quality, engaging content through unique visual storytelling across all platforms. A media innovator, USA TODAY sites reach nearly 92 million unique visitors each month across digital platforms, with more than 24 million downloads of our award-winning app. USA TODAY also remains the nation’s number one newspaper and is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI).
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