Wendy Naugle Joins USA TODAY Network as Executive Editor of Entertainment
Naugle Brings Over Two Decades of Entertainment Editorial Experience
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) announced today that Wendy Naugle will be joining as Executive Editor of Entertainment for the USA TODAY Network. In her role, Naugle will oversee all entertainment strategy for a broad portfolio, working with entertainment editors across the USA TODAY Network and over 200 local publications to rapidly execute a strategy focused on initiatives to expand reach and increase focus on audience, partnerships and content engagement to drive audience and revenue growth. She will report to Senior Vice President of USA TODAY, Monica Richardson effective Monday, July 28.
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Wendy Naugle, USA TODAY Network Executive Editor of Entertainment
"I'm thrilled to join USA TODAY Network at such a dynamic time for entertainment and media," said Naugle. "Entertainment news can connect communities across the country and delight and surprise readers, and USA TODAY is uniquely positioned to lead in this space with heart, intelligence, and reach. I'm excited to work with the team and grow this essential entertainment destination."
Naugle brings over 25 years of editorial growth and strategy development experience to Gannett. She most recently served as Editor-in-Chief for PEOPLE, where she helped grow the widely read entertainment brand to a top 10 site in the U.S., reinvigorated the brand's most significant franchises such as Sexiest Man Alive and Most Beautiful, and helmed first-ever issues on climate change, LGBTQ+ Pride, Black History Month, and People of the Year. Before PEOPLE, she rose the ranks to Executive Editor at GLAMOUR, where she managed a major brand transition from a monthly print cycle to digital-first content, in addition to overseeing GLAMOUR's annual Women of the Year and Women of the Year Festival, the launch of the brand's first podcast series, and Tell Somebody, an award-winning campaign against domestic violence.
"The USA TODAY Network has a rich history of providing the latest news in entertainment covering pop culture, celebrities, movies, television, music, books, things to do, dining and more. Entertainment ranks among our highest performing topics for engagement attracting loyal readers," said Monica Richardson. "Wendy's exceptional editorial vision and deep industry knowledge will be instrumental in shaping the future of our entertainment coverage. We are confident that her experience will help connect with our audiences in meaningful and innovative ways across all platforms."
Naugle served on the board of the NYU Center for Publishing and received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Drake University in Des Moines, IA.
ABOUT GANNETT
Gannett Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions.
ABOUT USA TODAY NETWORK
USA TODAY NETWORK, part of Gannett Co, Inc. (NYSE:GCI), is the leading news media publisher in the U.S. in terms of circulation and has the largest digital audience in the News and Information category, excluding news aggregators, based on the December 2024 Comscore Media Metrix® Desktop + Mobile. Our Domestic Gannett Media segment is comprised of USA TODAY, daily and weekly content brands in approximately 220 local U.S. markets across 43 states and our community events business, USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures. With deep roots in local communities spanning the U.S., we engage approximately 140 million monthly unique visitors, on average, through a diverse portfolio of multi-platform content offerings and experiences. For more information, visit gannett.com.
ABOUT USA TODAY
Since its introduction in 1982, USA TODAY has been a cornerstone of the national media landscape under its recognizable and respected brand. It also serves as the foundation for our newsroom network which allows for content sharing capabilities across our local and national markets. Through USA TODAY, we deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Across our digital platforms we reach an audience of approximately 73 million unique visitors each month (based on December 2024 Comscore Media Metrix®).
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements relating to whether the appointment will facilitate and enable Gannett to achieve its desired transformation and growth, or achieve or realize beliefs, intentions, estimates or strategies regarding the future, any or all of which may not be realized. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "plan," "expect," "predict," "potential," "could," "will," "would," "ongoing," "future" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially and/or significantly different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, see the risks and other factors detailed in "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors" in Gannett's 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Gannett's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Gannett's other filings with the SEC, in each case as such factors may be updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Gannett disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Gannett I USA TODAY Network
Lark-Marie Antón
Chief Communications Officer
[email protected]