USA TODAY + Me Social News App Launches Today

MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- USA TODAY, a multi-platform news and information company, announced today the launch of USA TODAY + Me, USA TODAY's first app for Facebook Timeline. This app will deliver select USA TODAY news and information to people on Facebook based on what their friends have read and recommended, as well as stories customized to peoples' interests. The app makes its debut today with the Chrysler Brand as the launch partner.

"We're excited about the launch of our first app for Facebook Timeline and that the Chrysler Brand has joined us today as our launch partner. As more and more people turn to social sites and their peers' recommendations as a means of determining which news and information they will consume, it is more important than ever to reach our audience wherever they choose to consume their news," said Dave Hunke, president and publisher of USA TODAY.

The USA TODAY + Me app is highly customizable and intuitive. People will be able to personalize their experience with the option to view news in a visual grid design or a more traditional list view.  In addition, people can filter their social news in multiple ways including filtering by what is popular with their friends or by what news is trending overall on Facebook. USA TODAY's "My News Feed" option uses a person's social connections and their Likes on Facebook to surface news that is relevant to them and help them discover new stories of interest.  Additionally, Facebook comments will be synced across the news on USA TODAY + Me and USATODAY.com enabling greater dialog around stories.

When people choose to install the USA TODAY + Me app, they have full control over what information they share with their friends. They can also always edit their settings from their Application Settings Page on Facebook, and they can remove specific activity directly from Timeline or from their personal Activity Log on Facebook. People can add the app to their Timeline by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/usatodayplusme, and begin reading and sharing stories they like.

USA TODAY is a multi-platform news and information media company. Founded in 1982, USA TODAY's mission is to serve as a forum for better understanding and unity to help make the USA truly one nation. Today, through its newspaper, website and mobile platforms, USA TODAY connects readers and engages the national conversation. USA TODAY, the nation's number one newspaper in print circulation with an average of nearly 1.8 million daily, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning newspaper website launched in 1995, reach a combined 5.4 million readers daily. USA TODAY is a leader in mobile applications with more than ten million downloads on mobile devices.  The USA TODAY brand also includes USA TODAY Education and USA TODAY Sports Weekly. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI).

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SOURCE USA TODAY