David Hunke Named Chairman of USA TODAY, Will Retire in September

MCLEAN, Va., April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) announced today that David Hunke, president and publisher of USA TODAY, has been named chairman of USA TODAY.  He will serve as chairman until the end of September 2012 when he will retire from Gannett.  As chairman, he will work on strategic projects for USA TODAY and help with the transition to new leadership.  

Gannett is conducting a search for a publisher to succeed Hunke, which will be coordinated with the current search for an editor in chief for USA TODAY.

Susie Ellwood, executive vice president and general manager at USA TODAY, will be responsible for USA TODAY's day-to-day operations, with USA TODAY Sports Media Group and USA WEEKEND reporting to her. Ellwood will report to Gracia Martore. The Detroit Media Partnership and the Detroit Free Press, which reported to Hunke, will now report to Bob Dickey, president of U.S. Community Publishing.

"Dave Hunke has made numerous contributions to our company throughout his career, including most recently guiding the upcoming re-launch of USA TODAY.com and the development of the next generation of USA TODAY tablet and mobile apps," said Martore. "His career spanned numerous changes in the publishing industry, and he has been a steadying hand at every turn. We are deeply grateful to Dave for his many contributions and look forward to working with him over the next six months until his retirement."

"When USA TODAY was launched nearly 30 years ago, it was bold and innovative," said Hunke. "Today, a terrific team is writing a new chapter as the USA TODAY brand transforms itself to meet changing media consumption habits. It has been an honor to work at one of America's great media companies."

Hunke, 60, joined Gannett in 1992 and held a number of executive positions before being named president and publisher of USA TODAY in April 2009. Previously he had been CEO of the Detroit Media Partnership and publisher of the Detroit Free Press since 2005. Prior to that, he was president and publisher of the Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle from 1999 to 2005 and vice president of advertising for the Cincinnati Enquirer from 1992 to 1999. Before joining Gannett, Hunke held various advertising positions with Knight-Ridder.

About Gannett
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is an international media and marketing solutions company that informs and engages more than 100 million people every month through its powerful network of broadcast, digital, mobile and publishing properties. Our portfolio of trusted brands offers marketers unmatched local-to-national reach and customizable, innovative marketing solutions across any platform. Gannett is committed to connecting people – and the companies who want to reach them – with their interests and communities. For more information, visit www.gannett.com.

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SOURCE Gannett Co., Inc.