USA TODAY Sports Media Group Forms USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties

USA TODAY Sports Media Group Forms USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties

Chris Pirrone joins USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties as General Manager

MCLEAN, Va., June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The USA TODAY Sports Media Group today announced the formation of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties.  This division brings together the BNQT action sports properties and several recent acquisitions, including MMAjunkie.com and its associated UFC and mixed-martial arts properties, and the Big Lead Sports mainstream sports properties. The result is one unified collection of premium sports inventory that allows advertisers to reach sports enthusiasts at scale while providing unique and extensive targeting opportunities.

As part of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties' formation, longtime digital industry executive Chris Pirrone has been named General Manager, overseeing operations. 

"USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties is designed to strategically integrate our premium sports properties to create compelling content for sports fans," said Tom Beusse, President of the USA TODAY Sports Media Group.  "Chris brings the digital marketing expertise necessary to lead this team, which we believe will make USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties a one-stop shop for fans, and for brand advertisers seeking to engage sports fans in meaningful and unique ways." 

"As one of the most-visited sports properties online, our audience reach and scale is immense," said Pirrone.  "USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties is in a truly unique and enviable position to help agencies and advertisers drive sales and build brand awareness by engaging an enthusiastic audience of mainstream and action sports fans with custom executions across premium TV, print, display, mobile, video and social channels."

Pirrone has more than ten years of experience in the digital marketing space. He joins the USA TODAY Sports Media Group from Traffic Marketplace where he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Premium Display, Mobile and Video Digital Advertising.  Prior to that, he served as Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at Connexus Corporation and Associate General Counsel at ValueClick, Inc.  A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Pirrone earned a bachelor's degree in economics from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., and a J.D. from The University of Akron School of Law.                     

The USA TODAY Sports Media Group is currently the fourth-largest digital sports audience with nearly 23 million unique monthly users, according to the May comScore report.  USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties is comprised of national, local and enthusiast sport audiences; 11 directly owned and operated digital sports properties; 500 exclusive representative and partner sites; and 15 sports channels dedicated to reaching vertical sports enthusiasts. Channels include: the National Hockey League (NHL), National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), NCAA Football (NCAAF), NCAA Basketball (NCAAB), National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), Fantasy Sports, Soccer, High School/Prep, Hispanic, Action, Outdoor, Lifestyle and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)/Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). 

The USA TODAY Sports Media Group encompasses all sports initiatives across USA TODAY, as well as Gannett Co. Inc.'s 81 community newspaper properties and 23 broadcast television stations. It also includes the sports photography service U.S. Presswire, USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties and HighSchoolSports.net. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI).

SOURCE USA TODAY