USA TODAY Travel Media Group Appoints Two Executives

John Peters named President and Krista Nordlund named Vice President, Product

McLEAN, Va., May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- USA TODAY Travel Media Group announced two key appointments today. John Peters has been named president and Krista Nordlund has been named vice president of product. Peters will direct the overall strategy of the USA TODAY Travel Media Group. Nordlund will focus on the development of consumer digital products for the Travel Media Group. Both will be based at USA TODAY's McLean headquarters. The announcement was made today by USA TODAY president and publisher Larry Kramer.

"John and Krista bring great experience and deep knowledge of the travel industry to the USA TODAY Travel Media Group. USA TODAY has been part of the travel experience for almost 30 years offering the on-the-go audience news and information. As we diversify our business focus and go deeper into digital and mobile platforms, John and Krista will play key roles in the strategy and execution of our business tactics," said Kramer.

Peters is a travel industry veteran with 25 years experience in the business. He was previously senior vice president and general manager of digital strategy and business development at Rand McNally where he was the driving force behind their travel transformation. Prior to that, he was the chief executive officer of Tripology. His prior experience includes roles as vice president of business development at RCI Cendant – Wyndham Worldwide, executive vice president of sales, marketing and business development at Group I.S.T. – International Specialty Travel and vice president of marketing and strategic partnerships at Far & Wide Travel Corporation. Peters began his career when he co-founded Zeus Group Tourism Companies while still in college. He holds a B.A. in business management from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Nordlund comes to USA TODAY after five and a half years in various roles with Expedia, Inc. Most recently, she was the director of product management for the global tour and transport group where she directed the strategic development and maintenance of Expedia's air, car, and rail product portfolios. Prior to that, she was senior business analyst of e-commerce product development for US Airways/America West.  She holds a B.S. in industrial management engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an M.B.A. from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.

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 5.9 million readers daily. USA TODAY is a leader in mobile applications with more than 14 million downloads on mobile devices.  The USA TODAY brand also includes USA TODAY Education, USA TODAY Sports Media Group and USA TODAY Travel Media Group. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI).

SOURCE USA TODAY